Finding time and digging deeper - GateHouse Media

In-depth news Finding time and digging deeper GATEHOUSE MEDIA

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AGENDA

In-depth news Finding time and digging deeper

ü  Why is it important? ü  What is in-depth news? ü  How do we do it? ü  Planning, planning, planning ü  Examples, big and small ü  Showing it off


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Why in-depth? Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post | Newsroom: 4 FTEs

Readers prioritize it – and so should you • Year-long reader research project involving 13 markets across the county • After “Things to Do,” in-depth, enterprising news is the most important thing to readers • Readers want and demand more content on local news stories • Does this mean you have to produce multiple intensive investigative projects a week? No


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Why in-depth? Rockford (Ill.) Register Star | Newsroom: 28 FTEs * (CND)

Maintains brand • Magid research told us that newspaper brands are still strong, but vulnerable. • Stories that add context and dig deeper into area topics add value to readers and keep that brand strong. • Staying on top of important “franchise topics” will get local news consumers to associate with paper.


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Why in-depth? Providence (R.I.) Journal | Newsroom: 74 FTEs * (CND)

In-depth news is … • Compelling, enterprising news that provides more than a rehashing of an event or press release. • Stories that take a proactive approach, provide answers, or prompt action on an issue. • Covering topics that resonate with readers, telling the stories no one else is telling, answering questions and looking forward to what’s next.


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

What’s in-depth? As part of the Better Journalism program we talk at length about in-depth stories. Here are some characteristics: • Numerous sources • Offers context • Breaks new ground • Has a proactive approach to storytelling • Explores impact on readers


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

What’s in-depth? As part of the Better Journalism program we talk at length about in-depth stories. Here are some characteristics: • Provides pertinent background • Answers questions • Compares/contrasts issues to other communities • Looks for solutions • Includes voices from regular people


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

How do we do it? Massillon (Ohio) Independent | Newsroom: 11 FTEs

How to write in-depth stories: 1.  Include as many sources as possible – three or more 2.  Think “reporter-driven” – not event or meeting coverage, or press release rehashing 3.  Include a paragraph (nutgraf) or breakout box that clearly explains why the story is important for local readers


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

How do we do it? Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register | Newsroom: 25 FTEs * (CND)

1. Include at least three sources • Multiple voices from the same source count as one source (school district, police department, etc.) • Documents (excluding press releases) qualify • The more the better • The more varied the better


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

How do we do it? Ashland Daily Tidings | Newsroom: 2 FTEs * (CND)

2. Think “reporter-driven” • Reporter-driven stories are not: -  Meeting coverage -  Press release coverage -  Routine beat reporting

• These are starting places, but story should evolve or ‘ferment’ from there


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

How do we do it? Lake Sun (Mo.) | Newsroom: 3 FTEs

3. Include a nutgraf • Nutgraf: Paragraph that shortly follows a story’s lede and includes important context for the story

• Breakout boxes strongly encouraged

• Explains news value of the piece – why should readers care?

• Make this pertain to an entire community, or a large segment of the community. A good in-depth story will move the conversation forward on a water-cooler topic.


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Planning Wellsville, Hornell (N.Y.) | Newsroom: 9 FTEs * (CND)

Newsroom time management and in-depth news • Schedule weekly planning meetings -  Set aside some time on Thursdays to choose 2-3 topics to pursue for in-depth stories -  These stories can be based off of normal beat coverage – plan to make more followup calls on a topic you know will be discussed at an upcoming meeting

• Even if it’s just you in your newsroom, set aside the time to organize the next week’s coverage

• Stay organized with a document of story ideas that includes basic timelines

• Get ideas from other sources/outlets!


