News Reporting: Concepts, Sources, and Newsroom Operations, Study notes of Journalism

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MJM-

Reporting Techniques Indira Gandhi National Open University School of Journalism and New Media Studies

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BLOCK 1

NEWS CONCEPTS 7

BLOCK 2

REPORTING TECHNIQUES 63

BLOCK 3

BEAT REPORTING-1 113

BLOCK 4

BEAT REPORTING -2 183

Indira Gandhi National Open University School of Journalism and New Media Studies

MJM-

Reporting Techniques

PRINT PRODUCTION

December, 2019 @ Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2019 ISBN- All right reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Further information about the Indira Gandhi National Open University courses may be obtained from the University’s office at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi- Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi by Registrar, MPDD, IGNOU, New Delhi. Laser Typeset by: Rajshree Computers, V-166A, Bhagwati Vihar, (Near Sector-2, Dwarka), Uttam Nagar, New Delhi- Printed at: Mr. K. N. Mohnan Assistant Registrar (P) MPDD, IGNOU, New Delhi Mrs. Sumaty Nair Assistant Registrar (P) MPDD, IGNOU, New Delhi

BLOCK 3 PREPARATION TEAM

Block Coordinator Dr. Amit Kumar Assistant Professor SOJNMS, IGNOU Block Editor Prof. S.N. Singh and Dr. Amit Kumar Assistant Professor SOJNMS, IGNOU Unit 11 Dr. Smiti Padhi Assistant Professor Swarnim Gujarat Sports University Gandhinagar, Gujarat Unit 12 Prof. Santosh Tewari Professor (Retired), Central University of Jharkhand Ranchi Language Editor Dr. Usha Chandar Research Officer SOJNMS, IGNOU Unit 9 Prof. Ambrish Saxena Dean, DME Media School Affiliated to GGSIP University New Delhi Unit 10 Dr. Neeraj Karan Singh Dean & Principal, GSVSCJMC Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, U.P. & Dr.Amit Kumar SJONMS, IGNOU Unit 13: Ms. Aishwarya Chatterjee Assistant Professor Media Studies Dept. i LEAD Maulana Abul Kalam University of Technology, Kolkata Unit 14: Ms. Reena Sethi Former Chief Manager (Response) Times of India, New Delhi Block Coordinator and Block Editor Dr. Shikha Rai Assistant Professor SOJNMS, IGNOU Unit 15: Ms. Rohini Singh Former Communication Officer Wildlife, SOS Unit 16: Sh. Dwijendra Kumar Assistant Editor, National Book Trust (MHRD), New Delhi

BLOCK 4 PREPARATION TEAM

COURSE INTRODUCTION: REPORTING

TECHNIQUES

Traditionally, the field of Journalism and Mass Communication was known to be producing skilled journalists – reporters, editors and page designers until technology perforated the social fabric to create greater opportunities and scope. Learning how to be a skilled professional and learning how to report continues to be an important arm of journalism education even to this day. This course also teaches a budding journalist the art of analysing facts in the context provided and interpreting it to make meaning for larger social good through creating awareness, educating, informing and persuading keeping the ethical standards of profession in mind. The course MJM-021 Reporting Techniques will provide you a basic understanding of concepts and principles of news reporting, the importance and art of cultivating news sources while also giving you a vivid idea of set up and operation of newsroom of various media houses – print, electronic and online. Other than this, there are three more blocks, one of which focuses on techniques of reporting and the necessary skills that go into making a credible, holistic, professional and balanced news report tastefully in a modern, technocratic news media world. The other two blocks focus on different beats of reporting, enumerating in detail what kind of specialisation a budding journalist needs to build to cover a particular beat. Block 1 introduces you to news concepts. Unit 1 defines and enumerates the principles of news and news values. Unit 2 Talks in detail about the news sources, their kinds, how to cultivate them and ethical practices. Unit 3 discusses at length the news room set up and functions of print and online media and Unit 4 does the same for electronic media. Block 2 explains the reporting techniques in detail. Unit 5 details the different types of news reporting and what sets one apart from the other. Unit 6 stresses a very important aspect of research for journalistic writings and how it adds credibility and background information to any news story. Unit 7 speaks about the tools and techniques used for interviews. Unit 8 explains the newly emerging field of data journalism. Block 3 is Beat Reporting -1 and covers four different beats. Unit 9 describes political reporting at length. Unit 10 focuses on crime reporting and its nuances. Unit 11 will tell you about the interesting world of sports reporting and Unit 12 will give you an insight of legal reporting and how to report legal matters while staying within the purview of the law. Block 4 is titled as Beat Reporting -2 and has four units. Unit 13 is a detailed account of civic reporting and citizen journalism – a concept that has come up fast over the last decade. Unit 14 talks about social issues like disability and old age and how to cover them adequately. Unit 15 teaches you how to report on health and education, updated information on which is regularly needed by the masses. The last Unit 16 focuses on covering lifestyle, fashion and films. On completion of this four credit course, you should be able to:  describe the concepts, sources and principles of news;  explain different types of reporting techniques;  undertake civic, crime, sports and legal reporting; and  report social issues, health, education and lifestyle. This course is designed to make you skilled in theoretical aspects and their applicability while reporting news for any media house and also to hone the skills of those who maybe apt at a few things but lack holistic knowledge about news reporting and make them ready for the competitive world of news reporting.

