Do generalists have more fun with their writing? Maybe. We certainly enjoy more story variety. Our topics can range anywhere from discussing ChatGPT to exploring why people love Bigfoot.

(Does Good News Sell?)

But are generalist writers in high demand? Probably not as much as experts or niche writers in this increasingly over saturated market.

So, what do I mean by generalist?

I’m referring to a writer or journalist who will cover just about any topic rather than focusing on or specializing in one genre or niche, or in journalistic terms, a beat, such as the environment, tech, science, opinion, health, or politics. A generalist may of course also cover these areas but will be competing with those with expertise and/or more experience and clips.

Most reporters with a geographical beat, freelancers, bloggers, and content creators, can claim the title “generalist.” I’ve always considered myself a generalist. I can’t imagine staying in just one lane for long. There are just too many interesting and diverse stories and formats to explore for me to narrow my scope. And maybe you feel the same way?

But in the past few years, with all the challenges facing the industry, there’s been a push in writing circles, for freelancers especially, to choose a niche or specialty to stay afloat. With AI-generated content and click bait flooding the market, as well as thousands of media job losses, now more than ever we need to find new ways to stand out.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of generalist journalism and nonfiction writing. Is there a middle ground? Can we continue pursuing the stories and topics we love and stick to our preferred formats and genres, while still creating a niche? Maybe you have an unrealized or unrecognized expertise that you can use? You may be a historian, a teacher, a parent. These can all be foundations for a niche that you can build upon (or rebuild).

What does a generalist have to offer?

Generalists must be skillful storytellers, keen observers, and possess the ability to quickly learn and understand the basics of a subject, enough to explain the story to readers, and to seek the right experts and ask them the right questions. They must also be highly adaptable and able to easily shift their focus between vastly different topics.

And it’s not just the topics that define generalists, it’s also the writing genres, style, and formats. Some freelancers tackle all types of writing—features, news, essays, listicles, and Q&A’s, which means they have multiple talents and a variety of clips and bylines.

For instance, in one month, I wrote commerce roundups about telescopes and air conditioning units, researched television veterinarians for a trade magazine feature, and conducted an in-depth interview with a romance writer for a sponsored content piece.  

And generalist journalism is an umbrella term. My full-time journalism and producing roles in both print and television, were “generalist” in different ways. As a weekly newspaper reporter my beat was a geographical area, a rural, coastal, part of Wales, heavily agricultural and famous for its sailing. So, my stories covered these area-specific economies as well as local news in general. In my television roles there were different purviews for my field investigative work and the studio-based discussion shows I produced, although they both came under the banner of current affairs and the stories and topics were bountiful.

But advertising ourselves as just generalists doesn’t always work in our favor. Editors tend to prefer some kind of specialty, whether in a subject area, field, or writing type.

Different types of experts and niches.

Some writers thrive in one area where they can utilize different writing styles and explore several topics, for instance travel writers. Travel writers can tackle different aspects of the industry, such as budget or luxury travel, or the industry itself, looking at the hotel business, the economy, flights, and so on. They can focus on one type of vacation, such as cruises, or stick to a handful of destinations. They can also write different types of articles, features, listicles, and Q&A’s all under their “travel expert” title. This could also apply to lifestyle writers and other niches.

Other writers stick to and develop one journalistic type, such as opinion, essays, or features. This then becomes their niche, but the scope of their topics can still be general.

So, how can we as generalists, balance our need for variety and narrow down our specific skill sets, so we look more desirable?

Even as generalists we also naturally gravitate to certain stories and topics, so there’s a good chance you already have a niche and just don’t realize it. I know writers who love writing about comics, and others who write about health and wellness. These are possible niches.

When I look at my work history, I’ve covered American politics extensively, in the UK and US media and this is a niche I can easily claim, if I wanted to. My other niche is journalism. My whole career revolves around journalism, I’ve worked in several mediums on two continents, have 25+ years in the industry, and I’m now in my fourth year writing a column about journalism. I can safely advertise my expertise in this field, although for some reason it’s taken years for me to fully claim this title.

As writers we all suffer from imposter syndrome to some degree, especially those from older generations, and we must shake off this attitude for good. Claim your niche. It doesn’t have to be through writing, it can come from life experience, a job, career, or hobby. My brother is an expert at designing and building model railways and is sought out by specialty magazines to write articles for them—they pay him well and he’s not even a professional writer.

Maybe you’re an expert knitter, speak seven languages, have lived on five continents, or conversely, lived in the same house and small town all your life and watched the world change from your kitchen window. Whatever it is, find it and use it. Or maybe it’s the type of articles you excel at. Are you good at features? Then claim that as your expertise, while emphasizing that you love tackling a variety of topics.

So, dig into your portfolio and background, see where your writing strengths lie, and what kind of stories you’ve written in the past. Is there some way you can build on this? You may not be an expert yet, but you have a base from which to grow.

Choose what you love to write about the most and do more of that, and soon you’ll have created a niche and you’ll have the clips to prove your expertise.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

The post Creating a Niche as a Generalist Journalist appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(How Does Clickbait Affect Online Journalism?)

While often disparaged as ‘lazy journalism,’ when done well the listicle format is nevertheless a useful tool for conveying interesting and important information. I would place listicles in the same category as light features or call it soft journalism, but again, it depends on the content and subject matter. Some listicles do tackle serious and heavy topics.

So, What Is a Listicle?

A listicle is simply an article structured as a list of tips, facts, or examples, based on a particular theme, such as, “The 10 Best Christmas Movies of All Time” or “Top Summer Beach Reads.” They always have a catchy headline to lure you in and the format is straightforward—a short introductory paragraph explaining the reason for the article, followed by the list, either numbered or bulleted, with a sub-heading and a brief explanation for each example. Listicle is a ‘portmanteau,’ or a blend of the words list and article.

Although there’s been a proliferation of listicles online, it’s nothing new, as any serious women’s magazine readers well know. Publications like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and others have been using this format for decades. How many times have you seen lists on magazine covers that caught your eye? Even men’s print publications like Men’s Health have been using this format effectively.

One of my first regular online freelance gigs was writing for a listicle site. I wrote politics and entertainment pieces, with topics ranging from “How to Stay Married” and “Top 10 Best Zombie Movies” to “The 10 Poorest Countries in the World” and “10 Facts about Human Trafficking.”

The above examples prove that you can use this format to tackle serious issues as well as the lighter subjects. As freelancers we often lack the budget and resource for an in-depth piece requiring months of research, interviews, and possibly travel expenses, unless our pitch is accepted by a major publication. But with a listicle we can offer the very basic facts and statistics by researching freely available online resources such as the US State Department trafficking in Persons Report or the US Census Bureau.

We could call it a gateway article, to give the reader an easy-to-read summary of, or an introduction to, a topic that may compel them to explore further. It also gives writers a chance to experiment with more serious topics and turn them into content.

Listicles can also provide useful advice and tips on anything from dating to cooking a turkey.

5 Tips for Writing Better Listicles!

While relatively easy to write, listicles do require research, most of which can be conducted online. They also demand accuracy and proofreading (by a human). The beauty of listicles is that they can cover just about any topic, and they’re a great way to break into online or print publications as a freelancer. I’ve written two pieces for Scout Life magazine (previously Boys’ Life) and both were listicles. My second piece for WritersDigest.com was a listicle and I often use the format for this monthly column.

