Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings Chapter 14 JOURN 305

Preparation It is not uncommon to be assigned a speech or meeting covering a topic that is unfamiliar to you If this happens, you will need to prepare so that you know what is “news” and what isn’t

It is not uncommon to be assigned a speech or meeting covering a topic that is unfamiliar to you

If this happens, you will need to prepare so that you know what is “news” and what isn’t

Preparation Your employer/publication may have an existing archive of news coverage on the topic…use it! This media archive may be referred to as a morgue

Your employer/publication may have an existing archive of news coverage on the topic…use it!

This media archive may be referred to as a morgue

Preparation You may also use the Internet – but be careful as misinformation is rampant Your publication/employer may also subscribe to a legitimate news database, such as Lexis/Nexis

You may also use the Internet – but be careful as misinformation is rampant

Your publication/employer may also subscribe to a legitimate news database, such as Lexis/Nexis

Speeches When you are assigned to cover a public speech, there are some things you can do to prepare Get advance transcript, if available Pre-interview the speaker, if possible Bring a tape/video recorder to document exact words/events

When you are assigned to cover a public speech, there are some things you can do to prepare

Get advance transcript, if available

Pre-interview the speaker, if possible

Bring a tape/video recorder to document exact words/events

Speeches Be aware that when you cover a public speech, there is heightened scrutiny on what you quote and report on

Be aware that when you cover a public speech, there is heightened scrutiny on what you quote and report on

News Conferences Unlike a speech, a news conference will likely contain a public question and answer forum for reporters If you ask a question publicly, then other reporters are subject to using the response Strategically you might save your best question for a private interview

Unlike a speech, a news conference will likely contain a public question and answer forum for reporters

If you ask a question publicly, then other reporters are subject to using the response

Strategically you might save your best question for a private interview

News Conferences Always held for a reason News announcement Public statement Attempt to get advance news of the announcement from the public relations representative If you can’t get it, try alternative sources that might give you info on the announcement

Always held for a reason

News announcement

Public statement

Attempt to get advance news of the announcement from the public relations representative

If you can’t get it, try alternative sources that might give you info on the announcement

Example My first public event: Richard Branson, CEO Virgin Media

My first public event:

Richard Branson, CEO Virgin Media

Covering Meetings Examples: City council meetings School board meetings These can be very long and boring Extracting news value can be difficult Conflict and public decision making or votes are usually newsworthy

Examples:

City council meetings

School board meetings

These can be very long and boring

Extracting news value can be difficult

Conflict and public decision making or votes are usually newsworthy

Tips for Public Forums Use a tape or video recorder – but make sure that it works Even if you are recording, take written notes!

Use a tape or video recorder – but make sure that it works

Even if you are recording, take written notes!

My First Assignment My first music article was a disaster due to a recorder malfunction!

My first music article was a disaster due to a recorder malfunction!

Writing the Story For stories that are covering a speech, your lead will summarize the main theme This gives a good overview of the content of the entire speech Most of the article will paraphrase the speaker, but make sure to quote the strongest statements The best quote is placed highest in the text

For stories that are covering a speech, your lead will summarize the main theme

This gives a good overview of the content of the entire speech

Most of the article will paraphrase the speaker, but make sure to quote the strongest statements

The best quote is placed highest in the text

Writing the Story Use the inverted-pyramid format Use a summary lead Second paragraph usually contains the strongest quote Make sure to identify where and when the speech occurred Continue to develop the lead and introduce key points of the speech

Use the inverted-pyramid format

Use a summary lead

Second paragraph usually contains the strongest quote

Make sure to identify where and when the speech occurred

Continue to develop the lead and introduce key points of the speech

Writing the Story For a news conference, it is likely that each reporter attending will have a different spin on the subject You do not need to write your article based on the chronological order of the conference – lead with the most “newsworthy” development

For a news conference, it is likely that each reporter attending will have a different spin on the subject

You do not need to write your article based on the chronological order of the conference – lead with the most “newsworthy” development

Writing the Story In covering public meetings, it is likely that a large part of the story is the reaction from the public or those impacted by the meeting (but not part of the board or council) Make sure to interview key participants and the public The “news” isn’t the meeting itself…it is what happens as a result of it

In covering public meetings, it is likely that a large part of the story is the reaction from the public or those impacted by the meeting (but not part of the board or council)

Make sure to interview key participants and the public

The “news” isn’t the meeting itself…it is what happens as a result of it