Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting
The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting is a news trade organization dedicated to increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting.
The organization, which is spearheaded by veteran journalists, also seeks to educate news organizations and journalists on how the inclusion of diverse voices can raise the caliber, impact and visibility of investigative journalism as a means of promoting transparency and good government.
The Society is open to journalists of all races and backgrounds who support the mission and work of the organization. The Society welcomes all journalists interested in improving their investigative skills, not just those who are investigative reporters.
Our organization will also provide the mentorship and support to journalists of color seeking to do more investigative work that is often lacking in their newsrooms.
We will offer low-cost regional trainings in the use of advanced technology, open records laws, advanced interviewing techniques, fact checking, backgrounding, data reporting, finding government data, story pitching, organizing projects, following paper trails and how to write compelling investigative narratives.
The skills developed through our trainings can be applied to both beat and project reporting and will be geared toward both novice and veteran journalists.
We will partner with the National Association of Black Journalists, investigative reporters and editors and other journalism organizations, as well as colleges, particularly historically black institutions, to provide high-quality training and skills development to journalists and aspiring journalists who may not otherwise get access to the development opportunities needed to do investigative work.
The Ida B. Wells Society will also showcase the work of investigative reporting on the Black experience, as well as the storied, often-hidden legacy of Black investigative reporters.
