So what is NICAR?
It's the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting. It's a joint venture of Investigative Reporters & Editors Inc. and the Missouri School of Journalism - started with a generous grant from the Freedom Forum. It is the logical continuation of the Missouri Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, which was begun by Elliot Jaspin five years ago. And it is the most ambitious project in the country for training journalists and educators, for providing data and data analysis, and for acting as the clearinghouse for information about computer-assisted reporting. In the coming months, NICAR plans
Increase the number and kind of seminars at Missouri. Offer seminars and conferences across the country. Build up a data library that can provide information inexpensively to news organizations. Help smaller papers deal with large amounts of data. Do data analysis on complicated projects. Offer services online.
The staff has a varied background, which will enable it to provide a wide range of services.
The managing director of NICAR is Brant Houston, who worked on computer-assisted stories at The Hartford Courant since 1988, where he was database editor. The training director is Jennifer LaFleur, who comes from the San Jose Mercury News and knows computers, statistics and mapping software. NICAR's academic adviser is Richard Mullins, who was at the National Library of Money & Politics. Three graduate research assistants, Matt Reavy, Drew Sullivan, and Gwen Carleton, will help in the day-to-day operations. The institute also will draw on the resources and experts at the school of journalism. NICAR's next on-campus, weeklong seminars will be May 15-20 and Aug. 14-19. The fees charged by the NICAR will be as low as possible, but high enough to support the expansion of its staff, equipment and other resources. The institute welcomes donations of tapes and diskettes and advice on how to improve its services. NICAR's phone numbers are 314-882-0684 and 314-882-9491.