“Tell me a story.” That simple but vital instruction was made famous by legendary “60 Minutes” creator Don Hewitt. It is advice I like to remember when writing a TV news story.
Make it accurate, make it fair. But make sure it’s memorable.
Television news is a team venture. When a videographer and a reporter work together well in the field, the results can be powerful. Add a newspaper with a tradition of great reporting, and the combination can yield terrific broadcast journalism.
“We’re here to inform. There’s no rule that says television news should be boring.”
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s a big asset for a reporter. Idle questions, everyday chit-chat, and just plain listening have helped me discover some big stories.
And there has to be a good amount of probing, some skepticism, and a lot of fact-checking. Legend has it the City News Bureau in Chicago had a sign on the wall that reads somewhat like this: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out!”
But it all comes back to storytelling. We’re here to inform. There’s no rule that says television news should be boring.