That being said, here are 5 tips for writing better listicles!

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

*****

Check your facts and avoid using AI to write your piece! Here’s why …

In 2023 Microsoft allegedly published, and then retracted an AI-generated article, “Headed to Ottawa? Here’s what you shouldn’t miss!” which among other attractions, recommended tourists visit an Ottawa food bank on “an empty stomach.” Click here for the story.

The Chicago Sun-Times experienced an equally embarrassing AI gaffe when they published a summer reading list produced by a third-party company, including books that don’t exist. They were made up by AI. The writer admitted he used AI for the piece and that he failed to fact check. Click here for more information.

While humorous, these are embarrassing mistakes with severe consequences for the writers and publications involved.  

Pick a number!

If you’re going to use numbered lists, the best performing numbers are 5, 7, and 10. 15 and 29 are also great for more in-depth pieces. Major publications like “Rolling Stone” can get away with using 100 examples, such as The 100 Best Albums of 2024.

As for word count, it can vary with each piece, but the range is usually 800 to 1,500 words. A listicle can essentially be as long as you like, but whether readers will get to number 72 on your list of 150 is anyone’s guess. The introduction should be concise and can be as short as 60 words if strongly written but can also sit comfortably around 100-150 words. Each numbered example requires a strong paragraph or two, again around 100-150 words, depending on the complexity of the topic.

Write what you love.

Pick topics that you either love or want to explore, as this makes the process easier and much more fun. After watching my friends get on the fastest zip line in the world in my home country Wales, I was compelled to research zip lines. I had the fastest, so where was the highest, the longest, and scariest zip line? It quickly morphed into a lucrative, easy-to-write listicle for a national magazine that paid well.

Offer value to your readers.

Don’t shortchange readers with huge promises in your headline. Provide valuable and useful information they can and will use. If you live in a touristy spot why not write some listicles about the best things to do and see in your area? These don’t have to be restaurants and museums. Think outside the box about people’s needs. How about best walks? Best places to fish? Best spots to see wildlife? 7 places to sleep in your car for free along the Pacific Coast Highway, you get the gist.

The beauty of listicles is that they can be about practically any subject matter and topic, and again they’re easy to produce. They just need to be useful. As journalists, we’re providing a service, sharing facts we’ve researched and verified, that will help others make informed decisions.

Use an image for each item on the list.

These can be public domain or Creative Commons photos, and you can even use your own as I often do. You can also use Canva, Unsplash, or any number of sites, just search for royalty free images. I would suggest crediting each photo and/or citing the source even if they’re free, just for courtesy.

If your list is about movies or best songs, you can include a link or embed the movie trailer or song in your piece from sites like YouTube. This is great if you’re writing on Medium in particular. In fact, most of my Medium articles are listicles!

Just one more thing…

Listicles are being overused and it’s undeniable that many are AI written and churned out by content creators trying to make easy money. As we saw in the examples above, journalists are also using AI without fact-checking, and the results can be disastrous.

*****

However as professional writers we can save the reputation of this very useful article format by ensuring all our work is of the highest quality, while we endeavor to inform, educate, delight, and entertain our readers. We also have the knowledge, skills, and experience to engage our audience and provide real value, through integrity, accuracy, and diligence, which are some of the principles of ethical journalism.

And to answer the initial question, are listicles considered ‘real’ journalism? Yes, when done well and responsibly. Clickbait listicles are not journalism and it’s easy to differentiate between the two.

Listicles are a form of journalism just as much as opinion pieces, personal essays and features. It’s just a different presentation of facts. Readers, especially online, appreciate well presented, actionable information that’s easy to skim and digest, with quick answers to their questions and needs, whether health related or for entertainment. The structure of listicles is logical, formulaic, and simple, helping our brains to easily organize, evaluate and process the information. These are just some reasons why listicles continue to succeed, especially online.

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The post What Are Listicles, and Are They Considered “Real” Journalism? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(Writing Small Stories With a Big Impact.)

Those who spend considerable time online are familiar with clickbait yet fall for it consistently. (Guilty!) It’s a technique that works very well as it triggers emotional reactions and arouses our natural curiosity. Many of us click before thinking, then kick ourselves when we realize it’s junk. Cha-ching. The website just made money and too bad if it wasted your time. Sucker.

While we’ve come to expect such a gimmick from content marketers, unfortunately clickbait tactics are also commonly used in online journalism, especially digital first outlets.

So, what exactly is clickbait and why is it so prevalent?

“Clickbait” is a term used to describe online content—a headline, title, or thumbnail, that persuades or rather tricks readers into clicking through to the full article or video. These headlines are designed to evoke an emotional reaction or appeal to our curiosity. They often make sensational claims or controversial statements, using hyperbolic language and various gimmicks to lure readers in. Common clickbait phrases include, “You won’t believe…”, “You Need to See This…”, “What happened next will shock you…”, “The Real Reason why….”

You can find clickbait on websites, social media, and video platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. It’s always accompanied by an eye-catching photo and a juicy headline.

The actual content is often mediocre and misleading, sometimes having very little to do with the title or headline. It’s used to increase advertising revenue through boosting engagement metrics—page views, likes, comments, clicks, and shares. But when promising headlines fail to deliver in this way it leaves the reader feeling used, irritated, and distrustful of any future content.

Clickbait has one clear goal, to make easy money. In this sense it’s not meant for true engagement, to share vital information, advance a promising writing career, or practice thoughtful, ethical journalism. Quantity in this scenario is more important than quality.

Why does clickbait exist?

The concept behind clickbait is nothing new and it mimics the yellow journalism tactics of the past—catchy, sensationalist tabloid headlines and television infomercials. However, the digital landscape is vastly different to legacy media and always evolving. There are no clear standards online when it comes to content creators. The only purpose of clickbait is to get people to click that link and all they get for their time is a lackluster article or video.

When you bought a newspaper, you got the package deal: all the other articles, sports section, classified ads, and obituaries, not to mention a crossword, comic strip, horoscopes, and coupons on Sunday. The articles were typically well researched and written, and most importantly, edited. And you could also use old newspapers to pack the china inherited from grandma when you moved.

But anything goes online. Never has it been so easy to ‘write’ and create content, with no editor or gatekeeper in sight. Regardless of talent and skill, anyone can simply slap something together and toss it out there. All they need is a gimmicky headline and they can make money. And as humans, we’ve never been inundated with so much information and choices in one space.

Online creators are jostling for attention and in the process dumping more piles of content onto the growing digital scrap heap. AI-generated articles and videos just compound the problems, creating more distrust and frustration.  

The practice reduces content creation to a hustle to make money, gain clicks and attention, rather than providing a public service to disseminate important information through articles of value and integrity.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

*****

Where does clickbait exist?

Clickbait is prevalent on most social media sites, like Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube. Even sites like Medium have been accused of degenerating into clickbait. Unfortunately, to compete with all the other online content, news outlets also use some of the same tactics. It can add to problems such as the spreading of disinformation and fake news stories.

It’s common on social media sites like Facebook for people to just share the article link without even reading the piece. The headline alone can create havoc in the comments section, facts and nuance be damned.

