Expectations of a reporter

By Dick Thien
Chips Quinn Writing Coach

The city (regional, sports, business or lifestyles) desk has every right to expect a reporter to:

1. Be absolutely and unassailably accurate at all times.

2. Contribute ideas for stories that will attract readers and serve the community.

3. Contribute ideas for photos, maps, graphics and anything else that will attract readers. Learn to phone the newspaper on the spot when you see an unusual photo scene.

4. Originate ideas that give life to a story, such as personality profiles.

5. Know so much about your subject that there is no chance for error caused by lack of information.

6. Keep the desk thoroughly informed in advance, especially on stories that will require extra peoplepower (including photographers) and space so planning can be done.

7. Be conscious of following stories on your beat. Backstop and be ahead of the desk in following stories. Keep a file of story possibilities.

8. Feel free at all times to consult the desk on approaches to stories. Too often, reporters think the desk is too busy, but time can and should be made for such consultation.

9. Keep the city desk aware of what you are doing, and where you are. Never surprise the desk with a completed story that had not been discussed.

10. Be alert for the unexpected. If you are sent to cover a speech, your responsibility lies well beyond the talk itself. If the speaker is interrupted by hecklers, for example, that is part of the story. Sometimes a speaker's failure to touch on a sensitive subject is part of the story.

11. Call the desk at once if you come upon a fire, an accident or other spot-news event. Don't take it upon yourself to cover the story and then call. The desk already may have sent other reporters, and you may be needed elsewhere.

12. Give more than surface coverage to stories. For example, at a fire, you should do more than talk to firefighters. You should talk to witnesses, the owner or owners of the affected building and any people displaced by the fire.

13. Be completely loyal to the newspaper, especially in conversations with news sources.

14. Conduct your relationships with news sources and friends so that the newspaper's reputation and prestige are enhanced.

15. Make no promises to anyone: What will be covered, written or printed.

16. Keep on file with the desk a current beat contact list, giving information by subjects, names, addresses, office and home telephone numbers, etc., so the desk can have the beat or specialized story covered when you are absent.

17. Stay in channels; don't go over your desk's head without first consulting the desk.

18. Write clearly so that the reader will understand the story. Never acquire the news sources' jargon. Write so that the reader will want to read the story.

19. Never crowd a deadline unless absolutely necessary. Turn in stories as far in advance as possible, consistent with your best work.

20. Read the newspaper thoroughly every day, especially on your days off.

About the column

Write It Right is updated regularly. Have a suggestion for a future column, contact Dick Thien.

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