Reporting lesson plan

Newsgathering

To be assembled: Observations, Records, Interviews, Background, Quotes

3 keys to successful newsgathering:

*Careful note taking
*Use of multiple sources
*Checking and rechecking of information

Newsgathering step by step:

1. Find your focus. What's the news?
*impact *proximity *timeliness *prominence *novelty *conflict *audience

2. Do your homework.
Read about the issue in advance. Public meetings generally produce a lot of advance material, agendas, backup memos, etc.

3. Gather the key facts: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Surface sources: Public statements, press releases etc.

4. Go beyond the surface:
Deeper Sources: Interviews
Background, context: What led to this? When was the last time this happened? Why is this happening? Compare/contrast

5. Collect the full range of views: Supporting views, opposing views.
Make every effort to represent all viewpoints. (Discuss how to prepare for an interview)

6. Listen for good quotes and get them down accurately. (Discuss notetaking tips)

7. Seek out other relevant written records. Are there documents related to this story? (Discuss examples.)

8. Look to the future: What happens next?


Handouts:

Knight Citizen News Network: Accuracy Tip Sheet
Knight Citizen News Network: Principles of Citizen Journalism
Press release: Engine 22 Restoration Project
Press release: Alderman Flores to Hold Non-Profit Hospitals Accountable


Newsgathering exercise: Develop a story angle from the following city council press releases. Make a list of the interviews, records and background information you will need to report the story. Develop a list of key questions for each interview.

Alderman Flores Press release
Alderman Daley Engine 22 release



Discussion of Reporting Ethics

*Do not lie or misrepresent yourself.

*Diligently seek out all sides of a story.

*Understand the difference between advocacy and newsgathering.

*Do not write about friend, relatives, or people with whom you have a personal or financial relationship.

*Be clear, in dealing with members of the public who do not regularly come into contact with the media, that they are speaking to a reporter and that their comments will be used for publication.

*Avoid influences or associations that can compromise your integrity.

*Accept no favors, freebies or special privileges.