Developing A News Story
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There are several factors that determine news coverage, with the largest being the impact on the readership. Developing stories go through different phases of reporting, with the initial breaking news getting front-page placement and more limited details. Follow-up stories provide more context and details on why and how events occurred. As more time passes, stories can take on new angles through human interest pieces or in-depth analysis and investigations into long-term impacts. When reporting on developing stories online, content is continuously updated as new information is made available.
Developing A News Story
- 1. Developing a News Story JOURN 305
- 2. What gets coverage? There are several variables determining news coverage The largest variable is the impact that the story has on the readership/public
- 3. Other Factors “ Real world” factors Reporter interest/prejudice “ Exclusive” access Competition Size of the market Other breaking news
- 4. Covering Developing Stories Each story has its own life cycle There may be several “phases” to the reporting of the story
- 5. Phase 1 Breaking news Front-page placement Reporting may be limited to initial info Time is critical Details updated when available For Web and broadcast
- 6. Mainbars vs. Sidebars Mainbar = primary story Sidebar = related story Usually human interest angle
- 7. Example Mainbar The New York Times runs a front-page story on memorial events marking the 5-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Sidebar The New York Times revisits the families for a human-interest profile (“Portraits of Grief”)
- 8. Example Billboard , May 29, 1999 Anti-Copy Plan Would "Filter' Downloads
- 9. Phase 2 Follow-up story with more details Focuses more on the why and how May or may not be front-page news
- 10. Example Billboard , June 5, 1999 SDMI's "Trigger' Framework Nears Fruition - Some In Online Biz Decry Plan As Attack On Freedom
- 11. Second-day Stories After the initial “breaking news” is reported, a follow-up story that runs a day later will need a new angle “Second-day lead” Puts the initial event into perspective Offers more information and analysis
- 12. Example The space shuttle Columbia explodes on Feb. 1, 2003 All seven astronauts die On Feb. 2, the initial event is still important, but it is no longer “breaking news” Second-day lead focuses on: Reactions from public Safety of the NASA program Investigation of the cause of the mishap
- 13. Example Phase 1: "Breaking News" One Killed at Stockton "Sideshow" Phase 2: "Second-Day Lead" Second "Sideshow" Victim ID'd
- 14. Example Breaking news: Man charged with murder hours after girlfriend taken off life support Follow-up: Autopsy puts end to murder charges
- 15. Phase 3 New angles on old stories Human-interest angle In-depth analysis Follow-up on events
- 16. Phase 4 Most reporters have moved on Findings of long-term investigations New developments from the original event are uncovered
- 17. Internet Reporting On the Web, your first version of a news story will likely be updated as new info comes in
- 18. Developing Story Checklist Latest news gets highest placement Include original breaking news high in follow-up stories If possible, go on location Humanize the story Find a new or unique angle Add to your sources Coordinate multimedia and graphics
- 19. In-Class Writing Assignment Go to the class blog for information on writing a “second-day lead” story The original story is provided Facts and a quote are provided for the “second-day” lead story