Problems of Reporting

Pitfalls and Problems of Reporting
1. Attribution In journalism Attribution is the identification of the source of reported information. Attribution is a key ingredient in any storys credibility. Readers are entitled to know where we got our information. If we are citing official statistics gathered by a government agency, that tells the readers something. If we are citing the contentions of an interest group or a political partisan, that tells the readers something else. If we dont attribute our information, readers rightly wonder how we know that. Journalists' ethical codes normally address the issue of attribution, which is sensitive because in the course of their work journalists may receive information from sources who wish to remain anonymous. In investigative journalism important news stories often depend on such information. "Not for attribution" means that a reporter agrees not to identify a source by name. Identification is provided only by reference to the source's job or position. That identification must be agreed upon by the reporter and the source, and is almost always given in a way that prevents readers from discovering the source's specific identity. 2. Off the Record "Off-the-Record": The information is provided to inform a decision or provide a confidential explanation, not for publication. This is information that is given to a journalist or editor on the basis that it is not for publication. "Off the record" restricts the reporter from using the information the source is about to deliver. The information is offered to explain or further a reporter's understanding of a particular issue or event. But if the reporter can confirm the information with another source who doesn't insist on speaking off the record (whether that means he agreed to talking on the record, on background, or not for attribution) he can publish it. The problem with the phrase "off the record" is that many people, reporters and the general public alike, misunderstand its precise meaning. These days many interviewees think "off the record" is largely synonymous with "on background" or "not for attribution." 3. Pool Reporting Pool Reporting is a term describing several types of arrangements used by government officials to provide for broad media coverage of events that, for various reasons, can only be covered by a limited number of journalists. Pool arrangements are most commonly used when the number of journalists interested in covering an event is greater than the space available for accommodating them. Under these circumstances, news organizations enter into voluntary pool arrangements in which a small number of journalists are deputized by their peers to cover the event on behalf of a large number of news organizations.
These pool journalists cover the event on the condition that they share their notes, images, and news copy with all interested journalists unable to cover the event directly. Pool journalism is typically seen by journalists as a necessary and desirable compromise that increases media access to newsworthy events by forgoing exclusive coverage.
4. Embargo The term embargo means some type of restriction or ban. Embargo as a noun refers to a government order imposing a ban for the publication of (documents) for security or copyright reasons. The term embargo is a popular term in the world of public relations. An embargo allows companies to send out information to journalists prior to the release date to give them notice of the upcoming news. Its much different than being 'off the record' which is never supposed to be published at all, embargoed information is intended to be published. The release will share confidential information with the journalist, but it is shared with the understanding that it is meant to remain confidential until the stated publishing date. The date will be clearly stated at the beginning of the press release. This process requires great deals of trust on behalf of the journalist as the public relations agency are asking the journalist to respect their wishes.

Problems of Reporting

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Pitfalls and Problems of Reporting

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