Learn to turn simple observations into professional news stories. This guide covers adding depth and context to your reporting.
While anyone can record an event on a phone, a journalist adds information to help the public understand the world around them.
This guide is based on the article ‘Citizen reporting to citizen journalists‘, which was written for young journalists in Zimbabwe on a mobile journalism training course. We suggest you read the related article before applying the checklist below.
Following these steps will help you move from being an amateur observer to a professional news gatherer.
Moving from reporting to journalism
- [ ] Check names and spellings: Accuracy is the foundation of journalism. Ask every person you interview to spell their full name and provide their official title.
- [ ] Ask the six essential questions: Before you start, ensure you can answer what, why, when, how, where, and who. This ensures your report is thorough and does not miss vital information.
- [ ] Plan your visual story: Think about the shots you need before you arrive. You will need an establishing shot to show the location and cutaway shots to show small details.
- [ ] Record high-quality sound: Always capture background noise, also known as ambient sound or wild track. This helps your edits sound smooth and natural to the listener.
- [ ] Add context to the facts: Do not just say what happened; explain why it matters. Use history, data, and statistics to show if an event is a rare occurrence or a common problem.
- [ ] Verify with two independent sources: Never rely on just one person’s word. Find at least two people (sources) who are not connected to each other to confirm the facts of your story.
- [ ] Keep your emotions separate: Your job is to report the reality of a situation. Keep your own views out of your reporting so that your audience can make up their own minds.
- [ ] Get proper consent: Ensure people know how their interview will be used. Be extra careful with vulnerable people or children, and always seek permission from their guardians.
- [ ] Behave ethically at all times: Ask yourself if your report is fair. Never exaggerate or dramatise the facts to make a story sound more exciting than it actually is. Apply editorial ethics to all you do.
- [ ] Stay safe and prepared: Check that your phone is charged, tell someone where you are going, and assess any risks before you enter a dangerous or crowded situation.
You are now ready to begin your journey into the world of professional reporting. By following these steps, you are ensuring that your work is not just a recording, but a valuable service to your community.
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