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Planning Cape Cod (Mass.) Times | Newsroom: 39 FTEs * (CND)

Tips from a pro: Make the commitment • The giant sucking sound of the weekly or daily content demand is hard to ignore. But if you want to make a difference in your community, be sure to devote energies toward enterprise reporting. Pick story subjects that excite you • Chances are, if the subject gets you going, it will get your readers going, too. Plus, if it’s a long-term project, you’re more likely to stick with it if it’s interesting. Chip away at it • It’s great if you can carve out a month to work on a project, but most likely that’s not feasible. Instead, knock out a bit each month. – Paul Pronovost, The Cape Cod Times COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Planning Medford (Ore.) Mail Tribune | Newsroom: 21 FTEs * (CND)

Looking ahead Topic: Legalization of marijuana Events: July 1 marked the first day of legal recreational marijuana use in the state Reporter: Damian Mann Background: Written about the issue for years, with over 100 bylines on the subject to his credit


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IN-DEPTH NEWS


How to attack it? Cover the typical angles: • Passing of the state law • Any city or county changes • Local reaction Added four-part series: • Contacted numerous sources • Planned series well in advance • Took news peg and advanced the conversation


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IN-DEPTH NEWS


How to attack it? Added four-part series: • Contacted numerous sources • Planned series well in advance • Took news peg and advanced the conversation


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Planning Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger | Newsroom: 41 FTEs * (CND)

Making it a priority Every reporter must have working list of next five in-depth stories • Compiled onto master list • Series are given extra attention • Others invited into the conversation


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Examples Pinnacle project

CND provides layout that’s modifiable for all of our newspapers. Can use graphics, full story, or be localized in a number of different ways.


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Examples Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald | Newsroom: 10 FTEs * (CND)


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Examples Kinston (N.C.) Free Press | Newsroom: 7 FTEs


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Examples Neosho (Mo.) Daily News | Newsroom: 4 FTEs


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

Examples Redwood Falls (Minn.) | Newsroom: 2 FTEs (weekly)

• Multiple sources

• Reporter-driven - Story inspiration was drawn from a newly released report, but reporter took further steps to discover the local impact

• Explanation of local impact and nutgraf


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IN-DEPTH NEWS

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Showing it off What do designers need to create a great package? • Conversations about art in advance (before it’s shot): This helps with planning direction of package, helps us figure out how to tie elements together.

• Impactful display/hammer headline: 1-3 words, relates to both story AND lead art. Details work better in subhead form.

• Spatial consideration: Blocking out enough room for story and art,

Becca McGovern

making sure sidebars for cover will fit with other elements (or can be

Deputy Design Editor

broken up on cover and jumps).


IN-DEPTH NEWS

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Showing it off What do designers need to create a great package? • Sidebars with elements that can be pulled out: Big numbers, art that can be used at thumbnail size. These can help add visual layering to the package on both cover and jumps.

• Flexibility: Sometimes things don’t come together as planned (either by us or by the editors). Flexibility – on both sides – is essential to make sure the package is the best it can be.

Becca McGovern Deputy Design Editor


IN-DEPTH NEWS

Showing it off Medford (Ore.) Mail Tribune | Newsroom: 21 FTEs * (CND)

Convention Center Medford is considering plans for a major conference center that would cost taxpayers big bucks. The first story in this series detailed what features Medford has to support such a facility, and which ones it doesn’t have. Simple photos add context to the story


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IN-DEPTH NEWS


Greg Stiles “The elements gave readers a quick visual understanding of the risks and rewards associated with conference/convention center construction.”


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IN-DEPTH NEWS



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IN-DEPTH NEWS

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“Becca and I talk most Tuesdays about Sunday packages, not only for that coming week but two to four weeks beyond. We brainstorm ideas for graphics based on what I know from my discussions with reporters.

We’ll send graphics and photos to Becca even before the package is done so she can start playing with them early in the week. Sometimes we’ll shoot something special based on her ideas.

Cathy Noah Her creative ideas have resulted in beautiful, cohesive designs that help us tell our stories.”


City Editor

IN-DEPTH NEWS

Overview Ashland Daily Tidings | Newsroom: 2 FTEs * (CND)

Newsroom time management and in-depth news • Be patient. Keep at it. Use those spare moments – eventually they’ll add up.

• Start a document you can add to, listing topics and then filling in details for each as the opportunity arises, or you come across new info. Keep it in the cloud so you can access and update from anywhere.

• Timelines are invaluable for organization, keeping track of story development and daving time later when you need to know who decided/did what, and when. Fill them in as you go along.

• Write for the reader. What’s affecting their life? Don’t let agencies or other sources set your agenda. Readers’ concerns/interests should drive the news.

– Bert Etling, Ashland Daily Tidings (two-person newsroom) COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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