A 2024 study exploring the features of clickbait journalism and its effectiveness in driving online engagement, revealed that digital-native news outlets like Buzzfeed and Huffington Post were much more likely to use clickbait tactics than legacy outlets. The study, co-authored by UC Davis communication graduate student Salman Khawar, identifies 10 key features of clickbait journalism on social media. It concludes that clickbait does drive engagement in the form of likes and shares on social media.

“Prior research has shown that forms of sensationalism, like clickbait, and a perception of fake news and media mistrust are interconnected, and this has societal relevance,” said Khawar.

Could clickbait be used for good?

But since it’s proven to work very well in gaining attention, can the tactic also be used for good? If the content lives up to the expectations of the title, and the writer truly wants to share an important and relevant message and presents well-researched information, wider readership would be beneficial. The key is to build trust with your readers and viewers, so they’re more likely to keep clicking on posts. A good reputation can go a very long way, especially if clickbait runs its course.

Thankfully traditional media news sites are still bound by journalism ethics and must adhere to established standards. Despite criticisms of bias and lack of objectivity (which are often warranted) at least legacy media journalists are trained professionals, schooled in the principles of journalism.

If there’s no going back to print and broadcast business models, news outlets must somehow learn to survive and thrive online. To compete in the increasingly oversaturated digital space, where attention spans continuously shrink, and in a world where digital natives dominate, is the use of some clickbait a necessary ‘evil’ to get the public’s attention? Can it be used to get people in the door, so you can then surprise them with some real, homecooked, good old-fashioned journalism? Would this work? Is clickbait just yellow journalism on a larger scale?

Maybe the price we pay for online ‘free news’ is clickbait. The key is learning how to spot the worst culprits, ignore their junk, and not feed the beast, then maybe it will starve and fade away. That would make room for some quality, ethical journalism. We can only hope.

Click here for the 10 Features of Clickbait.

The post How Does Clickbait Affect Online Journalism? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(Writing Small Stories With a Big Impact.)

Stories involving any kind of crime, violence, scandal, or disaster, always get the breaking coverage and become front-page news. You could argue that the online news space is just one big money-spinning tabloid at this point. And as consumers, we tend to be drawn into all this by our innate curiosity and yes, our penchant for the scandalous and macabre.

A few of these stories a week is palatable, but we’re now inundated with an enormous daily dose of negativity. From wildfires to mass shootings, the news seems to offer an endless diet of disaster. These events need to be covered of course, but there’s a better way to do so. And it’s not just the legacy and independent/citizen journalist news sources, worse still is all the trash online content, disguised as news, that thrives off clickbait.

What kind of effect does this perpetual bad news cycle have on our mental and physical health? And can we as journalists tip the balance by pursuing more positive, or at the very least, less negative stories? Or maybe tackle them in a different way, sans sensationalism? Would anyone read them if we did?

Let’s dig in.

The Power of Sensational Journalism

There is nothing new under the sun, and news outlets have always peddled sensationalist news. The tabloids have thrived on it. “Read all about it,” newsboys would shout, “Headless Body Found in Topless Bar.” Now click bait has taken over the reins and the effect of online fodder is arguably worse. And yes, go right ahead, click on the link there, it was an actual headline in 1983. We’ll wait…

At least back in pre-internet times, when newspapers were the norm, we’d read an article, shake our heads, flip to the comic strip, chuckle, maybe take a go at the crossword, check our horoscopes, then fold up the paper, and get on with our day. No comments section to scroll through, no rabbit holes to tumble down, and no Facebook bickering back then. You’d save that for the pub. The paper would eventually end up lining the parakeet cage anyway, or in 80s Britain, used to wrap your Friday night fish and chips. Yesterday’s news and all that.

And with television nightly news at least, we know the drill by now. It’s all bad news up front, often just one stretched out story if there’s a hurricane. If we’re lucky at the end they’ll throw in a feel good “and finally…” segment about something positive, like a panda giving birth at the zoo. It’s almost like a salve after being battered with distress.

With the digital landscape it’s a very different scenario. We’re constantly bombarded with clickbait headlines whenever we’re online, even when we’re casually checking our social media page bad news pops up uninvited. There’s a term for this; it’s called incidental exposure.

It takes a strong-willed person to resist the urge to click on a juicy, enticing headline. Did you check out that New York Post link yet? You will!

The Power of Negative Journalism

We read the negative story online, but we can’t seem to just leave it right there and go make a cup of tea. Oh no. Instead, there’s the added lure of the comments section. You’ll just take a quick peek, right? See if anyone else agrees with your take on the story. Since “bad news” is designed to trigger strong emotional reactions, the comments section is often a minefield of angry outbursts. Coupled with the impact of the negative news story, after reading the nasty comments, you’re left drained, exhausted, and stressed out. “Are people really like this?” you exclaim to an empty room, as you head for the fridge and grab a beer. You’ll need something stronger if you took the plunge and posted your own comment and were mercilessly attacked for your trouble.

The whole experience leaves a psychological scar, affecting your mood and in some cases even causing physical symptoms, through the activation of the body’s flight or fight response.

A barrage of distressing news can fuel distrust and a feeling of doom, and we misguidedly start thinking that things are worse than they really are. Twisted, slanted stories trigger anger, hate, and cause societal division. You’d think by watching the news that crime was at an all-time high, but statistics show otherwise. It’s just the perception. The same goes for plane crashes. A study even found that people showed an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety after only 14 minutes of news consumption. Such is the power of words and the impact of click bait tactics.

Click to continue.

No News Is Good News Then, Right? 

What I loved about my weekly newspaper reporter role was that we did include positive articles, at least by the bottom of page 4. We’d cover a local couple’s golden anniversary or schoolchildren saving wild birds, or a magician getting accepted into the Magic Circle. These stories also sold papers, as the people involved have families and friends who will buy the issue just to clip that one story.

Positive stories don’t have to be cutesy and fluffy. We can meet in the middle somewhere between hard and soft news. Amid all the clickbait headlines there are some well-written stories out there. Great longform narrative pieces that explore the human condition, stories that cover real issues, follow ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances. We need stories that build us up not tear us apart. Stories that empower rather than ones that leave us nervous and scared.

We can do more. Journalism as an industry can do better. We can evolve and still tackle the big, the bad, and the negative, but with tact, dignity, compassion, and empathy, rather than exploiting disasters and the misery of others just for clicks.

I believe most people are tired of being cannon fodder for the negative Nancys. They’re fed up with click bait stories that offer no real value. Readers are wising up and long for more substance and coverage that really matters.

And reading good news is scientifically proven to be good for you. Good news triggers dopamine release, reduces cortisol levels, improves mood, and strengthens social bonds. Read more about the benefits of good news here.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the negativity that floods the content we consume daily, but once we become aware of the dangers to our health and wellbeing, and start being mindful about what and how much news we consume, we can counteract or even avoid any negative outcomes.

We’re here on this earth to live, experience, create, explore, and help others if we can, not to worry about things we cannot possibly control. So, turn off the news for a day, read some well-researched, thoughtful journalism, and carpe diem, y’all!