News Concepts 6

BLOCK INTRODUCTION: NEWS CONCEPTS

This is the first Block of the Course: MJM-021 Reporting Techniques on News Concepts. Spread over four units the Block deals with different aspects of news such as concept, definition and principles of news. It takes an overview of various news sources and the newsroom set up of newspapers; online media and television channels. Unit 1: News: Definitions, Concepts and Principles discusses the concepts, principles and techniques of news writing. It describes various techniques of news writing such as 5Ws and 1H and the Inverted Pyramid style. It also discusses the elements and ingredients that make news. Unit 2: News Sources takes a critical look at the news sources in a story and lists different news sources available to a news organisation while differentiating between them from the point of view of journalistic ethics, routines and practices. This unit helps you to search, select and compare different news sources and develops a broad understanding of the usage of various sources and their significance in the structuring of a news story. Unit 3: News Room Set-up and Functions: Print and Online Media focuses on working mechanism of a newsroom and its function and how news is gathered, edited and disseminated in a presentable manner. It outlines the structural difference between a newspaper and magazine and also explains how the working of online media is different from the print media. Unit 4: News Room Set-up and Functions: Electronic Media outlines the picture of a newsroom in a TV news channel where presentation/production of news takes final shape. Though there are some differences in the technologies being used at different channels, more or less, the same basics are followed everywhere. So if you learn these basics, you can begin work in any channel with ease and pick it up in a short time. Thus the block gives you a holistic perspective on the selection, collection, and dissemination of news. To be a good or competent newsroom person, you need to be conversant with all the areas discussed in this Block.

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UNIT 1 NEWS-DEFINITIONS, CONCEPT

AND PRINCIPLES

Structure

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Learning Outcomes 1.2 Concept and Definition of News 1.3 Elements of News Writing 1.4 Principles and Techniques of News Writing 1.4.1 5Ws and 1H 1.4.2 The Inverted Pyramid 1.4.3 History of the Inverted Pyramid 1.4.4 Inverted Pyramid: A Critique 1.5 Let Us Sum Up 1.6 Further Readings 1.7 Check Your Progress: Possible Answers

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Human beings’ curiosity to know and comprehend as to what is happening around them is unlimited and unbound. People are always eager to know why and how are certain events and incidents taking place, who is responsible for these events, who are being affected by them; and what does the future hold for them? If these events are of recent occurrence, and are of interest to a vast majority of people, it becomes all the more important and necessary for them to look for further information about these events. By piecing together the details of all these points, some concrete, some hazy and quite often valuable and useful facts emerge. Whatever emerges from such information is quite often crucial and people need to know these and all possible details about these. Such type of information, therefore, is called “NEWS”. In this unit we shall systematically define ‘news’ and provide you with all the necessary perspectives on news.

1.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES

After you have gone through this unit, you should be able to:  discuss the concepts and definitions of news;  describe the principal elements of news and news writing; and  examine various news writing techniques.

1.2 CONCEPT AND DEFINITION OF NEWS

It is said that news is difficult to define. However, news remains something that surprises the reader, listener and viewer, and will always remain so. Let us look at some of its definitions:

9 As William Metz, professor of journalism, University of Nevada, USA, says: “While it may not be possible to describe it precisely in words, every news reporter must come to a personal understanding of nature of news, must reach some conclusion about its essence before it is possible to recognise ‘news’ when it happens.” We can also say in simple terms, as a well known British writer and author, Evelyn Waugh, wrote in his book, “Scoope”, way back in 1938 that “news is what a chap who doesn’t care much about anything wants to read. And, it’s only news until he has read it. After that it’s dead.” Here, it’s also important to know as to what we mean by ‘news sense’, or ‘news judgment’. “Being able to identify what will interest readers is called having news sense,” said a noted American professor of journalism, Wyford Hicks. The important dictum about the news, which is even somewhat contradictory is, bad news sells more newspapers than good news. So, what would be the news today? Given the limits of space, time and resources, what’s important, what isn’t, what’s to be left in, what’s to be left out? And in the age of Internet, infinity, who’s to say what’s news, asks Wyford Hicks. Thus, it will not be an exaggeration to say that there are almost as many definitions of the news as there are reporters/journalists. Most news reporters will of course agree that every occurrence or event in itself is not and cannot be the ‘news’. Activity – 1 From the newspaper(s) that you read, identify three items you consider as (i) most important news; (ii) less important news; (iii) only gossip or rumour or hearsay.

