Date post: | 01-Sep-2014 |
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COVERING THE COP SHOPAndrew Chavez
THREE KEY STEPS OF CRIME REPORTING Story generation
Knowing that a story exists or Reporting
Getting the facts as soon as possible Properly developing a story
Follow-up Staying on top of a story Finding all angles Providing a resolution to the storyline
STORY GENERATIONThe most important step
WHERE STORIES COME FROMRumors
5%
Tips from LE29%
Scanner24%
Beat reporting43%
GENERATING STORIES Rumors Tips Scanner Beat reporting +
Good police reporting is about running traps
GENERATING STORIES Rumors / Tips
Can generate first stories and folos (case developments, settlements, etc.)
Easiest way to get stories Least reliable method Some stories will only happen this way
Getting more tips Be willing to entertain tipsters Keep contact information visible in all locations
(even on every page of site) Read comments on stories
GENERATING STORIES Scanner
High payoff with little effort Anyone can listen to it (not just reporters) Not quotable, but can lead to good info Great way to get visuals
Getting more from the scanner Use a handheld and take it to scenes with you Get to know the codes (many are available
online)
GENERATING STORIES Beat reporting
How do you define beat reporting?
GENERATING STORIES Beat reporting
Building relationships with sources Staying on top of stories (75/25) Being the person who runs the traps Establishing yourself as the in-house expert Cover all angles of the beat while others
sometime take low-hanging fruit The police reporter isn’t the person who writes
the crime stories
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Have a presence Cultivate sources before you need
them Throw them some fluff Keep a dialogue open Don’t let bad habits persist Develop a phonefile
SET MULTIPLE TRAPS Scanner Reports Check-in calls Use your whole staff Don’t forget fire and EMS (they’re at
the big stuff, too)
REPORTINGGetting the info you need
THE TOOLS
•Required by federal law on federally-funded roads (interstates, state and county roads)•Available from NNA for $15
•Handheld is ideal•Find the frequencies online•Check the iPhone/Web apps
•Big pad is great for sketching•Small one best for back pocket
THE TOOLS
•Audio, video recorder•Camera•Mobile address book•Inconspicuous
•Instantly duplicate important source documents•Leave with photos, videos
BE PRECISEFocus on the 5WsEstablish a timelineDon’t “write around it” – admit
what you don’t knowDitch the jargon
CYAAttribute, attribute, attributeGet the documents, recordings,
videos …Verify accounts (try a timeline or
sketch)Be a detective and a defense
attorneySave contact info for your sourcesConsult the AP Stylebook
GET OUTReach out to the accusedTalk to the familiesVisit the crime sceneFind witnesses
… You owe it to them
FOLLOWING UP
YOUR SOURCES
Police reports
Court filings
Raw' items
Police interviews
Witness interviews
Victim interviews
Accused interviews
0% 10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
FOLLOW THROUGHIt doesn’t end at the arrestBe consistent about your treatments
– headlines, page position, etc.Keep case filesRun trapsKeep a calendar and use others’
calendarsCheck on court dates, scheduled
events in advance
FOLLOW THROUGH
• Just the facts, ma’am
5Ws story
• Victim/accused profile
• Detailed, narrative account
Human story • Incremental
stories• Explaining the
stalemate• Unsolved
mysteryUpdate
• Case comparison
• Stats story
Trend
SOME RESOURCES
SOME RESOURCES Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
http://dartcenter.org/ Covering Crime and Justice: A guide for
journalistshttp://www.justicejournalism.org/crimeguide/
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texashttp://foift.org/
Q&A TIME