AS A REPORTER YOUR NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO BE FAIR AND ACCURATE.
BE SURE YOU HAVE:
- At least three sources in your story
- Original reporting in your story that is supported by facts you have checked
- Correct pronunciation (for broadcast) and spelling of an interviewee’s name and title.
- Information that is spelled correctly and grammatically correct.
- Double and triple checked the facts and figures in your story and used terms correctly.
- Checked the accuracy of a source’s statements with other sources. Your story shouldn’t sound like an advertisement or a news release.
- Attributed all your information
- Taken extra care not to plagiarize sentences from other sources.
- Given context and helped readers/listeners understand
- Given opponents enough time to respond to allegations made in your story
- Gone beyond your own bias, cultural norms and knowledge to understand the story.
- Used words and phrases that are politically neutral in a way that doesn’t make it look like you are taking sides.
- Your story is fair to the people who have an interest in the story
- Been transparent in your reporting process, i.e. be upfront about how you did the reporting.
- Edited quotes to keep the speaker’s words in the proper context and accurately reflect what the person said and was asked to respond to.