what makes it newsworthy+crime=solid story
usually one reporter assigned to “police beat”
crime reporters burn out and become jaded
good to have a dedicated one to build relationships and establish good
writing
dispatchers have imitations if it’s a new crime or controversial they may be hesitant
to tell
can get info via:
beat checks/calls
police scanners/radios -> more news desk than crime reporter
police records/logs (must go to police to get, often printed verbatim)
police pressroom
police may call if you if you’ve done nice police stories and built a relationship with
some one
try not to be frustrated with long-term stories
don’t write fluff pieces either
be careful of eyewitness testimony in terms of crime itself
possible libel
may not be accurate
ok for tragedy of event
are you willing to call the victim’s mother for a statement
learn to be diplomatic and sympathetic
be current (if you’re too far behind you come across as trying to damage person)
don’t pull 2+ cases into one story unless inked in court
don’t bring in religion, race or profession unless absolutely necessary
Crime:
identification (victim, complainant, perp)
o name, address, age, claim to fame: make sure it’s right so you don’t
commit libel/talk about wrong person
o can get from police
when and where: be precise
description: be detailed but sensitive
o community values
o family and friends may be reading
o e.g. “man sexually assaulted”, not “homosexual sodomised with tire
iron”
o don’t release name of minors, they are protected
in States can if they’re being tried as an adult
o may be gag order on reporting on victims of sexual assault, probably
doesn’t applied outside country, so if you want to know look to other
newspapers
o can get from police
witness
o who discovered it? o will they get involved?
responses from suspect
o will they make a statement/make a statement?
will their attorney let them?
consequences/penalty
o first, second, third offence–>if you have criminal history what do you
say
related go ahead, escalation go ahead
DO NOT ASSOCIATE CRIMES!
o is it a capital offense (States)?
most people are released early for whatever reason
o can get from police
Terminology:
felony is serious, misdemeanour not
charges=read before judge, indictment=formal accusation
robbery=violence, burglary=not
manslaughter=accidental/not premeditated, murder=intentional
parole=have been in prison, probation=not in prison
suspect=mug shot, criminal=found guilty
Hospitals:
ask nursing supervisor if dead or alive, critical or stable, guarded?, in ICU
Fires:
get to know fire chief
if you hear fire codes call and ask to make sure it isn’t mattress or dumpster
Dominick Dunne on OJ Simpson:
bias get’s him access
name dropper (I know x and this is my relationship)
tries to put self in spotlight too much
even puts self in indirectly (referencing Another City, Not My Own in Justice)
commentator not a reporter when on NBC
biased against defendant
fights for victims’ rights and tries to portray as underdog
starts reporting on press duri
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