Sourcing stories and story types
A broadcast
journalist relies on a wide range of sources and contacts in the never ending
search for new news
The best
journalists do not just wait for a story to appear, they go and find it, eg
newspapers, social media, word of mouth, news agencies
Source must
be verifiable
Fishman
(1997) called 'beats’ - ‘ patrolling’ much like a police officer on recognized
chains of information to supply potential stories with 'news value’
What
'beats’ form part of this chain of information
Many of
these ‘beats’ are exclusively accessed by news journalists eg calling police
stations or press offices
But in
doing so, what other stories are ignored? Is it right to give priority to those
particular stories? Why?
Where the
news room finds its stories
Primary
sources
● Your own direct contacts
● Original sources direct from source
material eg archive material from libraries etc such as Kew ( National archives
)
● Public appeals
● Press releases/ stats/ official
statements
Secondary
sources
● Stringers ( freelancers )
● Other platforms/ media
Wires
Newsrooms
frequently trawl 'the wires’ for up to the minute tip offs in news stories such
as:
● Press Association - provide a
range…...
● Reuters
Correspondents
These
subject specialists work in newsrooms and are prized for their in depth
knowledge and we'll honed contacts - often invited to confidential 'lobby’
briefings with politicians and on the mailing lists of important relevant
bodies
Foreign
news sources
Journalists,
editors and correspondents based permanently abroad for news networks eg Gavin
Hewitt Europe editor or Mark Martell North American editor
Sometimes
pooled foreign news 'bureau’ with other broadcasters
Again
valued for their local contacts and on the ground
Archives
Many
broadcasters have their own archived material which is a rich source of
pictures, as well as independent archives which sell on their material under
licence
Beware fake
news!
They look
like news packages and sound like them, but stories are to be approached with
caution, as they are very often propaganda
Think about
how many 'stories’ now pop up via social media - who is sending them and why?
Blurring
the lines between marketing and news
………
Communication
Whichever
your source of information and stories, you will need to be a consummate
communicator in order to access these
Know the
essentials before you make the call - do your research and know what questions
you want to ask
Get used to
using the telephone
Emails are
good for exchanging in and more functional tasks, but nothing can replace a
conversation, thus build a rapport, gauge the person you are talking to and
make a decision about them and the story
Finding
your angle
The news
'angle’ is key to developing your story
The angle
can be defined as the main significance of the story to your particular
audience. It is a particular viewpoint of any story
What makes
a story newsworthy?
Relevance/
resonance
Controversy
What recent
'leads’ can you remember?
Why were
they chosen?
Developing
your story
Copious
research needs to be matched with copious note taking
Be
organised and ensure you keep your contacts and relevant information somewhere
you can easily access
Who said
that?
Whenever
you are delivering information, ensure you attribute the information to a
reliable source
Setting up
your story
What is
your story?
Who is in
your story?
Where is
it?
When is it
to be shot?
How will
you tell it?
Why are you
making the story?
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