Journalists covering the federal takeover of D.C.’s law enforcement have a lot to keep up with, including a slew of executive orders, near-daily public rallies and press conferences, and video footage that conveys conflicting messages depending on who’s released it.
So, how can journalists gather the most accurate and up-to-date information to tell stories that best serve the public? How can they distill the facts and overcome challenges around obtaining crucial arrest data when contextualizing the latest news?
The National Press Club Journalism Institute and the D.C. Open Government Coalition held a briefing on September 5, 2025, on best practices for gathering arrest data and covering the law enforcement agencies that are active in the capital city.
Speakers:
- Robert Becker, D.C. Open Government Coalition board member
- Fritz Mulhauser, secretary and co-chair of the D.C. Open Government Coalition’s legal committee
- Moderator: Elliot C. Williams, National Press Club Journalism Institute Training Manager