2. lcome to the world of urnalism, where porters have been gging dirt, raking muck, king headlines and adlines for centuries w. It’s a history full of bloid trash, of slimy nsationalists, of runkards, deadbeats and mmers” (as a Harvard iversity president once scribed reporters). But it’s a history full of roes, too: men and men risking their lives tell stories of war and agedy, risking prisonment to defend ee speech. And as you n see here, reports have come beloved characters p culture, too, turning up movies, comics and TV ows as if guided by an cult hand. Every culture seeks effective ways to spread new information and gossip. In ancient times, news was written on clay tablets. In Caesar’s age, Romans read newsletters compiled by correspondents and handwritten by slaves. Wandering minstrels spread news (and the plague) in the Middle Ages. Them came ink on paper. Voices on airwaves. Newsreels, Web sites, And 24-hour cable news networks. Thus when scholars analyze the rich history of journalism, some view it in terms of technological progress—for example, the dramatic impact of bigger, faster printing presses. Others see journalism as a specialized form literary expression, one that’s constantly evolving, reflecting and shaping its culture. Others see it as an inspiring quest for free speech, an endless power struggle between Authority (trying to control information) and the People (trying to learn the truth). Which brings to mind the words of A.J. Liefling: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to htose who own one.” In the pages ahead, we’ll take a quick tour of 600 years of journalism history, from hieroglyphics to hypertext: the media, the message and the politics. Technical advances and brilliant ideas forged a new style of journalism. It was a century of change, and newspapers changed dramatically. The typi newspaper of 1800 wa undisciplined mishma legislative proceeding long-winded essays a secondhand gossip. B 1900, a new breed of tor had emerged. Jour had become big busin Reporting was becom disciplined craft. And newspapers were bec more entertaining and essential than ever, w most of the features w expect today: Snappy headlines, Ads, Comic Sports pages. And an “inverted pyramid” sty writing that made stori tighter and newsier. Radio and television brought an end to newspapers’ media monopoly. Why? Well yourself: Which did yo Inside Reporting Tim Harrower How newsrooms work 2

3. 2 What is news?What is news?  What readers wantWhat readers want  How the news comes together How the news comes together  Who’s who in the newsroom Who’s who in the newsroom  What it’s called What it’s called  Tools, talent & temperamentTools, talent & temperament  What is news?What is news?  What readers wantWhat readers want  How the news comes together How the news comes together  Who’s who in the newsroom Who’s who in the newsroom  What it’s called What it’s called  Tools, talent & temperamentTools, talent & temperament 

4. 3 What is news? G News judgment – ability to determine which stories are most interesting and important to readers G Editors decide where stories run and what stories do not run G News judgment – ability to determine which stories are most interesting and important to readers G Editors decide where stories run and what stories do not run Editors, reporters and readers ask, “What is news?”

5. 4 What is news? A tragedy involving a police officer always leads… Oceana is responsible for 12,000 local jobs Dick Cheney’s chief of staff indicted. Wow… Promos to other stories When the president visits your city it’s a big deal. But…

6. 5 Major Criteria for Determining News Value G Relevance G Usefulness G Interest G Relevance G Usefulness G Interest

7. 6 What is news? G The Metropolitan Daily G Lots of pages to fill with range of topics G Local to global G The Metropolitan Daily G Lots of pages to fill with range of topics G Local to global News depends on the newspaper Storm warningPrint it County fairPrint it Tuition hikePrint it Volleyball billKill it Flu shotsPrint it Maybe Hold it Mexico bus crash Girl Scout cookies Lottery winner Eminem sex change

8. 7 What is news? G The Community Weekly G Limited space G Tight regional focus G The Community Weekly G Limited space G Tight regional focus News depends on the newspaper Storm warningKill it County fairPrint it Tuition hikeKill it Volleyball billKill it Flu shotsPrint it Kill it Print it Kill it Mexico bus crash Girl Scout cookies Lottery winner Eminem sex change

9. 8 What is news? G The Communicator (SFCC’s bi-weekly student paper) G Space very tight (8-12 pages, including ads) G Stories focus on campus events and culture G The Communicator (SFCC’s bi-weekly student paper) G Space very tight (8-12 pages, including ads) G Stories focus on campus events and culture News depends on the newspaper Storm warningKill it County fairKill it Tuition hikePrint it Volleyball billKill it Flu shotsMaybe Kill it Print it Kill it Mexico bus crash Girl Scout cookies Lottery winner Eminem sex change

10. 9 What is news? G Impact G Immediacy G Proximity G Prominence G Novelty G Conflict G Emotions G Impact G Immediacy G Proximity G Prominence G Novelty G Conflict G Emotions What makes a story interesting?

11. 10 What readers want G Some journalists dismiss “pandering” to readers. G Smart journalists adjust G To tastes. G To reading habits. G To news appetites. G Some journalists dismiss “pandering” to readers. G Smart journalists adjust G To tastes. G To reading habits. G To news appetites. You might write terrific stories, but they’re worthless if nobody reads them

12. 11 What readers want G We ask them. G We watch them. G Focus groups G Phone, mail and Web surveys G Monitoring devices G We ask them. G We watch them. G Focus groups G Phone, mail and Web surveys G Monitoring devices So how do we know what readers read?

