Breaking News

Oh no! The president has gotten sick at a state dinner. Which headline do you run as your lead story?

Good Choice

Headlines should catch the reader’s attention and let them know what the story is about. Avoid anything too dramatic, sensationalist or too short to provide information. Not an easy task!

Could Be Better

Headlines should catch the reader’s attention and let them know what the story is about. Avoid anything too dramatic, sensationalist or too short to provide information. Not an easy task!

News No-No

Headlines should catch the reader’s attention and let them know what the story is about. Avoid anything too dramatic, sensationalist or too short to provide information. Not an easy task!

Pick a photo about July 4 for your front page:

Good Choice

News photos, like news reports, should be fair, accurate and clear. Avoid anything that alters the photo, like a filter, or is blurry.

Could Be Better

News photos, like news reports, should be fair, accurate and clear. Avoid anything that alters the photo, like a filter, or is blurry.

News No-No

News photos, like news reports, should be fair, accurate and clear. Avoid anything that alters the photo, like a filter, or is blurry.

You’ve gotten reports of a breaking news story, but many details are still unconfirmed. You are currently the only news organization with this information. What do you do?

Good Choice

It’s a tough call! Sometimes, early information proves to be inaccurate. But it’s always best to confirm the details of the story before making it public. When events are still developing, news organizations often run a partial story and make it clear to check back for more details.

Could Be Better

It’s a tough call! Sometimes, early information proves to be inaccurate. But it’s always best to confirm the details of the story before making it public. When events are still developing, news organizations often run a partial story and make it clear to check back for more details.

News No-No

It’s a tough call! Sometimes, early information proves to be inaccurate. But it’s always best to confirm the details of the story before making it public. When events are still developing, news organizations often run a partial story and make it clear to check back for more details.

You’ve got an amazing story and a trusted source for your information … but no one is willing to go on record or be named in the story. What do you do?

Good Choice

In some rare cases, allowing a source to be unnamed can be the only way to get a sensitive story. As long as a journalist does due diligence, anonymous sources can be useful contributions to reporting a story. Most states in the U.S. have some sort of shield law or other rule that gives journalists the right to refuse to reveal a confidential source or information.

Could Be Better

In some rare cases, allowing a source to be unnamed can be the only way to get a sensitive story. As long as a journalist does due diligence, anonymous sources can be useful contributions to reporting a story. Most states in the U.S. have some sort of shield law or other rule that gives journalists the right to refuse to reveal a confidential source or information.

News No-No

In some rare cases, allowing a source to be unnamed can be the only way to get a sensitive story. As long as a journalist does due diligence, anonymous sources can be useful contributions to reporting a story. Most states in the U.S. have some sort of shield law or other rule that gives journalists the right to refuse to reveal a confidential source or information.

You are covering a major trial that has garnered national attention. You want to include an image of the defendant with your story, but your news organization did not send a photographer to document the events with you. Which image do you choose?

Good Choice

Journalists should aim for informative and neutral photos. Social media is becoming a more common source for images, but journalists must be mindful that these images are frequently edited using filters. In criminal cases, publishing a mugshot could bias people before a trial.

Could Be Better

Journalists should aim for informative and neutral photos. Social media is becoming a more common source for images, but journalists must be mindful that these images are frequently edited using filters. In criminal cases, publishing a mugshot could bias people before a trial.

News No-No

Journalists should aim for informative and neutral photos. Social media is becoming a more common source for images, but journalists must be mindful that these images are frequently edited using filters. In criminal cases, publishing a mugshot could bias people before a trial.

You are listening to an outdoor campaign speech from a mayoral candidate. Gathering their thoughts while answering a question, the candidate uses confusing language in their answer. Do you:

Good Choice

Journalists should never clean up a quote. Providing clarity for your readers is always a good goal, but summarizing without changing the meaning or running the original quote with additional context from the larger event are always better than a false version.

Could Be Better

Journalists should never clean up a quote. Providing clarity for your readers is always a good goal, but summarizing without changing the meaning or running the original quote with additional context from the larger event are always better than a false version.

News No-No

Journalists should never clean up a quote. Providing clarity for your readers is always a good goal, but summarizing without changing the meaning or running the original quote with additional context from the larger event are always better than a false version.

You are a photographer covering a championship college basketball game. When you return to the office, you realize that your best picture of two players reaching for the ball doesn’t include the ball. What photo do you submit for publication?

Good Choice

News photographs should contribute to the audience’s understanding of the story. Sports photographs should provide clear evidence of gameplay, which often, though not always, means making sure the ball is in the photo.

Could Be Better

News photographs should contribute to the audience’s understanding of the story. Sports photographs should provide clear evidence of gameplay, which often, though not always, means making sure the ball is in the photo.

News No-No

News photographs should contribute to the audience’s understanding of the story. Sports photographs should provide clear evidence of gameplay, which often, though not always, means making sure the ball is in the photo.

