Bits, Bytes and Barks — Uplink Archive

NICAR has updated several journalism databases including FBI crime reports, bridge inspection data, and FAA accident records, with pricing tiered by organization size. Resources from an IRE reporting conference for student journalists are also now available online, covering topics like property records, FOIA laws, and business reporting.

Bits, Bytes and Barks

Data updates at NICAR

The following datasets have recently been updated at the NICAR Database Library: The 1999 FBI Uniform Crime Reports: Includes summary information from law enforcement agencies throughout the country on index crimes. There are six tables to the database, including one on homicides and another on arsons. Cost for the entire U.S., all databases: $160, $320, $345 depending on size of news organization. State slices are available for: $55, $110, $135. You can also purchase just one of the six databases. More information is available at www.nicar.org/data/fbil

The 2000 National Bridge Inventory: Includes the most recent inspection for all bridges in the United States. Bridges include those for highways, railroads, pedestrian-bicycle, overpasses, and those designated as historically significant. The data has been used by many news organizations to document problems with bridges in local areas. It is also useful to have available in case of a breaking news story involving a bridge. Cost for entire U.S.: $40, $80, $105. A single state is: $15, $30, $55. More information is available at www.nicar.org/data/bridges/

FAA Accidents and Incidents: Includes all accidents and incidents in the United States involving all types of aircraft. The most recent incidents included in the data are from early 2001, however not all incidents from 2000 were entered into the database by the FAA by the time NICAR received the data. The most current data, 1990 through 2000, costs: $40, $80, $105. NICAR also has data going back to 1973 that is available separately. More information is available at www.nicar.org/datalfaaailindex.htm

Reporting Conference Tipsheets

Tipsheets from the IRE Reporting Conference, held March 31 in Columbia, Mo., are available online at www.ire.org/training/2001studentconfltipsheets.html The one-day conference featured a variety of topics geared toward students and young journalists. Panels included:

Finding out about licensed professionals Using property records Using FOIA and local sunshine laws Covering cops and courts Producing the story for television

Also available, is a transcript of the keynote speech by Diana B. Henriques of The New York Times. Her speech discussed, "What every reporter should know about business."