NPC Journalism Institute plans 'Election 2012 Boot Camp' Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m.

The National Press Club's Journalism Institute's Professional Development Committee and the Regional Reporters Association plan to hold an Election 2012 Boot Camp featuring staff from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The Boot Camp is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Bloomberg Classroom. The event is free but space is limited. Reserve at [email protected]

FEC staff will introduce reporters to the campaign-finance data available on the FEC website and demonstrate ways to access, search and sort the data. The session will include an overview of the presidential and congressional maps, the data disclosure catalog, and real-time data on independent expenditures and electioneering communications. Staff will also preview the soon-to-be added disclosure portal, designed to provide one-stop shopping for campaign finance data including political action committee (PAC) and party summary data.

Feb. 21 is the day after a filing deadline so the class should have the opportunity to look at fresh data.