Anatomy of a Good News Story

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Blogger

Date:  12/6/2010
Post:  1,240

Have you ever read a "news" story and found yourself asking questions that the "news" story failed to answer?  Yep, me too!

Every good "news" story should answer the following basic questions?

WHO?
DID WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHEN?
HOW?
TO WHAT EXTENT?
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OR IMPLICATIONS?
WHY SHOULD I, THE READER, CARE?

Any first year J-School student at Mizzou can recite this list, probably more completely than I have reproduced it here.

Why is it then that we see so many "news" stories written by so-called "news" reporters which fail to answer all these basic questions?

Perhaps the answer to this query may be found among the following reasons:

1. The so-called "news" reporter or publisher is an imposter who was never fully trained or educated in the proper conduct of his craft.  He merely masquerades as a "news" reporter.
2. The so-called "news" reporter or publisher values speed in publishing the story over accuracy and thoroughness of the story.  Rather than get the story right, he seeks to get the story out as fast as he can!  I've actually seen some "news" stories where the publisher "brags" about how many minutes it took between first hearing about the story and publishing the story.  When did good journalism become such a race to get the story (any story) out to the public at the risk of failing to get a complete story out to the public?
3. The so-called "news" reporter or publisher values marketing, promotion and advertising more than he values accurate and professional "news" reporting.  His so-called "news" publication is really just a cheap advertising publication.  Self-promotion and the building of readership become the important objectives as opposed to publishing worthwhile, professionally written "news" stories.  Salacious and scandalous pieces attract readers and are easier to write than hard-hitting, time-consuming investigative reports on matters of true public interest.  The publication is so focused upon self-promotion and generation of advertising revenues that it ceases to be a quality "news" publication.

Your thoughts?

Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)