Montenegro Investigative Journalism Workshop

July 21—August 04, 2007

The workshop was sponsored by the International Media Training Center of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) http://www.ibb.gov/, which includes the United States external broadcast stations of Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Radio Free Asia, Radio Sawa, and Radio Marti. The Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State University http://www.jlmc.iastate.edu/ hosted this program. Stephen C. Coon, emeritus associate professor of journalism Stevecoon was principal instructor/trainer.

The participants were five professional print journalists in Montenegro: Branislav Mandic, Dragana Vukcevic, Marija Jovicevic, Dejan Milicic , and Angelina Filipovic. They were interested in meeting their American counterparts and learning how U.S. print media conduct investigative reports. The interpreters were Fedja Zimic and Mircea Oprea. Shalom Labra was the program assistant.

The program comprised lectures, discussion and case studies of investigative reports. All participants received copies of award-winning stories as we compared experiences from the U.S. and Montenegro perspective.

On day one, Dr. Michael Bugeja, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism, talked about identifying story themes and adhering to high ethical standards.

Dr. Barbara Mack, associate professor of journalism discussed Open Meetings and Public Records. Mack, a practicing attorney, was especially interested in how journalism laws operated in theory and practice in Montenegro.

Wednesday, July 25 we visited The Des Moines Register and met investigative reporters Lee Rood and Clark Kaufman. This session was scheduled in a response to the participants desire to exchange hands-on tips with U.S. counterparts. Rood and Kaufman provided good tips on identifying and working with sources.

In the afternoon, we returned to Ames for a meeting with Bob Zientara of The Ames Tribune, who described the operation of the local newspaper. These two visits gave the Montenegrins a good comparison of mid-sized and small-market daily papers.

Thursday, July 26, Bill McGinley, former general manager of Ames public radio station WOI, met with the journalists to discuss his experiences working with reporters and students in Albania for IBB. Everyone was able to contrast media challenges and opportunities among Albania, Montenegro and the U.S.

In the afternoon, we visited the Iowa State Capitol where Craig Cronbaugh of the Iowa Legislative Information Service explained the state legislative process. Then his office provided a tour of the various capitol offices.

Friday, July 27, Dan Browning, investigative reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, was our host in the morning for a good explanation of investigative reporting techniques. Browning devoted considerable time describing his Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) steps and suggesting how some of these ideas would work in Montenegro.

In the afternoon, we visited the I-Team of WCCO-TV. Anchor/Reporter Dennis Douda, I-Team Producers Maria Awes and Paula Engelking discussed in detail their various investigative stories and showed the participants a story that resulted in a national recall of lead-contaminated jewelry.

Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29, was devoted to various cultural activities including a visit to Winterset, Iowa, birthplace of actor John Wayne. It is also site of the Covered Bridges of Madison County, after which the popular novel and movie were named.

Monday, July 30, Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama held a town meeting in Eastern Iowa. It was an excellent opportunity for the Montenegrins to see firsthand one of the leading U.S. presidential candidates and experience an exchange among Iowans and the Senator.

We had lunch at the Amana Colonies, Iowaπs top tourist attraction, then returned to Ames in the early evening.

Tuesday, July 31, we met with Mike Glover of the Iowa Associated. Glover is one of the two top political journalists in Iowa and frequently is interviewed by the national media regarding Iowa voters, their view of presidential hopefuls, and the Iowa caucuses.

Thursday, Aug. 02, we visited the Meredith Corporation, which is one of the largest publisher of women and home magazines headquartered in Des Moines. Ryan Hunt, corporate communications assistant, was our principal contact; Ken McDougall, retired public relations executive, took us a on a tour of the building and grounds.

Dave Kurns, editor of the Meredith online publications, discussed how the online versions of the firmπs magazines are distinct from the print version and how the online product is making money. Profits for online publications are rare so this was an enlightening session.

Angelina Filipovic wanted to stress business reporting during the workshop. As a result, we scheduled an afternoon meeting with Jim Pollack, editor of the Des Moines Business Record.

The afternoon concluded in Ames with Dr. Richard Mansbach, professor of political science at Iowa State University. He is an expert on the Balkans and a conversation with him was requested by the participants.

Beth and I had a reception for everyone at our house including some neighbors, friends and Greenlee faculty and staff. It was an opportunity for the participants to enjoy American home hospitality and relax.

Friday, Aug. 03, was Graduation Day, which included presentation of final projects, a workshop summary, and recommendations for implementing in Montenegro what the participants had learned during their U.S. stay.

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