This module was written for a journalism training course in south-east Europe which was dealing with the basics of newspaper reporting. Those attending had no previous journalism experience or training.

Reporting court proceedings

Reporting on court hearings requires an understanding of local laws and knowing what can be reported and what can‘t.

Some journalists choose to specialise in court reporting and become experts in the field.

Others learn about it through their basic journalism training courses and by covering smaller court hearings.

All need to understand the rules, constraints, the law, what can and cannot be reported, and how to deal with the public after the court hearing is over.

1: Operating within constraints

Courts of law are a controlled environment. Court reporters must operate within these controls.

2: Know who is in charge

The judge is in charge of the court and what happens inside it. The judge has to keep order and usually has the power to imprison those who show contempt of court. That could include you.

3: Know the local laws

Most countries have their own sets of laws covering court reporting. You must know them inside-out. Journalists need to act within the law or they may end up in the dock themselves.

4: Focus on facts

The most interesting elements in any trial are usually the verdict and the sentence. These will normally provide the lead to your story (assuming the trial has finished).

5: Avoid trying to do the judge’s job

In most countries there is a presumption of “innocence until proven guilty”. This should be borne in mind while a trial is in progress and reflected in your copy.

6: Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy

Ensure you get EVERYTHING right. Check names, spellings, titles and responsibilities. Fair and accurate journalism is the basic requirement.

7: Keep a careful note

In courts, as in all other reporting, you should make notes carefully and keep them safely. They may be needed later if your report is disputed.

8: Never take sides

The arguments used by the prosecuting and defence lawyers should be reported in an even-handed way, regardless of the evidence and what is said in court.

9: Courts are also theatre

Dramatic performances by the judge, lawyers, or witnesses make excellent copy. Make sure that you capture all elements.

10: Give credit where it’s due

Trials often hinge on a clever piece of detective work, or advocacy. Ensure you spot these and highlight them in your reporting.

11: Disciplined reporting

It is not particularly skilful to report everything that has been said. It is much more skilful to use only the most interesting and significant parts of a trial.

12: Be ready with the background

Big stories need big coverage. Before the trial, discover as much background as you can, and have it ready for publication after the verdict.

13: The trial may be over but the story continues

Some of the most important elements of your story may be the interviews afterwards with witnesses, family, police etc. Make sure you leave the court in time to get the interviews.

Related training scenario

Emotional pressure – scenario

The post Court reporting for beginners first appeared on Media Helping Media.

This training module was written for a journalism training course in Serbia where those attending had no previous journalism experience or training.

Why do we report crime?

People want to read about crime. It sells newspapers, TV advertising and books. It’s about greed, violence, sex, revenge – all the really powerful human emotions.

Sometimes crime reflects important issues in society: corruption, drugs, homelessness, hunger, lack of education, or whatever. And sometimes it is just a good story, with no wider implications.

Either way, you need to cover it properly. Your audience expects it. So here are some things to remember about crime reporting.

1: Everything is built on the basics of good journalism

In crime reporting as in all other specialisms, you must first have acquired the basic skills of journalism.

Your copy must be accurate. It must be spelled correctly. You must have facts to support every sentence you write. Your copy must be clear and unambiguous. It must capture the interest of the audience.

2: Success is built on integrity

Your personal and professional behaviour must be above reproach. You must be honest, thorough, trustworthy and fair-minded. You must be considerate and compassionate. Do not abuse the power or responsibility of your position.

Accept criticism where it is justified. Correct your mistakes. Be punctual. Deliver your work on time and be a good colleague.

3: Gather all the facts

This is a requirement of all journalism, but perhaps especially so of crime. The American newspaperman Joseph Pulitzer (the Pulitzer Prize is named after him) was very keen on crime reporting. He always wanted his reporters to provide “details, details, details”.

Readers want to know everything about a crime. What kind of masks were the raiders wearing? What colour was the getaway car? What was the weather like? The more facts, the better the story. So work hard, keep digging, keep adding facts.

4: Know your patch

The good crime reporter does not sit around waiting for the next bank raid to happen.

To work effectively, you must have excellent contacts with all the relevant agencies, police, government bodies, courts, press officers etc.

Cultivate these people. Make sure they have your contact numbers. You need a close working relationship, so that when a big story happens, they ring you to tell you about it, rather than you having to chase them for information.

5: Dealing with criminals

Being a crime reporter involves getting to know criminals. This has obvious dangers, to your work and to your safety. It is vital that you are completely straight in your dealings with people on the wrong side of the law.

Always be open about the fact that you are a reporter. Carry identification. Keep notes. Tell your news editor where you are going and whom you are going to meet. Don’t take silly risks. It is generally OK to be friendly with criminals, but not to become their friends. Do not build up any obligations to your criminal contacts. This is inviting them to try to corrupt you.

6: Dealing with sources

• On the record: It is good practice to identify, in your report, your sources of information. Explain their credentials, so that your audience can make a decision about how much weight to attach to the information.

• Off the record: Often the best information comes from sources who wish to remain anonymous. You must be clear with such sources about how the information is to be used and you must be careful to protect their anonymity. That means, in the ultimate case, being willing to go to jail yourself, rather than disclose the source’s identity.

7: Remember all electronically held data is insecure

Information you keep on your computer, personal organiser, mobile or any other electronic device is “discoverable” by the authorities, thieves or hackers.  If you keep confidential information in electronic form make sure it is encrypted.

8: Keep your hands clean

This should go without saying, but just in case:

• Do not accept gifts or favours.
• Do not at any time take part in or condone criminal activity.
• Do not provoke criminal activity.
• Do not describe criminal activity in such a way that it encourages others to engage in crime.
• Do not celebrate crime.
• Do not glamorise criminals or turn them into celebrities.

9: Do not sensationalise

There is a proven link between the way the news media reports crime, and the public fear of crime. Crime is bad enough. Reporters who make it appear worse than it actually is are doing society a disservice. Do not exaggerate the worst aspects of a crime. Report what has happened rationally and factually.

10: Dealing with the victims of crime

The victims are obviously key people in any story. You need to gain access to them, deal with them respectfully and sensitively, collect their version of events and report them carefully. Remember that these people have been under great stress. Don’t add to it by dealing carelessly with them. But remember, too, that crime against a person is an outrage and the victims are entitled to their anger and distress.

11: Dealing with suspects

Remember, the presumption is that a suspect is innocent until proven guilty. It is not the job of the news media to prosecute or defend, to deliver verdicts or pass down sentences. Leave that to the courts.

12: Handling news blackouts

Sometimes police will come to journalists with the request that they keep a story out of the news. Usually it is because it might compromise a continuing surveillance operation, or put someone’s life in danger. Occasionally, the motives behind the request are less admirable.

It is not for the individual reporter to decide whether to co-operate in these cases. Always refer it to the editor of your publication.

13: Taste and decency

Some crimes are so appalling that it is difficult to report them without breaching the bounds of good taste. Handle such material with care and sensitivity to the local culture and the sensibilities of the community. Remember the victims and their families.

14: Trend or one-off?

This is an important question to keep in mind. Is the individual crime you are currently reporting part of something wider going on in society? Does it raise a general question about public safety? Are hold-ups increasing because drug-taking is on the rise? If knife-crime is increasing among the young, what is the reason behind it? If a certain make of car is repeatedly being stolen, is there some organised smuggling racket behind it?

Work out whether there is some context to the crime and if there is, include it in your report. But if it is simply a one-off crime, report it as such.

Related training modules

Court reporting for beginners

Emotional pressure – scenario

The post Crime reporting for beginners first appeared on Media Helping Media.