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 Remember order: ◦ Time, Date, Place ◦ Time is used in immediate circumstances (breaking news for the web) or when writing about an event that will take place.  Date is used in this manner: ◦ If an event happens tomorrow NEVER ever write tomorrow. Say Wednesday. ◦ If it happens later in the week, state the day (Friday).

 If something happened a week ago – don’t say “Last week” say “Recently” or to give a more specific time frame say Feb. 6. (Give the date) ◦ Never say: “Last week, Last Monday, Last Tuesday.”  If something happened last year give the month, date and year. If you don’t know the exact date then the month and year is acceptable: For example: David Acosta was indicted on Feb on two counts of intoxicated manslaughter… OR David Acosta was indicted on Feb. 2012…

 When referring to place – remember the address and block numbers. ◦ If you are referring to a name of a place, you first state the name and then give the exact location.  Fire crews responded to a house fire at 5 p.m., Friday at 1350 Alameda Ave.

However, you don’t always have to give the exact location in the same sentence, but definitely pretty close within the next two sentences: For example: The future of Hawkins Plaza may be determined on Friday by a U.S. Bankruptcy court judge. The shopping center, at 1550 Hawkins Blvd.,

 Don’t quote everything they said to you in the entire 10 minute interview. ◦ You can paraphrase but make sure it’s accurate.  Maj. Joe Buccino, a spokesman for Fort Bliss, confirmed that the man who was killed was a soldier at the post. ◦ When quoting always use the quotes you feel adds flavor to the story.

 When you are introducing a person – use their full name and title: ◦ David Brandt, trustee of Patriot Place ◦ Mike Armstrong, owner of the Three Legged Monkey bar. ◦ Defense Attorney David Ritter OR David Ritter, attorney for Armstrong. Example: In an effort to protect his business, James Michael Armstrong, owner of the Three Legged Monkey, also filed for bankruptcy and later offered to purchase the lease from Patriot Place.

 After you introduce your source the first time with their full name and title – move along quickly and from then on refer to them in “Second Reference.”

 Second Reference: Simply put by their last name:  For example: On Tuesday, after several months of testimony, lawyers representing Patriot Place and the Three Legged Monkey presented their closing statements to U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Mott. Mott must now determine whether to approve an agreement between the city of El Paso and Patriot Place that forces the Three Legged Monkey to move.

 You can do it in first reference: “The district can not comment further on this matter,” said David Osbourne, spokesman for the Los Angeles Unified District. “We must consult with our lawyer first.”

 In second reference:  "Many interesting factual and legal issues are presented in this very unusual and highly contentious battle between two separate debtors, with the city waiting in the wings," Mott said in his ruling. "Will this be the final episode of the saga? Regrettably, no."

 Check your AP style book for military titles and religious titles. ◦ If you are interviewing a priest or minister – their official title is Rev. (Reverend). Never call them Father. ◦ The only doctors you should give a title to are those that went to medical school. PHD’s don’t count in the newspaper.  Dr. Ricardo Canales – Ok  Dr. Diana Natalicio – No – she is: Diana Natalicio, president for the University of Texas at El Paso.  Dr. Claude Mathis– no  Should instead be Claude Mathis, Dean of Communication and Performing arts at El Paso Community College Valle Verde Campus.

 Write the full names….period.  On first reference you must refer to places by their full name: ◦ University of Texas at El Paso.  Then on second reference: You can say: UTEP.

 Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.  The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.  Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

 Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.  Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.  Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.

 Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.  Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.  Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.

 Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.  Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story.  Never plagiarize.

 Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.  Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.  Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.

 Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.  Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.  Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.

 Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.  Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

 Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.  Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.  Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance. Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.

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 Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.  Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.  Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.  Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

 Examples:

 In short – be human. Don’t be this research, snub noised zombie reporter without feelings, and in total disregard of how others feel.

Remain free of associations that may compromise your reporting or damage your credibility. Refuse gifts, favors, special treatments, free meals. Only acceptable thing is a glass of water in someone’s home. That’s a glass of Tap water – none of this fancy bottled water.

 If there is a conflict – tell you boss ASAP. They need to know so they can get someone else on the story.  Honesty is the key.

 Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.  Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.  Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.  Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.  Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

 Continue working on stories.  Readings online (SPJ and some Texas Media Law)