1.3 ELEMENTS OF NEWS WRITING

Now that you know the meaning, definition and content of news, we will discuss the principal elements or ingredients of writing news. Because, if you are reading your newspaper carefully, you would surely have noticed that a news item or a news story as it is also called, is not written in a style or fashion we write our letters or essays or any other piece of writing. News has to be written, presented or broadcast in such a manner or style that the reader, listener or viewer gets the most important information in a shortest possible span of time, in minimum words, without using superfluous, unnecessary and redundant words. It is often said that a news reporter should have “a nose for news”. They may have their whims and fancies of ‘smelling’, ‘sensing’, or recognising the news, but there are certain established and well known factors and ingredients which if present in the event or happening that have taken place, which for sure would be considered raising the event, happening, occurrence to the pedestals of a standard ‘news’ story. Here are some of the most important ones: Timeliness, proximity, prominence, dimension, consequence, conflict, empathy, adventure and weather, among others. Timeliness: The time of occurrence of an event is the most important element of a news story. People want to know about the event as quickly as possible. Report of an event that happened yesterday or the day before yesterday is generally deemed stale and often not considered fit for publication, unless it is of extra ordinary nature, or extremely significant in some manner. So, the News: Definitions, Concepts and Principles

News Concepts 10 time of the event’s occurrence is immensely crucial for it to be considered news. News may cease to be news after 24 or even after 12 hours in today’s race against time and the age of Internet and smartphones. Readers, listeners or viewers now a day, very well recognise the immediacy and perishability as profusely vital factors in ‘newsfall’ and news reporting. It is said that stale news is abhorred as stale bread. Proximity: Closeness or nearness of an event or an incident to the audience has tremendous importance for reporters as well as for a newspaper. Proximity could be geographical or relevance to the audience. The more ‘local’ or closer the site where the event took place, the greater will be its importance to be termed as news. To take an example, Kolkata, June 4 - The Kolkatans were taken aback by a series of blasts that took place in the local Park Street claiming 15 lives on Monday evening. This story would naturally be on front page in all the local newspapers, but may be relegated to a remote corner of the inside pages by the papers in Jammu, Bhopal, Guwahati, Surat, Madurai or Chandigarh. A local angle to the news has greater appeal and greater relevance due to the fact that the victims may be known to the newspaper staff and could be its readers, buyers, and advertisers or people living close to the newspaper office. Prominence: If a well-known personality happens to be involved in the event, it will invariably make news. For example, if the prime minister strains his ankle while walking to the car, or a celebrity has a bathroom fall, it makes news. The important fact is that the famous, the infamous and even the eccentric command a special appeal for audiences. This is also due to the fact that high profile families enjoy privacy and often make news for any pleasant or unpleasant event. Dimension: The number of people involved or affected or losses that occur in terms of huge money by an event makes news. For example, if 500 or more people die in an earthquake in Manila, the Philippines, it makes news even in India as human lives are precious wherever these are lost. But if heavy rains flood low-lying areas in Mumbai or Patna, and 23 people are killed, and four high-rise buildings collapse, it makes much bigger news in India, and automatically gets front page treatment, possibly with tell-tales photographs from the scene. Similarly, if in a fire in Vadodra property worth lakhs is destroyed and several deaths are reported, that too will need front page featuring. Here, we see the number of people though less, but the proximity factor comes in making the news ‘local’, requiring a different, and serious way of presentation in the newspaper. Impact: If the U.S. president or British prime minister announces his plans to sanction military aid to Pakistan, it’s bound to impact the Indo-US or Indo- British ties, and also Indo-Pak relations. Similarly, if the Union Government increases income tax in its annual budget, or levies a tax on purchase of cars, that make all-India news. Or, if the chief minister of a state in India abolishes state grants for the private-aided schools, the children of lower middle class or poor parents availing fee concession may be hit adversely as the consequence of the new policy, thus, it will make big news for all citizens of that state. Human Interest: Quite often, newspaper reporters come across situations, which induce emotions of mercy or sentiments or sympathy. For example, if

News Concepts 12 Check Your Progress 1 Note: 1) Use the space below for you answers.

