Developing a News Story JOURN 305

What gets coverage? There are several variables determining news coverage The largest variable is the impact that the story has on the readership/public

There are several variables determining news coverage

The largest variable is the impact that the story has on the readership/public

Other Factors “ Real world” factors Reporter interest/prejudice “ Exclusive” access Competition Size of the market Other breaking news

“ Real world” factors

Reporter interest/prejudice

“ Exclusive” access

Competition

Size of the market

Other breaking news

Covering Developing Stories Each story has its own life cycle There may be several “phases” to the reporting of the story

Each story has its own life cycle

There may be several “phases” to the reporting of the story

Phase 1 Breaking news Front-page placement Reporting may be limited to initial info Time is critical Details updated when available For Web and broadcast

Breaking news

Front-page placement

Reporting may be limited to initial info

Time is critical

Details updated when available

For Web and broadcast

Mainbars vs. Sidebars Mainbar = primary story Sidebar = related story Usually human interest angle

Mainbar = primary story

Sidebar = related story

Usually human interest angle

Example Mainbar The New York Times runs a front-page story on memorial events marking the 5-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Sidebar The New York Times revisits the families for a human-interest profile (“Portraits of Grief”)

Mainbar

The New York Times runs a front-page story on memorial events marking the 5-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

Sidebar

The New York Times revisits the families for a human-interest profile (“Portraits of Grief”)

Example Billboard , May 29, 1999 Anti-Copy Plan Would "Filter' Downloads

Billboard , May 29, 1999

Anti-Copy Plan Would "Filter' Downloads

Phase 2 Follow-up story with more details Focuses more on the why and how May or may not be front-page news

Follow-up story with more details

Focuses more on the why and how

May or may not be front-page news

Example Billboard , June 5, 1999 SDMI's "Trigger' Framework Nears Fruition - Some In Online Biz Decry Plan As Attack On Freedom

Billboard , June 5, 1999

SDMI's "Trigger' Framework Nears Fruition - Some In Online Biz Decry Plan As Attack On Freedom

Second-day Stories After the initial “breaking news” is reported, a follow-up story that runs a day later will need a new angle “Second-day lead” Puts the initial event into perspective Offers more information and analysis

After the initial “breaking news” is reported, a follow-up story that runs a day later will need a new angle

“Second-day lead”

Puts the initial event into perspective

Offers more information and analysis

Example The space shuttle Columbia explodes on Feb. 1, 2003 All seven astronauts die On Feb. 2, the initial event is still important, but it is no longer “breaking news” Second-day lead focuses on: Reactions from public Safety of the NASA program Investigation of the cause of the mishap

The space shuttle Columbia explodes on Feb. 1, 2003

All seven astronauts die

On Feb. 2, the initial event is still important, but it is no longer “breaking news”

Second-day lead focuses on:

Reactions from public

Safety of the NASA program

Investigation of the cause of the mishap

Example Phase 1: "Breaking News" One Killed at Stockton "Sideshow" Phase 2: "Second-Day Lead" Second "Sideshow" Victim ID'd

Phase 1: "Breaking News" One Killed at Stockton "Sideshow" Phase 2: "Second-Day Lead" Second "Sideshow" Victim ID'd

Example Breaking news: Man charged with murder hours after girlfriend taken off life support Follow-up: Autopsy puts end to murder charges

Breaking news:

Man charged with murder hours after girlfriend taken off life support

Follow-up:

Autopsy puts end to murder charges

Phase 3 New angles on old stories Human-interest angle In-depth analysis Follow-up on events

New angles on old stories

Human-interest angle

In-depth analysis

Follow-up on events

Phase 4 Most reporters have moved on Findings of long-term investigations New developments from the original event are uncovered

Most reporters have moved on

Findings of long-term investigations

New developments from the original event are uncovered

Internet Reporting On the Web, your first version of a news story will likely be updated as new info comes in

On the Web, your first version of a news story will likely be updated as new info comes in

Developing Story Checklist Latest news gets highest placement Include original breaking news high in follow-up stories If possible, go on location Humanize the story Find a new or unique angle Add to your sources Coordinate multimedia and graphics

Latest news gets highest placement

Include original breaking news high in follow-up stories

If possible, go on location

Humanize the story

Find a new or unique angle

Add to your sources

Coordinate multimedia and graphics

In-Class Writing Assignment Go to the class blog for information on writing a “second-day lead” story The original story is provided Facts and a quote are provided for the “second-day” lead story

Go to the class blog for information on writing a “second-day lead” story

The original story is provided

Facts and a quote are provided for the “second-day” lead story