GUIDELINES FOR REPORTERS

1. The article you have to work on will be send to you along

with the newspaper in which it has appeared and its URL by 11 am.
2. How to write a news report?

a)
b) c)

Read the full story assigned to you

Understand the story and try to present it in a different perspective. No copy-paste work is encouraged. 5 Ws and 1 H: The basics of journalism. If you are able to answer the 5 Ws and 1 H: What, When, Where, Why, Who and How, your first paragraph is ready. The next paragraph consists of sound bites (interviews). The least important facts constitute the last paragraph. Avoid using the same words and phrases of the news paper you are reporting from. Remember that you are not lifting a story, but reporting it in your own style.
d)

e) Do not twist the facts while reporting. Be objective as you are not writing a feature story, but reporting a news item. f) Do not sensationalize the story and avoid controversial statements. YOU ARE NOT GIVING BREAKING NEWS Present the story in very simple language with short and crisp words. We are aiming at common people, not the intellectuals and elite group.
g)

h) You can also refer to some other magazines/websites/news papers/ archives in case you do not find any material to reach the word limit set by us. Give a headline to your story which has to be short, attractive (but not sensational) and related to the story.
i)

j) You are not allowed to use the same sound bites from the news paper. If that has been said during a press

conference or any other meetings, it is fine. Otherwise you have to find eligible/qualified people to comment in the issue and add their sound bites to your report. k) While approaching someone for the sound bite, introduce yourself as reporter from Development Channel website.

4. 5.

Word limit for each story

: 150-300 words

Deadline for submissions : 10.00 AM (next day). The story will be send by 10.00 AM. Format Headline

6.

Body (story)

1. 2.

Your name College E-mail

Details of the news paper referred (name, website & page number)

7.
8.

Name the file with your college name and the date of reporting. E.g.: lsr-010909 Send your reports submissions@developmentchannel.org to:

9.
10.

Your performance will be evaluated on the basis of the reports. Feel free to contact the editor if you have any queries, difficulties etc. Do report to the editor if you cannot submit your story in time.

11. Failure in submissions without prior notice will not be entertained. If you fail to submit the reports for two consecutive weeks, you will be expelled.