Case Study 2

The key to dealing with breaking news is to expect the unexpected.

In my opinion, a news outlet should have a step-by-step written code that its employees must memorize during the training process.

Editors should have predetermined roles for specific groups of reporters to fulfill once they are notified of an emergency. The teams should have members with varied skills, including a good writer and a good videographer or photographer. Each team should also assign one person to stay in the newsroom and search social media networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, for extra information about any suspect. It is necessary that this person take snapshots of all websites in case someone decides to modify the information at a later date. This person should also look for any public records or background information related to the case. He or she should monitor the internet for information being released by other media outlets.

Every organization should have an emergency kit on reserve at the newsroom for these kinds of emergencies. A smartphone with internet access must be available to deliver the story at the scene before it is distributed in print the following day. The kit should also contain writing utensils, a notepad, an audio recorder and a video camera. The instructions for delivering the breaking news should also be included in the kit.

Every member of the news organization should have the contact information of other co-workers at all times, whether it is stored on a cell phone or written in an agenda book.

When notified of an emergency, the editor should immediately send a team to the scene to inspect and witness the occurrence. He or she should also send someone else to wait outside the place where the suspect will be and to the hospital where the injured were taken. Lastly, someone should be sent to speak to other potential sources, such as people in the community, neighbors, family members and co-workers.
An editor or staff member should be in charge of monitoring and editing any Twitter updates or posted news uploaded by the reporter at the scene.

Organization, planning and coordination are the key elements needed to handle spot news successfully.