Comment Request for Data Journalism Stories

Comment requests are an important part of any long-term investigative reporting project. Here is a presentation I gave about the art and science of comment requests at the 2017 Nicar conference in Jacksonville, Fl.

1. The Art & Science of Comment Requests for Data Journalism Stories Cezary Podkul @Cezary 3/4/2017 1 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

2. Roadmap Things to think about: Expectations: What should you expect? What should you not expect? Fairness: Striking the balance between being tough and fair. Transparency: Ensure they understand your data & docs Substance: How to maximize your chance of a meaningful response 2 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

3. Expectations Lower them, if you haven’t already 3/4/2017 3 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

4. Expectations What is a request for comment, really? 4 Negotiation for information. . . . With the caveat that it often has to be done in writing vs. in person. 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

5. Expectations What should you expect out of a request for comment? In a best-case scenario, they will: Take you seriously Look at what you sent them Take the opportunity to correct anything Give you some sort of answer 5 … You’re lucky if you get one of the above 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

6. Expectations What should you not expect? They will not answer all your questions (that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask them) This is not a ‘model review’ … they will not check all your numbers They care about different things than you do: reputation, reputation, reputation Policy and politics trumps everything else when dealing with governments 6 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

7. Fairness Give them a chance to have their say 3/4/2017 7 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

8. Fairness Quick poll – raise your hand if you’ve ever heard this: 8 “Well, why should we talk to you? It sounds as if you’ve already made up your mind” 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

9. Fairness This is why the phrasing of your questions matters … a lot 9 Stay neutral Don’t make any assumptions Present the evidence and ask about what it shows 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

10. Fairness My favorite questions to ask: 10 Lay out your numbers graf and ask, point blank: “Do you dispute this?” Give a quote from credible critic and ask: “Please respond.” Point out an inconsistency – you said this, but then did something different – and ask: “Please comment.” 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

11. Transparency Show them what you know 3/4/2017 11 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

12. Transparency Sharing data and documents: 12 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville Isn’t always possible; obligation to source is most important But whenever you can do it: It adds credibility to your reporting Allows you to ask tougher questions Gives you leverage

13. Transparency What do you do if you have a lot of docs or data to share? Let’s look at some examples 13 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

14. Substance Get them to say something meaningful 3/4/2017 14 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

15. Good Luck! 15 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville

16. Keep the conversation going! 16 [email protected] @Cezary 3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville