online resource for Illinois broadcast news managers, reporters, producers, photographers and students
Associated Press Political Writer John O’Connor is an expert at using FOIA to obtain documents for scoops and added depth to his reporting. He spoke to the Illinois News Broadcasters Association convention over the weekend. He has advice for those who would like to do more of this type of reporting. More
With a hurricane approaching the southeastern United States, Ron LaForme offered up an excellent list of tips to help reporters there. His weekly Poynter column doesn’t just apply to hurricanes but also can help you with man-made or natural disaster coverage. He offers up more than a dozen tools. More
Harvard’s Shorenstein Center released a good tip sheet on covering issues of poverty. The recent edition of Journalist’s Resource featured both tips on getting it right and what to avoid.
We are about two months away from election day. A resource available with a couple of clicks will let you keep track on spending in your area State legislative races. Donations of $1,000 or more are required to be reported within five days.
When Illinois’ high court releases opinions, you have as quick of access to them as anyone else. The Court last week released more than 15 opinions. Usually there are fewer releases at one time. If you take the time to review these, you can find stories than can be of either regional or statewide interest. More
In our Tip Of the Week last time, we emphasized the importance of reading your script aloud. A few veteran news folks responded with some additions. So let’s share those thoughts reinforcing and expanding that idea.
Jay Pearce-WVIK Rock Island and a long time presence on both commercial and public airwaves in Illinois -” More
It sounds elementary. It is elementary. It doesn’t mean we do it every time. Read your story out loud. Does it sound natural? If you are having problems with pacing or smooth reading, it might be because your sentences are too long. Shorten the sentences. Aim for 10 words or less in each phrase. More
Ask yourself five questions about the most obvious, dull and well worn story and see if something is being overlooked because it’s in plain sight. Just because everyone knows about an issue or the “way it is” in politics, doesn’t mean there’s not a fresh angle, or a follow-up or unasked question. More
This week’s tip actually isn’t about an interviewing skill. It is about asking people who are likely in the know what is under-reported.
Next time you are chatting with the secretary at the school board office or a mid-level administrator in the courthouse, tell them you are doing an informal survey. More
When you hit the summer news doldrums its an opportunity to look back in time to get some fresh news. One of those basic principles that many of us never have time to do is the “followup!”
Pick a random week from a year ago and look through the stories your newsroom covered at the time. More