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
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