The document is a beginner's guide to creating effective news content, focusing on the concept of newsworthiness and the importance of credibility in journalism. Key elements include understanding audience relevance, timely reporting, and conducting thorough research using reliable sources. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for a clear structure in writing and the strategic use of headlines to engage readers.

1. WRITING IN
JOURNALIS
M
A beginner’s guide to creating effective news
content.

2. Alikwe Ortega
Writer, Techpoint Africa

3. CONCEPT
OF NEWS
News in 2024 is very unique,
indeed. This shift stems from the
rise of user-generated content and
the democratization of
information through the internet.
Yet, we must first understand
what type of information deserves
conversion into news before
exploring how to make news
impactful in a data-saturated
society.

4. News Worthiness
Newsworthiness is the quality we look for in an event
or an occurrence to judge if it is news or not.
Newsworthiness refers to the qualities that make a
story interesting, relevant, and valuable to an
audience.

5. PROMINENCE
Stories involving influential people or major
companies.
RELEVANCE
Tailor content: in-depth for tech-savvy, simplified
for casual.
IMPACT
Focus on stories that affect a large group or
the blockchain ecosystem.
NOVELTY
Highlight unique or surprising aspects of a story.
TIMELINESS
News is perishable. The sooner you cover a story,
the more impactful it is.

6. 1- A Major Hack on a Leading DeFi Platform - A decentralized finance (DeFi) platform loses $200 million in a
cyberattack.
2- University Launches Blockchain Education Program -A regional university announces the first
undergraduate course on blockchain in your country.
3- Launch of a Blockchain-Based Carbon Credit Marketplace - A startup uses blockchain to help industries
trade carbon credits more transparently.
4- An Influencer Claims Blockchain is a Scam - A popular social media figure posts a viral video criticizing
the blockchain industry.
5- Ethereum Developers Announce a New Hard Fork - Ethereum's core team reveals an upcoming upgrade
that promises lower gas fees and higher transaction speeds.
I’d give you a bunch of events and you’d decide which are
newsworthy and why:

7. Credibility
This is another core element of news reporting that resonates.
This could be brand credibility; a report by BBC would always
deliver more than say, Nairaland. Another way to ensure credibility
is by delivering factual, in-depth, intelligent content every time.
That essentially means to take your research very seriously.
Research is the foundation of credible reporting. Blockchain,
being a technical field, requires extra diligence to ensure accuracy.

8. Steps to Conduct
Effective Research
Identify the Story’s Core
What happened? Who is
involved? Why is it important?
Find Reliable Sources
Trusted blockchain news outlets (e.g., CoinDesk, Decrypt,
Cointelegraph).
Primary sources such as white papers, official blogs, and
announcements.
Analytics platforms for on-chain data (e.g., Etherscan, Glassnode).
Cross-reference multiple sources to confirm the accuracy of
data
Avoid reliance on sensationalist reports or unverified claims.

9. Structure
Now, on to matters of craft. Every well-written piece has a
structure it adheres to. Structures are dictated by genre and how
audiences consume that sort of information. A well-structured
story ensures readers stay engaged and understand your
message clearly.
The basic structure of choice in news writing is the inverted
pyramid. It is not the only structure, but the Javascript of news
structures.

11. Be Concise and Clear
Aim for 6-12 words.
Example: “Bitcoin Surges 20% After ETF Approval.”
Use Power Words
Words like “Revolutionizes,” “Transforms,” or “Breakthrough” can draw
interest.
Example: “Blockchain Set to Transform Supply Chain Management.”
Ensure the article delivers on the promise of the headline; or
it’s clickbait.
The Role of
Headlines
Headlines are your first and often
only chance to capture a reader's
attention.

12. Publishing
Choose the Right Platform
BLOGS/MEDIUM
Great for thought leadership and detailed
stories.
COMMUNITY SITES
Niche communities on Discord and Reddit
PITCH TO NEWS OUTLETS
Pitch to CoinDesk, Decrypt, Techpoint, or
other such platforms.

13. Effective news content, in essence, is relevant,
accurate in its depiction and evidence, and
comes from a credible source.
“
“

14. on social media
Linkedin - Alikwe Ortega
Twitter (X) - @Decim8e
Instagram - @Cloudryther

15. Questions?

16. Thank you