Bloomberg Journalism for News: Session 2

1. Press releases Sometimes the most important information or 'story' is hidden. You need to locate it. You cannot cover the whole. If there is one big piece of news then it obviates everything else. Pick out the most important line. Ask yourself whether other sentences add value to the story.

2. Writing a news story hints and tips 1. Editorialising - Express no opinion. The way you cover a story factually may end up forming a point of view. Editorialising is not proper journalism. 2. Humble beginnings - the best stories come from common situations and humble surroundings. 3. Bias - Don't start with preoccupies notion of person/story. Facts and evidence. 4. Global awareness - If global, remember all cultures see the world through a different world. Self-interest in America is a virtue for example. 5. Intimate detail - For person profiles or when interviewing people you try to find the intimate picture of the man/woman. What is he/she? They won't tell you - you have to find it out. Paint the picture of human beings at the most basic level. 6. Surprise - When read story/website ask what will be surprising. How can the story be taken to the next level? 7. Common theme - Story should tie together

3. Feedback on Article - Essential for Rookie Journalist 1. Cut out words 2. Start with intrigue 3. Start with the most dramatic thing - create curiosity 4. Don't say 'this story shows' - Show don't tell. Otherwise it reads like a fable. 5. Talk about specifics of event 6. Don't write anything preachy 7. Will Aunt Agatha or Milwoky Milkman understand story? 8. Reduce numbers in story - choose most important 9. Say something definitive - If you can't predict then don't go into subject.

4. What makes a good journalist? 1. Curiosity 2. People Skills - getting answers 3. Story telling Curiosity raises questions, then get people to answer them, then tell the story.

4.1. Curiosity Noes for news, News sense. Separate the news from the common info. It is a judgemental call about how to find news in information. Widen the idea, Look a little deeper, Ask yourself; 'If I am forced to write a news story now then what will I write?' News is simply sifting information - ask 'is there a story here?' Fill out the story with curious questions. Other people are not looking for it.

4.2. People skills Confidence in sitting people down, asking good questions, having good interview skills, getting answers

4.3. Don't build stories on beliefs. Not in a position to morally judge others. When you know how to tell a good story is when you become a pro. Force yourself to think - there are always news stories everywhere