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News Instructions
September 24, 2001
Gayle Grin, For the American Press Institute ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Gayle Grin is assistant managing editor for the National Post in Toronto.
Here are some of her tips for handling crisis coverage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------Do these immediately:
* Find a designated writer: Put your top writer on the lead story.
* Designate a lead copy reader to check for consistency and accuracy.
* Designate a television watcher.
* Designate an organizer for the columnist s; give them clear mandates.
* Consider a reader poll.
* Compile a list of experts to call.
* Raid the files; create history through clippings.
The news report should contain:
* A 6,000-word write-through (How did we get from there to here?)
* Re-creation, re-living of the experience
* Chronology
* Profiles of victims
* User's guide: where to go to sign condolence books, send money, watch events, etc.
* Full-page images
* Themed pages
* References to books and other literature on the topic
* Best quotes from and about (always get pictures of quote-makers)
* Humanizing column
* Comparisons with other disasters or achievements (context)
* Records and statistics
* First-person pieces
* Interviews with people who have to deal with the crisis (rescue workers, for example).
* Lists and rankings
* Itinerary
* Review of TV coverage
* Invitations for reader responses by e-mail, voice mail or letter.
* Web site tie-ins (e-mail messages)