Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
Beat is a journalistic term used to refer to segmented area or particular field a
reporter is assigned to monitor and report from there on a regular basis. The act of
monitoring and covering assigned beats for the purpose of publication is referred to
as beat reporting. This is another angle to the discussion on specialised reporting.
This unit will concentrate on beat reporting, types and the kind of reporters
assigned to cover particular beats.
What is a Beat?
A beat is a reporters assigned area of responsibility. A beat may be an institution,
such as the National Assembly; a geographical area, such as a small town or an
entire city/town, or a subject area, such as science and technology, business etc.
Types of Beats
There are two types of beats.
The first is the topical beat. Topical beats thrive because the media audience
constantly needs updates from such topical subject. Some topical beats are
education, politics, business, economy, science and technology, health, and so on.
The second type of beat is the geographical beat. Geographical beat require the
reporter to report from specific location on all topical issues and subject matter.
1) POLITICAL REPORTING
INTRODUCTION
Covering politics requires a broad range of knowledge of political science or
at least the basic knowledge of governmental structures and the operational
system of government at whatever level. A political reporter must also
understand the dynamics of human societies. This is vital for his coverage of
the beat because he will sure be dealing with complex human beings called
politicians.
1. The editorial policy of the particular media organisation may conflict with
the political reporters perception of the issues. This is evident when the
media organisation becomes partisan or semi partisan in the political affairs
of the nations.
2. In the developing societies, politics is sometimes seen as a do-or die affair.
This perspective makes politics always violent prone in the developing. Many
journalists have lost their lives covering politics in the developing nations.
This remains a big challenge in political reporting.
3. Another major challenge associated with political reporting is that some
reporters have gotten into the habit of becoming very close with politicians
thereby influencing their judgment of the issues.
4. Some reporters in this beat sometimes find it difficult remain neutral in
political issues and party politics. They also find it difficult to remain neutral
or hide their political views. Thus, it is not surprising to have Liberals,
Democrats, Republicans and others amongst the journalists. This affects
objectivity and fairness in the daily coverage of their beat.
2) PARLIAMEN REPORTING
Parliamentary reporting is a technical and sensitive assignment. A Reporter has to take care of
certain points if he would like to be a successful reporter.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBER
You are a stranger; you are bound by the rules.
Observe very basic conduct and parliamentary tradition.
Must comply with all standing orders.
Read National Assembly (Powers & Privileges) Act.
Never carry any recording device such as tape recorder, video camera, cell phone, or film
equipment into Parliament unless specifically authorized.
Familiarize yourself with proceedings.
Simply sit, listen and take notes.
Never rely on the notes made by any other reporter.
Seek the assistance of the parliamentary secretariat staff on information you need.
Present all issues and leave judgment to the readers.
If you have any doubt about an important News point, have a follow up meeting with MP to
clarify the point.
PARLIMANTRY REPORTING
Parliamentary reporting is a specialized job. Only experienced and a person who has the nose
for parliament courage can do this job. Parliament reporting is a sensitive assignment. You
should be well versed on the following if you are interested to become a parliamentary
reporter:
Read the constitution?
Read the parliamentary procedure act?
Know what is adjournment Motion, Privilege motion, Question hour, Point of order.
How these motions can be moved and how they are disposed off?
The procedure of law making?