See what a difference a reporter can make

If you get discouraged about this business and don't think a reporter can make a difference (or needs to go to a major metro paper to make a difference), read this AJR story about Pete Shellem of the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Bob Baker's reflections on David Halberstam are uplifting, including this observation: "Halberstam's training as a journalist taught him this lesson: You can write about anything if you know your characters well enough, and your readers will not abandon you if you can put them in the shoes of your subjects." (And while we're on Halberstam, I'll note that my son Mike had lunch with him a year or so ago and had the foresight to bring along a copy of "Summer of '49" to get autographed for his old man. That's a good son.)

Another recent Baker column breaks down a story by Jennifer Warren. "She did it by asking a question many reporters don't ask enough: Can I watch? We don't do it because we have low expectations, or because it would eat up time our editor says he wants for other stories."

Chip Scanlan has some excellent observations on finding time to write. You have to make time to write, he says.

Interesting observations here from Walter Pincus, John Walcott and David Corn about the state of investigative reporting.

And to see recent examples of strong investigative reporting, check "Extra! Extra!" at the Investigative Reporters and Editors web site.