Lessons on reporting, from a group of education reporters

One of the best online resources out there for reporters — that I’ve come across, anyway — is the Education Writers’ Association.

It’s a shame they limit their scope in that way, because the resource is worthwhile for every reporter, regardless of what beat they cover. (That being said, education reporters will find the most value here. Such is the way of the world).

There’s a lot to go through on the site in terms of resources, but I particularly like the EWA’s brief on standards and practices. 

I’ll bullet out a few of the best lessons, though I’ll alter them a bit, to make sure the relevance to the wider newsroom isn’t lost.

• First, do no harm. Journalists should be careful not to add to a victim’s trauma or pain when reporting highly sensitive or controversial stories. Sometimes sources and victims lack sophistication concerning the media; other times they may be too traumatized themselves to protect their child adequately. In such cases, reporters must use their own judgment, remembering that safety and well-being should take precedence over competitive media pressures.
• Understand political dynamics. Reporters need to be skillful in detecting when school politics are in play at the local, state, and federal levels. Elected and appointed officials, school board members, teachers’ unions, and administrators all engage in political tugs for control or power. Governors, lawmakers, and mayors sometimes promote specific policies or changes with broader political goals in sight.
• Use technology & social media. Journalists need to be comfortable telling their stories using multiple platforms. They should also be able to generate story ideas and engage readers via social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Across all beats, journalists are expected to do more multimedia reporting (online, in print, through video and audio), social media promotion, and online reader engagement.
• Use spreadsheets & database programs. Journalists must possess at least basic proficiency with spreadsheet and database programs. Reporters will also find that knowledge of these programs enhances their ability to sort, summarize, and analyze education-related data of all types
• Report & interview on a broad range of subjects. Journalists must be both specialists and generalists. Most reporters will find they have to cover a broad range of stories, including politics, business, breaking news, and human interest. Beats can (and should) overlap with others. Education can, for example, overlap with politics, social welfare, crime, and economic development. Learn the major sources and issues on those beats as well as your own.

I am, as you might have expected, paraphrasing quite a bit. I have also not delved at all in the “ethics” portion of the “standards and ethics” brief, which is very interesting by itself.