Summary of "Summer Journalism Bootcampt Day 1 — Instructional Session"
Summary of "Summer Journalism Bootcamp Day 1 — Instructional Session"
Main Ideas and Concepts
1. Introduction and Background
- The session begins with introductions of the speakers, all affiliated with The Daily Free Press (a student newspaper at Boston University), highlighting their roles such as editor-in-chief, managing editor, city editor, and features editor.
- The Daily Free Press is an independent student newspaper, financially supported by advertisers and donors, not by the university, allowing editorial freedom.
- The newspaper celebrated its 50th anniversary, emphasizing its longstanding tradition of covering campus issues, including crises like campus closures.
2. Overview of the Workshop
- Topics covered include:
- Ethics of reporting
- Determining newsworthiness
- Finding story ideas
- The reporting process
3. Ethics of Reporting
Based on the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, focusing on four key principles:
- Seek Truth and Report It
- Always prioritize accuracy and honesty.
- Fact-check all information; do not sacrifice truth for speed.
- Present full context and fairness by including multiple perspectives.
- Contact all relevant parties, especially those criticized, to get their side.
- Minimize Harm
- Be cautious about the impact of reporting on individuals, especially private individuals.
- Public figures are held to a higher standard of accountability.
- Avoid unnecessary harm, such as revealing identities of vulnerable protesters.
- Consult editors when in doubt about potential harm.
- Act Independently
- Avoid conflicts of interest (e.g., don’t report on organizations or people you are affiliated with).
- Decline gifts or payments from sources.
- Never allow sources editorial control over your story.
- Do not share drafts with sources, but fact verification is allowed.
- Be Accountable and Transparent
- Correct mistakes visibly and promptly.
- Identify yourself as a journalist.
- Attribute information clearly to sources.
- Engage openly with readers, especially about controversial stories.
- Journalism serves democracy and public trust is essential.
4. Fact-Checking Process
- The Daily Free Press uses a rigorous multi-round fact-checking system including:
- Requiring recorded interviews with transcriptions.
- Checking quotes and proper nouns.
- Multiple editors review facts.
- No universal online fact checker exists; reporters must verify facts individually using directories, social media, white pages, LinkedIn, etc.
- Anonymous sources are used only when necessary for protection; otherwise, named sources are preferred.
- Opinion pieces must also adhere to factual accuracy and ethical guidelines.
5. Newsworthiness
- Factors to consider when choosing stories:
- Timeliness: Recent or breaking news, often sourced from press releases or official announcements.
- Proximity: Relevance to the local community or campus.
- Impact: Number of people affected or significance of the issue.
- Human Interest: Stories that evoke emotion or provide insight into people’s lives.
- Localize national stories by focusing on how they affect your campus or community.
- Avoid simply repeating press releases; add depth and new angles.
6. Finding Story Ideas
- Use press releases and get added to press lists.
- Follow social media, local news, and other college newspapers for inspiration.
- Look for unanswered questions or gaps in coverage.
- Investigative stories often arise from listening to community complaints or analyzing data trends.
- Ask sources for referrals to other relevant contacts.
7. Reporting and Interviewing
Finding Sources:
- Identify all parties involved or affected.
- Reach out to government officials, advocacy groups, experts, and local organizations.
- Be creative and persistent in contacting sources.
- Email professionally and follow up with calls.
- If sources don’t respond, note their refusal to comment.
Interview Preparation:
- Research the topic and source background.
- Prepare questions but be flexible to follow interesting leads.
- Ask open-ended questions that evoke emotion or unique insights.
- Clarify jargon and technical terms for reader understanding.
Interview Ethics and Techniques:
- Always identify yourself as a reporter.
- Obtain permission before recording (legal requirements vary by state).
- Use recording devices/apps (e.g., TapeACall, Otter.ai) and take notes.
- Let interviewees speak without interruption; use silence strategically.
- Avoid sharing drafts with sources; verify facts only.
- Phone interviews preferred over email for authenticity and timeliness.
- Handle follow-up questions carefully and don’t fear asking for clarification multiple times.
Handling Difficult Situations:
- If sources feel misrepresented, review with editors and consider corrections.
- Don’t let sources control the narrative.
- If interviews conflict with class times, seek accommodations.
Category
Educational
