The Daily Eastern News Guidelines

1. The Daily Eastern News Guidelines These are general requirements for all news stories submitted to The Daily Eastern News. These are by no means comprehensive; rather, they are intended to give student-journalists sufficient working knowledge to get started as a reporter for the DEN. Stories not following these guidelines will be rejected or returned for revision. Students who continuously fail to abide by these guidelines will no longer be assigned stories. ETHICS 1. All those working for the Daily Eastern News must abide by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics that requires journalists to offer a comprehensive account of events and stories, to seek truth and report it, to treat source with respect, to avoid conflicts of interest, to be accountable and clearly explain the news. Journalists may not interview friends or family, nor create sources of information. Failure to abide by these ethical codes will result in immediate suspension from further reporting opportunities. (http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp)

2. SOURCES 2. All stories must have at least two primary or expert sources. A source is a person whom you interview for information. Web sites and press releases do not count as sources. Expert sources are people who have expertise or direct knowledge of the issues/ events you are reporting on. In addition, get reaction comments from people affected by the story. 3. Writers must provide staff editors with the contact information of their sources. This includes name, title and phone number. Do not interview friends, neighbors, boyfriends, or girlfriends for your stories. Failure to submit this list will prevent a story from running.

3. QUOTES • 4. All stories must have at least three direct quotes. A direct quote is something a source said word-for-word. Use tape recorders, if necessary. •  Direct quote: “The budget this year is stronger than it has ever been,” Cooley said. • You should also concisely explain what sources say by using indirect and paraphrased quotes. These are not direct quotes. •  Indirect/paraphrased quote: Cooley said the budget is strong this year.

4. COVERAGE • 5. When covering a speech or meeting, do not begin the story: “A group met to discuss,” “So-and-so came to Eastern to speak about,” “They visited Eastern.” And do not lead with the time and place of an event. This secondary information can be added in subsequent paragraphs. Instead, begin these stories with the most interesting/important thing a speaker said. •  “Students do not know their rights, says a prominent First Amendment attorney.”

5. REPORTING 6. Names must be spelled correctly and titles must be accurate. Check names and titles in the Eastern phonebook. Also, follow format in The Associated Press Stylebook, which you should bring with you when you write your stories. Refer to it often. 7. Read previous articles written on the topic you are covering in the DEN archives before you write the story. This will help you become familiar with the topic you are working with.

6. Seek Truth and Report It • Be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. • Journalists should: • Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise • care to avoid inadvertent error. • Deliberate distortion is never permissible. • Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the • opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing. • Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human • experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so. • Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, • geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance • or social status. • Give voice to the voiceless. • Do not offer your opinion in stories.

7. Act Independently • Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know. • Journalists should: • Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. • Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility. • Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity. • Disclose unavoidable conflicts. • Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.

8. Be Accountable • Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other. • Journalists should: • Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct. • Admit mistakes and correct them promptly. • Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media. • Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

9. Minimize Harm • Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. • Journalists should: • Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by • news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with • children and inexperienced sources or subjects. • Be sensitive when seeking and using interviews or photographs • of those affected by tragedy or grief.. • Recognize that private people have a greater right to control • information about themselves than do public officials and others • who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding • public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy. • Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.