Julie Watts
CBS News California Investigative Correspondent
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Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California. Based in California’s State Capitol, Julie's reporting combines watchdog journalism with solutions-focused storytelling to expose systemic failures, hold the powerful accountable, spur legislative reforms, increase transparency and drive change.
Area of Expertise
The art of the on-camera interview: viral accountability, "non"-ambushes & getting the big get
One of us went viral, one of us was attacked, and one was doxed and tailed… and that's just the beginning. It's the art of the interview panel you won't forget.
Anyone can ask questions. But doing it on camera — and not going viral in a bad way — is another skill entirely.
Whether it's a viral political interview, an unexpected confrontation, a hard-won accountability interview, or a deeply emotional conversation, television interviews require preparation, instincts, and the ability to react in real time.
Join investigative journalists Julie Watts, David Hammer, and Allya Davidson for a real-world, play-by-play breakdown of the interviews you've likely seen — or should see.
Because in television, the interview isn't just about the answers. It's about what happens when the camera is rolling.
Protecting Your Sources: Video Edition
Every investigative reporter knows the promise: protect your sources.
But what happens if you can't?
Sources are the lifeblood of investigative journalism. But protecting them is about far more than promising confidentiality. How do you build trust with someone risking their job, reputation, or safety to come forward? What do you do when a source won't go on camera? How do you verify what they're telling you while protecting their identity?
We'll share what worked, what failed, what we'd do differently, and how one of our whistleblowers got sued.
Through real-world case studies, Gonzalo Magaña, Chris Nakamoto, Julie Watts will share lessons learned and practical strategies for earning trust, securing communications, protecting whistleblowers, and navigating ethical and legal pressures.
Because protecting a source doesn't end when the story airs.
2026 IRE CONFERENCE Sessionize Event
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