Oops! Despite your best effort you’ve discovered an error in a story you wrote. What do you do?

Good Choice

Even the most careful journalists make mistakes. Maintaining trust matters. When you make a mistake, issue a correction. Identify the error and provide the correct information.

Could Be Better

Even the most careful journalists make mistakes. Maintaining trust matters. When you make a mistake, issue a correction. Identify the error and provide the correct information.

News No-No

Even the most careful journalists make mistakes. Maintaining trust matters. When you make a mistake, issue a correction. Identify the error and provide the correct information.

The mayoral election is heating up. Critics of one candidate claim that her campaign promises are “out of touch” and “ignore critical information from the community.” Do you give the candidate a chance to respond?

Good Choice

Balanced reporting means including multiple perspectives for the stories you cover. It’s important to report both critical comments and the subject's responses to give your readers a complete understanding of the situation. Reporting only one side can give your story a slant and bias your readers.

Could Be Better

Balanced reporting means including multiple perspectives for the stories you cover. It’s important to report both critical comments and the subject's responses to give your readers a complete understanding of the situation. Reporting only one side can give your story a slant and bias your readers.

News No-No

Balanced reporting means including multiple perspectives for the stories you cover. It’s important to report both critical comments and the subject's responses to give your readers a complete understanding of the situation. Reporting only one side can give your story a slant and bias your readers.

You have been assigned to write a commentary piece on a topic you have a lot of experience covering in your factual reporting. How do you label your story?

Good Choice

News organizations produce many different types of articles, from factual reporting on breaking news to editorials and movie reviews. Clearly labeling content types helps people find the information they need.

Could Be Better

News organizations produce many different types of articles, from factual reporting on breaking news to editorials and movie reviews. Clearly labeling content types helps people find the information they need.

News No-No

News organizations produce many different types of articles, from factual reporting on breaking news to editorials and movie reviews. Clearly labeling content types helps people find the information they need.

You’ve been assigned to manage your news organization’s social media stories from the stadium at the Olympic Games. Your cellular service cuts out briefly and you miss recording a moment of cheering. Should you ask the crowd around you to recreate the cheer for social media reporting?

Good Choice

Journalists should never recreate news situations. Social media journalists, like those who report for broadcast or print, adhere to strict standards when reporting the news.

Could Be Better

Journalists should never recreate news situations. Social media journalists, like those who report for broadcast or print, adhere to strict standards when reporting the news.

News No-No

Journalists should never recreate news situations. Social media journalists, like those who report for broadcast or print, adhere to strict standards when reporting the news.

A friend of yours has decided to run for mayor of the town where you’re a reporter. Do you cover their mayoral race?

Good Choice

Journalists are careful to avoid conflicts of interest that could bias their reporting. This is a tough one. Some would say journalists can’t report objectively when covering their friends, while others believe it is possible. The relationship should be disclosed to your editor before reporting and to the audience so they can make an informed decision about your reporting.

Could Be Better

Journalists are careful to avoid conflicts of interest that could bias their reporting. This is a tough one. Some would say journalists can’t report objectively when covering their friends, while others believe it is possible. The relationship should be disclosed to your editor before reporting and to the audience so they can make an informed decision about your reporting.

News No-No

Journalists are careful to avoid conflicts of interest that could bias their reporting. This is a tough one. Some would say journalists can’t report objectively when covering their friends, while others believe it is possible. The relationship should be disclosed to your editor before reporting and to the audience so they can make an informed decision about your reporting.

You cover a voter registration event on a university campus that is known for its large, active Hispanic Student Voters Union. You interview students from several of the participating student groups but realize while reviewing your notes after the event ended that you didn’t interview anyone from the Hispanic Student Voters Union. What do you do?

Good Choice

You missed a significant group who represented a large part of the story. It is important to explore a story from every possible angle to make sure you have the most complete information possible before reporting.

Could Be Better

You missed a significant group who represented a large part of the story. It is important to explore a story from every possible angle to make sure you have the most complete information possible before reporting.

News No-No

You missed a significant group who represented a large part of the story. It is important to explore a story from every possible angle to make sure you have the most complete information possible before reporting.

There has been a fire at a local building. A passerby uploads a picture to social media of someone several blocks away from the fire receiving medical attention. They note in their caption that the person photographed escaped the fire. When you reach out to the poster for more details they do not reply. Do you use the photo in your initial reporting of the event?

Good Choice

Social media and citizen reporting are important ways information is shared today. However, not all social media creators follow the same level of diligence as journalists when reporting news. Social media can be a powerful tool but proceed with caution and check your sources.

Could Be Better

Social media and citizen reporting are important ways information is shared today. However, not all social media creators follow the same level of diligence as journalists when reporting news. Social media can be a powerful tool but proceed with caution and check your sources.