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

The post Does Good News Sell? Or Are We Forever Stuck With the Bad News Bearers? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(How to Keep an Ideas File as a Journalist.)

Does it harm or undermine journalism? Possibly. It’s an interesting dilemma so let’s dig a little deeper.

What Is Sponsored Content?

Sponsored content, also known as native advertising, is a type of advertisement where brands or businesses pay publishers to write content promoting their products or services. It’s designed to blend seamlessly with a publication’s regular content. They can be presented in the form of articles, blogs, social media posts, and videos. For this column, we’ll stick to their use as articles in publications such as online news channels, magazines, and newspapers.

In the US the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates transparency in advertising and endorsements, and sponsored content must be clearly labeled.  These labels can range from “paid post,” “sponsored content,” and “branded content,” to, “this article was written for our sponsor…”

So What’s Wrong With Sponsored Content?

The problem arises when we think we’re reading editorial content because we fail to notice the disclosure. This can be perceived as deceptive and could possibly threaten the credibility of a newspaper or news channel.

In a Center for Journalism Ethics article Ava Sirrah, a professor at New York University’s Stern School of business, cites a 2016 study published in American Behavioral Scientist. “Peer-reviewed research shows that even if a native ad has a disclosure label…a majority of people miss the label entirely,” she adds that the study showed that more than 30 percent of readers never even glanced at disclosures. “The labels might as well have been invisible to the majority of readers who gazed over the content.”

There is also the danger that news outlets publishing paid “stories” that mimic real articles are perilously close to breaching the sacred boundary separating reporting and advertising. This can compromise journalistic integrity. Traditional media is already facing many challengers, from AI to credibility issues, and sponsored content raises further concerns over conflict of interest and possible bias. As we all know, ethically, media outlets should avoid favoring advertisers or allow them to influence or dictate news coverage.

What’s the Future of Sponsored Content?

Sponsored content is nothing new and it’s not going away anytime soon. After all, it’s profitable and keeps news organizations in business. Many traditional media publications now have their own sponsored content platforms, separate from their editorial departments, such as The New York Times’ T Brand Studio, The Atlantic’s Re:Think Brand Studio, and HuffPost’s Partner Studio. 

Newspapers and magazines have featured sponsored content, previously called advertorials, for decades. The disclosures I would argue were probably more obvious to readers of print publications. In fact, my first paid gig as a journalist in Wales was writing advertising features for a local newspaper while someone was on maternity leave. As a full-time reporter, writing the occasional advertising feature was part of my job. I recall promoting a local butcher and a new Mexican restaurant on the town square. But I must emphasize again that these articles were clearly labeled with large, bold headings, impossible to miss.

And for full disclosure, as a freelance writer, I have written several pieces of sponsored content in the past five years, and I can attest that they pay very well. To write this type of content, we utilize all our journalism skills, including interviewing sources, researching, and using the same article structure as we would in journalism. The difference is of course that while we do often discuss current and relevant issues in such pieces, such as the use of AI and DEI programs, we are given the topic, scope of the story, and the sources—such as an employee of the firm that’s paying for the content. This is why in my bio and on my resume, I use the title journalist and writer, because, as we’ve discussed, when I write this type of content, I’m a freelance writer, not a journalist. The distinction is important and one I take seriously.  

Check out Alison Hill’s The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism here:

Click to continue.

Does Sponsored Content Harm Journalism?

Since it’s not a new concept or practice, overall, it depends on how the piece is presented. It raises issues when consumers don’t realize they’re reading an advertisement because the label is hard to spot. Sponsored content is written just like a story in the style and voice of the publication. It’s designed to blend in with regular content, and this can be misleading. Digital platforms are vastly different to print publications, and it’s easier to overlook labels, however clearly marked they may seem to publishers. It’s really now up to the reader to be savvy and check what they’re consuming.

It’s a fine line and balance.

News organizations are incentivized to foster reader trust, while they simultaneously keep their sites alive with revenue from these types of ads. Businesses depend on the publication’s good reputation and integrity. Otherwise, why would they pay so much for sponsored content? So, it’s a symbiotic partnership and one that will probably continue and grow.

It’s not necessarily a bright future for “real” journalism. And unless you’re in with the glossies, the pay is low for most freelance journalists struggling to make it. So, you can’t blame us generalists for diversifying. Did I mention sponsored content pays ridiculously well? I made $3,000 for one, albeit rather long, sponsored content feature article. That’s the most I’ve ever been paid for a single project. Journalism pieces just can’t compete.

Freelance journalist Jacob Silverman purposefully wrote anonymously for The Atlantic’s Re:think Brand Studio, and admits, “It was money that got me into the sponsored content racket.” He sums it up well in, The Rest is Advertising: Confessions of a Sponsored Content Writer: “The problem, as I learned all too quickly when I wrote my sponsored story for The Atlantic (paid for by a prominent tech multinational), is that the line between what’s sponsored and what isn’t—between advertising and journalism—has already been rubbed away. Whether it can be redrawn will depend less on the hand-wringing of professional idealists and more on the wavering resolve of an industry that, hearing chronic news of the apocalypse, has begun to quake and ask, Is it too late to convert?”

Useful Resources:

• The Rest Is Advertising.
• How invisible ads undermine journalism ethics.
• The Deceptiveness of Sponsored News Articles.

The post What Is Sponsored Content (and the Impact on Journalism)? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

I’ve written hundreds of articles, filmed undercover, interviewed high ranking public officials, national politicians and celebrities; tackled controversial, hard-hitting issues, and worked as a journalist and producer on two continents. But the story that stole my heart was Boyo’s. It’s one of the few times I know unequivocally that something I wrote made a difference.

(The Art of Good Communication in Journalism.)

Local stories may seem inconsequential or “small” since national and international “big” stories and issues dominate the media. But they are equally important and more effective than we think. While the impact of a larger story is more widespread, a local story is just as powerful. As writers, we don’t often get much feedback after a piece is published. But on rare occasions we get to see the results of our writing firsthand. Those times are precious.

So, you want to hear about Boyo? 

It was the holidays and as a reporter I was rustling up story ideas in the slow news period. This was before social media when newspapers were prevalent, and people posted information in shop windows. I came across a voluntary organization that saved strays and the motto, a “dog is for life, not just for Christmas,” came to mind. Bingo, I had a nice, timely feature, easy to write, and a pleasure to report. 

“Abandoned at Christmas time,” stated the ensuing headline. I wrote about “Dog Helpline” a tiny organization established by a local lady, that had rescued 15 strays over Christmas, including Boyo, an 18-month-old Jack Russell who had been roaming the streets for weeks. Boyo had fallen ill, and a volunteer nursed him back to health. Nobody had claimed him, and he was up for adoption. We arranged a photo of the volunteer holding cute little Boyo. It was a nice piece, nothing major, but I knew our readers would enjoy it.

A few days later, a colleague called saying, “You need to do a follow-up on that dog story. He already found a home.” I immediately called the foster and indeed, a young couple had adopted Boyo. She said the response to the story was “tremendous” and that other stray dogs also had possible new homes.

That was a lovely moment that I will always cherish. My story helped a little stray dog. The little things in life often leave the biggest impression.

