If you’re working in social justice or want to learn how to mount a persuasive argument, come and learn from some of the world’s best investigative journalists and documentary makers. Paul Farrell from Guardian Australia will host this Masterclass featuring special guests Jon Ronson, Eric Schlosser and Amy McNeilage. Jon Ronson is a renowned writer and documentary filmmaker who dips into every flavour of madness, extremism and obsession. For his latest book So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, Ronson spent three years talking to ordinary people who became targets of virtual mobs. Find out how he constructs his stories, cultivates his contacts and weaves a narrative. Eric Schlosser, author of Command and Control, Fast Food Nation, and Amy McNeilage, Young Walkley-award-winning Fairfax journalist, will both be providing additional case studies and their top tips and techniques. Paul will also lead people through the murky waters of encryption, freedom of information and surveillance. This will be a practical and informative lecture covering all aspects of investigative journalism. Come along and learn how to uncover the stories that people don’t want you to know or how to hold the powerful to account. The Festival of Dangerous Ideas and Guardian Masterclasses are thrilled to offer this unique Masterclass. Hurry - tickets will sell out.
This course is for you if...
- You’re an aspiring journalist
- You’re passionate about independent journalism
- You’re a media or communication student looking to expand your skills
- You’re a advocate or professional and want to understand more about digital surveillance and how to improve your handling of sensitive information
- You are looking to develop a greater understanding of freedom of information laws for investigations.
- You work in a policy, advocacy or government and want to learn how to target freedom of information requests to your fields of interests
Course description
This Masterclass will explore how digital surveillance works, what you can do about it and how to seek access to government information before hearing from international and award-winning investigative journalists about their fascinating craft.
Topics covered on the day include:
- Using basic encryption tools including PGP email encryption, Off-The-Record (OTR) chat and anonymised web browsing to help protect sensitive information
- Requesting and analysing data from freedom of information
- Paul Farrell interviewing Jon Ronson, Eric Schlosser and Amy McNeilage about their methods of investigative journalism; how they got their start, how they build contacts and what the future holds
You will leave this Masterclass with a the tools to handle sensitive information and a new understanding of investigative journalism.
Tutor profile
Paul Farrell is a Guardian Australia journalist who produces investigations on immigration detention, privacy and surveillance. He was the inaugural winner of the 2014 Amnesty International Australia award for best online/print news story. Before joining Guardian Australia he was a co-founder of Detention Logs, an investigative website dedicated to enhancing transparency in Australia’s immigration detention centres using freedom of information requests.
Book now
Tickets are to be booked via the Festival of Dangerous Ideas website.
Details
Date: Sunday 6 September
Times: 11am-2pm
Location: Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room
Price: $180
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in
Returns policy
Tickets are non-refundable.