BEAT REPORTING WHAT IS THE BEAT SYSTEM WHAT

BEAT REPORTING

WHAT IS THE BEAT SYSTEM? WHAT IS THE REPORTER’S ROLE? Divides coverage into logical areas that produce news Reporters divided into groups to cover a certain beat. § Investigate potential sources & collect contact information. § Make regular contact with the sources of possible news to find out what’s worth writing about. § Check additional sources (calendars, website, meeting notes, etc. ) § For school stories, mix of adult & student sources when possible. Fill out beat report sheets regularly. § Keep a general beat report sheet in classroom binder. § Keep your own beat report sheet in your notebook (more detailed information for each issue). § Write a brief description of the news item & fill out a story planner. § Submit to appropriate editor. § Provide fair and even coverage. § Consider your angle!

PROS & CONS OF A BEAT SYSTEM PROS CONS • Provide routine news efficiently • Source may not have news (or know that they have news) • Divide and conquer; allows for specialized knowledge • Focused on one specific beat; less variety for reporter • Even coverage, less repetition • Your beat may not have a lot going on or have too much going on • Place to start for story ideas • Can get stuck in a rut – story styles & topics • Variety of opinions & angles • More representative of all readers – not just newspaper staff

HOW TO COVER A BEAT 1. Identify your sources & gather contact information 2. Fill out a “beat sheet” on Google Docs 3. Print a copy for the class binder (school events or community events) 4. Print a copy for your own notebook 5. Add important events to Google calendar for staff

WHAT ARE OUR BEATS? School § § § Administration (1) Academics (2) Sports (3) Clubs & Organizations (4) Student Life (5) Community (1 each, 5 total) § § § Laws/Community concerns LCPS News Events & Entertainment Job & Volunteer opportunities New businesses/Reviews National & International (2 each) § § § Hard news stories Local impact Entertainment Environment Politics

WHAT SOURCES SHOULD I CONSULT? School § Calendar (HHS) § Activities page (HHS) § Announcements Community § § § § LCPS calendar LCPS homepage Loudoun County website Town of Leesburg website Teen Advisory Council website Loudoun Times-Mirror Leesburg Today National & International § § § Washington Post New York Times USA Today BBC CNN