Standards for news reporting and writing

The ideal news article is an original, ethically reported description of a significant public event or issue explained in terms that are understandable to the average reader.  Ethics is the the starting point and the basic guideline is: Seek the truth,  act independently, minimize harm, be accountable.  (SPJ code of ethics).

Articles that are based on secondary sources rather than original reporting are not acceptable in a news reporting class. All reporting and writing must be original. You are expected to pick local, accessible topics; to research information about the topic; to find experts to interview in person about the topic; and then to write about the topic.  If a star or an expert can’t be interviewed in person — if you have to rely on second-hand sources or piggyback on the work of other journalists — then you don’t have an original ethically reported article.

Ethics in reporting and writing

  • Private people: In interviewing and reporting, you need to respect the privacy of non-public, unelected figures.  Private people who have been victims of an accident or crime should be given full respect for their privacy. In some cases (especially sexual assault) victims are almost never identified.  Children should never be interviewed without parental consent. Generally, private people you interview should be in a position to give  informed consent to being interviewed.
  • Public officials and public figures: In dealing with public people, respect is a two-way street. If authorities do not respect you, then you are obliged to stand up to them, enlisting other reporters and editors if need be. For example, if any government official demands to see your notebook or the draft article in advance of publication, or otherwise  attempts to control the news, you must refuse to cooperate since you are ethically obliged to act independently.  If the lack of professional respect persists,  is not ethical to ignore the problem.  This is a particular issue for student journalists and university publications. Advice is one thing; strong suggestions and/or demands are inappropriate.
  • Writing: In writing your articles, originality is a professional minimum, and plagiarism is strictly forbidden. It is highly  unethical to copy any information from any other report or article without attributing it. A similar ethical issue exists if a reporter relies too much on the work of other reporters.
  • Be Professional: Meet the deadline; Turn your work in on time.

1. Beginning news writing exercises (COMS 104)   

1.1 Appropriate formats  

  • MS Word or Plain Text for all text. Not embedded in a PDF or other hard to edit formats.
  • File label — Word file is labelled using your name and assignment. Example:  StudentName.CityCouncilFeb12.docx     NOT   myassignment.docx or assnment1.docx
  • Byline — Above the lead, at the top of the first page, your name, assignment, and date.
  • Photo format — All photos are submitted separately as attachments, usually JPGs or PNGs for web.  (The standard for print production is CMYK / TIFF)
  • Photo cutline — All photos have cutlines using AP guidelines or others as appropriate.  Cutlines should have:  1) Full names of people in photo; 2) Context of photo; 3) Date of photo; 4) name of photographer; 5) affiliation of photographer; 6) Copyright status (CC for Creative Commons or © for copyrighted.  Public domain images    from before  than 1923 should be labelled with agency — eg:  NASA photo; Brady Collection, Library of Congress; etc).

1.2 News Writing Basics

  • Accurate description of public issue or event
  • Uses regular news lead and sticks to main facts
    • Example:  City Council voted yesterday to approve a new ordinance that would  …
    • But not:  After the pledge of allegiance and a greeting from our wonderful mayor, city council tackled a couple of important things on their agenda that I thought were very interesting …
  • Contains at least two or three direct quotes from experts or authorities that you have talked with or heard directly – and not from any other news article.
  • Sticks to facts — doesn’t make things up
  • Avoids editorial opinion   — Be neutral – avoid editorial comments  
  • Avoid personal references —  never (or almost never)  use the words “I” or “me”    
  • Basic  grammar   
    • Use complete sentences   
    • Full names and titles on first reference, last name only on second and subsequent references.
    • Correct use of definite / indefinite articles   (“a” on first reference “the” on second and subsequent references)  
    • Correct pronouns and verbs (Their, there, they’re ;  your, you’re; sight, site; etc)    
    • Use consistent, appropriate verb tenses  
    • Use equivalent parallel structures

1.3 Style

  • Associated Press style for dates, numbers, capitalization, etc.
  • SVO construction / Active Voice verbs       
  • Attribution –  Let readers know where information comes from.
  • Attribution structure —  “Quote,” said Mayor Firstname W. Lastname.    “Quote. Quote and quote.” 
  • Not full name on first reference. Then last name only on second and subsequent references.   No honorifics (Mr, Ms) despite the NY Times style.
  • News style — Usually begin with WHAT element, not Who or When.
  • Terse & concise — not wordy.

1.4 Conceptual

  • Most recent facts in lead
  • State action or outcome — Avoid label leads and “to be” verbs  (“There was an election  …” )
  • Identification of people appropriate, blind lead if name is unfamiliar
  • Avoid cliches
  • Avoid alleging crime – stick to facts
  • Keep similar elements together in the structure of the story

 2. Standards for advanced journalism students 

  1. Effort — How difficult was it to report and write this article?
    1. Layer 1 — Press releases, pre-planned events, public speakers, panels,  etc.
    2. Layer 2 — Reporter initiative, public service issues
    3. Layer 3 — Investigative reporting, FOIA-d articles
  2. Concept –
    1. Public interest – Is this something the affects everyone?
    2. Reader interest – Is it important to, or interesting to, your readers?
    3. Balance — Are all parties and interests given a chance to speak? Does the reporter avoid bias?
      1. More specifically, are ethical issues considered in formulating and reporting the story? Is the reporter aware of media issues such as “mean world syndrome,” women   and minority issues? 
    4. Significance — Does the story involve important questions, not things that are trivial or transitory or superfluous? (EG Impact of budget cuts on students as opposed to coverage of beauty pageants).

3. Reporting 

    1. Effective translation of concept into reporting plan
    2. Accuracy in all names, dates, events; avoids major factual errors
    3. Thorough reporting, all relevant questions asked  — Reporter doesn’t just repeat a press release
    4. Effective and ethical interviews
    5. Reporting is inclusive, showing  an effort to include people who are sometimes overlooked.

4. Writing 

    1. All work must be entirely original. No copying from, or use of quotes from, other news articles.
    2. The lead should be short, compelling and very much to the point.
    3. Personal examples from sources familiar with the story / event help make news relevant to the reader.
    4. Quotes should highlight color and opinion. Use appropriate forms of attribution.
    5. Well organized structure, Good writing style – smooth transitions, keyword repetitions, S-V-O construction, uses active voice verbs
    6. Avoids editorial comment and boosterism.

5 Media / sidebars / infographics 

    • Sidebars for breaking out factual data
    • Photos taken, subjects identified
    • Video or audio included in story
    • Maps, charts and infographics
    • Posting on appropriate blog or web site Other effective use of media

Extra credit for publication in professional media — 10+