13. 12 What readers want G Readers are in a hurry. G Readers have short attention spans. G Readers want stories that connect. G Readers are in a hurry. G Readers have short attention spans. G Readers want stories that connect. Things every reporter needs to remember about readers 5 Readers want stories told in a compelling way. There’s more than just one type of reader.

14. 13 What readers want G Spend 90% of time chasing a story, and 10% writing it. G Not everything a reporter hears makes it into the finished story. G Spend 90% of time chasing a story, and 10% writing it. G Not everything a reporter hears makes it into the finished story. How a story gets written Not everything is as it seems.

15. 14 Major divisions Editorial Department Advertising department Production department Circulation department How the news comes together G Reporters and editors G Copy editors and presentation G Business staff G Photo and graphics G Reporters and editors G Copy editors and presentation G Business staff G Photo and graphics Inside a typical newsroom

16. 15 Who’s who in the newsroom G At most papers, writers are either: G General assignment reporters – cover wide range of stories. G Beat reporters – cover a specific topic. G At most papers, writers are either: G General assignment reporters – cover wide range of stories. G Beat reporters – cover a specific topic. Clear lines of authority avoid chaos

17. 16 Who’s who in the newsroom  Publisher Ultimate boss; presides over all departments to ensure profitability.  Production Manager Oversees staff and equipment.  Publisher Ultimate boss; presides over all departments to ensure profitability.  Production Manager Oversees staff and equipment. The organization  Circulation Manager Supervises distribution of newspaper.  Advertising Manager Coordinates sales and production of classified and display ads.

18. 17 Who’s who in the newsroom G Editor G Runs the newsroom; has final say in story selection and news philosophy. G Managing Editor G Runs day-to-day operation; resolves staffing issues. G Editor G Runs the newsroom; has final say in story selection and news philosophy. G Managing Editor G Runs day-to-day operation; resolves staffing issues. The organization Photo Editor Coordinates photo assignments; chooses images. Manages photographers and graphic artists.

19. 18 Who’s who in the newsroom G Online Editor G Works with other editors and reporters to develop material for Web site. G Manages team of reporters and editors. G Online Editor G Works with other editors and reporters to develop material for Web site. G Manages team of reporters and editors. The organization Copy Desk Chief Oversees editing and (many times) layout. Manages copy editors.

20. 19 Who’s who in the newsroom G Features Editor G Assigns and edits stories for features section. G Manages feature writers and reviewers. G Features Editor G Assigns and edits stories for features section. G Manages feature writers and reviewers. The organization Sports Editor Assigns and edits all stories running in the sports section. Manages sports reporters.

21. 20 Who’s who in the newsroom G City Editor G Assigns and edits most local “hard news” stories. G Manages news reporters. G City Editor G Assigns and edits most local “hard news” stories. G Manages news reporters. The organization

22. 21 What it’s called G Daily – printed every day. G Weekly – printed once a week. G Newsletter – printed once a month. G Daily – printed every day. G Weekly – printed once a week. G Newsletter – printed once a month. Talk the talk Mainstream newspaper (The New York Times, The Spokesman-Review) Alternative press (The Village Voice, The Inlander) Specialty publication (Fur & Feather Magazine) Trade publication (American Candy Industry Monthly)

23. 22 What it’s called G Broadsheet – large format page G Tabloid – half the size of a broadsheet G Broadsheet – large format page G Tabloid – half the size of a broadsheet Talk the Talk Stories can be spiked or killed. Editors can trim or cut a few graphs and butcher or bury stories. Photogs, inches, copy, head, subhead

24. 23 What it’s called Parts of a story Photo Byline Dateline Lead Quote Attribution Photo credit Liftout quote Tagline Headline

25. 24 What it’s called G Flag G Name of paper set in special type. G Never changes. G Pullout quote G A quote from the interview placed in a breakout box for special emphasis. G Flag G Name of paper set in special type. G Never changes. G Pullout quote G A quote from the interview placed in a breakout box for special emphasis. The parts of a page Infographic (Breakout Box) Informational graphics. Display key facts. Deck Subhead. Written by copy editors.

26. 25 What it’s called G Text G Story measured in inches. G Jump line G Tells readers where story continues, or jumps. G Text G Story measured in inches. G Jump line G Tells readers where story continues, or jumps. The parts of a page Cutline Caption. Written by copy editors or reporters. Teaser Promo or skybox. Captures readers’ attention to highlight story in issue.

27. 26 What it’s called G Refer G Alerts readers to another story related to topic. G Wire story G Story written by reporter working for another paper or national wire service such as the Associated Press or Reuters. G Refer G Alerts readers to another story related to topic. G Wire story G Story written by reporter working for another paper or national wire service such as the Associated Press or Reuters. The parts of a page Mug shot Closeup photo of someone’s face. Usually small. Centerpiece Lead story.