As a new journalist, you need to develop a nose for news. Not every event is a story, and not every story is worth telling.
This checklist sets out the main considerations for helping journalists spot a news story. It’s based on the MHM article Spotting a news story by Jaldeep Katwala. We suggest you read Jaldeep’s article before using the checklist
News is all around us. Sometimes it’s obvious, at other times it’s hidden. Journalists need to develop a news sense to find the stories others miss.
Checklist for finding great stories
- [ ] Is it interesting?: If a story does not make you want to tell someone else about it, it might not be news. Test your idea by asking ‘so what?’ If you cannot answer, the story may be too weak.
- [ ] Is it original?: Consume as much news as possible so you know what has already been reported. If you have not heard the story before – and your experienced colleagues have not either – you might have found something fresh.
- [ ] Measure the impact: Think about how many people the story affects. Usually, the more people involved, the more important the story is. Even if it affects only one person, look for a wider meaning that others can relate to.
- [ ] Value the difficulty: If a story is hard to tell, it is often a sign of a story worth chasing. Don’t give up just because it’s a challenge.
- [ ] Apply the first rule of journalism: The most important thing is that everything you write must be accurate. So your priority is to get all the details right.
- [ ] Check the logic: Does the story make sense? If it sounds too strange to be true, it might be false. Always verify your facts, especially when a story seems unbelievable.
- [ ] Predict the competition: A good story is one that other news outlets will want to follow once you publish it. If your rivals are likely to copy your story, you know you have found something valuable.
- [ ] Plan for follow-ups: A strong news story should lead to at least three more related stories. Always think about what will happen next and who you still need to talk to.
- [ ] Consider the change: Ask yourself if anything will change because of your report. Will it improve lives or highlight a problem? This helps you to decide if the story is in the public interest.
- [ ] Protect your reputation: As well as being accurate in every detail, you should always be fair and impartial. A difficult story professionally told will earn the respect of your sources and your audience.
Finding news is a skill that you will improve every day. Stay curious, ask lots of questions, and keep hunting for facts.
