Chpt. 14 - Class Notes - Mwangi lecture over beat reporting. PDF

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Mwangi lecture over beat reporting....

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BEAT REPORTING  Definition o A reporter’s assigned area of responsibility o EX: schools, courts, local government, subject, geographic area, obits  Effective Beat Reporting o Be prepared  Conduct background research  Understand beat structure and relevant laws  Build relationships with sources; don’t become biased o Alert  What is the implication of the info you are picking up  What will the decision cost to implement?  Who will pay for it? o Persistent  Be willing to follow stories over a long time  Sources can be reluctant to talk  Sources might not understand the issues o Be there  Become part of the community you cover  But uphold professionalism o Be wary  Remember why you are there  Your affinity should be with the readers not sources...