As freelancers we’re encouraged to pursue and pitch stories that “grab an editor’s attention,” find an exclusive interview with someone important, discuss a revolutionary new discovery, dazzle with a new angle, and so on. And we tend to go for these bigger, juicy stories to get the sought-after bylines.

But a piece doesn’t have to be about saving the world, or an “out of the box,” flashy, big story. We don’t need to constantly dig for the hard-hitting and sensational. In the words of an old editor, “I’m not looking for Watergate, just get out there and talk to people.”

And that’s local journalism in a nutshell, communicating with people in your hometown. I started my career as a weekly newspaper reporter in rural Wales, and so “small” stories were my bread and butter. I love leafing through my pile of clippings from that time. And yes, I saved most of them, including my original and follow-up pieces about Boyo.

Human interest, “local kid does good” type stories, and of course the “and finally…,” feel-good animal tales, are journalistic gems. If you explore the lives of “ordinary” people, you’re bound to find true, authentic, heart wrenching and inspiring stories, that we all love to read. And if you’re lucky, you might get some feedback and end up writing a follow-up piece.

Here are 5 tips on how to find and pitch small, local stories:

1. Read local newspapers (if they’re still in circulation in your area), and regional magazines. These publications can be dailies, weeklies, monthlies, or quarterlies, independents, and so on. Study them all and familiarize yourself with the types of stories covered. They can be print or online.
2. Scroll local Facebook pages. From planning issues to community theatre, the story potential is endless. Then scan the comments section. For example, during Hurricane Helene I was looking for story angles and people to interview, and social media was a goldmine. People really want to share on sites like Facebook and this is a great resource for interviewees and sources, as well as feature ideas.
3. Get involved with your community, volunteer, talk to your neighbors, connect with friends and local business owners. Stay in the loop. There’s always something going on. What concerns do people have? What makes them happy? Somebody you meet will always have a good story.
4. Start conversations with people you meet, at stores, coffee shops, and in your neighborhood. I seem to have a knack for “making” people talk. Even my dentist and his staff are chatty when I’m a captive audience in the dreaded chair…
5. Attend local events, from folk festivals to vintage car shows. I once wrote a fun reported essay after visiting a Bigfoot festival. When there, be sure to talk to people and get their contact information if you feel they’re a good source. I often conduct some quick, on-the-spot interviews with my phone at events.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

*****

Where to pitch “small” ideas?

1. See if your local newspaper accepts freelance pitches. They probably have full-time reporters, but it’s worth asking.
2. Local magazines and independent newspapers are great places for freelancers to pitch. Read the publications, find out what stories they cover, and most importantly, get to know the editors. Most seem to love stories about local business and business owners, for instance.
3. There are also specialist publications and trade magazines that need stories, so find out if your ideas fit their needs. These can include anything from travel to architecture.
4. You can also pitch small, local stories to statewide publications and nationals. These can be stand-alone pieces or a story that encompasses a wider issue. Many publications seek out articles from different regions and want them just because they’re small, slice-of-life stories reflecting that area’s culture and environment.

Types of Stories

1. Features—Features, also referred to as soft journalism, are evergreen, they’re not time-sensitive like hard news, meaning they have staying power; you can pitch them at any time, and they’ll stay relevant. They will have more impact of course if there’s some kind of peg, like an upcoming event, holiday (such as dogs dumped at Christmas time), and so on. Features are fun to write and research, and ideas are everywhere when you really start looking.
2. Profile Feature—Profiles have been described as a “written portrait of a person,” which sums it up nicely. Find an interesting person (or even a group) in your area and write a piece about their background, career, accomplishments, goals, and so on.
3. Q&A—The Q&A (question and answer) article is an edited transcription of an interview with a short narrative introduction. It involves interviewing one source (someone interesting in the community, a person who’s accomplished something great, or an individual with an unusual job) and is a relatively simple and enjoyable piece to write.
4. Blogs—Blogs are short articles that cover practically anything. They can be published on your own personal or business website or on sites like Medium.
5. Listicles—The 7 Best Local Breweries, Top 5 Staycation Spots in (your city), you get the gist.

File Your Ideas and Contacts

Make a list of all your ideas, the topics you’ve researched, and stories you’ve heard. Keep the information in one document so it’s easy to access. Similarly, when you meet someone interesting, make a note of their name and the nature of your conversation for future reference.

They say charity begins at home but should not end there, and the same can be true of journalism. Start small and local and then branch out to cover the rest of the country and the world … if you want to. Otherwise, there’s no place like home. 

The post Writing Small Stories With a Big Impact: How Local Journalism Makes a Difference appeared first on Writer's Digest.

“If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear.” -Mark Twain

In journalism there’s a time for everything. A time to ask tough questions, to probe and prod. A time to demand answers and hold leaders accountable. A time to be tough and unwavering while seeking truth. And there’s a time to stay silent and listen. This is when we can access the very soul of a story.

(20 Common Journalism Terms for Writers.)

But how many of today’s journalists are good listeners?

The ability to listen is probably our most powerful tool as journalists. Some people are natural listeners, others need more practice. But we can all improve in this area regardless of experience. Interviewing should be more than fishing for the right quotes, it’s an expedition, an opportunity to learn. And listening goes beyond hearing an answer to a question, it involves understanding and comprehension. It also requires our full attention and focus.

We’re always communicating in some form—chatting on the phone, tapping out countless emails or texts, and jumping on video calls. Most exchanges are brief and superficial since we’re all so busy. Yet a huge number of people are desperate to be heard, evidenced by all the online “content” and the thousands of comments on sites like Facebook and YouTube.

When’s the last time you truly listened to someone for an extended period? And conversely, when’s the last time anybody listened to you? Maybe as a society it’s time for us to slow down, take a deep breath, and pay closer attention to each other. When someone asks us, “How are you doing?,” we usually offer a quick, “Fine, thanks; how are you?” Imagine if we told people how we really feel. Half the population would make a quick exit. “Wow, look at the time! Gotta pick up the kids… nice seeing you, bye!”

And how often do we start formulating a response when others are still speaking? While interviewing, are you always thinking of your next question instead of focusing on what’s being said? Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, rightly stated, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

As journalists and nonfiction writers, we’re in a unique position to give people a voice and a chance to share their story. To truly understand their perspective and effectively present their position, we must listen intently when researching and interviewing.

Here are 5 ways to improve listening skills.

1. Respect Everyone and Listen Equally

Since journalism requires constant interaction with the public, we must wear many hats and develop chameleon-like qualities. If you’re a generalist like me, the stories covered in a typical month vary immensely. Therefore, the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully, with people from diverse backgrounds is essential.

As an investigative journalist I could go from having tea at the House of Commons with a Member of Parliament, to sitting on the pavement outside a restaurant smoking a cigarette with a homeless 19-year-old girl. I treated both with dignity and respect.

Every interaction is different, of course, and while it’s important to approach each person according to their unique situation and circumstances, we must always use our active listening skills.

2. Listen to Yourself

I transcribe my own interviews, whether they’re over the phone or in-person. While time consuming, I find it not only helps flush out the best quotes but it’s also a great learning opportunity.

I consider myself an experienced interviewer, but I don’t enjoy phone interviews. After listening to my recordings, I realize that I talk too much, and my nervous laugh is cringe-worthy. It’s a humbling experience but has made me more mindful and aware.

