ASSIGNMENT

Semester 1 Spring Drive 2013

B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication
Subject Name: Reporting
Subject Code: BJ0031
(Book ID: B0999)
2 credits (30 marks)

All questions carry 10 marks. Answers for 10 mark questions should not exceed
more than 400 words.
Answer the following questions:
Q. 1 - Imagine you are interviewing a renowned scientist. Explain the preparations you will
carry out for the interview, right from conducting background research to following
up if necessary.
[5 + 5 = 10 Marks]
A. 1 - An interview is an exchange of information between a reporter (interviewer) and a
source (interviewee).
Pre-Interview preparation for productive interview experience is as follows:-.
(i)

Background Research/Research the subject matter In our case we are going to

interview a scientist. First place to find information is library. For example, if we want to
cover a story on his latest exploration, we must look into the bound volumes of
publications/websites/portals/Wikipedia (on Internet etc.) related to Topic for background
information which can be used to formulate questions. Try to get copies of any of his
Thesis/report related to subject. The more background information you have while going
into interview, the better questions you will be able to ask. You should also compile a list of
questions and group them by subject so that we dont forget any important items.

(ii)

Once the preliminary research completed; it is time to set up the interview. Here are some
steps I will follow:

(a)

If the deadline is not tight, I will telephone or write that scientist in advance to request for
interview. I will introduce myself (as a reporter) and the organization for which I am
working.

(b)

Establish a time and place or take appointment whichever convenient for him being
interviewed.

(c)

Tell him the Topic on which I am going to interview him and duration also but I will not
reveal the questions which I am going to ask him.

(d)

Assemble my interview toolkit such as paper, pens, tape recorder, cassettes, and
camera to stay organized during interview.

(e)

Punctuality Shows respect for sources busy schedule so I will not make him/her wait till i
reach the interview.

(f)

The best thing is to dress at same level as the person (scientist in our case) is being
interviewed.

(g)

Ask Basic Questions First like Who, what, when, where, why and how he got idea
concept on his research.

(h)

Try to control the flow of the interview politely, especially when we have tight time
constraints.

(i)

Source may not be able to explain the information in a logical sequence, but we have to
mentally (or verbally) rearrange the information into a chronological or sequential order.

(j)

Ask Brief questions, it is easy for a source to forget a detailed question.

(k)

When a source answers one question, ask follow up question to maintain the sequential
flow of interview.

Q. 2 - Write a detailed note the skills needed for reporting.

[10 Marks]

A. 2 - Reporting Skills. The following basic reporting skills must be developed by a

reporter:
The Nose for newspapers: Nose for news is a newsroom metaphor for an
understanding of news and news values and the ability to recognize the story
when it comes along. For example, a political reporter, may sense that a state
representative or governor is in political trouble. he sometimes decides not to run
for office again rather than to risk defeat at the polls. The reporter sniffs the
situation, asks the right question at right moment and breaks the story that
governor will not be a candidate again. The reporter in this instance has a nose for
news.
Observation Listening: A great deal is what reporters learn from listening to
peoples talk. News is gathered over telephone, at scene of an accident, crime or
at public meetings, lectures and programs. Reporters soon learn to listen carefully
and with selective ear not only for what people say but also for the way they
speak out. Further they evaluate what they listen to take notes only of the useful,
interesting and important things to write.
Observation Seeing: Reporters are trained observers. Reporting is based on
asking people what they saw or did. Because of experience reporters knows what
kinds of things makes the reading interesting.
This is a workable approach and result is acceptable and accurate news stories of
a routine nature. Because of time, distance or some other barrier, reporter cannot
observe first-hand,

Finding Things Reporters may not have to know everything, but must know how
to find out. Through experience, reporters learn about their beats and other
subjects they cover regularly including its history and geography.
They also know the names, title of public officials and people frequently in news,
where to find their phone numbers.
They carefully build friendships and develop acquaintances and contacts. They
learn who knows what around town and whom to ask when information is needed.
An experienced reporter with well-developed contacts can pull out a story of thin
air even on telephone in very few minutes. An experienced reporter knows how to
use public records and published information available from both governmental
and business sources.
In some instances, information is not easy to find out, and reporters have to use
considerable ingenuity and persistence to get what they want. Experienced
Reporters keep asking and keep digging till they find what they want.

Q. 3 - Write short notes on the following: -

[5+5 = 10 marks]

(A) Covering natural disaster stories.

(B) Written sources for news.
A.3 (A) When you are covering a Natural Disaster, such as an earthquake, floods etc.
You need to gather some basic facts initiates with five Ws.
Who: How many people died or injured, and how many survived? These numbers
will change constantly, but "who" should be one of your first questions.
What and why: Get statistics about height of rivers in case of flood, intensity of
earthquakes, velocity of winds in case of hurricanes and similar information.
When and where: Find out exact time and location where the disaster occurred.
Weather Conditions: Add information about weather condition. If you are writing
about weather-related disaster, be sure to include weather forecast.
Where people go: In case of evacuation, find out where people are finding shelter.
Hospitals: Check hospitals for injured people.
Estimated cost of damages and property loss: Initially these accounts-from
insurance agents, fire departments, police officials or state offices may be
inaccurate, but they add an essential element to the story.
Eyewitness accounts: Get accounts from eyewitnesses and survivors.
Red Cross and shelters: Always check with Red Cross and other relief agencies
for their role and their needs.

Roads: Check RTO/highway departments to find out which roads are closed or
dangerous and what alternate routes people can take.
Perspective: Was this worst, second-worst or ninth-worst disaster of its kind in a
certain period of time? Check online sources or an almanac to find out how this
disaster ranks against previous disasters of its kind.
Interviews with Grief-Stricken People Your editor may want you to call the
families of victims to get biographical data and reactions. What do you do? Quit
your job? Cry? Get sick? Many reporters feel that only. But there are sensitive ways
to cover grief; it may difficult not impossible.
(B) You can find many additional clues for human sources and other information
from a variety of Written Sources.
(i) Telephone directories: White and yellow pages of telephone books are primary
places to locate sources. Most local telephone books also contain information
about city and government agencies, utilities, and other frequently used services.
(ii) Libraries: Your local public library and your college library contain a wealth of
source material to help you find background about a Story. Some of the most useful
reference works are The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, encyclopaedias,
directories and other books of facts, population data and financial records of
government or major corporations.