How to Write a Pitch A pitch describes the story you want to tell. You need to write a short paragraph that gets attention and explains what you plan to do. So avoid writing, “I want to write about the Churro Lady,” because that’s not a story. It’s a general idea. You want to look …
Ethics in Journalism
What is ethics? Merriam Webster Definition of ethic 1 ethics plural in form but singular or plural in construction: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation 2 a: a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values Every good news organization has a handbook with a written policy or …
Need To Know Copyright
by Barbara Nevins Taylor Our first instinct is to pull images and music from the internet. Everything is right there for the taking and many who create content think about using what’s accessible and seems available. Borrowing can quickly solve a variety of editorial problems. But not all material on the internet is free to …
The First Amendment
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, part of the Bill of Rights, guarantees freedom of religion and speech, the press and the right of people to gather to protest and complain to the government. In its own words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise …
How News Organization Get News
https://www.cnn.com/videos/cnnmoney/2018/08/17/trump-attack-on-journalist-baquet-intv-axe-files-vpx.cnn News organizations gather information with teams of reporters and editors. But they also use outside sources including wire services, or news agencies, to provide information. These news agencies have their own teams of reporters, videographers, editors and producers who cover breaking news, politics, business, sports, entertainment, culture and more. They have investigative teams that …
The U.S. Department of Justice
Opinion vs. News
What's the difference between an opinion piece and a news story? An opinion piece gives you information from the point of view of the writer, or presenter. It may include facts, and reporting, but it differs from a news story in that it lays out an individual's ideas and often their biases. Opinion is, essentially, …
What The Heck?
A Quick Tips for Covering Any Story Whether you cover the opening of a food pantry, a fire that takes the lives of young children, a city council hearing, or a press conference in the Knicks locker room, you want to take a breath when you arrive at the scene. Stop, look around and think …
Reporting Basics
Reporting Journalism means more than taking handouts or reporting what’s said in news releases. Good journalism rests on a set of principles. Solid stories require accurate information and balance in reporting it. Think about answering a story’s basic questions: who what when where why HOW Then examine how the story happened. How do we …
How We Write
When you sit down to write make, sure that each sentence reflects what you mean. Use active verbs and write clear concise sentences that convey your ideas. Active Voice The subject comes first in an active sentence. Example An anonymous senior White House advisor wrote an Op-Ed piece for The New York Times and called …