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Beats

Beats. What is a beat?. What is a beat?. Journalism that involves in-depth reporting on a particular issue, sector, organization or institution over time. Typical journalist beats. Education : primary, school board, colleges. Typical journalist beats.

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Beats

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  1. Beats

  2. What is a beat?

  3. What is a beat? • Journalism that involves in-depth reporting on a particular issue, sector, organization or institution over time

  4. Typical journalist beats • Education: primary, school board, colleges

  5. Typical journalist beats • Education: primary, school board, colleges • Crime: courts, police, sheriff, gang violence

  6. Typical journalist beats • Education: primary, school board, colleges • Crime: courts, police, sheriff, gang violence • Sports: baseball, basketball, individual teams, high school, outdoors, football, weekend

  7. Typical journalist beats • Education: primary, school board, colleges • Crime: courts, police, sheriff, gang violence • Sports: baseball, basketball, individual teams, high school, outdoors, football, weekend • Politics: city, county, state, federal

  8. Typical journalist beats • Education: primary, school board, colleges • Crime: courts, police, sheriff, gang violence • Sports: baseball, basketball, individual teams, high school, outdoors, football, weekend • Politics: city, county, state, federal • Business: real estate, manufacturing, unions, marketing, advertising, finance, banking, retail… even individual companies

  9. Typical journalist beats • Lifestyles: fashion, family, celebrities

  10. Typical journalist beats • Lifestyles: fashion, family, celebrities • Entertainment: restaurants, theater, movies, comedy, music (classical, rock, jazz, opera, hip hop)

  11. Typical journalist beats • Lifestyles: fashion, family, celebrities • Entertainment: restaurants, theater, movies, comedy, music (classical, rock, jazz, opera, hip hop) • Among others are science, environment, obituaries, health care, food & nutrition, the web, religion, non-profits, community, home and garden, weddings... even crosswords and bridge

  12. Why have beat reporters?

  13. Why have beat reporters? • Beat reporters develop relationships with sources, leading to better stories

  14. Why have beat reporters? • Beat reporters develop relationships with sources, leading to better stories • Beat reporters become experts in their coverage areas

  15. Why have beat reporters? • Beat reporters develop relationships with sources, leading to better stories • Beat reporters become experts in their coverage areas • They can provide both facts and commentary to make their beat relevant to readers/viewers/listeners

  16. You got a beat, now what?

  17. You got a beat, now what? • Research

  18. You got a beat, now what? • Research • Talk to predecessor and editors

  19. You got a beat, now what? • Research • Talk to predecessor and editors • Meet your sources: bosses and underlings

  20. You got a beat, now what? • Research • Talk to predecessor and editors • Meet your sources: bosses and underlings • Get organized: sources, upcoming events, story ideas

  21. You got a beat, now what? • Research • Talk to predecessor and editors • Meet your sources: bosses and underlings • Get organized: sources, upcoming events, story ideas • Hit the streets!

  22. A few beat tips • Follow the money

  23. A few beat tips • Follow the money • Don’t get used

  24. A few beat tips • Follow the money • Don’t get used • Write for the readers, not for the insiders

  25. A few beat tips • Follow the money • Don’t get used • Write for the readers, not for the insiders • Translate jargon into English

  26. A few beat tips • Follow the money • Don’t get used • Write for the readers, not for the insiders • Translate jargon into English • Don’t give up too easily... be persistent

  27. A few beat tips • Follow the money • Don’t get used • Write for the readers, not for the insiders • Translate jargon into English • Don’t give up too easily... be persistent • Don’t shun good news

  28. A few beats

  29. Obituaries • At everywhere but NY Times, considered among the worst beats

  30. Obituaries • At everywhere but NY Times, considered among the worst beats • Death is news... if it occurs naturally (non-celeb), then it’s an obit

  31. Obituaries • At everywhere but NY Times, considered among the worst beats • Death is news... if it occurs naturally (non-celeb), then it’s an obit • People die, not “pass away”

  32. Obituaries • At everywhere but NY Times, considered among the worst beats • Death is news... if it occurs naturally (non-celeb), then it’s an obit • People die, not “pass away” • Generally don’t go into personal problems or cause of death if something such as overdose or suicide

  33. Obituaries • At everywhere but NY Times, considered among the worst beats • Death is news... if it occurs naturally (non-celeb), then it’s an obit • People die, not “pass away” • Generally don’t go into personal problems or cause of death if something such as overdose or suicide • Funeral homes provide you with most details… age, date of death, address, relatives, military service, funeral arrangements

  34. Accidents and disasters

  35. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...”

  36. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best

  37. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best • For accidents, be sure you have: victims,

  38. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best • For accidents, be sure you have: victims, extent of injuries/death

  39. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best • For accidents, be sure you have: victims, extent of injuries/death, cause

  40. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best • For accidents, be sure you have: victims, extent of injuries/death, cause, location

  41. Accidents and disasters • “If it bleeds, it leads...” • Standard inverted pyramid is usually best • For accidents, be sure you have: victims, extent of injuries/death, cause, location, times

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