Featured Staff: Christine Schiavo

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Christine Schiavo has spent 30 years in the trenches of local journalism and seen its struggles firsthand: layoffs at The Philadelphia Inquirer, the loss of nearly the entire copy desk at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the permanent closure of that paper’s newsroom last year. But even as staff and resources shrank and…

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Alumni Portrait: Alyssa Jeong Perry of NPR’s “Code Switch”

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For Alyssa Jeong Perry (’16), the recent wave of anti-Asian violence has underscored the need to report on the diversity within the Asian American community. Perry, who is Korean American, is a producer at National Public Radio’s “Code Switch” podcast, where she feels fortunate to be able to report deeply on issues of race, ethnic…

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Inside Climate News & the Investigative Reporting Program uncover potential health hazards from storage tanks

Aerial view of an industrial waterfront facility. Large cylindrical storage tanks dominate the foreground, with buildings and pipes surrounding them. In the background, a harbor with anchored ships and city buildings bathed in early morning sunlight is visible, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism's insightful coverage.

An 18-month investigation by Inside Climate News in collaboration with Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program (IRP) found that bulk storage tanks that hold asphalt and heavy fuels pose a potential health risk to millions of Americans living near the tanks — a national problem that has gone largely unregulated. In “Noxious Neighbors,” Berkeley Journalism alum…

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Alumni Portrait: Freelance investigative reporter Jimmy Tobias

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For Jimmy Tobias (’16), investigative reporting is a lot like building a trail. “It’s a slow, deliberate enterprise that rewards experience and attention to detail,” he said. Tobias knows quite a bit about both. Before attending Berkeley Journalism, he worked as a wilderness trail technician for the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana Conservation Corps, which he describes…

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“Mauled” investigation named finalist for Goldsmith Prize

A dark-toned graphic with a snarling dog in the background. The large text reads "Mauled." Below, smaller text says "When police dogs are weapons," a report by Berkeley Journalism and The Marshall Project. At the top, you'll find the Marshall Project logo and navigation options against glitch-like digital distortions.

The investigative project “Mauled: When Police Dogs Are Weapons” led by Berkeley Journalism lecturer Abbie VanSickle with research by student Michelle Pitcher (’21) has been named a finalist for the prestigious Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. “Mauled” is a year-long collaboration between The Marshall Project, AL.com, IndyStar and the Invisible Institute and exposed the widespread use and abuse of police dogs…

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Journalists explore redressing the wrongs of journalism

A promotional poster for a Democracy Town Hall event titled "Writing and Righting the Wrongs of Journalism." Featuring black and white photos of four distinguished speakers from Berkeley Journalism: Geeta Anand, Wesley Lowery, Monika Bauerlein, and Michael Pollan.

Four leading journalists discussed efforts to transform news coverage of race, social justice, agriculture and other key issues in a panel called “Writing and Righting the Wrongs of Journalism” held at UC Berkeley on March 8. Moderated by Berkeley Journalism Dean Geeta Anand, the panel featured Monika Bauerlein, CEO of Mother Jones, America’s longest-established investigative news organization; Wesley…

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IRP reporter reflects on “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez”

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One year ago, the searing six-part docuseries “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” began streaming on Netflix. The film, based on reporting by Garrett Therolf of Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program (IRP), examines the brutal 2013 death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez by his mother and her boyfriend and how misguided policies fail to protect children in peril. Brian Knappenberger is the…

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“Agents of Chaos” documentary nominated for Writers Guild Award

Promotional image for HBO's "Agents of Chaos," featuring the White House adorned with a circus tent, flags, and the year 2016. Russian-style domes emerge from the tent, underlining the theme of Berkeley Journalism's deep dive into the 2016 election attack.

“Agents of Chaos,” a four-hour HBO documentary about Donald Trump and Russia’s interference in the 2016 election based on reporting by Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program (IRP) and Investigative Studios, has been nominated for best documentary script at the Writers Guild Awards. The film was streamed in two parts and each of the two-hour segments were nominated individually. The film…

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“California’s Criminal Cops” wins investigative reporting, public service awards from Society of Professional Journalists

An image depicts a police officer in uniform with a hat and badge, but instead of a discernible face, it features a collage of blurred, different faces—a surreal portrayal that echoes themes often explored in Berkeley Journalism. The background consists of dark, stormy clouds.

A six-month investigation of California police officers with criminal records, led by Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program (IRP) and the Bay Area News Group (BANG), was honored this month by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. “California’s Criminal Cops,” which exposed hundreds of current and former police officers with rap sheets across the…

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