Try recording an interview and play it back. How did you sound?

3. Know When to Stay Silent

I much prefer interviewing in-person, and this is where I excel.

It’s important to have a comfortable space so sources can fully express themselves. Guide the conversation, then sit back and let it flow. Always be respectful and empathetic, and especially gentle with those sharing traumatic events. If the person becomes upset, just pause the interview, and allow them to be. A respectful silence or a few kind words like ‘take your time’ are adequate here rather than offering empty platitudes.

Interrupting someone at the wrong time can be detrimental. The person may have been on the brink of spilling everything, but a question could derail them, and then the moment is lost. If they pause and look at you expectantly, that’s when you can continue with more questions. But take your time before jumping in, keep steady eye contact, and stay silent for a few seconds, as they may be contemplating saying something else.

When I visited a group of Kosovar refugees, I came prepared as I knew it involved hearing about traumatic events. We gathered in the living room, and I sat listening for several hours, barely asking questions. One young man in his late teens, a lit cigarette shaking in his hand, was particularly eager to talk. Who else was listening to him?

4. Forget Yourself

Temporarily set aside your own feelings, opinions, and prejudices before the interview. After all, this is not about you. All your focus should be on the interviewee. Be objective and calm. Empty your mind of personal concerns, such as the drive home, what to make for dinner, and worries about how the interview will go. 

Just shake it off and immerse yourself in their story. Give them your undivided attention and the interview is sure to go well. People know if you truly care about what they’re saying or if you’re just trying to get an interview done. They can also sense tension and hostility.

During an interview, unless it’s relevant and will break the ice and create a bond, it’s best to avoid talking about yourself.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

*****

5. Eliminate Distractions

Distractions come in many forms, locations, actions, and thoughts.

Let’s start with our thoughts. Ernest Hemingway offers some simple advice, “When people talk listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say.”

During interviews, especially when under pressure, you may worry about awkward silences or that you’ll forget key points. But try to avoid thinking of the next question. People can pick up on this and know you’re not really paying attention. Glancing down at notes while they’re speaking is rude and should be avoided. Wait until there’s a natural pause.

The location should be free of distractions. Ideally, interviews should be conducted in the person’s home or office, especially if they’re a main source for a feature. It’s not only familiar and comfortable for them, but you can also get a better feel for who they are from the furniture and décor. I once conducted an interview at a bar. It was morning but still noisy and I was having difficulty hearing them. In hindsight, since I was interviewing the owners, I should have asked for a quieter spot. Lesson learned.

A journalist’s conduct and body language are also important. Let’s start with facial expressions. Don’t look bored, yawn, or roll your eyes. Keep steady eye contact but avoid staring. You can nod in encouragement but try keeping your body still and don’t fidget. I avoid clickable pens for this very reason.

Make sure you’re both seated and settled before starting the interview. There’s nothing worse than an interviewer rummaging in their bag or fiddling with their coat zipper while saying, “Please keep talking, I’m listening.” As author and psychiatrist M. Scott Peck said, “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”

Oh and of course, turn off your cell phone before the interview.

Here’s a fun challenge. Call up a friend or acquaintance and invite them for coffee or lunch. Make sure you’ve got plenty of time and don’t have to rush away. Instead of being a chatty Cathy like me, (it’s hard not to when you work from home), instead order a Grande coffee, or a meal that is labor intensive (to deter talking) and just sit there and listen. I think you’ll be amazed how much people really need to talk to someone and just feel heard.

The post A Time to Listen: The Art of Good Communication in Journalism appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(10 Best Movies With Writers and About Writing.)

They also remind us of the reasons why we chose this challenging profession. For most, it’s not for money, glory, or fame, but rather from an urgent need to tell stories that matter, however small, and to pursue the truth, however uncomfortable. After watching The Killing Fields as a teen, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. And after seeing Mr. Jones with almost three decades in the field, I’m glad that I followed through.

Here are five excellent movies about journalists who went above and beyond in their pursuit of a story. These films are based on real-life events.

1. The Killing Fields (1984). The Killing Fields is a tense drama about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, and based on the real-life experiences of New York Times journalist, Sydney Schanberg and Cambodian journalist Dith Pran, who coined the term “Killing Fields” during his harrowing escape from the regime. This is a story of friendship and human struggle as well as war. Dith Pran was played by another Cambodian survivor, Haing S. Ngor, who won an Oscar for his role. “The Killing Fields” was far different from the typical Hollywood war movie and may have had more of an impact on audiences because of this. It succeeded in informing the public about one of the bloodiest genocides in history. This movie affected me deeply and inspired me to seriously pursue journalism as a career.
2. All the President’s Men (1976). Probably the most well-known movie on the list, “All the President’s Men” is the true story of two Washington Post journalists, Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman). This thrilling drama shows how Bernstein and Woodward investigate the Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon’s resignation. The movie won four Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture. It is part of the United States National Film Registry.
3. Mr. Jones (2019). Although heavy and grim throughout, this is a compelling drama that will linger long after the credits. It’s the story of Welsh journalist Gareth Jones who exposed the horrors of the “Holodomor”— the man-made famine caused by Stalin’s agricultural policies from 1932-1933 in Ukraine, that killed millions. This movie shows a journalistic battle for the truth. While Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times Moscow correspondent Walter Duranty uses his status to publicly discredit Jones through vehemently denying the existence of a famine, Jones risks his reputation, freedom, and ultimately, his life, to reveal the “one truth.” Duranty’s words on collectivism are chilling, “But – to put it brutally – you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.” This was eye-opening and educational, and being Welsh, I’m surprised we were never taught about this brave journalist in school. There are some harrowing scenes in the movie that I will never forget. I enjoyed (and understood) the brief scenes with Welsh language dialogue. It was directed by award-winning Polish film and television director and screenwriter Agnieszka Holland.
4. Kill the Messenger (2014). Kill the Messenger is a riveting political thriller based on the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb, who exposed the link between drug smuggling, the CIA, and the funding of the Contras in Nicaragua. A reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, Webb (Jeremy Renner) keeps digging despite the dangers involved, putting his career, family and life in jeopardy.
5. Spotlight (2015). Based on a true story, the movie Spotlight follows a team of investigative journalists from The Boston Globe and how they expose a decades-long coverup of sexual abuse committed by priests of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Spotlight, founded in 1970, is The Boston Globe’s award-winning special reporting unit for investigative and accountability journalism.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

Click to continue.

The post 5 Journalism-Related Movies Based on Real Events appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(Common Journalism Terms for Writers.)

Journalists have been exposing society’s ills through covert methods for almost two centuries and the term ‘going undercover’ is, of course, universally known. But what does the work really entail?

When undercover, a journalist conceals their identity and purpose while secretly gathering information, often recording either audio or footage with a hidden camera. This can involve infiltrating a group, getting a job where discrimination is suspected, or even something as risky as becoming institutionalized. The purpose is to uncover evidence impossible to acquire through regular reporting methods. It usually involves allegations of corruption, unethical practices, criminal activity, or abuse.

In its Code of Ethics, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) advises us to, “avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.”

