Deck 3: Reporting

Question 1

Which of these is considered a source?

A) the mayor
B) the witness to a crime
C) a legal document
D) all of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

When using a source from a nonprofit agency, you should

A) also ask them to put you in touch with people
B) not worry about bias.
C) expect a quick response, especially when dealing with a smaller agency.
D) all of the above.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which is NOT a "pro" when using a victim or witness at the scene of a story?

A) directly affected by issue
B) trusted to tell the truth Source
C) provide human touch to story
D) often compelling interviews

Answer 3

B

Question 4

When casting a wide net for sources, include

A) search engines like Google.
B) social networking.
C) government websites.
D) all of the above.

Question 5

Which of the following is not part of correct reporteretiquette?

A) Be polite and respectful
B) Know what you're asking for
C) Graciously accept food or gifts
D) Speak with confidence

Question 6

On the way to a spot news scene, you should NOT

A) finish up the script you were working on before you were re‐assigned.
B) call sources, including first response agencies.
C) listen to police or fire radio frequencies.
D) communicate with the assignment desk.

Question 7

On the scene of spot news, you should first

A) capture critical video.
B) look for other sources of video, like people with cell phones.
C) talk to the officials at the scene right away.
D) both a and c.

Question 8

After the breaking news event, you should

A) locate family and friends of those involved.
B) file appropriate public information requests with agencies.
C) create a personal file with all your sources' contact information and carry it with you.
D) both a and b.

Question 9

When setting up to cover a press conference, you should first

A) make sure you've got at least 10 solid questions.
B) pick your tripod location and address any audio and/or lighting issues.
C) take good notes during the opening statement.
D) count how many other reporters are at the event.

Question 10

Public meetings

A) can reveal issues important to the community.
B) are often unwieldy and boring at the surface.
C) expose who is passionate about the topic.
D) all of the above.

Question 11

When you are assigned to cover a meeting, the best time to get sound bites is

A) before the meeting.
B) during the meeting.
C) after the meeting.
D) the following day.

Question 12

Before you head to the courthouse to cover a case, you should

A) shoot fresh video or find file video related to case.
B) confirm docket information.
C) contact attorneys.
D) all of the above.

Question 13

What is NOT considered social media?

A) YouTube
B) Twitter
C) a newspaper's website
D) Facebook

Question 14

What event is commonly referred to as the Twitter revolution?

A) the 2005 London Bombings
B) the 2007 California wildfires
C) Iran's June 2009 uprising
D) the February 2011 Egyptian revolution

Question 15

What social media resources were utilized during the 2005 Katrina disaster?

A) text messages
B) Twitter
C) online message boards and lists
D) both a and c

Question 16

Which is NOT a good tip for journalists using Twitter?

A) Use @ sign before the person's Twitter name when replying.
B) Preserve the original tweet's clarity and meaning in an RT.
C) Use text abbreviations like LOL and ROFL.
D) If no obvious hashtag exists for a story, create one yourself.

Question 17

Some of the growing responsibilities of the MMJ (MultiMedia Journalist) include

A) shooting the video and interviews.
B) setting up the live shot.
C) editing the video.
D) all of the above.

Question 18

When confirming information that could be in doubt,

A) have two people confirming it on camera, it's good enough.
B) trusting eyewitnesses is part of the journalistic Attribution process.
C) always ask how sources know what they know and why are they telling you.
D) use Wikipedia for confirmation.

Question 19

Check names, places and titles. This means, get the information directly from the

A) press release.
B) business card.
C) Facebook page.
D) source itself.

Question 20

It's 3 p.m. and you're slated for a 5 p.m. live shot on your story. Your key source is a 90‐minute drive away. Would you

A) call your newsroom and ask for more time?
B) schedule an interview after your 5 p.m. live shot?
C) settle for a written statement from the key source?
D) do your live shot from where the key source is located, after getting the interview?

Question 21

One "con" of using an official as a source is that they are NOT emotionally involved in a story.

