Something newsworthy is always happening around us, but not all of it should be in the newspaper. How do we discern what makes a good pitch.
- Breaking news
- Scheduled events, or recurring events that merit a second look
- News releases
- Picking up ideas from your surroundings
- Suggestions from instructors/friends
- Reader-directed content
Breaking News
Anything that is not a scheduled part of your day is considered breaking news. Unfortunately breaking news often takes of the form of tragedy: bank robberies, explosions, resignations, etc. The newsroom moves to an “all hands on deck” mentality, often devoting as many reporters as possible to the story. There’s an adage that says journalists run toward the fire as everyone else runs away, it’s often true during breaking news events.
In a modern digital society, the best way to cover breaking news is often to report live. Social media can be leveraged for stories where we need to get information out as quickly as possible, but don’t have the access to sit down and write a 500-word story. Please note that standards of accuracy, good taste and ethics don’t diminish because reporting is being done quickly.
Scheduled events
Considered, in many ways, the nuts and bolts of journalism. Scheduled events can be picnics, memorial services, festivals, library read-ins and other happenings the newsroom knows about ahead of time.
On holidays there are always some givens. Every Thanksgiving more than 5,000 runners get together to do a “turkey trot” through downtown Stockton. On the same day, St. Mary’s Interfaith Dining Services serves a large number of homeless individuals a dinner.
Scheduled simply means the newsroom knows the event is happening and can schedule it for the next day’s newspaper.
At Delta College, schedule events include plays, gallery shows and sporting events. It’s completely fine to pitch these events to cover, as long as the event falls within the production cycle of The Collegian. Don’t pitch an event happening in August for the October newspaper.
News releases
Newsrooms across the country receive a barrage of news releases daily. These releases usually go to a general email address. Students have access to deltacollegian@gmail.com where many of these come in. You may check it regularly (it’s encouraged, in fact).
Releases are often sent out by public relations professionals who have a vested interest in getting publicity for their client or represented product.
Usually one or two sheets of paper, a news release has embedded quotes. DO NOT use the embedded quotes. You may call the sources on the release and ask questions, which may have similar answers, but you should never regurgitate quotes. If you MUST, because there is no other option, you need to make sure your story indicates that the quotes are “from a news release.”
Releases aren’t always about events. Sometimes they are promoting human-interest stories. Since there is a constant flow of these into a newsroom, this is considered easy access journalism. News releases often include points of contact (sources) that make a journalist’s job easier as well.
If you take a story from a news release, your job is to make sure you go beyond the release.
Your surroundings
Have you ever wondered what type of person paints their door red? Do you drive by the same business daily and admire the changing words on its outdoor signage? There may be a story there.
Your news sense will develop over time, but sometimes just asking yourself a question can be the premise of an awesome news story.
A few years back a student wondered about all those flyers posted to the bulletin board areas around campus. Who was advertising? Why? In an age of Craigslist, why go an old school route? She ended up writing a story about the procedures to go through to get a flyer posted. Many people didn’t know the flyers even had to be approved through the Student Activities office on campus.
This class will likely make you wonder about things you wouldn’t normally have. Turn that into story ideas.
Suggestions from instructors/friends
Once someone finds you’re on the newspaper staff, people will likely tell you things. It’s often for their own self interest, as a group or organization they belong to is doing something they think warrants coverage.
Listen to the idea. It doesn’t necessarily mean the newspaper will do a story on it. Stories must go through the pitching/vetting process. Just because one person things an idea is great doesn’t mean it actually should be a story.
Above all, don’t make a commitment to do the story without vetting it with an editor. This happens from time to time. You shouldn’t make guarantees that anything will run.
Reader-directed content
Deltacollegian.net has an “email news tips” function on the website. We receive letters to the editor. We have walk-ins to the newsroom from time to time as well. Again, we take the content under review. As your news judgement becomes more refined, you’ll understand the difference between a bottom of the fold story and the top of the fold story.
Places to start looking for ideas
- Delta College website: Many college-related stories are published here simultaneously as the college sends out a press release. Be aware that nearly all beginning students are going here first too. These are good starter stories.
- Social media: Follow club and organizations accounts. Follow all the official Delta College accounts. A photo of something happening on campus may turn into a larger story.
- Campus bulletin boards: It’s not necessarily the most modern way to get information, but many students and organizations still put information on our campus boards.
- Conversations with friends: Know someone involved in a really cool project? Or maybe you’ve heard someone is doing something amazing with the fashion club? Start paying attention to conversations.
- Attending other classes: Nearly every program or discipline on campus put on student events. When your professor makes an announcement, take note.