This is great advice on a subject dear to my heart, as my most memorable (and potentially dangerous) assignments involved undercover work. Infiltrating an alleged cult in Cardiff, Wales, and spending five weeks secretly filming, was both exhilarating and exhausting. This was my biggest undercover role, and it affected my personal life in many ways, which I’ll discuss shortly. For another story, I posed as a chinchilla breeder while investigating illegal fur farming. I spent several nights ‘spying’ on a group of unruly youths and recording their noise from an elderly lady’s bedroom window. And being ‘conservative with the truth’ was necessary when asking permission to film at a greyhound racetrack for a piece exposing the cruel treatment of retired racing dogs.

The moral dilemma for me—which mirrors some of the concerns expressed by many in the industry—was having to make up a story to conceal my identity. In simple terms, I had to lie. A lot. Pretending to be someone else when you’re acting in a play is one thing, but deceiving people in real life? It’s dangerous and emotionally draining, especially when long term and when there are innocent people involved, who you cannot help without blowing your cover. But the end justifies the means. In my case infiltrating and exposing the (allegedly) second most dangerous cult in the UK, accused of ruining many lives, was reason enough.

Breach of trust is one of the issues that emerges with undercover journalism and why some professionals are concerned. When you must lie in order to reveal the truth, do you lose credibility and the public’s trust? Does the outlet gain a reputation for deceit? I would argue that it depends on the story and most people are savvy enough to understand the reasons for a journalist’s exposé.

Undercover journalists have been exposing society’s ills for a long time, telling important stories that would have otherwise remained hidden. In 1887, journalist Elizabeth Cochrane (Nellie Bly) spent 10 days undercover as a patient in a New York sanatorium. Her six-part series, “Ten Days in a Mad-House,” was published in The New York World, and exposed terrible conditions and abuse, leading to improvements in the treatment of those with a mental illness. And in 1935, journalist Marvel Cooke and activist Ella Baker went undercover to expose the working conditions of Black women domestic workers in the Bronx, and their piece, “The Bronx Slave Market,” was published by The Crisis in November 1935.

But the journalism field has dramatically changed, and the media landscape is now vastly different.

Undercover work is not easy, it’s not cheap, and it can have serious repercussions. My assignments were only possible because we had a team of experienced professionals, a healthy budget, the luxury of time, the tools, and… lawyers. To successfully pull off these types of investigations today you need money, bottom line. Money buys you the staff that can spend weeks, months, or even years on a story. It buys you expertise, training, and equipment. And because there could be legal actions, it pays the lawyers’ fees—before and after getting sued. And our program did get sued. This also occurred in the mid to late 90s, which was a completely different era in journalism.

“This is expensive work, it ties up staff for months on end, it’s stressful, and it requires all kinds of legal vetting,” says New York University professor, Brooke Kroeger, author of Undercover Reporting: The Truth About Deception. She adds that journalists should “think really hard” before undertaking this type of work, while emphasizing that, “historically, the impact of these stories, when they worked, was just extraordinary. And they are the stories we remember.”

Today, traditional news outlets still employ investigative teams, but budgets have been severely cut and undercover work is not as prevalent. According to the Associated Press, the country has lost one-third of its newspapers and two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005. This amounts to more than 3,000 closures, especially affecting local newspapers in rural areas, causing some regions to become news deserts. With fewer journalists, cutbacks, and closures, it’s little wonder that undercover journalism is in decline.

In addition to budgetary issues, there are legal repercussions. The famous Food Lion case explains some of the media’s reluctance to pursue undercover journalism. In 1992, ABC journalists working for “Prime Time Live” went undercover as Food Lion employees and secretly filmed, exposing possible unsanitary practices. Food Lion sued ABC in federal court in Greensboro, NC, alleging fraud, breach of the duty of loyalty, trespass, and unfair trade practices under North Carolina law. Food Lion claimed ABC used illegal news-gathering methods to obtain the information.

The focus here therefore was not defamation, but the methods used. This is a landmark legal battle addressing whether journalists can be protected by the First Amendment when they lie to gain access to private facilities for the purpose of news-gathering. (More information on this case, the appeals, and the 2023 challenge to the ag-gag law by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) can be found in the Resources section below.)

The group I infiltrated and secretly filmed tried suing me and the TV show for invasion of privacy, but luckily, the station lawyers dealt with it.

But what about personal consequences? As I mentioned earlier, going undercover can be stressful and risky. I joined the alleged cult ‘cold’ with no knowledge of the group and having never watched interviews with former members accusing them of brainwashing and manipulation. This way I started my investigation with a clean slate and no preconceived ideas. But this also left me vulnerable to their tactics, which do wear you down, even when you’re ‘in the know.’

When developing a cover story, we stuck to the truth as much as possible, to prevent slip ups. This meant using my real name, address, and phone number, and telling them I’d just moved back from the US with my American husband and was unemployed. Unfortunately, work and home life often intertwined. A prominent member started calling my husband to persuade him to join the church. When the show was broadcast one of his colleagues confronted him, saying, ‘Your wife did that hit piece on my church.’ 

It turned out one of his smoke break buddies was a member. We ended up moving to a different apartment and changing our phone number a few weeks later. I did suffer from nightmares for about a month, but there were no lasting effects. Overall, it was an interesting and challenging time. Would I do it again? I doubt it.

While this is not work for lone freelancers to even contemplate, many independent outlets and documentarians have, and still do, engage in undercover work, with varying degrees of success. Groups like Project Veritas became well known for their undercover stings but were largely criticized by the mainstream press for being sensational, and they have since suspended operations.

Many argued that undercover journalism became overused as ‘stunt journalism’ with one Guardian columnist back in 2007 describing it as “entertainment puffed up with a fake significance,” and a “journalistic addiction, a habit we need to kick.”

Undercover work can appear exciting and appealing. But it’s unacceptable and can ruin lives when used in isolation, for example one short clip on TikTok with no reference material and no interviews with the ‘accused’ or the other side.

But when done correctly, and is part of a wider, well-researched investigation and included in a report alongside supporting material conducted through traditional journalistic methods, it’s a powerful and potent tool for good.

But just like they say on TV shows, please don’t try this at home.

Resources:

• https://gijn.org/resource/gijns-guide-to-undercover-reporting/
• https://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/the_ethics_of_undercover_journalism.php
• https://www.npr.org/2020/08/03/898547327/ghosting-the-news-author-says-local-journalism-freefall-is-accelerating
• https://freedom.press/issues/is-it-time-to-revisit-undercover-journalism/
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/women-reporters-undercover-most-important-scoops-day-180960775/
• https://knightcolumbia.org/blog/the-long-shadow-of-food-lion
• https://www.rcfp.org/journals/news-media-and-law-spring-2012/landmark-food-lion-case/
• https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/the-supreme-court-leaves-in-place-a-court-victory-for-peta-over-north-carolinas-undercover-gag-law
• https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2007/jan/21/goingundercoverisajournali
• https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2012/august/nyu-launches-history-of-undercover-reporting-database.html
• https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/how-journalists-ella-baker-and-marvel-jackson-cooke-exposed-domestic-works-slave-market

The post What Is Undercover Journalism (and Why Is It Usually Discouraged)? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(5 Different Forms of Journalism.)