2. Compare your answers with those given at the end of this unit.

1. Define News in brief. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
2. Explain the five most important elements of a news story. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

1.4 PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF NEWS

WRITING

As we mentioned earlier, news has to be written in such a manner and drafted in a style that the main or the principal information is conveyed to the audience in minimum possible words and in minimum possible time. Therefore, the first paragraph of the news story, which is called Lead or Intro (introduction), presents the gist of the event/happening in about 24 to 30 words, as far as possible. We will also briefly mention how to draft an intro/lead, and of how many kinds of leads are there for writing the news.

1.4.1 5Ws and 1H

The news stories are written using 5Ws and 1 H in the first paragraph itself. This is probably the first and the most important, and traditional principle of writing a news item. The first paragraph of news, called the Intro or Lead should contain answers to five Ws, and one H, namely, Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. This is the most cardinal principle of writing news and followed all over the world. The first paragraph of the news item must clearly state as to who is the main actor, character, object, subject or concern of the event, which needs to be told or written about. Is it the President, Prime Minister, any minister, governor, a well-known foreign dignitary, or any other prominent person? Is it a notorious criminal or any other individual of any status, whom people know in some context or the other? The other four Ws and one H are:  What happened?  When did it happen?  Where did happen?

13  Why did it happen?  How did it happen? Depending upon the nature of the event, the reporter has to decide which of these Ws is more important and crucial to the story. Obviously, politically prominent persons such as president, prime minister and other such people in government or in society will get more attention and also more space. The time when the event occurs is also extremely significant. Any event having impact on a large majority of people will also be of great import. For example, a rail accident taking place at midnight will be the important time to be taken note of –- both for the news reporter, for the editorial desk, and for general public also. The venue of event also assumes great importance in a news story. For example, if the event occurs in prime minister’s office, parliament house, or in state assembly, a railway station, in mosque or temple, every place mentioned here has its own unique significance. But if it happens on the venue where a large number of people are present, the consequences can be well imagined. Therefore, each W has its own importance in the context of the event which is reported. Incidentally, the 5W-1H formula of writing the intro or lead is attributed to the late British author who lived and worked in India, Rudyard Kipling. He wrote for the daily English language newspaper, The Pioneer, then published from Lucknow in the 1930s. Kipling’s favourite saying for writing news based on this formula was as follows: I keep six honest serving men They taught me all I knew Their names are what, and why and when And how and where and who Given below are some examples to tell you as to how intros and leads can be drafted, based on the formula 5Ws and 1H: WHEN : On coming Monday, August 15, at 8 a.m., the Prime Minister will address the nation on its seventieth Independence Day from the ramparts of Delhi’s historic Red Fort. WHERE : From the ramparts of Delhi’s historic Red Fort, the Prime Minister will address the nation on August 15 this year, the seventieth Independence Day of the country, at 8 a.m. WHO : Prime Minister will address the Independence Day function on Monday, August 15, at 8 a.m. from the rampart of Delhi’s historic Red Fort. WHAT : On the Independence Day, on August 15 at 8 a.m., Prime Minister will address the nation from the rampart of Delhi’s historic Red Fort. WHY : As August 15 marks the nation’s seventieth Independence Day, the Prime Minister will address the nation from Delhi’s historic Red Fort at 8 a.m. HOW : From the ramparts of Delhi’s historic Red Fort, Prime Minister will address the nation on August 15, which marks the seventieth Independence Day, at 8 a.m. News: Definitions, Concepts and Principles

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ILLUSTRATION NO. 2: INVERTED PYRAMID

The most important facts go here What, who, why, where & how. Then comes the next most important facts in the story, followed by the next most important. And still some important fact that could just be cut, if need to be cut again, and and cut, cut. Here are some more illustrations and diagrams to tell you as to how should the news story be constructed and written. These are borrowed from a famous book entitled Exploring Journalism, written by two most well-known American professors of journalism, Roland E. Wolesely and Laurence R. Campbell, more than 50 years ago. In fact, the late Roland Wolesely taught at the Hislop College of Journalism at Nagpur in the early 1960s, and also edited a book on journalism for Indian students. ILLUSTRATION NO. 3: PYRAMID PROCESS OF NEWS WRITING A: Illustrates the form for a routine news story as it is prepared for print. Its lead summarises the story, then the importance of information decreases gradually until the least significant material is at the end. B: This figure is the pattern used in writing the story chronologically and is usually employed with suspended interest features. The story begins with unimportant but hugely attractive details and broadens as it nears the climax News: Definitions, Concepts and Principles

News Concepts 16 C: This figure may be used in building a story consisting of the elements of almost equal value throughout. Most important is the lead, least so, the final details of the story. Source: Exploring Journalism By: Roland E. Wolseley and Laurance R. Campbell.

