Digging deeper: How to find opportunities (and time) to go in-depth

Bart Pfankuch is the content director for South Dakota News Watch, an online public-service journalism group. He can be reached...
Jim Stasiowski, writing coach

Staying a step ahead of your editors

Jim Stasiowski Writing Writing coach Jim Stasiowski welcomes your questions or comments. Call him at (775) 354-2872 or write to: 2499 Ivory Ann Drive Sparks, Nev. 89436.A recent enjoyable email...

Grow your coverage of agriculture with these helpful tips

Depending on where you live and work as a journalist, there are two basic levels of importance when it comes to coverage of the...

If one tip can improve your work, it would be…this one!

Bart Pfankuch is an investigative reporter for South Dakota News Watch. Write to him at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org.

Don’t let pursuit of ‘shiny things’ diminish reporting

All journalists can look back decades or even just a few months to see examples of the “shiny things” that distract us from our...

Moving from routine to highly relevant: How to improve meeting coverage

This column is aimed at every single journalist working anywhere in the world now and in the future.

Assume the attitude of a lifelong learner

More art than science. More craft than vocation. More a calling than a profession. All these statements are true about our chosen field of journalism....

Make it a mantra: ‘Get one more source’

Bart Pfankuch is an investigative reporter for South Dakota News Watch, online at sdnewswatch.org. Email him at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org

Look in a mirror to find your best editor

In an era of constant cutbacks, it can be difficult for newspaper reporters to get good editing. Many experienced editors have fled or been forced...

Are you telling your own stories?

I circulated a column celebrating community newspapers earlier this year in recognition of Sunshine Week. Its publication prompted a few comments. One reader, who hailed...