Covering Speeches Speeches Speeches are usually given at

Covering Speeches

Speeches • Speeches are usually given at formal meetings or news conferences • Speeches are long opinions of the speaker • Reporter must report what was said, BUT must be able to ask challenging questions • Important to obtain other points of view opposed to the speaker’s views

Manipulating the Media • Speeches are a common way for government, businesses and organizations to get their views across directly to the news media • However, since a speech is “controlled” opinion by the speaker, the news media must be careful not to be manipulated, or used • Good reporters try to ask follow-up questions, do reporting independent of the speech

Before going to a Speech • You must prepare as much as possible before you go, even if time is limited • Research the speaker, their organization, and previous stories about them • Research the topic of their speech if you know • Try to get the prepared text of the speech • Write some background for your story • Arrive early at the site

At the Speech • It’s best to sit in an aisle seat so you can get up quickly to ask questions if the speaker leaves • Take excellent notes of the speech • If you have the prepared text, read along and write down changes the speaker makes • Try to write down other things you see, such as audience reaction, emotions of the speaker • Try to interview the speaker after for fresh quotes, listen to other questions

Preparing the Speech Story • You will need to do some basic reporting on facts such as: • Size of the Audience • The Location of the Speech • Why the Speech was Made • What was Said – Including the Best Quotes • Audience Reaction

Writing the Speech Story • Make sure to decide on the Most Important Point the speaker made, and lead your story with that • Get to quotes quickly, by the second or third paragraph (typically, not in the lead) • Good quotes are very important • Don’t write the story in chronological order • At times, other things overshadow the speech: audience reaction, arrests of protesters, etc. , so you lead with that