1.4.3 History of the Inverted Pyramid

Since this traditional technique of writing the news is still being practised it would be useful for you to know how and when this technique of news writing was developed and came to be adopted. It is believed that the inverted pyramid technique of news writing was innovated during the American civil war, some 150 years ago. Prior to that, news items were written in the form of a narrative, somewhat like a fiction or as an essay, story, in a chronological style, the most important point coming in the end. It was during the U.S. civil war that the news writing style went through drastic changes. This was necessitated due to the fact that the most recent development in the progress of the civil war had to be communicated, through the Morse telegraphic mode, in the first paragraph itself. And if it was put in the end of the write-up, as in the case of an essay, or any other narrative, it could be lost in transit. The receiving newspaper’s editorial desk could miss the news about the latest and the newest developments on the progress of the war. Therefore, to overcome that danger, war correspondents started prefixing and putting the recent most war news in the first paragraph itself, which increased the chances of the news ‘arrival’ or receipt at the news desk, in the beginning of the message itself. Though the original reason for employing the inverted pyramid technique of news writing has gone into oblivion, most news items are now-a-days written in this manner and style only, almost universally. The inverted pyramid technique is also deemed to be a rational, technological and typographical outcome of modern news writing necessity for the consumers who are busy in their life’s other important routines and can afford to spare very little time to go through the details of the long and elaborate news stories. They prefer to get their news as quickly and in the minimum possible time as the news media can deliver. The inverted pyramid has survived and it will hopefully survive for quite some time to come. The main reason is that majority of reporters even now care and need to get the most important information to the reader first, and prompt them to read, listen and view the news media output worldwide. This style of presenting the news facilitates the reporter to organise the facts of the story systematically and quickly. It is also convenient for the sub-editor to compose the story’s headlines, and make the news pages to attract the attention of the reader. In addition, it is time-saving for the reader to decide whether s/he is interested in going through the entire text of the news story. Thus, the inverted pyramid news writing style also suits newspersons at all levels.

1.4.4 Inverted Pyramid: A Critique

Of late, some senior journalism scholars and professional journalists have started questioning the inverted pyramid style. According to a well-known American journalism professor and author, Christopher Passante, why should pyramid be ‘inverted’ when the pyramid in its pyramid shape, i.e., the right way up, can

News Concepts 18

2. Explain the inverted pyramid style of writing. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

1.5 LET US SUM UP

In this unit, we have discussed the definition, concepts, principles and techniques of news writing. The news has been defined as a timely report of significant events that concern and interest majority of people. News means different things to different people, what’s news to one may not be news to another person. The definition and concept of news also varies from place to place. We discussed the various techniques of news writing such as 5Ws and 1H and the Inverted Pyramid style. We also discussed the elements and ingredients that make news, and kinds of news. Intros and Leads were also discussed and illustrated with figures. Even though, there are several types of leads, only a few are used by reporters these days. The style and content of news writing are often dictated by several new type of considerations such as ideology and policy of news media organisations. News publication is also affected by advertising, audiences’ preferences for or against mixing news with entertainment, and the public opinion about certain vital issues. Some of the issues discussed in this unit shall be expanded in subsequent units of this block.

1.6 FURTHER READINGS

Writing For Journalists by Wyford Hicks, 1999, New York: Routledge. Associated Press Guide to News Writing: The Resource for Professional Journalists, 1999 Rene J. Cappon, Peterson’s Publications, News Structure & Flow by Writer’s Digest 1996, Cincinati, Ohio.

1.7 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS: POSSIBLE

ANSWERS

Check Your Progress 1

1. News has been defined as timely reports of significant events that concern and interest majority of people. What is news means different things to different people. Moreover, the definition and concept of news varies from place to place and time to time.
2. The five most important news elements are: a. Timeliness – recent stories have more news value than older occurrences. b. Proximity – stories of happenings which are local are of more interest. c. Prominence – news about well-known people gets more attention.

19 d. Impact – events which have a wide ranging affect are more newsworthy. e. Novelty – any occurrence which is different or new will make for more interesting news. Check Your Progress 2

1. Lead, also called the Intro is the first paragraph of a news story. It should contain the answers to the 5Ws and 1H:  Who was involved?  What happened?  When did it take place?  Where did it happen?  Why did it happen?  How did it happen?
2. The inverted pyramid style of writing is an important technique of news writing. In this style of writing the most important information is given first, followed by less important and then the least important, thus forming an inverted pyramid. News: Definitions, Concepts and Principles