✍️Newswriting Unit 7 – Writing Hard News Stories

What's Hard News?

• Focuses on timely, significant events and information the public needs to know
• Covers breaking news stories (accidents, crimes, natural disasters)
• Reports on politics, government, and public affairs at the local, national, and international levels
• Includes business and economic news that impacts society
• Differs from soft news which covers lighter, more entertaining topics (human interest stories, arts and culture, lifestyle)
• Aims to inform the public quickly and accurately about important events
• Relies on facts, objectivity, and impartiality in reporting

Key Elements of a Hard News Story

• Timeliness: covers current events and breaking news that just happened or are unfolding
• Impact and significance: reports on events that affect a large number of people or have significant consequences
• Proximity: covers local news that is relevant to the publication's target audience
• Prominence: reports on well-known people, places, or institutions
• Novelty and unusualness: covers events that are out of the ordinary or unexpected
• Conflict and controversy: reports on stories involving disputes, disagreements, or clashes
• Human interest: while not the main focus, hard news can include a human element to help readers connect with the story

Finding Newsworthy Stories

• Monitor breaking news through wire services (Associated Press, Reuters), police scanners, and social media
• Attend press conferences and public meetings to gather information directly from sources
• Cultivate relationships with sources in government, law enforcement, and other relevant fields
  • Protect sources' anonymity when necessary
• Follow up on tips from readers, viewers, or listeners
• Investigate leads and rumors to uncover potential stories
• Look for stories that have a significant impact on the community or the public at large
• Stay informed about ongoing issues and developments in politics, business, and other key areas

Gathering Information and Sources

• Conduct interviews with key players, witnesses, and experts related to the story
  • Prepare questions in advance but be flexible based on the interviewee's responses
  • Record interviews for accuracy when possible
• Obtain official documents (police reports, court records, government documents) through public records requests or other means
• Verify information through multiple, independent sources to ensure accuracy
• Gather background information to provide context and depth to the story
• Take detailed notes and organize information for easy reference when writing
• Fact-check all information before including it in the story
• Seek out diverse sources to provide a balanced perspective on the issue

The Inverted Pyramid Structure

• Organizes information in descending order of importance
• Begins with the most newsworthy and essential information (who, what, when, where, why, and how) in the lead paragraph
• Provides additional details and context in subsequent paragraphs
• Allows readers to quickly grasp the main points of the story even if they don't read the entire article
• Enables editors to cut the story from the bottom up if space is limited without losing crucial information
• Differs from the traditional narrative structure used in feature writing or storytelling

Crafting a Compelling Lead

• Summarizes the most important aspects of the story in the first paragraph
• Grabs the reader's attention and entices them to keep reading
• Typically includes the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the story
• Uses active voice and strong, specific verbs to convey action and urgency
• Avoids unnecessary details or background information that can be included later in the story
• Sets the tone and style for the rest of the article
• Can use different types of leads (summary, single-item, delayed identification, creative) depending on the story and the writer's style

Writing Concise and Clear Copy

• Uses simple, direct language that is easy for readers to understand
• Avoids jargon, technical terms, or unnecessarily complex words
• Breaks long sentences into shorter, more manageable ones
• Uses active voice to create a sense of immediacy and clarity
• Includes only relevant details and avoids unnecessary information
• Employs transitional phrases to guide readers through the story
• Uses quotes sparingly and strategically to add depth and credibility to the story
• Follows AP style guidelines for consistency and professionalism

Fact-Checking and Verification

• Verifies all information included in the story through multiple, independent sources
• Checks the accuracy of names, titles, dates, and other specific details
• Confirms the authenticity of documents and other evidence
• Seeks out expert opinions to provide context and analysis
• Corrects errors promptly and transparently if they occur
• Maintains detailed records of sources and fact-checking process
• Ensures that the story is fair, balanced, and free from bias or agenda

Ethical Considerations in Hard News Reporting

• Maintains objectivity and impartiality in reporting
• Avoids conflicts of interest or the appearance of bias
• Protects the privacy and safety of sources, especially those who wish to remain anonymous
• Obtains informed consent from sources and subjects, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics
• Respects the rights of accused individuals and avoids implying guilt before a legal conviction
• Handles graphic or disturbing content with sensitivity and discretion
• Considers the potential impact of the story on individuals and communities
• Adheres to professional codes of ethics (Society of Professional Journalists, Radio Television Digital News Association)