In 2012, I attended an online course on covering politics and religion by the ICFJAnywhere. It was a riveting experience.
Course instructor Stephen Franklin would lead the participants in engaging discussions.
I learned so many valuable things regarding covering religion for peace. During the course, Stephen shared a list of questions, which reporters and subeditors might ask themselves as they work.
Journalists should raise these questions while filing/subbing a story.
What do I know? What do I need to know?
1. What is the meaning of this story?
2. What questions am I answering here?
3. Can I explain why this is important?
4. What is the context of this story?
5. What is the broader picture, the larger meaning, the reason that this has deeper roots than the people and events I encounter?
6. How can I explain this precisely and simply?
7. Do I lack any information or sources? Do I have a plan to get this information? What questions can’t I answer?
8. How can I include other people with other points of view?
9. Who are the people affected by this story and how will this story – this situation – affect them?
10. What is likely to happen as a result of my story?
11. Can I rely upon the information that I have received from my sources? How can I check their reliability?
12. Can I confirm the source’s information through government or business records?
13. Can I contact other persons to confirm this story?
14. Do I need to talk to an expert on this topic so I understand it fully? Do I have a list of experts and sources on hand? How broad is this list? Who do I need to add to it?
15. What information do I need to follow up tomorrow, next week, next month?
16. What have I learned from this reporting (or subbing) experience?
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