Lynn Walsh

A story written for the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA):

Using QR Codes to Your Advantage
Aug 27 2010
By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

QR codes are everywhere lately, on New York City garbage trucks, at music festivals and even in print advertisements.

QR or Quick Response codes are scanable bar codes that can be read by QR readers on mobile phones. Some codes just link to one website, others link to a whole list of contact information for an individual or a company.

Mobile QR apps are everywhere and most of them are free. It is also free to scan the QR codes and with plenty of QR code generators that are also free, there is no reason why journalists should not experiment with them as well.

As an individual there are plenty of ways to take advantage of QR codes. From generating one for a personal business card with all of your contact information in one code or having one specific to a website you work for-the possibilities are endless.

But how can QR Codes be used effectively by a news organization? Since QR codes are one of my new favorite things I have have a few suggestions:

1. News Scavenger Hunts. At station events use QR codes to link back to your station’s news coverage. Have fliers or printed boards with questions about recent news events or trivia that link back to stories the station has covered. The viewers would scan the code and be sent to view a story on the station website. It sends traffic back to the site while being a source of entertainment for viewers.

2. Added Value to News content. Sometimes a story could benefit from more than 15 seconds of coverage. Expand the stories on the web and create a QR code that is specific to that page of the site. When reporters are out in the field they can hand out the codes or even wear the code on clothing or a badge so people can easily find where more information is located.

3. Branding. Working for an online news publication that is new in a city can be hard at times–people may not recognize the name right away and you may not always have the time to explain it for longer than 10 seconds. Create a code that can go on a business card, press badge, clothing, microphones, cameras, etc. that can be scanned on the run. Have the code direct people to the site to learn who you are and what you cover.

4. Breaking News. Develop a code that goes directly to the station’s Twitter account or breaking news page of the website. Better yet-why not paint it on the news trucks? When people see a news van they normally wonder what the big story is–now you can tell them! Create a page on the site or a twitter account for each truck or car, make sure to update the account when it is out in the field and they could then be used for teasing stories that will air later or to create social media buzz around a story.

Technology is here to stay. Embracing it is going to only help us as journalists and the entire news industry.

Those are just some ideas I had but I would love to hear what you think? Let me know on Twitter @Lwalsh or e-mail, Lynn.K.Walsh@gmail.com. I truly believe the possibilities are endless.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

FOIA: Fun-Ongoing-Interesting-Activities
Aug 09 2010
By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

With deadline after deadline in a TV newsroom it can be laughable to think anyone would have time to file a freedom of Information act request.

On top of taking the time to file it correctly, there is always the time it takes to find the correct person to send it to, knowing what to ask for and of course waiting and keeping track of the response itself.

While a time crunch is a plausible excuse, it shouldn’t be yours. Here are some tips I have learned along the way on how to use the Freedom of Information Act and state-level public information laws to develop enterprise stories and add some spice to dailies.

1. Prepare Early

This may sound like a no-brainer but sometimes it helps to be reminded. There are certain documents that are filed on the same date every year-campaign finance reports, conflict of interest reports, etc. Keep a calendar of when the documents are due and prepare requests ahead of time that can be sent first thing on the due date.

2. Subscribe to e-mail lists

It can be annoying to have a inbox flooded with newsletters–but remember it only takes one click to delete them. Subscribe to what corresponds to your beat. E-mail newsletters will show you reports that are coming out, big trials, etc. Reports often stem from audits-request it. You may have a summary of the trial but why not request the whole court document?

3. Request Databases

Whether it is a salary database or a contract database, the information listed inside can be invaluable time and time again. Once you put in the request make sure you have access to those databases at all times. Details like salary, hire dates, contract totals a company has with a city or other government entity always add to the story and can help set your story a part from the competition.

4. E-mails/Communication

Was there a little argument at the City Council meeting? Heard rumors about construction bids being approved “in the dark?” Request all communication records: e-mail, written, phone, etc. from the players involved. Don’t forget about personal schedules, calendars, personal cell phones, personal e-mails….

Documents hold information that is hard to refute and they are always “on the record” when attained through FOIA or public information laws. Use this to your advantage!

A story written for the Radio Television Digital News Association:

When All You’ve Got Is Off-The-Record Info, Dig In These Spots
Aug 17 2010
By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

In local government rumors always seem to be flying around about personal and business connections between public officials and the community.

Conflicts of interest in local politics seem to always pop-up in conversations with sources, friends and other officials, but proving that there is a conflict of interest can sometimes seem impossible. People will tell you all the juicy details but then add that the information is “off the record.”

