INTRO TO JOURNALISM

Tools of Journalistic Trade

a. Digital Tools:
a. Smartphones and Laptops: Essential for mobile reporting, live updates
as well as writing.
b. Audio/Video Recording Devices: High-quality recorders for capturing
clear and reliable audio and visuals.
c. Photography Equipment: Cameras with various lenses for different
reporting environments.
b. Software: Word processors, video editing software, content management
systems.

2. Traditional Tools:

a. Notebooks and Pens: Essential for note-taking in any situation.

b. Press ID: Necessary for access to events and news scenes.

3. Official Communication Tools:

a. Social Media Platforms: For sourcing information and interacting with the
audience.
b. Email and Telephones: For contacting sources and conducting interviews

4. Research Tools:
a. Secure(privacy) Communication Apps: Signal, Telegram for secure source
communication.
b. Online Databases and Archives: Access to historical data, public records, and academic
papers.
c. Social Media Tools: TweetDeck, Hootsuite for managing multiple social media accounts
and monitoring news.

5. Software and Applications:

a. Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Premiere for video and Adobe Audition for audio
editing.
b. Content Management Systems (CMS): WordPress, Drupal for publishing content online.
c. Data Visualization Tools: Software like Tableau for creating infographics and data
presentations.
 6. Software and Applications:

a. Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Premiere for video and Adobe Audition for audio
editing.
b. Content Management Systems (CMS): WordPress, Drupal for publishing content online.
c. Data Visualization Tools: Software like Tableau for creating infographics and data

Art of Journalism in News Gathering and

Reporting
 Ethical Standards: Maintaining integrity, accuracy, and impartiality.
 Narrative Skills: Crafting stories that are engaging and informative.
 Critical Thinking: Evaluating sources and angles to present a balanced
view.

Role of Reporters in Reporting

 Witnesses to Events: Being on the ground to observe and report facts.
 Voice for the Voiceless: Highlighting issues and stories that are often
overlooked.
 Accountability: Holding public figures and institutions accountable through
investigative reporting.
 Investigative Journalism: Digging deeper into stories to uncover the truth behind the
surface.
 Beat Reporting: Specializing in a particular area of news, such as politics, education, or
health.
 Community Reporting: Focusing on local stories and representing the interests of local
audiences.

Techniques of Gathering News

 Observation: Direct witnessing of events.
 Interviews: Engaging with sources to extract information.
 Research: Utilizing libraries, archives, and the internet to gather
background information.

Process of Finding, Verifying, Clarifying News

1. Finding News:
 Monitoring various sources such as press releases, news wires, social media.
 Attending events, press conferences.

2. Verifying News:

 Cross-checking facts with multiple sources.

 Using fact-checking tools and databases.

3. Clarifying News:

 Ensuring clarity in reporting to avoid ambiguity.

 Providing context to help the audience understand the bigger picture.

Reporting the Expected and the Unexpected

 Routine Reporting: Covering scheduled events, press releases.
 Breaking News: Responding quickly to unexpected events with accurate
and timely reports.

Techniques of Gathering News

 Source Building: Developing relationships with reliable sources to access accurate information.
 Crowdsourcing: Utilizing the public for gathering information and news tips via social media
and other platforms.
 Document Analysis: Skills in analyzing documents, like financial reports or legal documents, to
extract news.

The Interviewing Process

 Preparation: Researching the interviewee and their background.
 Technique: Open-ended questions, listening skills, noting non-verbal cues.
 Follow-up: Clarifying answers and verifying statements.

Risks of News Gathering and Reporting

 Physical Risks: Covering conflict zones, natural disasters.
 Legal and Ethical Risks: Potential for lawsuits, ethical dilemmas in
reporting.
 Digital Security Risks: Protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.
 Safety and Protection of Journalists
 Personal Safety Gear: Helmets, vests in conflict zones.
 Legal Protection: Understanding rights and legal boundaries.
 Digital Safety: Using encrypted communication tools, safeguarding data.
 Training: Workshops on first aid, hostile environment awareness, and digital security.
 Protocols: Established guidelines for dealing with high-risk situations.
 Support Networks: Access to legal and psychological support for journalists.
 Professional bodies registration

Art of Journalism in News Gathering and Reporting

 Ethics and Responsibility: Upholding the truth while ensuring fairness and impartiality.
 Storytelling: Using narrative techniques to make stories compelling and understandable.
 Verification: The importance of fact-checking before publication to maintain credibility.

Process of Finding, Verifying, Clarifying News

1. Finding:

 Scanning the environment through newswires, alerts, and updates.

 Regular contact with sources and community leaders.

2. Verifying:

 Using tools like reverse image searches, checking against multiple sources.
 Confirming information with official records or direct statements.

3. Clarifying:

 Avoiding jargon and technical language unless explained.

 Providing sufficient context to ensure the audience understands the relevance and implications.

Reporting the Expected and the Unexpected

 Planned Events: Coverage of events known in advance, like elections or sports.
 Unexpected Incidents: Rapid response mechanisms for sudden news like accidents or political
unrest.
 The Interviewing Process
 Setting Up Interviews: How to approach potential interviewees and set the terms.
 Conducting Interviews: Techniques for effective questioning and active listening.
 Post-Interview: Fact-checking statements and integrating quotes into the story accurately.

Risks of News Gathering and Reporting

 Physical Threats: Situations like wars, riots, and disasters.
 Psychological Impact: Managing stress and trauma from covering intense stories.
 Legal Challenges: Understanding media law to avoid defamation and other legal issues.

Types of News Writing Techniques

1. Inverted Pyramid Style:

 Most common and traditional form of news writing.

 Information is presented in descending order of importance.
 Ensures the most critical information is delivered first.

2. Narrative Style:

 Uses storytelling elements to engage the reader.

 More descriptive and detailed, often used for features and long-form
journalism.
 Focuses on characters, settings, and a plot to drive the story.

3. Hourglass Style:

 Combines the inverted pyramid and narrative styles.

 Begins with a brief summary using the inverted pyramid, then transitions
into a narrative for more in-depth reporting.

4. Question and Answer (Q&A) Format:

 Presents the information in an interview format.

 Useful for expert opinions or when the subject's own words can effectively
convey the story.

5. Listicle:
 Information is formatted as a list, often used in online journalism.
 Engaging and easy to scan, suitable for topics like "Top 10" or "How To"
articles.

Fundamentals of News Writing and Reporting

1. Accuracy:

 Verifying all facts before publication.

 Ensuring that names, dates, statistics, and other details are correct.

2. Clarity:

 Writing in a way that is easily understandable.

 Avoiding complex jargon and providing necessary explanations for technical
terms.

3. Brevity:

 Keeping the writing concise and to the point.

 Eliminating unnecessary words and focusing on the essence of the story.

4. Objectivity:

 Maintaining neutrality and avoiding bias.

 Presenting all sides of a story without personal opinions.

5. Timeliness:

 Reporting on issues that are current and relevant.

 Understanding the news cycle and the audience's need for up-to-date
information.

Basic News Writing Skills

1. Headline Writing:

 Crafting attention-grabbing headlines.

 Conveying the main point of the story in a few words.
2. Lead Writing:

 Writing effective leads that summarize the story and hook the reader.
 Using the 5 Ws and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) to provide
key information.

3. Body Writing:

 Structuring the body of the article in a logical order.

 Using supporting details to substantiate the lead.

4. Source Attribution:

 Crediting all sources to maintain credibility.

 Using direct and indirect quotes to add depth to the story.

5. Editing and Proofreading:

 Reviewing articles for grammatical errors and stylistic consistency.

 Ensuring that the final piece is polished and professional.