Discover public records you quickly can find online at Sept. 15 NPCJI webinar

Wondering about access to New York criminal records? Need to verify the rank of a deceased veteran? Trying to find the maiden name of a twice-married woman? For journalists, knowing where to look – without waiting on a public information request response – is key. 

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute to hear from award-winning investigator Caryn Baird, who will present a practical working model of public records research based on her years of experience at the Tampa Bay Times.

Baird is a researcher for Politifact and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. For more than 24 years, she has verified people, places and events before the story is written. She has research credit on five Pulitzer winners, two finalists, and several other award-winning stories. She is a native New Yorker with a bachelor of arts from Wellesley College and a master of science in Library & Information Science from Simmons College. 

Registration is open for this virtual program, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

Participants will gain a working knowledge of public records that exist online and where to find them, strategies for efficient independent public record searches, and guidance on practical searches for more common fact-checks.

We will send a link of the recording to anyone who registers for this webinar but are not able to post it on our site. Please register so you don’t miss out. 

About the Institute

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the Club's nonprofit affiliate, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.

The Institute depends on grants, foundation funds, and contributions from individuals like you. Your donation today allows the Institute to offer the majority of its programming at no cost.