Finding the News tells Peter Copeland’s fast-paced story of becoming a distinguished journalist. Starting in Chicago as a night police reporter, Copeland went on to work as a war correspondent in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa before covering national politics in Washington, DC, where he rose to be bureau chief of the E. W. Scripps Company. The lessons he learned about accuracy and fairness during his long career are especially relevant today, given widespread concerns about the performance of the media, potential bias, and the proliferation of so-called “fake news.” He offers an honest and revealing narrative, told with surprising humor, about how he learned the craft of news reporting. Copeland’s story begins in 1980, when a colleague hastily declared him a full-fledged reporter after barely four days of training. He went on to learn the business the old-fashioned way: by chasing the news in thirty countries and across five continents. As a young person entering journalism and reporting during some of recent history’s most fraught military situations— including Operation Desert Storm and the US invasions of Panama and Somalia—Copeland discovered the craft was his calling. Looking back on his career, Copeland asserts his most important lessons were not about reporting, writing, or the latest technologies, but about the core values that underlie quality journalism: accuracy, fairness, and speed. Replete with behind-the-scenes stories about learning the trade, Copeland’s inspiring account builds into a heartfelt defense of journalism “done the right way” and serves as a call to action for today’s reporters. The values he learned as a cub reporter are needed now more than ever, he argues, as the integrity and motives of even seasoned journalists are called into question by political partisans. Copeland admits that those critics are not entirely wrong but contends that exciting new technologies, combined with a return to old-school news values, could usher in a golden age of journalism.

Originally available only to Associated Press members, this is the definitive guide to writing and delivering the news on radio, television, and other broadcast media. While the focus throughout is on the art of finding, researching, writing, editing, producing, and delivering authoritative, accurate, and exciting news stories, it also provides a wealth of information on key technical aspects involved, such as how to handle a microphone and how many tape recorders to carry in the field. An indispensable resource for students and experienced broadcast journalists alike, this Handbook also includes a comprehensive, quick-reference style guide covering the established norms and practices in punctuation, tone, diction, use of foreign terms, references, and much more.

"This book provides you with the tools to find the facts-and find them fast. It alerts you to all the resources and techniques that can make you an expert information-gatherer who goes beyond "official sources" and press releases to get the whole story and report it fairly."--Book cover.

"An Introduction to News Reporting" gives beginning reporters the tools to succeed by introducing them to news beats and the people, issues, sources, and stories associated with them. The text begins by reviewing the basics of reporting, including conducting interviews, developing sources, finding documents, and gathering information ethically and legally. It continues with a detailed look at the beats students are most likely to cover as beginning reporters: local government, education, business, police and fire, courts, and others. Features Covers the major beats in any news organization and lists sources for each beat, giving students the tools to begin reporting their stories. Includes the basics of newswriting so instructors can use the text in courses that combine newswriting and reporting. Provides activities at the end of every chapter, giving students a starting point for reporting the beat and guiding instructors in how to teach reporting skills. Provides a list of resources and Web sites in every chapter to give students and instructors additional information on a particular beat and a starting point for researching stories.

Future-Proofing the News: Preserving the First Draft of History examines the history and technology of news reporting in the U.S. and focuses on the decisions that aided or hindered future access. Changing formats of news delivery, business enterprises, and laws have had profound impacts on the ability to find and learn from records of the past.