This leaves you with great information but nothing concrete to go on, so what do you do? Start looking at public documents, most of which are available without submitting public information requests. Below are examples of documents I turn to on a daily basis to add new information to stories or as enterprise follow-ups.

Campaign Finance Reports

These documents are gold mines of information that can help you add details to spice up a story. Who is contributing to the campaign? Do any of the contributors have contracts with the local agency? What is the official buying with campaigns funds? The key is to look at these documents even when they are not running–when major contracts are up for renewal or RFP’s (request for proposals) are submitted. The information can create great follow-up blog posts for your site or stand alone. The reports are also a great source of contact information for public officials and their politically active friends.

IRS 990′s

Nonprofits have to file an IRS 990 form with the government and most of the forms can be found online at Guidestar for free. The information listed can be invaluable when reporting on a nonprofit itself, but it can also be a source for potential conflict of interest stories. Look who sits on the board of directors. Are they getting paid for their service? Most public officials serve on nonprofit boards but which ones they serve it is not always common knowledge.

Property and Voter Registration Records

Sometimes these records are available for viewing online. Is a local official running for office and not registered to vote? Or maybe they are registered in a different state or county? Property records can be great for connecting two people to one another. Look to see who has property together, whether it is a business, a house or an apartment it can be proof that two people are connected.

E-mails

When you hear rumors of a business connection or possible conflicts of interest request e-mails and other forms of communication from accounts associated with the public officials involved during a specific time period. In the age of new technology don’t forget to include Twitter, Facebook, etc. Politicians are becoming more savy about what they do and do not write in e-mails but in high stress situations information can always slip.

The media uses these documents for national and state-wide races all the time, and during election season these stories show up everywhere. Do not forget about the local races and local politicians.

A story written for RTDNA-Radio Television Digital News Association

Audio Tweets: The Future of Online Reporting?
Jul 29 2010
By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

A little bit of social media heaven revealed itself to me this week: audio tweeting.

It showed up as most social media news does, through my Mashable iPhone application.

But, this article on the technology and social media website is more than just a first look at how to send audio clips over social media sites. It reveals yet another tool journalists can use to better connect communities to the stories being reported every day.

Whether it is a quick sound bite or a descriptive audio clip-they can now be shared instantaneously with audiences across the world with just a few clicks.

While the possibilities of how journalists can use these services is endless, in my opinion; the greatest part is the ease of use.

Most reporters are already tweeting throughout the day as they run to and from interviews, press conferences, events, etc. Sometimes the messages are timely and deliver breaking news as it happens-other times the messages prepare the audience for what to expect in a story coming later that day or night.

Now, instead of describing the noise of the construction site or quoting a school board member during a meeting, journalists can actually share the sounds with their followers as they happen. No more typing out quotes in 140 characters or less-just hit record and the 15-second sound bite can be shared on Facebook and Twitter in less than a minute.

Some may argue sharing a compelling interview clip or providing too many details may reveal too much of the finished product-leaving listeners and viewers with nothing new to see later. I disagree.

Think about how many times you have been forced to choose between great sound bites, leaving the “leftover” sound to just be recorded over the next day. Now you not only have a way to let your source tell more of their story in their own words, but you can create a compelling, interesting and multimedia story that ropes listeners and viewers in throughout the day.

It could be an informative, day-long teaser for your audience. Plus-it is interesting, innovative and provides more levels of engagement for the community.

Another great reason to audio tweet: the possibility of increased transparency for the public. They are not just reading quotes you heard someone say, they are actually hearing the same sounds and comments you are, just a few seconds later.

As journalists across the country are expected to do more with less, new technologies can be overwhelming; I encourage you to not give-up. New technologies are allowing journalists to tell better stories that make a bigger impact in communities everywhere-embracing the changes and new technologies can help the world become more engaged and better informed.

The five services Mashable suggests are:

• Chir.ps
• AudioBoo
• Twaud.io
• Chirbit
• ShoutoMatic

The services all offer web-based platforms and AudiBoo also has both iPhone and Android applications. Short and longer recordings are both possible with the above services (Twaud.io will allow around 30 minutes of audio to be recorded and uploaded.)

Lynn Walsh is an investigative video journalist at Texas Watchdog, a nonprofit online journalism organization focusing on government accountability and transparency in Texas.

The HISD travel investigation that Texas Watchdog published has been featured on the Investigative Reporters and Editors blog:

District’s travel practices prove costly
Posted on June 21st, 2010

A Texas Watchdog review of three years of the Houston Independent School District’s travel records shows a penchant for pricey, last-minute tickets, and a toothless travel policy that allows teachers and staff broad discretion over travel spending. Reporters also spotlighted the school district’s use of a travel agency that adds $30 to every ticket issued by the district, even though the school system has two employees, paid $50,750 each, devoted full-time to making travel arrangements. Texas Watchdog used paper records, a database of credit card transactions, and interviews to develop this story.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

Texas Watchdog’s Lynn Walsh reflects on broadcast training at the Poynter Institute
Mon Jun 21 16:48:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

Multimedia seems to be the key word in the world of journalism right now — whether it is “tweeting” or livestreaming on the web.
Working for an online news organization I use multimedia on a daily basis, but I learned at a recent conference sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists that multimedia convergence has become the norm at TV stations across the country. I joined a group of journalists last week for SPJ’s Broadcast Reporters Institute, at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla.

cellphone camera
TV reporters and anchors are not just encouraged but expected to add to the news they are covering by uploading scene photos, sharing links, recording web extras…the list goes on and on.

To me, one of the most exciting multimedia components I learned about is the use of mobile communication tools in the news industry. A video can be recorded, edited and uploaded in minutes, and all that is needed is a phone — something that can be carried around in your pocket.
The Missouri School of Journalism uses iPhone video and audio for stories in its newscasts on a daily basis. The students are editing, uploading and creating entire video stories from the palm of their hand.

New technologies provide publishing opportunities for the public, beyond traditional newsrooms. With the right equipment, anyone can create a video in minutes, upload it and share with the entire world. Exhibit A: Rabbi David F. Nesenoff and his flipcam.

Mobile video uploading and editing can make citizen journalists more powerful while bringing more watchful eyes to the streets. As an advocate for government transparency and accountability, I say, “the more the merrier.”

Texas Watchdog is always trying to use the most relevant, powerful technologies to reach our readers and viewers. If there is a technology you want to see used more or less, let us know at news@texaswatchdog.org.
If you shoot video you think we may want to see, send it my way. I’m on Twitter, @Lwalsh. E-mail lynn@texaswatchdog.org. Call 713-228-2850.

A story written by Texas Watchdog:

KHOU features Texas Watchdog’s report on wasteful travel spending at HISD
Tue Jun 15 19:48:00 2010 CST
By Trent Seibert

KHOU-TV last night led with Texas Watchdog’s report on wasteful travel spending at the Houston Independent School District.

From KHOU 11 reporter Kevin Reece:

The investigation by Texas Watchdog found that on numerous occasions HISD arranged travel to conferences for its employees within the final few weeks before the events.

Texas Watchdog highlights one specific example, a conference in Columbus, Ohio. Although the October 2008 conference was planned a year in advance, internal correspondence at HISD shows discussions on booking flights lasted until late September. Tickets that could have been purchased for $350, instead cost as much as $934 a piece.

“Money is not the overriding factor,” said Lee Ann O’Neal, the deputy editor of Texas Watchdog. “It’s what’s convenient for the employees it seems. And that’s concerning.”

HISD responded to KHOU’s report, as well:

“There is some truth there to the fact that some employees are not taking advantage of the lowest possible fare,” said HISD spokesperson Norm Uhl when asked about HISD’s response to the Texas Watchdog report.

According to the district’s travel policy, employees are “encouraged to plan business travel at least 21 days in advance” but are not mandated to do so, Uhl said. He said it is a policy under review.

We appreciate KHOU’s digging into HISD’s loose travel policy.

See the Texas Watchdog story here that started it all.

See below the video report from KHOU:

From an article for Ohio Watchdog:

After the income tax increase passed in Columbus, Ohio this summer, a Reform and Accountability Committee was established to monitor spending of the additional money coming into the city. Ernie Shannon spoke with the chair of the committee, Tom Hoaglin, and several union leaders to see how the first months of increased income tax revenue are affecting the City of Columbus.

Big promises accompanied Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman’s pleas for a tax increase this summer to pull the city out of a budgetary sinkhole. He made clear that if Columbus voters approved the half-percent increase in taxes, that now includes anyone who works within Columbus city limits regardless of where they live, city leaders would cut into heretofore-sacrosanct employee salaries or benefits to find savings. However union leaders, fearing they may be the fodder to fill the sinkhole, don’t look so kindly on such a plan.

