Election coverage: Introducing the Candidates

Transcript

1. Election Central 2016
   Introducing and Covering
   the Candidates
   Jim Pumarlo
   

   View Slide

2. Element: Introducing candidates
   The YOYO factor
    Rookie reporter
    Alone in newsroom
    First impressions
   to electorate mean
   everything
    Clearinghouse
   of information
   

   View Slide

3. Our agenda
    Introducing the candidates
    Interviewing the candidates
    The questions
    Continuing coverage
    Identify, evaluate elements
    Explain your coverage
   

   View Slide

4. Put yourselves in their shoes
    Applying for a job
    The electorate is your
   audience
    Newspapers in best
   position to present
   information in clear,
   meaningful manner
   

   View Slide

5. Prepare a checklist
    Know the issues
    Prepare the questions
    Assign reporters to races
    Decide on format
    Prep advertising department
    Scrutinize press releases
   

   View Slide

6. The questions
    Be ready for scripted answers to usual
   questions
    Brainstorm unorthodox questions
    Why are you running?
    Anything you’d like to add?
   

   View Slide

7. Continuing coverage
    Candidate profiles
    Candidate Q&As
    Press releases
    Candidate forums
    Position papers
    Photo requests
    Use the Web
   

   View Slide

8. Explain: Setting ground rules
   ‘Our goal is to keep readers abreast of as many
   campaigns as possible through Associated
   Press and staff reports. The greatest attention
   will naturally be given to local candidates and
   local races.’
   

   View Slide

9. Community Newsroom Success Strategies
   “Bad News and Good Judgment:
   A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-
   Town Newspaper"
   "Votes and Quotes:
   A Guide to Outstanding Election Campaign Coverage"
   "Journalism Primer:
   A Guide to Community News Coverage for Beginning
   and Veteran Journalists in the Age of New Media"
   Jim Pumarlo
   Newspaper Consultant
   Red Wing MN
   (651) 380-4295
   jim@pumarlo.com
   www.pumarlo.com
   

   View Slide