Preparation for reporting on crime, accidents, fires and court proceedings:
"...begin as you do any other story -- with a check in the morgue."
So basically, if I was writing a story about a monastery, or a house moving down the street, I should go to the morgue?
Funny...I never thought that a morgue is relevant to those topics (and I don't think the book intended to say that either).
Did you know that most crime stories still rely heavily on one police source? It sounds bad, but I can attest to that. Sometimes as much as we want to get the truth out, talking to a lot of police sources takes time--time that a paper or TV station doesn't have.
In court proceedings, feel free to ask questions before and after the trial. It's much better to feel stupid in the moment asking silly questions than to get something wrong in print.
And NEVER EVER bring a tape recorder or any recording device into the court building. Because security'll take it away. Mind you, they'll give it back when you leave.
Write these stories as you would any other story. That's why I guess most beginning reporters are given these tasks--to make sure they can write.
Try to find and interview victims, but be sensible. Also, interview witnesses. Relatives, family of witnesses and victims. Duh. Basic reporting stuff.
spot news story = breaking news
there is a good section on court organization and procedure--i've made a note to review and reread it.
Also, in court situations, don't try the defendant before they get their trial. That defeats the whole purpose of "innocent until proven guilty."
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