How to write a good news report

By Hannington Sebuliba

Last week we looked at the way we can engage the media in covering our events. This time we are looking at the way you can become a good reporter for your club bulletin and may be a local newspaper.

Once you set out to write a story of any event, you must first all have the following tools with you. The first tool must be a pen, then you get a note book, if you are lucky to have a recorder don’t forget to move along with it. A camera with fully charged batteries should never be forgotten. And finally you must have nose for news.

When you get to the field or any Rotary function ensure that your story answers the following questions. What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen? Where was the event? Who was involved? and how did it happen?

Once you have answered all those questions, then you are ready to write a very informative article. When you are writing an article, ensure that you state facts the way they happened do not put in your opinion. Opinions are never entertained in a news report.

Use quotes that are necessary and meaningful to the story. These quotes will give your story a human face. Never put a quote in a story if you are not sure the person said it.

When you are writing make sure you use simple language that is easily understood. People don’t carry dictionaries therefore, when you use difficult english, they will switch off their minds.

Always use short and simple sentences. Once you use compound sentences, you might end up getting confused and in the end confuse your reader.

When you start to write your story, make sure you answer the 5Ws+H in your first sentence commonly known as the intro. This will give your reader thirst to read more. Once your intro is confusing, the reader will never desire to read more.

Always avoid using the 3Ps. These are the unnecessary passengers, parasites and pitfalls in your story. These are words that can be removed from a sentence and it remains meaningful.

When you are reporting always look at the unusual events. In journalism we always say that when a dog bites a man it is not news but when a man bites a dog that makes news because it is unusual.

Prominent people also make news. When some one who is a prominent person attends an event, he/she can make news.

Next time we shall look at how to capture photos that are newsworthy.