WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.388 And now, I prepared 10 practical tips for good reporting, as developed by Jeremy Porter on the 00:00:06.412 --> 00:00:12.000 blog Journalistics that I already mentioned as an excellent source of material on this topic. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:15.000 Rule no 10 - Name your sources 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:21.000 When you name sources, you make your story persuasive and you show that you are responsible as a reporter. 00:00:21.200 --> 00:00:25.800 It is acceptable to use anonymous source as well, but you should not overdo it. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:31.000 This should be done only when discovering the identity of your source would put them at risk. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:35.000 Rule number 9 - Be Objective 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:41.000 General rule is that journalism should not be about what you think or you believe is true. 00:00:41.300 --> 00:00:47.000 Of course, it is hard, if not impossible, to be absolutely impartial or objective. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:53.000 however, if you make efforts to be as objective as possible, your readers will appreciate it. 00:00:54.300 --> 00:00:57.000 Rule number 8 - Offer Balance 00:00:57.800 --> 00:01:00.000 There is always more than one side to a story. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:04.000 You should make efforts to get information from all sides. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:08.000 If one side does not want to talk, you should make that clear. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:12.838 This way, you show that you tried to get different opinions and viewpoints, 00:01:12.862 --> 00:01:17.000 and that it is not your fault that these are not all included in article. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.000 Rule number 7 - Get It Right 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:23.000 It is extremely important to be precise and accurate. 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:29.000 If you are not a professional journalist, you should not generally be pressured to publish fast. 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:34.000 So, make sure to check your facts, and take as much time as you need to get the story right. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:38.000 This is a matter of ethics, and your integrity is at stake. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:41.000 Rule number 6 - Don't Plagiarize 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:43.000 This is also about integrity. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:47.000 Do not steel other people's work and do not present it as your own. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:53.000 This is not only morally wrong and unprofessional, but it is also pretty much useless as well. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:59.800 If you use copy/paste method, a simple Google search will show where you took your content from. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.833 If you really like what someone else said or wrote, then 00:02:02.857 --> 00:02:06.000 quote them on it and continue your story in your own words. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:09.800 Rule number 5 - Don't Believe Everything 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:14.000 As mentioned, you should check your facts. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:22.000 Don't believe everything someone else tells you, or don't just take for granted some statistics that you found on the net. 00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:29.000 Double check or triple check the information, especially if the information seems a bit hard to believe. 00:02:29.700 --> 00:02:33.800 If it's too good to be true, it often isn't true. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:36.000 Rule number 4 - Keep Good Records 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.488 This rule applies more to investigative or professional journalists, 00:02:41.512 --> 00:02:46.000 but it also applies when you are conducting interviews or surveys. 00:02:46.200 --> 00:02:48.000 Take good notes, and keep them in order. 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:53.000 Sometimes they are the only proof that you really reported what you were told. 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:58.338 Also, in countries with good legal system and freedom of the press, we might say, 00:02:58.362 --> 00:03:03.000 these notes are considered to be evidence at court, so they can be very important. 00:03:03.700 --> 00:03:08.000 Rule number 3 - Don't Write in a Stream of Consciousness 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:12.000 If you're writing news, use the Inverted Pyramid. 00:03:12.700 --> 00:03:18.000 Give the reader the basics in the first few sentences, and then give additional information after that. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:25.000 Make an outline your story first, otherwise you can find yourself jumping from one part of the story to another. 00:03:25.700 --> 00:03:29.000 Rule number 2 - Find Your Own Voice 00:03:29.700 --> 00:03:36.000 Not everything is about the facts, it is also extremely important to tell the story in a particular way. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:44.000 Thus, in time, as you write more and more, try to find your own voice, different from others. 00:03:44.100 --> 00:03:46.200 Try to be original, interesting and relevant. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:51.000 Rule number 1 - Never Stop Learning and HAVE FUN 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:55.000 There is no perfect writing and perfect journalism. 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:58.000 So, you should always try to improve as a journalist. 00:03:59.200 --> 00:04:03.000 There are a number of ways or places where you can acquire new skills. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:10.000 And, finally, look at this as a sort of adventure, have fun and enjoy your research and writing. 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:16.000 This way you will always aspire to something more and challenge yourself to be better and better.