News No-No

Social media and citizen reporting are important ways information is shared today. However, not all social media creators follow the same level of diligence as journalists when reporting news. Social media can be a powerful tool but proceed with caution and check your sources.

You are about to publish when you get a late-breaking piece of information about one of your top stories. Someone from a local community group has challenged the information from a government official you quote in the story. You don’t have time to fact-check and research the new information before the deadline. What do you do?

Good Choice

This is a tough call! Journalists often work on rapidly evolving stories and have to do their best to both cover events and meet their deadlines. It is important for journalists to reflect a variety of viewpoints and maintain accuracy in the stories they write.

Could Be Better

This is a tough call! Journalists often work on rapidly evolving stories and have to do their best to both cover events and meet their deadlines. It is important for journalists to reflect a variety of viewpoints and maintain accuracy in the stories they write.

News No-No

This is a tough call! Journalists often work on rapidly evolving stories and have to do their best to both cover events and meet their deadlines. It is important for journalists to reflect a variety of viewpoints and maintain accuracy in the stories they write.

Your news organization is covering a local animal shelter’s annual event. Which photo should you use in your coverage of the event?

Good Choice

It is always best to use an actual photo of the event. News organizations might make an exception when a public relations photo is relevant to the story, but the source of the photo should be made clear in captioning.

Could Be Better

It is always best to use an actual photo of the event. News organizations might make an exception when a public relations photo is relevant to the story, but the source of the photo should be made clear in captioning.

News No-No

It is always best to use an actual photo of the event. News organizations might make an exception when a public relations photo is relevant to the story, but the source of the photo should be made clear in captioning.

You are a radio reporter covering a car accident and will need to report on details that listeners might find disturbing. When do you include a content warning?

Good Choice

Content warnings can help people get the information they need and allow them to avoid consuming violence or difficult news stories. Broadcast journalists are particularly sensitive to this as radio and TV news are often played in the background of public spaces.

Could Be Better

Content warnings can help people get the information they need and allow them to avoid consuming violence or difficult news stories. Broadcast journalists are particularly sensitive to this as radio and TV news are often played in the background of public spaces.

News No-No

Content warnings can help people get the information they need and allow them to avoid consuming violence or difficult news stories. Broadcast journalists are particularly sensitive to this as radio and TV news are often played in the background of public spaces.

You are covering your town’s election. You plan to run images of all the candidates for mayor. But the only photo you have of one of the candidates is from years earlier and no longer reflects their current appearance. What do you do?

Good Choice

Voters use media coverage to learn more about the candidates. Coverage of campaigns should be fair, accurate, clear and current. Older images could be misleading. An overview of the election wouldn’t be accurate if you leave out the image of one of the candidates.

Could Be Better

Voters use media coverage to learn more about the candidates. Coverage of campaigns should be fair, accurate, clear and current. Older images could be misleading. An overview of the election wouldn’t be accurate if you leave out the image of one of the candidates.

News No-No

Voters use media coverage to learn more about the candidates. Coverage of campaigns should be fair, accurate, clear and current. Older images could be misleading. An overview of the election wouldn’t be accurate if you leave out the image of one of the candidates.

Breaking news! Reports have come in that a popular celebrity has died, and you’re the only one with the scoop. Problem: You only have one source for the story and can’t find anyone else to confirm the information.

Good Choice

When reporting a person’s death, you should always have multiple sources to confirm this news. False reports that a person has died damage a news organization’s credibility.

Could Be Better

When reporting a person’s death, you should always have multiple sources to confirm this news. False reports that a person has died damage a news organization’s credibility.

News No-No

When reporting a person’s death, you should always have multiple sources to confirm this news. False reports that a person has died damage a news organization’s credibility.

You take pictures of a local protest, including one amazing photograph of the whole event. Problem: When you return to your office you realize one of the signs someone is holding in the photograph has graphic and foul language on it. What do you do?

Good Choice

Graphic images or foul language may not be appropriate for all audiences. On the flip side, sometimes vulgarity is needed to convey a harsh reality or is critical to telling the story, especially if an important public figure uses obscenities. If your outlet chooses to include vulgarities, a trigger warning or bleep may be necessary.

Could Be Better

Graphic images or foul language may not be appropriate for all audiences. On the flip side, sometimes vulgarity is needed to convey a harsh reality or is critical to telling the story, especially if an important public figure uses obscenities. If your outlet chooses to include vulgarities, a trigger warning or bleep may be necessary.

News No-No

Graphic images or foul language may not be appropriate for all audiences. On the flip side, sometimes vulgarity is needed to convey a harsh reality or is critical to telling the story, especially if an important public figure uses obscenities. If your outlet chooses to include vulgarities, a trigger warning or bleep may be necessary.

Test Your Reporting Skills

News Moves Fast.

Can you report the news of the day before time runs out? You will have 25 seconds to answer each question. Do you need extra time to decide?

Inside Tip

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No

Good Choice

Could Be Better

News No-No