AP Local Investigative Reporting Program

Frequently asked questions

What is the AP Local Investigative Reporting Program?

The AP Local Investigative Reporting Program will apply the resources and expertise of The Associated Press within member and customer newsrooms to serve and support watchdog reporting. Through close consultation and innovative techniques, the Program aspires to help produce work that changes the public’s understanding of subjects that matter.

Is this basically about collaborating on stories with other newsrooms?

Not at all. AP has worked on many investigations with other newsrooms, and while the Program will do more collaborations its primary goal is to help build investigative infrastructure for newsrooms in need. Some examples of this support include:

Data resources and consultations
Workshops in open source reporting and the responsible use of AI
Public records act request writing and strategy
Localizing national stories and nationalizing local ones.

Who is the Program for?

The AP Local Investigative Reporting Program is for AP members and customers — including nonprofit newsrooms — regardless of size. The Program is not available to freelancers or newsrooms that do not subscribe to AP services.

Since AP is a global news organization, are international customers and members eligible to participate?

At this time, the Program is only available in the United States.

Is the Program limited to certain formats?

No. AP can help newsrooms with reporting, data, writing and editing, video, digital presentation and other facets of watchdog journalism.

Why was the Program created?

The Program is an extension of AP’s mission to support newsrooms and the local news ecosystem across the United States — at a time when budget cuts have curtailed watchdog reporting that is vital to the public. Read more about the Program’s mission from Executive Editor Julie Pace.

What’s the history of AP’s investigative collaborations?

AP has a long track record of award-winning investigative work involving both local and national newsrooms, as well as university journalism schools. These collaborations include joint investigations with AIM Media Texas, Minnesota Public Radio, Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentaries with FRONTLINE and ABC News, and reporting projects with the University of Maryland and Arizona State University that have been recognized with national honors.

I’m an AP member/customer newsroom and I’d like to collaborate. What should I do next?

Let’s talk. Email your ideas or a proposal to [email protected], or fill in the form below to get in touch with the team.

Collaborate with AP’s Local Investigative Reporting Program

Submit your proposal or get in touch

Use this form to share an investigative reporting idea or proposal that you’d like to collaborate on with AP’s Local Investigative Reporting Program.

What is your name?(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone number(Required)

Company(Required)

Which newsroom/organization do you represent?

Is your newsroom/organization an AP member or customer?(Required)

Yes

What is your role at your organization?(Required)

What is your idea/proposal?(Required)

Finally, the fun part. In 500 words or less, please explain/detail the reporting you’d like to pursue in collaboration with AP. If you believe the reporting can be scaled up nationally, please elaborate.

Where are you in the process — how much have you already reported out or published so far?(Required)

How do you see a collaboration working – what would your newsroom do and how could AP get involved?(Required)

(Examples might include data support, broadening the reporting, records act requests/strategy, editing help, video)

Is there anything else we should know?