News analysis involves gathering and analyzing news stories from various sources to gain insight into the success and failure of other justice information integration projects. By reading editorials, viewing television accounts, and listening to talk radio shows, you can learn about other initiatives and gauge the public's reaction to them.

Gather accounts from several sources. Find news stories in a variety of media outlets-newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Internet, government and justice publications- from around the country related to justice information integration efforts.

Thorough analysis. A complete news analysis provides rich insight into what worked and what didn't work for other justice information integration projects. You'll also learn how the media and the general public reacted to the successes and failures experienced in these projects.

Identify problems and solutions. Like current and best practices research, a news analysis will identify the problems others faced and the solutions they developed to achieve their integration goals.

Real life examples. News stories are great resources for real life examples of how integration has improved public safety and increased efficiency for justice professionals.

Contacts with other justice projects. You'll find other justice professionals who have lived through integration projects and can share their experiences.

Identify obstacles and understand costs. Project accounts will help you identify the obstacles other groups encountered, as well as understand the costs and risks associated with integration projects.

Gauge media reaction. Knowing how the news media reacted to other justice integration initiatives will help you predict how reporters might cover your project.

Space, time restrictions. Reporters and editors are often forced to leave out information due to space or time constraints, thus the whole story may not be told.

Regional differences. The justice governance structures will be different from region to region. So it may be hard to apply others' experiences to your own project.

Just the facts. News stories often fail to capture the history, personality, and relationships that arise in interagency projects.