A FOIA State of Mind Can Transform Your Journalism

It’s getting more and more difficult to get answers from people in power, says Nicole Vap, director of investigative journalism at TEGNA's 9NEWS in Denver. That’s why it’s important for journalists to start thinking more creatively about how to access information that can help better their communities. 

She wants reporters to get into a “FOIA State of Mind,” where journalists are “teaching ourselves to be ready for anything that comes our way, not just specific stories.”

“This is not just a how to put in an information request … this is about getting yourself into the state of mind of what you should be asking and how you can tell better stories with what you’re asking,” Vap said. 

Vap is leading a breakout session at RTDNA21 in Denver called “A FOIA State of Mind.” You can learn more about Vap’s session in the video above.  

“Our communities are never going to get ahead if people like us aren’t thinking differently and thinking about how we can ask for information and how we can get at these answers,” Vap said.

This breakout session will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at RTDNA21 in Denver. If you have not yet registered, hurry to secure your spot before our early bird registration discount expires Aug. 10.