Institute for Analytic Journalism

But WJBK-TV (Channel 2) got it right, declaring just after 9 p.m. that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was ahead, 52% to 48%, which turned out to be almost exactly the ... more »

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Thursday, November 3

Digital detectives

by JTJ on Thu 03 Nov 2005 01:30 PM MST

For those interested in the forensic process -- and in this case, computer forensics -- be sure to check out this fine, fine piece of digital detective work by Mark Russinovich, a computer security expert with Sysinternals. He discovered evidence of a "rootkit" on his Windows PC.

We don't think journalists need to know how to DO this kind of deep-diving probing, but we should be aware that it is possible and, broadly speaking, the methods if only to know the appropriate search terms.

Through heroic forensic work, he traced the code to First 4 Internet, a British provider of copy-restriction technology that has a deal with Sony to put digital rights management on its CDs. It turns out Russinovich was infected with the software when he played the Sony BMG CD Get Right With the Man by the Van Zant brothers.

Here's WIRED Magazine's take on the story, "The Cover-Up Is the Crime"

And here's what Dan Gillmor had to say about it, with additional links.

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We should be talking to -- and learning from -- each other

by JTJ on Thu 03 Nov 2005 10:57 AM MST

Another example of how journalists can learn from other disciplines comes to the surface in the form of an LA Press Club meeting Nov. 9.

"Digging deep: What reporters can learn from and about private investigators," is the topic, and the panel of speakers, though large, seems rich with potential.

Here at the IAJ we also value the well done blog, "PI News Link," run by Tamara Thompson. Check it out; enter it in your blog harvester.

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