I rarely get to watch reporters in action, but I had a unique opportunity this week to observe as journalists covered a newsworthy happening.
The university where I teach, Oklahoma City University, hosted a memorial tree planting in honor of Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller. The event included speeches from Mankiller’s husband and daughter, our university president and Author and Activist Gloria Steinem, who was Mankiller’s close personal friend.
I saw a university spokeswoman and a photographer from the major metro as I walked up to the event. As I sat on the Quad, I noticed a reporter from the Associated Press and several local television reporters. I also saw that two of the student editors who I advise were sitting in front of me, another was filming on my left and yet another was on my right taking photos.
As director of student publications, I was in a unique position to observe how the students I advise and their professional counterparts covered the event.
Journalism on the periphery?
Most of the journalists present seemed to fear being intrusive or becoming involved in the news event. The majority of them sat or stood around the crowd, making me think their view was either blocked or they were shooting video and photos of people’s backs.
Only two of the journalists got close enough to really document the action. The student media videographer abandoned her tripod and shouldered her equipment to move closer to the speakers and tree planters. The photographer from the major metro came down the center isle and knelt quickly to snap a few shots of the tree planting at the end of the ceremony.
Take away: Don’t be afraid to get close to the action.
People will ask you to move if you’re in the way. This seems even more relevant to student media because they often are covering things on their campuses. This is home court advantage. You live there. You work there. You pay tuition there. Get in there and get the news!
When were the interviews?
I didn’t see a single reporter talk to anyone but other reporters and the university spokeswoman. To be fair, this could have occurred before I arrived or after I left, but I attended the entire event.
Take away: Get interviews at the event. It’s a waste of time to track people down later and the information they provide won’t be as candid.
The reporters left early?
I arrived right before the event began. Many reporters already were present. However, some reporters left before the event ended. I understand that reporters are busy people, and they most likely were off to another assignment. However, news develops when it’s unexpected. It’s not over until it’s over.
Take away: Plan to attend the entire event you’re covering.
Where was the real-time reporting?
People at the event were holding smartphones, streaming video, live tweeting, or just checking email or whatever. I didn’t see a single journalist with his/her phone out. This seemed like a missed opportunity to share the event as it was happening with those who couldn’t be there, including quotes from those in attendance. Remember that journalism is about being the eyes and ears of the people.
Take away: Use technology to your readers’ advantage by giving them real-time news.
How many reporters do we need?
It’s interesting that reporting now is described as a one-man-band because it occurred to me that it’s anything but. As I wrote previously, the student media had two reporters, a videographer and a photographer at the event. I could easily see how each of them could be busy with coverage. It’s obvious what the two visual journalists were doing. It also would have been beneficial for one reporter to be live reporting via social media while the other took notes and observations for a later story online and in the paper.
Take away: Assign multiple reporters to cover large events if possible.
These are not criticisms; they are simply my observations. I hope they can be used to further improve the information gathering process.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
What tips or tricks do you use when covering a big event that can help others?
BruceSallan says
I still maintain that contemporary journalism is a far cry from the Edward R. Murrow days as the line between objective reporting and opinion making has become so blurred!