Gathering news

Learning objective: to understand how to gather news and conduct good interviews

What might be happening? How would you find out more?

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Newsreader Huw Edwards talk talks about newsgathering

BBC video: How to gather the news

What are the FIVE Ws?

Key points of newsgathering?

The 5 Ws are:What, Who, Where, When and Why – and don’t forget How

• Check your facts

• Interview people affected by the story or who know a lot about it

• Get background information before you do an interview so you can ask the right questions

Key points of newsgathering?

• What’s the difference between a fact and an opinion? A fact is beyond dispute, an opinion is someone’s view

• Why do you need to have a balance of different opinions?Because a good journalist is always impartial

Radio 1 reporter Natalie Jamieson interviews JLS

BBC video: Top tips on interviewing

What are her top tips? Note them down

BBC video: JLS talk about interviews

And here are JLS’s top tips!

Activity: ask your partner these questions

1. Do you like school?2. Do you meet your friends during break?3. Is homework set every day?4. Do you eat school dinners?5. What do you like about school?6. What do you do during break-time?7. How much homework do you get?8. What do you think of school dinners?

Which questions get the most interesting, complete answers? Why?

QuestionsWhat is the difference between a closed question and an open question?

Closed questions prompt the short response "Yes" or "No".

Open questions are used by journalists because they encourage people to give more information.

Answers to Questions

Often when journalists put together a report, the interviewer's questions are edited out - to save time and to make the report seem more natural.

Imagine the difference between hearing: "They're great, apart from we only have chips on Friday!" and "I think school dinners are great, except that we only have chips on Friday!"

Why do you think journalists sometimes ask interviewees whole answers to questions?

Activity: Now ask your partner 3 ‘open’ questions

• LISTEN to them, write down their answers as WHOLE sentences and be ready to report back to the class on what they said.

• Possible Topics: sport, school, holidays, family, films, celebrities

News quiz

1. A closed question… a. Prompts "Yes" or "No" answers. b. Encourages people to give detailed answers. c. Works well in radio interviews.

News quiz

2. Encouraging interviewees to include the question in their answer is useful because…a. It gives you time to think of your next question. b. It makes it easier to leave out your questions when you are compiling the report. c. People like giving long answers.

News quiz

3. If you present stories fairly and without bias, you could be described as being... a. Impartial b. Incredible c. Inferior

News quiz

4. You've asked someone if you can interview them on camera. They say yes - but only if you give them a list of your questions first. What should you do? a. Send them the questions you are going to ask. b. Refuse to tell them anything. c. Tell them the topics you are going to be asking about.

News quiz

5. You find a website that has some useful information you want to use in your report. What should you do? a. Try to memorise the information. b. Write down the information you want in your notebook. c. Take notes and bookmark the webpage for later.

News quiz

6. A fact is... a. A statement made by someone important. b. A statement based on a belief. c. A statement that is true and can be backed up with evidence.

News quizlast question!

7. What word best describes a news report that only gives a one-sided view of a story? a. Biased b. Balanced c. Boring

Answers

1. A closed question …a. Prompts "Yes" or "No" answers. 2. Encouraging interviewees to include the question in their answer is useful because…b. It makes it easier to leave out your questions when you are compiling the report.

Answers

3. If you present stories fairly and without bias, you could be described as being... a. Impartial 4. You've asked someone if you can interview them on camera. They say yes - but only if you give them a list of your questions first. What should you do? c. Tell them the topics you are going to be asking about.

Answers

5. You find a website that has some useful information you want to use in your report. What should you do? c. Take notes and bookmark the webpage for later.

6. A fact is... c. A statement that is true and can be backed up with evidence.

7. What word best describes a news report that only gives a one-sided view of a story?a. Biased

And finally!