Deck 4: Specialty Reporting

Question 1

In following the paper trail, which document do you need to find out who owns a property?

A) deed
B) case file
C) state registration
D) donor records

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In following the paper trail, which agency should you check with to verify facts about a company?

A) County Assessor's Office
B) Superior Court
C) Corporation Commission
D) Federal Elections Commission

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which is NOT true of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

A) It requires federal agencies to release records requested in writing.
B) It only applies to federal agencies.
C) It lets you access court records or Congressional documents.
D) both b and c.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

When submitting a FOIA request,

A) it's often OK to email it.
B) make sure you've exhausted other options for getting the records.
C) you should expect a quick response.
D) both a and b.

Question 5

If you are excluded from an open meeting, you should

A) object and make sure your objection is noted in theminutes of the meeting.
B) leave voluntarily.
C) allow the meeting to continue off‐the‐record.
D) refuse to leave the meeting, even when ordered to do so.

Question 6

The computer‐assisted reporting is a specialty area that involves

A) using computer technology in the field.
B) finding and interviewing data.
C) using sorting and filtering in spreadsheets.
D) both b and c.

Question 7

A focus on a specific _____ is generally NOT considered a beat.

A) broad topic
B) geographical area
C) socio‐economic group
D) governmental agency

Question 8

When it comes to using the zoom on your camera, all of the following are true EXCEPT

A) the zoom is usually located near the top right front side of the camera.
B) the servo zoom allows you to use the toggle.
C) when servo is off, zoom by rotating the lens or lens knob.
D) use the zoom after you hit record and capture the full zoom in your shots.

Question 9

In developing a focus area, an information pipeline consists of

A) agency RSS feeds.
B) personal accounts on Twitter.
C) trade magazines.
D) both a and c.

Question 10

To save time and keep your beat organized

A) create story file folders for every working idea.
B) create story file folders after you complete eachAreas
C) record every phone conversation related to your beat.
D) both a and c.

Question 11

A police public information officer

A) will always give you the full story.
B) will generally be the key source for your story.
C) is an advocate of the department.
D) is a better source than the cops on the street.

Question 12

On the police beat, whom else should you get to know?

A) the police officers' families
B) victims & their families
C) defense lawyers
D) both b and c

Question 13

On the court beat, you should expect

A) the right to a speedy trial.
B) a lot of waiting for court motions, hearings and deliberations.
C) to hear a lot of court jargon which is your duty to transcribe and include in your story.
D) both b and c.

Question 14

On the local government beat, who is the best source for keeping reporters informed?

A) mayors & council members
B) the media relations department
C) assistants & support staff
D) anonymous tipsters

Question 15

According to CNN Capitol Hill reporter Brianna Keilar, what does it take to keep up with all the news going on inCongress?

A) a lot of reading
B) a lot of networking
C) comfortable shoes
D) all of the above

Question 16

On the education beat, what is the biggest challenge in finding a key source for a story?

A) getting parental permission to interview students
B) getting a teacher to cooperate
C) getting the school PIO to cooperate
D) navigating the bureaucratic layers of the school system

Question 17

Business news has been revitalized by all of the following recent events except the _____.

A) market crash of 2008
B) Leviathan case
C) Enron case
D) Tyco case

Question 18

To become successful covering business means

A) learning how large companies work.
B) understanding the math behind the markets.
C) finding an interest in records and reports.
D) all of the above.

Question 19

A tickler file on the business beat is

A) similar to a Tumblr blog.
B) a calendar of anniversaries, events and data release dates related to companies.
C) any story that "tickles" your fancy.
D) all of the above.

Question 20

On the sports beat, you should NOT

A) look beyond the key teams in your market.
B) conduct interviews the way you'd ask a friend questions.
C) deal with budget, academic or gender equityissues.
D) shy away from asking the tough questions.

Question 21

Because so many documents are now online, there is no reason to have hard copies of documents to turn your tip into a story.

Question 22

Each state has its own laws that outline rights to acquire state and local records.

Question 23

Executive sessions of open meetings are usually subject to24‐hour notice requirements except in emergencies.

Question 24

You will generally need to buy additional high‐tech software to conduct a computer‐assisted reporting estigation.

Question 25

Anchors can have assigned beats.

Question 26

A news bureau is never more than an hour away from a main station.

Question 27

You can use your friends outside the station to tip you off to potential stories.

Question 28

Police beat reporters can freely browse through police activity reports if they stop at the police station each morning.

Question 29

On the education beat, private schools are still subject to public records and open meetings laws.

Question 30

Business stories are always all about the numbers.

Question 31

_____ groups will pull together databases for you on topics like government spending, population reports, public safety issues and corporate earnings.

Question 32

The _____ is a resource for students looking for legal guidance while covering stories; it offers details on both federal andstate law.

Question 33

First Amendment attorneys suggest keeping a _____ in your wallet explaining state law when it comes to fighting for your right to attend open meetings.

Question 34

An organization called _____ provides training materials,sample datasets and exercises for learning computer‐assisted reporting.

Question 35

In developing a focus area, attend meetings, track potential sources and always have a supply of _____ handy when youattend events.

Question 36

If something catches your eye in a police report, most likely the department will point you toward the _____ for answers.

Question 37

When it comes to government sources, remember they often have an agenda, and it's up to you to _____ information beforeyou report it.

Question 38

When tracking the education beat, make sure you're in touch with _____ from the top down.

Question 39

A good business story will explain how events on Wall Street are relevant to the _____.

Question 40

On the sports beat, keeping a good relationship with athletesand coaches while remaining _____ is a constant challenge.

Question 41

Name the document and agency you'd need to find whenlooking for a criminal background check.

Question 42

Mention the several key components to be included in aFreedom of Information Act request.

Question 43

What is a pivot table?

Question 44

Mention some key benefits of creating a beat system in anewsroom.

Question 45

Describe how to set realistic goals for your beat.

Question 46

Describe some ways to establish a working relationship with police officers, not just the media contacts at police stations.

Question 47

When observing in a courtroom, what else can you describe in your story other than what is being said?

Question 48

What are beat calls, and when should they take place?

Question 49

Why can education‐based stories get the attention of a large audience?

Question 50

List three specific ways you can get started on the business beat.

Question 51

Describe the steps you would take when you are excluded from an open meeting.

Question 52

Describe a hypothetical story that would use computer‐ assisted reporting and the groups of data you would use for your research.

Question 53

Describe ways you would develop your focus area if you were assigned the local schools beat in a small market.

Question 54

Talk about some of your impressions and lessons learned from Brianna Keilar's description of covering Capitol Hill for CNN.

Question 55

Discuss the process on how a tip leads to an investigative theory and then develops into a story. Use a hypothetical example to support your description of the process.