Meetings (News)

Your job in covering a meeting is to pick one issue and thoroughly explore it. The topic may be assigned by the Ed Board or enterprised by you.
Strive to get 100 percent of your reporting completed at the meeting, with a few short followup interviews.
Checklist:
What Happened?

• A vote that will bring a change.

• A consensus that indicates a future vote.

• A discussion that reveals an interesting issue or development.

• A public hearing that reveals how citizens feel about an issue.

 Stress the So-What Angle?

•  What development will this development or vote or discussion have on people's lives?

 What is the name of agency and date?

•  The location is not important unless it's unusual.

• The time is not important unless it's relevant.

• The fact that a group actually met is rarely the news.

• Check Channels style on the proper name of the body covered.

What is the vote on any issue?

•  Who voted yes and no; who abstained; who wasn't there.

• At least one quote from each side explaining why he or she voted that way.

What happens next?

• These are so-called cog-in-the-wheel stories.

• Explain what happens next.

• Report when the event, project, development, new policy or whatever is expected to be implemented.

Who spoke?

•  Quotations from people who spoke at the meeting or who were responsible for preparing the information.

• Get both sides if the issue is controversial.

• Use after-meeting interviews if you need to.

What is the relevant background/context?

• What do readers need to know about the issue to understand what has happened?