How an AP reporter broke the Coke obesity story

Paul Colford of the Associated Press interviewed AP food and beverage reporter Candice Choi about the story she broke on how Coca-Cola Co. was a guiding force behind a nonprofit group founded to fight obesity.

Here is an excerpt:

How did this story come about?

In August, The New York Times reported that Coke had funded a new group to fight obesity. A professor leading the group was quoted as saying that the scientists were “running the show,” not Coke. The group also said on its website that Coke has “no input” into its activities.Soon after that, I filed a records request for emails between the group’s president and Coke executives. The exchanges were subject to a records request because the group’s president is a professor at a public university in Colorado.

What were the key obstacles in pursuing the story?

Getting the emails was the first step. State open record laws vary, as does the responsiveness of the agencies they cover.

Fortunately, the AP has great resources for reporters trying to navigate these hurdles. In addition to a database on state laws, investigative researcher Randy Herschaft, Assistant General Counsel Brian Barrett and National Investigative Editor Richard Pienciak are known in the newsroom for their expertise on these matters.

Read more here.