Public affairs, part one

Public affairs, part oneSpeeches, presentations, meetings

Public affairs journalismOne of journalism’s most

important tasks, and one of its most criticized.

Often involves topics that are not pleasant to talk about.

Media holds up a mirror to society.

Topics: Government, crime, courts, police and fire activity, injuries, death, destruction, etc.

Good training groundPublic affairs reporting helps

people in the media learn:- Diligence – regular contact with sources.- Knowledge – learning their beats thoroughly, from what the public officials do to how they keep records. Dealing with people and reports quickly and thoroughly.

TrainingAccuracy – Reinforces the need

for reporting information correctly.

Writing clear explanations – Media professionals need to know how to translate professional jargon (police, law, medical, etc.) to everyday speak for readers and viewers.

EventsIn addition to breaking news, the

media also reports on manypre-planned events.

SpeechesPresentationsGovernment – local government

meetings, projects, services, etc.

Before the eventDo some background research. What type of meeting, speech or

presentation am I covering?Who is speaking? What is the

speaker known for?

Advance storiesBefore many of these events, media

may do a story to let readers/viewers know that the event is coming up.

Usually done within a week of the event.

Advance stories emphasize the basics:- What is happening?- When and where is the event taking place?- Who is involved?

Covering a speech or meetingKeys to doing a good job when

covering a speech or meeting:- Advance preparation- Sounds news judgment- Accuracy- Ear for interesting quotes- Eye for compelling details

News judgmentSo, what should I emphasize in

my story?Information or developments that

have an effect on your audience. The more of your audience

affected, the more prominent the information should be featured in the story.

In place of your audienceWhen you cover an event or

meeting, you are in essence a surrogate for your audience.

You are experiencing it instead of them. Let them know what it was like to be there.

MeetingsBodies of government meet on a

regular basis. At these meetings, decisions are

made that have an impact on the citizens they serve.

Meetings are highly ritualized events.

Planning and preparation are key to doing a good job covering local governments.

Covering meetings or speechesAgenda/packet for meeting.Speech or presentation – who is

the speaker? What is the person known for?

Arrive early and get a seat where you can see and hear everything clearly.

Take detailed notesIf a controversial action is taken,

make sure to get all sides of the issue.

Coverage, continuedAccuracy – an ear for interesting

quotations, an eye for compelling details.

Sometimes there is a press conference before a speech. Good opportunity to get information for your specific audience.

If it’s more of a presentation, get a copy of any handouts, written materials, reports, etc.

Preparing the storySpeech/meeting/event stories need

a central point like any news story- But sometimes there’s a lot going on.

Choose the development that has the most impact on the greatest number of people in the audience – That’s a good lead.

Most speeches have a central point or theme – that’s the lead.

Lead exampleThe school board has adopted a $14 million

program designed to reduce the high school dropout rate from 24 to 10 percent.In other action Monday, the board voted to build an elementary school on State Street and required every new teacher to pass a series of competency tests.

Second paragraph is a summary of other major developments. Story then goes back to reporting on the action in the lead.

Another typical leadOne major topic, several minor

topics.Make the major topic the lead

and focus of the story. List the minor topics at the end of the story.

Each minor topic gets its own paragraph.

Preceding the minor topics, typically a sentence like “In other business, the commission:”

A couple of don’ts …Two common weaknesses in

speech and meeting stories:- Attribution- Reporting in chronological order

Attribution – using the speaker’s name over and over and over. Alternate the last name with he or she.

Kennedy said, not said Kennedy.

Avoid chronological orderSpeeches/events/meetings are not

structured in a way that makes for starting your story how they start the presentation.

Meetings start with pledge of allegiance, then go to proclamations to bowling leagues, etc.

Speeches never start “the theme of the talk I’m giving tonight is …”

Again, choose the aspect that has the most impact on the audience and go with that.

TransitionsYour story should move smoothly

from topic to topic. Keep transitions brief and specific.

NO: The board also considered two other topics.YES: The board also rejected proposals to increase students health and athletic fees.

Remember your audienceWith your leads, and story

organization, as we’ve discussed.Sometimes reporters are tempted or

asked to produce stories to please the people who they are covering. Avoid.

Interact with those people quite often, the audience not as often, so sometimes this may happen without thinking. Always remember why you are there.

Check the factsJust because something is stated

as fact in a speech/meeting/presentation doesn’t make it so.

Make sure to double-check information, especially when it sounds fishy.

Double-check personal attacks, and get responses from those who are being attacked.

The sceneQuotations, both direct and

indirect, are used in all speech/meeting/presentation stories.

Let us hear the voice of the speaker.

Also gives your audience a sense of what it was like to attend the event. You are experiencing the event for the audience.

The scene, continuedDescribe what you see:

- How many people were there.- How did the audience act?- What people were there? Protestors? Those interested in a specific topic? A group of 50 people wearing shirts with pictures of their pets?

ChecklistAdvance preparationGet there early, get a good seatTake detailed notesChoose the topic that affects most of

your audience as the lead.Or the major topic of the speech as a

leadDescribe the sceneClear transitionsCheck the facts, get all sides

Questions?