In March an economic advisory committee suggested to the mayor and Columbus City Council an income tax increase of .05 percent along with additional charges for refuse collection. Jumping on that idea, Council President Michael Mentel advised an August election for voters to approve the request even though opponents said the late-summer date was too soon. The tax passed by 3,050 votes and the city followed up with an announcement in September that the same Economic Advisory Committee had created a 15-point plan to reduce city expenditures during the next ten years. Mayor Coleman and President Mentel also mentioned the appointment of a Reform Accountability Committee to monitor progress on those 15 ideas. Former Huntington Chairman Tom Hoaglin is chair of the new committee.

“I give the mayor a lot of credit for being willing to hold the city accountable for their spending in the wake of the recent tax increase,” said Hoaglin. “There’s a very careful balance between revenue and expenditures and one of the areas that probably needs more balance is with employee wages and benefits. The city has been very generous in covering benefits for employees and we have a mayor who understands we need to be fair with wages while at the same time being fair with the taxpayer.”

Finding better “balance” won’t be easy to come by though. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1632 President Doug Moore says simply, “We have a collective bargaining agreement with the city through March 2011. We expect the city will want to begin negotiating a new contract sometime before that, but nobody has approached us about any of this yet. We recognize the challenges the city has, but we have worked hard for many years to achieve the level of benefits and wages city employees deserve.”

The Columbus Firefighters Union Local 67 has already cooperated with city leaders by accepting a reduction in benefit coverage by the city to 5 ½ percent by May 2012. The city currently pays a full ten percent of benefits for employees. But Firefighters Union President Jack Reall was careful to point out that his union also acquired pay increases to offset the benefit reductions.

“We don’t make plans to support the city,” Reall said. “The idea is to negotiate what is fair for all parties and that’s what we’ve done. By May 31, 2012 the city’s pension pickup will be down to 5 ½ percent for us. Let’s see what everyone else is willing to sacrifice by then.”

Reall also expressed some skepticism about the Reform Committee, questioning whether a group of people approved by and in support of city leaders can make the difficult, but fair recommendations needed.

“In my opinion, it’s hard to have a third-party reviewer under any circumstance and get the results you really need,” Reall said.

The first five recommendations in the 15-point, ten-year plan created by the Economic Advisory Committee targets employee benefits work issues. The first recommendation is called Phasing-Out Pension Pick-Up and says, “The practice of paying the employee share of retirement costs cannot continue. This benefit cost the city’s General Fund approximately $30 million in 2008 and contributes to the structural imbalance. The city should phase out the current benefit over time.”

Hoaglin said, “Non-union city employees have already started down this path by agreeing to give up city contributions to their benefits by one percent a year each January for ten years thus ending city payments altogether by 2020.”

The second recommendation titled Increasing Employee Share of Health Insurance includes this language: “Offset the cost of employee health care insurance by continuing to increase the employee contribution to the cost of coverage. The city should continue its successful strategies for holding down the cost of care, and at the same time reduce operating costs by requiring the employee to share more of the cost burden.” But will the unions accept both an increase in their costs for health care coverage while not receiving a pay increase to offset the loss of income?

The third suggestion which is called a Health Benefits Dependent Audit calls for greater scrutiny on who receives employee benefits. This section says, “To reduce premium costs associated with the city’s health insurance plan the city conducted a review of the plan’s current enrollment to ensure eligibility of enrollees and to ensure that health care dollars are spent only on employees and dependents entitled to coverage.”

The last two recommendations by the committee focus on managing overtime and the redeployment of uniformed police and firefighters. While these two points are not as controversial as the reductions in benefits, they would require a change in the city’s work environment in many instances. The first would significantly reduce overtime work costs, but leaving open to question what services might be lost. The second would return many desk-bound uniformed safety employees to the streets replacing them with civilians where possible. This assumes the replacements would not be paid at the same salary levels.

Hoaglin’s committee is moving forward in planning how to monitor the city’s progress with the 15-point plan. The committee had an organization meeting on October 30 and heard from city leaders.

“We needed a good understanding of each of the 15 areas. How we are going to keep score on these changes is the question we must answer as we move out on this.”

Hoaglin said his group will meet three times a year – February, June, and October. The committee plans to release its first report by March 31 and will follow with smaller reports after each meeting. He expects they will introduce a major report card on the city each March.

“We feel we will hold the city’s feet to the fire over the next few years and we will make an honest report to the citizens of Columbus,” Hoaglin said.

The Reform and Accountability Committee will meet in late March to issue its first report.

Lynn Walsh is on the Ohio University Sales Centre Alumni Society Board and was featured in the following newsletter:

Lynn Walsh serves on the Ohio University Sales Centre Alumni Society Board and was recently featured in a newsletter.