16 Collecting Information from Documents
Although the interview is the most common method of gathering information, it is not always the most reliable. Most spot news stories—fires, accidents, natural disasters, crime—usually can be covered with a few quick sound bites and video that support the reporter’s story. But if the story is more complex or interviews fail to provide all the answers, reporters must look to other sources of background information. This chapter explores the many documents available to reporters to provide such information.
Public Records and the “Sunshine Laws”
One freedom people enjoy in a democracy is the openness of society. Very little goes on in public life that is not recorded in one way or another. At times, however, ...
Get Broadcast News Writing, Reporting, and Producing, 4th Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
