Speeches, News Conferences, and Meetings Adapted by Dr. Mike Downing from News Reporting and Writing, Eighth Edition

Speeches 4 A speech is a public talk. 4 Speeches can involve formal events, like when a person accepts an honor or special recognition. 4 Speeches also can be delivered as part of a news conference, where a representative of a business or government agency speaks to the press and the general public (typically followed by Q&A).

Preparation 4 Conduct background research: 4 Why is the person speaking? 4 What is the occasion? 4 Will there be more than one speaker? 4 Has someone covered this topic/person in the past? If so, who? What was written? 4 What does my editor want me to learn? 4 Is it possible to arrange an interview before or after the speech?

Preparation (continued) 4 Contact a key person (possibly a contact person listed on a news release). 4 “Google” the speakers, the business/government agency, and existing articles related to the topic under consideration. 4 Do not under-prepare! If you fail to prepare adequately, you will miss the opportunity to ask important questions and gain crucial information.

News Conferences 4 Why is the news conference being held? 4 Where is it being held? Do you know how to get there? 4 Who is the sponsor? 4 Get up-to-date background information on the situation and any speakers. 4 Are there any rumors? Talk to your editors and anybody else who might be able to give you some information prior to the conference.

Covering Meetings 4 Meetings can be mundane; however, they also might lead to important, ongoing stories. 4 Try to cultivate relationships with key members of the group. Call them before or after the event to get their “take.” (Background conversations like this are often done “off the record.” That’s okay; you’ll know what questions to pursue when the time is right.) 4 Cover the entire event: Who else is in attendance? What members of the group seem to be allies? What members seem to be antagonists? What is happening outside the room?

Covering Meetings (continued) 4 Get there early and position yourself in a good location. 4 Hang around afterward. 4 Tape recorders are okay, but always take good notes. 4 Prepare several good questions. Don’t let this opportunity slip by. Either ask your editor for a question or two beforehand or generate a couple of questions on your own. 4 You should also listen to the questions of other journalists. Pay attention!

Questions?