Interestingly, a majority of respondents accurately described what anonymous sourcing involves. While most professions have their own unique jargon, journalism can directly impact society, so it’s important that we learn these terms to form a clearer understanding of how the news gathering process works.

By now, I believe the public is more knowledgeable about media practices. That said, here’s a helpful list of common terms used in journalism.

Assignment. When a reporter is given an assignment or is ‘on assignment,’ it’s referring to a particular story that they’ve been asked to cover by a publication or other media outlet.

Attribution. In journalism, attribution simply means crediting the source of information in a news story, whether it’s a quote or documentation. This means identifying individuals involved whenever possible, using their full name and job title. This solidifies their relevance to the story and will not only strengthen the piece but add credibility to the publication. Exceptions are made when a source or contact is in danger, is under 18, will be compromised if their identity is revealed, or someone who has explicitly asked not to be quoted or be ‘on the record.’ According to The Associated Press guidelines on attribution, a source’s name, title, age, and hometown should be included where appropriate, in addition to the name of their company, organization or government department.

Beat. A “beat” in journalism refers to a particular area or topic a journalist covers on an ongoing basis. A beat can be territorial, where a reporter is assigned to cover a particular geographical area, such as the southeast for a national outlet, or a certain town or county for a local newspaper. Typically, local newspaper beats also include police, courts, and local government. Beats can be topical, including areas of expertise such as politics, lifestyle, crime, education, entertainment, and health. They can also be more specialized, such as White House reporter, foreign correspondent, or an embed with a political campaign.

Byline. This is what all writers covet: a byline, especially in a prestigious publication. Simply put, a byline is the author’s credit – the name of the journalist or writer who has written the story. It appears at the top of an article or at the end. It can sometimes include a photo, the writer’s professional title, and contact information.

Columnist. Columnists offer commentary and opinions, and many journalists enjoy sharing their thoughts on the latest news or events. A column is usually a recurring piece in a magazine, newspaper, or online, and is published daily, weekly, or monthly. But not all columns are opinionated, they can be about all kinds of topics, from gardening and food to business and journalism.

Copy. Copy is the written text of an article only. It does not include other elements, like headlines, photos, graphics, or video.

Correspondent. A correspondent is a reporter who covers a specialized area, or reports on-the-scene from abroad, for media outlets like TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Foreign correspondents are stationed in several countries worldwide, and others report on the news and issues of a whole region, such as the Middle East. There are also war correspondents, who report on armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, business correspondents who cover the economy, finance, and trade, and political correspondents covering elections and campaigns.

Editorial. An editorial is an article that reflects the opinion of the publishers or senior editors of a newspaper or magazine. They focus on topical issues and subjects. They do not normally have a byline.

5 W’s plus H. We’ve all heard of the five W’s (and H) — the who, what, when, where, why, and how of storytelling. In news writing the answers to these questions will be the framework of an article.

General Assignment Reporter. A general assignment reporter covers a wide range of stories and topics for newspapers, news websites, and television stations. Since they’re not confined to a particular beat, they could be writing all kinds of stories in any given week, from local council meetings and community events to business news and election campaigns.

Headline. A headline is the title of an article or news item that attracts the reader’s attention, drawing them in to learn more. A strong headline is important, but if written in a sensationalist manner, they can also be misleading at times.

Inverted Pyramid. A news article is formulaic, and some professionals swear by the traditional inverted pyramid structure, or what is also referred to as “front-loading,” where the details are presented in order of importance. The most important information is inserted in the lede paragraph of the story, which should quickly grab the reader’s attention. The next paragraph or “nut graph” gives the story context, tells people why they should care and why it’s timely. A nut graph is designed to hold the reader’s attention and convince them to keep reading. The rest of the article includes supplemental information and quotes. A piece usually concludes with a possible solution or a next step in the process, for example, ‘the council will meet again in May to discuss the planning proposals.’

Lede/Lead. A lede or lead is the first sentence or paragraph of an article, summarizing the story with the most important information, the who, what, where, when, and how. It’s designed to quickly grab the reader’s attention, set the tone, and spark interest.

Libel. Libel refers to a false statement of fact, that is usually written or printed with the intention of defaming a person’s character. Opinions cannot be libelous. Slander is different and refers to the spoken word.

News Story. A news story is a factual account of current events, usually a previously unknown story, that is presented with objectivity and balance. News stories can be written and recorded live or taped, packaged in a variety of formats, and published in print publications, on television news, radio shows, and a variety of online news platforms. News is meant to inform and not influence the public, and is written in a straightforward style, that’s easy to understand and digest. A news story is often referred to as ‘hard news’ to differentiate it from softer news items such as sports reports.

Op-ed. The term ‘op-ed’ is derived from its placement opposite a newspaper’s editorial page. An op-ed piece is a short opinion piece (300 to 700 words) written by someone not associated with or employed by the publication. Opinion articles offer an opportunity for journalists to freely express what they think and feel, while simultaneously presenting a cogent argument to back it up. Topics covered can include politics, trends, timely events, or a new policy. In 2021, The New York Times decided to retire the term “op-ed” and instead use “Guest Essays” in reference to opinion pieces written by outside contributors.

Pitch. A pitch in journalism is the written presentation of a story idea to an editor. Some people also call it a query. Freelance writers and journalists are far too familiar with this term. Like a sales pitch, a query will try to persuade an editor that a story idea is worth publishing, because of its importance, timeliness, impact, and value to the audience.

Source. A source in journalism can refer to a person, interview, speech, document, video, an official record, data, book, or article. This is the information reporters rely on to build a strong, credible, and substantive story. There are two types of sources, primary and secondary. A primary source is firsthand evidence, raw information, and original research material. It can be an interview the journalist conducted with someone who witnessed or participated in an event or has direct knowledge of a subject, or the material written by such an eyewitness (a diary, report, or transcript). It can refer to data and statistics, results of polls and surveys, government documents (such as reports of legislative sessions), photographs, or video. Sources also include audio recordings, speeches, and interviews with government officials, business leaders, politicians, and organizations. A secondary source is citation, commentary, interpretation of, or an analysis of a primary source – an article, book, a reference to an existing interview, or a review of data or research. Using secondary source material means a journalist did not experience the event firsthand and did not conduct the research themselves, so they are one step removed from the primary source. An anonymous source is someone who provides information but does not reveal their identity to the journalist. It can also refer to a source who is known to the journalist and editorial staff but does not want to reveal their identity publicly. Most people have probably heard of incidents where courts have attempted to force journalists to reveal their sources.

Story Angle. An angle in journalism is how a story is approached, its point of view or perspective. A journalist can present a story from many different viewpoints that engage and inform the audience. For example, if a journalist is assigned to cover a hurricane’s aftermath, they could generate stories from many angles. Human interest stories are the most impactful. It could be a general report on all the damage and losses, injuries and fatalities, the devastation in a particular town, or an in-depth look at one family’s loss. It could be a retelling of a dramatic survival incident, a piece on the work of rescuers, how animals are being saved from floods, or the story of a mule train packing in supplies to desperate victims in hard-to-reach areas.

Stringer. A stringer is a freelance reporter, videographer, or photographer, who is assigned by a media outlet to cover stories on an ongoing basis. They are not an employee and usually cover a particular beat, whether a specialty or geographical area.

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The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

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