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Journalist 1 & C - Advanced manual for Journalism and other reporting practices
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and  expiration  date.  The  credential  should  be  signed  by the  PAO  or  CO.  Like  their  civilian  counterparts,  your staff   members   need   credentials   for   identification purposes when covering events on and off base. READERSHIP SURVEYS CE and funded newspaper staffs must conduct a readership survey at least once every two years. If the newspaper has undergone recent major editorial or style changes, then a survey must be conducted within two to four months of the changes. The survey should provide data  on  distribution  effectiveness,  readership  awareness and acceptance, and readership opinion of the value and effectiveness of the publication. Also, the survey should provide trend data.  PA Regs specifies that you must report the results of the survey to the readers, which may be  done  in  summary  form.  Further  information  on surveys can be found in Chapter 9. NEWS GATHERING METHODS Learning Objective: Identify the methods of gathering news  for  a  CE  or  funded  newspaper. When   gathering   news,   most   CE   or   funded newspaper staffs are stretched to the limit. You can only interview a certain number of people and write a certain amount of stories between copy deadlines. Figure in the newspaper staff duties previously described, and you will quickly realize that you and your subordinates must optimize  your  time  and  enlist  the  help  of  others  in gathering news. You can do both by using the beat and stringer  systems  and  by  maintaining  a  morgue. BEAT SYSTEM Consider  establishing  a  beat  system  if  you determine your news coverage can be improved. If one is already in place, look at changing it. Beats are divided into two sections: area. Geographical  Area geographical  area  and  functional Each  staff  writer  is  assigned  a  section  of  the command  (northeast  sector,  southeast  sector,  northeast sector,  southwest  sector,  for  example).  He  is  then responsible  for  all  the  news  in  his  area,  whatever  the subject. Functional Area A reporter is assigned a subject (sports, leisure, health,  pay  and  benefits,  youth  activities,  training,  etc.) and is responsible for stories about that subject, no matter where they are found. This system also can be used  to  assign  reporters  to  cover  specific  units  or agencies. Select a beat system by considering the size of the command or installation and the size of the staff. You can figure in the interests and abilities of your writers; however,  sound  cross-training  practices  dictate  that  you do not allow them to specialize for the duration of their tours. A cross-trained staff gives your newspaper more depth  and  expertise. Brief  your  staff  members  on  their  responsibilities. Make sure they know their beats, the importance of establishing and maintaining contacts, the need to check with contacts regularly and the importance of being polite, punctual and professional. STRINGER  SYSTEM Consider  using  the  stringer  system  if  your newspaper  staff  is  undermanned  or  if  you  must  cover remote areas or detached units. If a stringer system is already  in  place,  determine  whether  production  is adequate and if the stringers are properly trained. If you want to use a stringer system, you should solicit   potential   stringers   through   ads   in   your newspaper, through unit commanders or any other suitable method. Start a training program for new or existing  stringers  in  need  of  training,  using  the Handbook  for  Stringers  in  the  Armed  Forces. Stringers  may  be  enlisted  members,  officers  or civilian  employees  willing  to  work  without  pay  for  the newspaper. Stringers, at minimum, should be trained to call in news tips. To do this, they must know what types of  stories  are  sought,  understand  deadlines  and  know how to gather the basic Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. If they provide written copy, they should know, at a minimum, the following items: .  The  importance  of  double  checking  name spellings  and  other  factual  information l The structure and organization of a news story .  The  technique  of  writing  clearly  and  concisely l The requirements of attribution 7-10







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