Reporting-An Introduction

Dr. N.Johnson PhD.,NET(Edn).,NET-Andragogy Assistant Professor

Department of Lifelong Learning School of EducationAlagappa UniversityKaraikudi – 630 003

Tamil Nadujohnsonn@alagappauniversity.ac.in

Reporting – An Introduction

REPORTINGReporting is the activity of collecting information from a given area and reproducing it to someone who is responsible for authorizing that activity.

Basic activity•Reporting, Editing and Production are the most widely recognized and identifiable with print journalism.

•It is the front activity of Journalism

Process in ReportingCollecting information includes• Seeing what is happening• Looking around for sights and visuals• Listening to the voices and sounds• Noting down relevant information• This includes names, places, dates, time, figures and

other statistics• Asking relevant questions

Eyes and Ears•A reporter is both eyes and ears of a news organization

•He represents power of the press•He is always on the move•No fixed hours or routine for him•His work changes daily

•A reporter always been a figure inspiring awe, confidence and fear.

•Whatever a reporter used to report, was then put through the process of correction and editing, and then the approved matter went for printing.

What It takes•An Introvert has little of success•Must possess self-confidence•Not get over-awed by anyone•A man of initiative, not easily disheartened or irritated

•Must grasp the situation quickly•A bend of mind for research•A good talker and listener

The sourcesCommon sources•Public meetings•Conferences•Seminars•Radio/ TV bulletins•Press conferences/Briefings

The sources (Contd..)Exclusive sources•Government/private functionaries•Ex-employees•Trade union people•NGOs•Politicians•Small functionaries at all places

Confidentiality•While some sources may like to be quoted for the report, others may like to keep their identity hidden

•Actual sources must be quoted if they are willing to be quoted, but also guard their identity in all circumstances

•They must always keep some documents to authenticate a report

Must-Do•Must read widely to increase subject knowledge

•Must know local affairs•Presence of mind•Sharp memory•Ask questions•Be responsible

TEN TIPS1.Keep handy a small notebook2.Know what he wants to write3.Must manage time properly4.Protect his source5.Write in simple language

TEN TIPS (CONTD..)6. Must know what is to be ignored7. Convey a lot in few words8. Basic knowledge of writing on computers9. Study the assignments properly10. Must always keep learning

For the beginner•Sense of power and privilege associated with reporting

•They are often approached for getting work done in government

•Be aware of becoming a middleman•Be aware of being used by others•Credibility first and foremost

Kinds of reporting•Basic reporting is about local affairs and working of government departments especially those providing utilities

•Others include Crime reporting, Investigative reporting, Specialized reporting and political reporting, Business reporting

Crime reporting•There is a great public interest in crime.•No newspaper can afford to ignore crime reporting

•Newspapers inform readers about the crime scene in the city as also the security agencies’ response to it, or the progress of investigation

A Specialized job•Responsible and specialized job•Crime reporter must be

ObjectiveAvoid sensationalismHave contacts

Kinds of crime•Crime reporting includes burglary, loot, robbery, fire, accident, blackmail, kidnapping, murder, fraud and rape

•On the spot reporting and all versions are important.

Other Kinds of reporting•Business reporting•Law reporting•Sports reporting•Fashion/Culture reporting•Development reporting•Science reporting•Education reporting

Writing news reports•The main purpose of a news story is to report the news in an objective manner.

•It is quite acceptable, however, for a reporter to quote other people’s opinions in a story

•Most news stories revolve around some sort of conflict

REQUIREMENTS•Answers to the 5Ws, 1 H•Written as inverted pyramids in four steps -Collect all the facts

-Sum it up and boil it down-Prioritise the Who, What, When, Where and Why

-Rethink revise and rewrite