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The Structure
The Body - 14130_54

Journalist 3 & 2 - Introduction to Journalism and other reporting practices
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Injured were: Seaman   Apprentice   Bruce   J. Burns, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan J. Bums of Route 7, Nashville, Term., broken arms, shock. Fireman  Milton  M.  Jackson,  20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Jackson of 4210 Florida Ave., Lexington, Ky., skull fracture, internal injuries. Engineman  Third  Class  John  C. Stole, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alton H. Stole  of  4109  American  Ave.,  Long Beach,  Calif.,  compound  fractures, internal   injuries. The dead are always identified first in the casualty list, followed by the injured In  identifying  the  victims,  it  is  again  emphasized that all pertinent information related to them be included in the list. A newspaper near San Diego might use only the victims’ names, ages and rates. The parents’ names and  hometown  addresses  might  be  cut  because  they have no local news value. The  wire  services,  however,  would  want  all  the information. A story like this would be picked up and served to newspapers in the victims’ hometowns. Names of  the  parents  and  their  addresses  are  important.  By including all the information in your releases, you leave its use up to the discretion of the media. It may also save you  the  trouble  of  later  answering  queries  for  additional information. Also, note that the driver of the car has been identified among those killed and that specific injuries have  been  listed  for  those  injured.  Most  newspapers follow   this   practice.   This   eliminates   the   need   for cluttering  up  the  body  of  the  story  with  these  details later. If   there   are   10   or   more   casualties,   the recommendation   is   that   you   place   their   names separately at the end of the story. The newspaper can treat the list as a sidebar or run the names in an adjoining box. Too many names in the casualty list cause a big break between the lead and the body, interfering with the  story’s  progress. The  use  of  a  casualty  structure  has  two  distinct advantages for the newspaper. First, this treatment gives each name more prominence in the story because of the typographical   arrangement.   Each   victim   is   listed separately. The reader does not have to ferret out their names from one long paragraph. The reader merely runs down the list quickly to see if there is anybody the reader knows. Second, the casualty list allows for easier handling in  both  the  editorial  department  and  the  composing room. Let us say the previous story appeared in the first edition of a newspaper. By the time the fourth edition of the  paper  is  ready  to  go  to  press,  one  of  the  more seriously  injured  victims  dies. If the casualty structure is used, a complete revision of the story is not necessary. The editor makes a few minor changes in the lead and body of the story, then moves the name from the “injured” heading up to the “dead” heading in the casualty list. Casualty Releasing Policy Under most circumstances, the names of casualties cannot  be  released  until  the  next  of  kin  have  been notified. In this case, the story should be written and released in the customary manner. However, the space ordinarily reserved for the casualty list should include the following statement: “Names   of   casualties   are   being withheld  pending  notification  of  next of kin.” Later,  when  the  names  are  released,  a  newspaper may  insert  them  in  the  proper  place  in  the  story. However,  it  is  neither  necessary  nor  desirable  to withhold the other facts in the story until the names are available. Current policy regarding the release of the names of the  dead  and  injured,  such  as  what  can  or  cannot  be released, is contained in  Department  of  the  Navy  Public Affairs   Policy   and   Regulations,   SECNAVINST 5720.44A.   (This   publication   will   subsequently   be referred to by its short title, PA Regs.) If  only  two  or  three  people  are  the  victims  of  an accident,   their   names   and   identities   should   be incorporated into the paragraph structure of the story. Do not list them separately, name by name, as in the casualty  list. Let us assume that only one person was killed and another  was  injured  in  the  previously  described  auto accident. The following is the way the names would be handled following the lead: Seaman Jackson B. Painter, 22, the driver of the car, was killed instantly. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Painter of 680 Deamond St., Elmsdale, R.I. 3-19







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