Question 22

In the typical 1 minute and 30 second television news story, you rarely have time for more than two or three sources on camera.

Question 23

When it comes to building a beat, a common mistake young reporters make is staying too close to the computer.

Question 24

It's NOT important to ask how a source could be reached after hours or on a weekend.

Question 25

A prepared reporter will always carry media credentials and a passport.

Question 26

You should never knock on the door of a grieving family to ask for a photo of the victim.

Question 27

Veteran reporters suggest that when story ideas are running dry, it's time to attend some public meetings.

Question 28

When you are sent to cover a speech, you generally can get all the information at just that one event.

Question 29

A judge may require that a reporter request permission ahead of time before using a camera in the courtroom.

Question 30

Social media refers to technology that allows information to be shared person to person as well as between people and news organizations.

Question 31

If an important source declines an interview, it's best NOT to mention it in the story.

Question 32

A source is where the _____ comes from.

Question 33

Don't let the early success in tracking down sources keep you from _____ the story further.

Question 34

_____ is a unique site designed to match reporters with experts in certain fields.

Question 35

Ultimately, your best sources will be those you've built over _____.

Question 36

Despite all the high‐tech gadgets the reporters may take on the go, they shouldn't forget a _____.

Question 37

On‐camera reporters should always bring a white piece of paper for _____.

Question 38

Most young reporters are classified as _____ when they get on the job.

Question 39

Upon arrival at a breaking news scene, do a _____ turn.

Question 40

At a press conference, being able to ask good questions means taking _____ in the first place.

Question 41

When covering a meeting, the story isn't about the fact that the meeting happened. The story is about the issue and the_____.

Question 42

In criminal cases, the person who was arrested must usually appear before a judge within _____ hours.

Question 43

Today's successful journalists must consider themselves platform _____, meaning it doesn't matter whether someoneis watching your story on television, reading it online or listening to it on a radio or phone.

Question 44

The collaborative effort of newspapers forced to put all its information on the Web instead of printing during Hurricane Katrina led to the Pulitzer committee widening its consideration to _____ work.

Question 45

During the "Hudson River plane crash" incident, it's estimated that the reports on Twitter bested the
"traditional" news reports by _____ minutes.

Question 46

In a survey of TV news sources, one person in three said important information was left out, and one in five said his or her interview was taken out of _____.

Question 47

Make a habit of checking the _____ of names and places while you are in the field, especially if you are new to the area .Even better, get a local to say it on tape.

Question 48

In order to make deadlines, a reporter should _____ all the tasks for the day, just like a producer needs to do for all the elements in a newscast.

Question 49

List at least five possible sources for a story about a fire breaking out at a residence hall on campus.

Question 50

What is the benefit of doing a location search of people and businesses nearby the event you are covering?

Question 51

Mention some ways to build your stable of sources.

Question 52

List at least five "must‐haves" for a reporter's travel bag.

Question 53

List five items of Mitch Jacob's "spot news checklist."

Question 54

What is a mult box?

Question 55

List three things a reporter can do before covering a press conference, meeting or speech, to better prepare and to turn the story afterward.

Question 56

List three ways a reporter can use social media to prepare for the morning editorial meeting.

Question 57

Describe some of the ways Facebook and YouTube changed the reporting & information flow on the April 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.

Question 58

How does the quick development of a Twitter hashtag help organize information, like in the 2010 San Bruno gas‐lineexplosion?

Question 59

Which is more important, speed or accuracy? Why?

Question 60

How does a "small market" differ from a "large market" when it comes to a reporter's life?

Question 61

Discuss some of the pros and cons of using politicians as sources in a story.

Question 62

Discuss the first steps you should take in assessing the scene of a breaking news story.

Question 63

Describe some of the key challenges for reporters covering press conferences, public meetings and speeches.

Question 64

Social media are not only the venues for reporting but also offers some benefits to the journalists. Discuss a few of them.

Question 65

All the hard work you've put into your story will be wasted unless it's 100 percent accurate. Discuss some key points of the NewsLab "Accuracy and Attribution Checklist."