1. Researching a Story Cultivating Sources

2. Researching a Story “The best news is not planned: it’s just responding to events as they unfold. But no newsroom can operate without some degree of planning. This includes checking important dates for a developing story or finding a follow-up which can help to fill a gap on a quiet day. In television, much of the lighter end-of- programme features can be pre-planned as they can easily be held over to another day if the ‘on the day’ news agenda changes.” Simon Hare, BBC Reporter.

3. Researching a Story Researching a story is an important element of news gathering process to obtain accurate information which is pertinent to the story.Researching a story is an important element of news gathering process to obtain accurate information which is pertinent to the story. The process of researching a story may be different in different news situations and may involve not only the reporter but other researchers too.The process of researching a story may be different in different news situations and may involve not only the reporter but other researchers too.

4. Researching a Story The main purpose of any research is to make sure that you have got your facts right. And before you embark on this journey always ask the following question to be absolutely sure that you are on the right track: The main purpose of any research is to make sure that you have got your facts right. And before you embark on this journey always ask the following question to be absolutely sure that you are on the right track: Is this really a story? Ask yourself if you would be interested in it as a reader/viewer or listener.Is this really a story? Ask yourself if you would be interested in it as a reader/viewer or listener.

5. Researching a Story Would the audience learn anything from the information you are intending to provide?Would the audience learn anything from the information you are intending to provide? Try to identify the type of story you’re researching so that you know who to contact first.Try to identify the type of story you’re researching so that you know who to contact first. In case the story has emerged from a press release try to find out who wants to get that story published and why?In case the story has emerged from a press release try to find out who wants to get that story published and why?

6. Researching a Story In case of an accident never rely entirely on the official version. Visit the scene of the accident and gather information from the people who are directly involved in that accident.In case of an accident never rely entirely on the official version. Visit the scene of the accident and gather information from the people who are directly involved in that accident. Try to meet people face to face to gather information besides using telephone or internet for this purpose.Try to meet people face to face to gather information besides using telephone or internet for this purpose. Identify the right people and contact as many people as you can to gather information.Identify the right people and contact as many people as you can to gather information.

7. Researching a Story Listen people carefully. You may find out a better story by listening to your sources than the one you are researching.Listen people carefully. You may find out a better story by listening to your sources than the one you are researching. Which news sources journalists generally use to do stories? Which news sources journalists generally use to do stories?

8. News Sources Press releases.Press releases. Newsroom diaries.Newsroom diaries. Emergency Services.Emergency Services. Charities and Pressure Groups.Charities and Pressure Groups. Government Officials.Government Officials. Politicians.Politicians. Business Houses and Trade Organizations.Business Houses and Trade Organizations.

9. News Sources Internet, Wires and E-mails.Internet, Wires and E-mails.

10. Press Releases “Press releases do sometimes produce good stories but there can be a tendency for journalists to rely on them, particularly on a slow day. (But) many press releases are often thinly disguised advertising to a company and its products and services. Those should be avoided. The maxim ‘news is something someone wants to suppress and all the rest is advertising’ is very true.” Simon Hare, BBC Reporter.

11. Newsroom Diaries Newsroom diaries consists of events that are known about in advance.Newsroom diaries consists of events that are known about in advance. They help in managing the pressures of daily deadlines.They help in managing the pressures of daily deadlines. But ‘calendar stories’ should not be done at the expense of original stories and investigating reporting.But ‘calendar stories’ should not be done at the expense of original stories and investigating reporting.

12. Emergency Services and Police Emergency services are a very good and natural source of news. The police, fire brigade etc. all provide information about their work most of the time willingly but sometimes unwillingly. All the emergency services have press officers who love to answer your queries if they know you.Emergency services are a very good and natural source of news. The police, fire brigade etc. all provide information about their work most of the time willingly but sometimes unwillingly. All the emergency services have press officers who love to answer your queries if they know you. Reporters regularly make ‘check calls’ to emergency services for latest information and new stories.Reporters regularly make ‘check calls’ to emergency services for latest information and new stories. Always remember that emergency services work under tremendous pressure and need to be tackled cleverly to extract the required information.Always remember that emergency services work under tremendous pressure and need to be tackled cleverly to extract the required information.

13. Charities and Pressure Groups Though they are a good source of news but as their name implies, they are in the business to promote a certain cause and therefore their information is invariably one sided.Though they are a good source of news but as their name implies, they are in the business to promote a certain cause and therefore their information is invariably one sided. Having said that, pressure groups and charities do conduct or commission original research that can reveal important social or political trends.Having said that, pressure groups and charities do conduct or commission original research that can reveal important social or political trends.

14. Charities and Pressure Groups Besides being a good source of information or news, people associated with charities and pressure groups, can be called upon to comment on a related issue, providing the reader or viewer an alternate view.Besides being a good source of information or news, people associated with charities and pressure groups, can be called upon to comment on a related issue, providing the reader or viewer an alternate view.

15. Government Officials “About a quarter of total Government expenditure is delivered through elected local councils to provide us services ranging from community care to highways and schools. Much of this activity is of direct and daily importance to viewers, listeners and readers of the local media. It is their children if the schools are sub-standard; it is their cars that are damaged by pot-holes in the roads; it is they or their relatives who are at risk if community care services are inadequate; it is their council tax bills that rise if local politicians are corrupt or incompetent. Mark D’Arcy, Producer BBC Radio 4.

16. Politicians Politicians at all levels are usually more than willing to make themselves available to journalists, especially on non-contentious issues to keep themselves in public eye.Politicians at all levels are usually more than willing to make themselves available to journalists, especially on non-contentious issues to keep themselves in public eye. But remember that politicians are essentially publicity seekers and the journalists should not fall into the trap of recycling the political rhetoric as opposed to legitimate political stories.But remember that politicians are essentially publicity seekers and the journalists should not fall into the trap of recycling the political rhetoric as opposed to legitimate political stories.

17. Business Houses and Trade Organizations Rival business houses provide news and information about each other which often lead to good stories which are in public interest. But such information should always be treated with skepticism it deserves.Rival business houses provide news and information about each other which often lead to good stories which are in public interest. But such information should always be treated with skepticism it deserves. Trade organizations on the other hand look after the interests of specific trade workers. These organizations may offer updates on the state of industry from surveys that they carry out from time to time. These organizations can also be of use when a comment is needed from the industry in light of any changes in law.Trade organizations on the other hand look after the interests of specific trade workers. These organizations may offer updates on the state of industry from surveys that they carry out from time to time. These organizations can also be of use when a comment is needed from the industry in light of any changes in law.

18. Internet, Wires and E-Mails Internet has made access to news sources quick and easy. Similarly the websites of various government departments, political parties, NGOs, and pressure groups can now be accessed for quick reference. Even the wire services are now available on internet which makes the job of journalists easy. There is a site www.facsnet.org which gives advice on how to trace sources online and how best to use internet to research stories.Internet has made access to news sources quick and easy. Similarly the websites of various government departments, political parties, NGOs, and pressure groups can now be accessed for quick reference. Even the wire services are now available on internet which makes the job of journalists easy. There is a site www.facsnet.org which gives advice on how to trace sources online and how best to use internet to research stories. www.facsnet.org