Assignment : Researching Government Websites
Researching government websites is a critical tool in investigative reporting. For this assignment, you will utilize selected online resources to investigate three different topics listed below.
First, choose two examples:
1. You are a business reporter and hear that the largest employer in your town is going to lay off one-third of its employees. You need to find background on the company's financial status. Find the latest 10-K filings for a large public company in your area. Use the EDGAR database from Filings & Forms (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. (Paul & Hansen, 2007, p. 98).
2. In a story on an "English-only" referendum being proposed, you want to add information about the demographics of your county, particularly the Hispanic population. Search for population statistics for your county at the U.S. Census Bureau. (Paul & Hansen, 2007, 98).
3. In covering a story about domestic violence in Florida, a police officer tells you that the hot weather months are the worst - there is a jump in cases in July. Verify the accuracy of the statement by checking the Florida Department of Children and Families . (Paul & Hansen, 2007, p. 98).
Include the following elements for each of the two examples you selected:
1. Identify at least one fact from the government website to use in an investigative report for each of the two examples.
2. Describe how the data proves or disproves the underlying assumption in each of the two examples.
3. Compare how effective the data was in analyzing each of the two examples.
The assignment must be two to three pages (excluding the title and reference pages) and completed using the APA style format.
The paper must include a title page, in-text citations, and a full list of references at the end. You must cite at least one reference from the textbook and at least one reference from scholarly outside reading material. References for each of the stories must also be included.