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CCJ Books

The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect

Completely updated and revised
"The most important book on the relationship of journalism and democracy published in the last fifty years." – Roy Peter Clark, The Poynter Institute

We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too

Just Released
A landmark study on what people watch and why. The most exhaustive study ever of local TV news -- what helps ratings, what drives viewers away, and what editorial approaches and story-telling techniques most influence viewership.

Conquering the Consumer Beat

Deborah Potter, Executive Director, NewsLab, July 30, 2006

From CCJ partner NewsLab.

From all indications, one of the fastest growing beats in local TV news these days is consumer reporting. It's also one of the broadest. Consumer reporters can be investigators, uncovering scams or scandals. They can be viewer advocates, responding to specific complaints. Or they can focus on product comparisons or other "news you can use." The first task for any newsroom planning a consumer beat is to define the franchise. Then comes the challenge of telling stories day in and day out without relying on formulas that quickly become stale. So how do you keep a consumer beat from consuming you, while still providing viewers with the information they need?

This tip sheet offers some suggestions, plus a guide to Internet resources on consumer issues. Read the anatomy of one consumer story, and view it online.

Define the Franchise

Tell the Story

Use the Web

Click here for more details on NewsLab.org.

J-Tools

CCJ has collected some of journalism's best ideas, strategies and techniques to help journalists and citizens alike.

view a-z index