Debrief 04/11/13

There appear to be a few errors in the text stories on the site. We need to make sure that these are subbed properly and edited to be fit for the site. We did really well to get a press release for the camera's being allowed into court story before anyone else including Sky News. 

Here are a few points on writing text stories and sub editing:

• In a headline we must always have a subject (who), verb(to address), object(what or where).
• The second paragraph is usually the move follows and why it has happened. Quotes should be presented further on in the story and must be strong. 
• There should be no punctuation errors as there are no excuses for these.
• Sub editors should not have to re write stories they should just simply edit a few errors
• Rule- after a quote you should not put 'he said' unless you spoke to the person directly. You need to simply say where you found this quote e.g. in the statement he said. You must not lift quotes without attribution to where it is from. It is ok to lift quotes from a paper but they must be attributed. For example you can write 'speaking to the press' or 'he told reporters' you do not need to name the paper. If it was from Twitter, then you simply state 'he tweeted'.
• You can lift around 30 words, 3 sentences for it to be passed off as lifting.
• Your sentence should include verbs of attribution 'In a statement today … said.. and when' if it isn't current then you state he 'says'.
• Try not to use the words 'he believed' or 'he revealed'
• Comment VS Fact. A comment is an opinion and should be written in their voice whereas facts are something that are independently verifiable truth statements and should always be in your voice.
• The more facts the better the journalism however you must check all facts as if you say something is a fact and it is not true it is a bad fatal error.
• If you do not have time to check a fact then leave it out of your work or fudge a fact. This means you attribute the fact which at times is not worth it.
• It is a fatal error to pass comment off as fact
• If a responsible official tells you a fact wrong and you can prove it in your notes or tape it isn't your fault but is still not good as it will have your name on it.
• If the fact cannot be checked leave it out if it doesn't make a difference to the story
• Quotes are for comment and a load of rubbish
• Make sure all stories are localised 
• Facts, quotes, intro headline, perfectly punctuated makes a written story correct
• There should be no personal take on a story it is best to remain impartial and just explain the story literally
• Function first when identifying people unless its a celebrity
• There should be no more ellipsis in sentences shorten a sentence by using a word like 'adding' it should be written as 'quote', he said adding: 'quote'
• Subject and verb must agree on tense, case and plural. The subject should always be people.
• The cat sat on the mat is a perfect sentence. The subject is the cat, the verb sat is relative as it can be attached to the cat because it can sit and the mat is the object as the cat can sit on it.
• Sentences should always be in the active voice and this should be used when possible
• Do not be wrong is very important as you will receive lots of complaints if you are. Chris referred to his old red bus where he stated that they had broken gear boxes when in fact all of their gear boxes had been replaced that year.
• Decide what the best subject is of a story, an active subject is better especially if the person is doing something
• There is a discussion needed about the news editor changing each week or if it should remain one nominated person each semester, as this can prevent problems with sub editing etc.
• You need to try not to be supportive of everything you write and not feel you have to word it as the company or councillor says. It is best to remain impartial and simply state the facts of what is happening and remain cautious of little words like 'aids society' or 'provides for' as in actual fact it may not.
• You should not leave the room until you and the sub are happy with what has been written as they may need to check things with you.
• Quotes should be written as the person has spoken to you and should not really include fancy wording or any type of editing.

Absolute:ly

As for fashion this week we have a few features being completed for the site, however we are all concentrating on the big photo shoot that will hopefully take place at the end of this month. We will be planning models and sending emails out for clothing to be loaned. We will also be sorting out both a hair and makeup artist to style the models for the shoot.

We will also be looking forward to uploading our first columnist piece this week 'Pamela Styles' who is concentrating on 'what's hot or not' for Autumn/Winter season.

We have announced our competition winner and are waiting for her to collect the prizes. We did well with the competition as we received over 11 entries to choose a winner from.

I am happy for everyone to work on the shoot this week to make sure that by the middle of next week if possible it is all planned and organised ready for the end of the month. I know from the meeting Chris wasn't sure about the body painting for this shoot but I will discuss this with him as it does seem like a different and interesting idea to carry out.