QUALITIES
OF A GOOD REPORTER
Traits
of a Good Reporter, Attributes of a Good Reporter
1. Introduction, 2. Nose for News, 3.
Good Educational Background, 4. Objectivity, 5. Speed and Accuracy, 6. Perseverance,
7. Ability in Establishing Contacts, 8. Respect for Confidence, 9.
Incorruptibility, 10. Honesty, 11. Conclusion
Introduction
The
foundation of the whole newspaper is the reporter. Being its paramount
performer he has to be a man of personality, education, training and culture.
His is the interesting job of news gathering. He touches life at all points. He
is on hand to history in the making. Every day is a challenge for his
cleverness, skill and understanding.
Nose for News
It
is imperative that a reporter be a man of sound news judgement. He must develop
instinct for news. He must be able to sense it and give shape to it. He must
learn to pump news from anyone, no matter how important or insignificant the
person is.
Good Educational
Background
To
do his job well, a reporter must have a workable fund of knowledge on a wide
range of subjects – “Jack of all trades”. Standard newspapers stress on the
importance of proper and adequate academic training. The present trend in
specialisation makes such training. The present trend in specialisation makes
such training essential in many subjects.
Objectivity
A
reporter must have the ability to be impartial, objective and dispassionate.
What the reader wants is fact and not reporter’s opinion or emotional reaction.
He should not shift the emphasis, twist the angle or colour the story.
Speed and Accuracy
A
reporter has to race with time in gathering and presenting news. He should have
an eye on the deadline for the final page make-up and rush stories in time.
“Get it right and get it now” and “When in doubt cut it out” are the board
slogans reporters follow. It is essential that he makes a distinction between
deduction and assumption.
Perseverance
Sometimes
a reporter has to pursue his story with great firmness. Any slackness may cause
him to miss the important feature. He meets with a wide variety of people; some
have news to give; some have nothing. It is the duty of the reporter to find
the persons who know facts, persuade them to talk and determine whether they
are telling the truth. Any due haste may damage his investigation and his
story.
Ability in
Establishing Contacts
A
reporter has to be friendly with all men, whether high or low. He has to
establish, develop and sustain contacts. He has to be adept in public
relations, using his ears without encroaching on the rights of others. A chance
word from even waiter or a last grade servant may help to net a fine scoop.
Respect
for Confidence
The
first tradition the newsman is to respect the confidence placed in him. Big men
in world affairs honour reporters with friendship. Many newsmen have gone to
prison, rather than divulge the sources of their information given in
confidence.
Incorruptibility
A
reporter should not succumb to temptations. He has to incorruptible (cannot be
bribed). Many will seek his help to further themselves through publicity. They
may even try to bribe the press. He has to stay clear of these temptations. He
should not expect any favours from others.
Honesty
Honesty
is a virtue which should protect a reporter from unnecessary complications.
News should be gathered from a variety of sources, but a reporter should not
create news when there is none. He should not censor news, except for reasons
of national security.
Conclusion
The
duty of the reporter is to study the character of men, the courses of events
and the policies of the government. It is in the hands of the reporter to make
or mar the present as well as the future of a nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment