News sources are more useful nowadays
than they used to be in conducting background checks, for several reasons.
First, it's far easier to locate
news stories than in the past since virtually all of the major media have web
sites or are represented in online indexes or databases; and second, more people
-- even average people -- are getting mentioned in the news than used to be
the case, since there is so much news out there.
Third, many people now leave their
footprints in cyberspace by contributing to online forums or setting up personal
web sites.
Given all these factors, you should
always do a news and website search as part of a background check.
A few quick tips to get you started:
- Do you know your subject's occupation
or industry? If so, then check specialty publications -- magazines, journals
and newsletters -- catering to that occupation or industry. He may be mentioned
or even have published an article in one of them.
- If he's a community leader, you
might want to check his or her community newspaper.
- Zines (online publications) are
an often-overlooked source. For a database of zines, visit BestEzines.com.
- If you think your subject may
have appeared on radio or TV talk shows, you may be lucky enough to find a
transcript. Two databases to search are Burrelle's TV Transcripts and Broadcast
Database (Burrelle's Information Services, 75 E Northfield Rd., Livingston
NJ 07039 800-631-1160); and CNN News Transcripts (CNN, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta
GA 30303 404-827-2491, available online through NEXIS.) Also check Yahoo!
under "Networks" for an indexing of TV station sites, some of which contain
transcripts.
- If your subject is an authority
in a specialized field, visit an online forum related to his field (e.g.,
through Google Groups); you may find people
there who are familiar with him or his work.
- Use news collection databases,
the best of which are listed below, to scan hundreds of media sources for
his name.
NEWS COLLECTION DATABASES
Newspapers
Online - a mega-site with links to newspaper web sites worldwide
National
Press Club - huge collection of journalism links
AJR/Newslink
- American Journalism Magazine's site with thousands of links to media sites
throughout the world
News
Trawler - excellent source for researching foreign newspapers
PUBLICATIONS COLLECTIONS
E-Zines
- another directory of electronic magazines
News
Directory - guide to English-language online media, newspapers, magazines,
and U.S. TV broadcasters
Editor
& Publisher - links to most of the newspapers, television, radio stations
and magazines online.
MAGAZINES & NEWSLETTERS
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