1. Beat Coverage and the Web: Why it makes sense

2. Your activities / interests
List out all activities and organizations that you are involved in.
List out all of your areas of interest.

3. What is a beat?
A topic or organization assigned to a reporter to cover over an extended period of time
Used to widen the reach of a news organization and ensure balanced coverage
Allows the reporter to become familiar with the topic and key sources

4. Your personal interests
Which might be grouped together under a beat topic?
Are there any that generate enough news to stand alone as a beat?
Looking at one organization or activity, who would be the key sources for that beat?

5. Words of Wisdom
“Covering a beat isn’t easy… You have to acknowledge your ignorance and learn the language, learn the process, learn the people. The best reporters know how the world works, whether it’s the world of law enforcement, the laboratory or the corporate boardroom. That takes time, dedication, discipline and courage.”
— Chip Scanlan, The Poynter Institute, March 2, 2011
‘Beat Reporting: What Does it Take To Be The Best?’

6. Beats and the Web
Beat blogs have emerged as a way to cover beats thoroughly using the Web. But why?
Regular updates
Trends and patterns
Open data and searchable databases
Print coverage reserved for big stories related to the beat
Covers communities and local issues

7. The Motherlode Blog — New York Times

8. Motherlode — The Beat
“to explore how our families affect our lives, and how the news affects our families — all families.”
— lead writer, editor KJ Dell’Antonia

9. Beat Analysis: Guiding questions
What is the beat covered on this particular blog or section of a news website? Is it general or specific?
What types of stories does the beat blog produce?
Can you think of another story that you might see on the blog?
What are the advantages of covering this topic online?