This document provides tips for journalists to properly cover a speech or press conference. It recommends reporters get background information on the topic, know the event rules and guidelines, discuss coverage plans with their editor, and create a checklist to ensure they are prepared with the necessary equipment and information. The goal is for journalists to understand the issues, be able to ask relevant questions, and meet all deadlines while providing thorough coverage of the event.

1. HOW TO COVER A SPEECH
OR PRESS CONFERENCE
What to do before you leave the newsroom

2. GETTING READY
You’ve been assigned to
cover a speech or a
press conference. Now
what?
Make these steps part of
your routine and you’ll
always be prepared for
whatever happens:
GET SMART
KNOW THE RULES
LEARN THE ISSUES
TALK TO YOUR EDITOR
FOLLOW A CHECKLIST

3. GET SMART
Get familiar about what’s likely to be discussed.
CALL the contact people who are setting up the speech or
press conference and ask if there is an agenda, written
statements or other material you can have now.
Ask what will be discussed.

4. KNOW THE RULES
ASK the contact person: Can I take
photos? Can I live-blog or tweet?
Can I use a digital recorder or
video recorder? Is there a
company Web site I can link to in
my stories?
Any special rules or guidelines?
Dress code?
Do I need a parking or press pass?
Any special ID? Do I need to check
through security? Where to pick up
the press pass?
Do I have to sit in a particular place?
Can I leave early?
What’s his or her cell phone if I have
complications?

5. LEARN THE ISSUES
This speech or press conference might be your only chance
to get answers you need to report a great story. Gather
information about the topic or person before you go.
Here’s how:
• Go online to find stories or Web sites that will help you understand the
issues and the people who will speak.
• Look in the archives for recent stories about the topic or person; make
hard copies to take with you for instant access.
• Ask your colleagues for advice about questions to ask if that’s possible.

6. TALK TO YOUR EDITOR
You will need to agree on some ground rules before the speech or
press conference. For example:
• Should I file an online news item immediately? Should that include
photos and sound?
• Should I tweet or file a blog item while the speech or press
conference is under way?

7. MORE THINGS ON WHICH
TO AGREE
• What do I need to gather for
the online and print stories --
chart material, graphics,
mug shots, sidebars or info
boxes, bios?
• What are the deadlines?
• Make sure your editor
knows which cell phone you
are using and how to reach
you.

8. FOLLOW A CHECKLIST
Make this part of your routine and you’ll always
be prepared
• Make sure your cell phone,
laptop, tape recorder and
camera are working,
charged and that you have
extra batteries or power
sources.
• Bring a fresh notebook,
pencils, pens.
• Make sure you know
where you’re going (ask
directions, download a
map). Leave in plenty of
time to get there -- and
assume you’ll get lost and
that traffic will be a
nightmare.