Ask ProPublica Illinois
How Does Journalism Work? Ask Us Questions. We Can Explain.
At ProPublica Illinois, we strive to be transparent about how our journalism gets done. But we can’t predict what you will find useful about it. So, tell us and we'll try to explain. Send any questions to [email protected].
Student Reporters Can Serve Their Communities When Administrators Aren’t in the Way
The journalistic principles are the same as they are at publications like ours, but college and high school newspapers sometimes encounter roadblocks covering their own campus.
Why Do Journalists Describe What Story Subjects Look Like?
Do those descriptions help readers? Or do they reveal our biases?
Say What? How Reporters Gather and Use Quotations
Journalists work hard to get the truth and capture comments that are compelling and colorful.
Where Do We Find Our Story Ideas?
They’re everywhere. Sometimes, we drive right by them.
Twitter Used to Feel Like a Chore. Now It’s a Powerful Friend (And Fun).
It helps showcase our work and add context and value to our stories. It’s also a good way to get pizza from us.
Has the Internet Changed Fact-Checking? Well, It Depends.
The sources haven’t changed much, but accessing them nowadays involves just a few clicks. And no, we don’t use Wikipedia.
How Do We Verify Anonymous Sources?
Very, very carefully, and only after making sure they merit anonymity.
How to Find Out About Hot Dogs, Puppy Names and Parking Tickets
FOIA is the all-purpose journalism weapon of choice.
When Do Reporters Collaborate, and When Do They Compete?
Increasingly, we work together to produce stronger journalism.
How Do We Prevent Typos and Other Errors From Appearing in Our Stories?
We don’t always, but we sure try. A lot of eyes on a story helps.
Those Questions You’ve Been Asking About Journalism? We Ask Them, Too.
A recap of your questions — and answers from our newsroom — about how journalists do their jobs. P.S. Keep sending them.
Defining the Delicate and Often Difficult Relationship Between Reporters and Sources
Journalists stay in touch with the people who give them information and might even meet them for lunch or a drink. But there are boundaries.
How Do You Identify Fake News?
Solid sources and some healthy skepticism can help.
How Do We Keep Bias Out of Stories?
We stick with the facts, and several editors read every story.
When Is a Story Ready to Publish?
It's a tricky balance: more reporting versus the need to get the story out. And sometimes deadlines come and go.
How Do Young Journalists Get Their Training?
Practice. More practice. And a healthy dose of “error terrors.”
