THE CORRESPONDENT
Too often the complaint against the newspaper is that it is
sensation-seeking and has a predilection for scandal and
unsavory gossip. Men and women, including some of eminent
rank in their own professions, although having only a slight
knowledge of the making of a newspaper, have a habit of saying
in their ignorance that newspapers give preference to crime,
divorce and scandal. It is even added that it is impossible to
get wholesome news into a newspaper.
This opinion is wrong. It not only does injustice to most
newspapers, but, in a measure, it offers insult to the readers
of those newspapers. As a general thing newspapers give
preference to only one thing--news. But news is news only when
it relates to something of present interest in an interesting
way.--From an editorial in the Washington (D. C.) _Times_.
In addition to getting the service of one of the big news gathering
organizations, such as the Associated Press, and maintaining
correspondents in the leading cities of the country, the metropolitan
newspaper receives a vast amount of material from special
correspondents in the cities and towns in its immediate territory. By
immediate territory is meant those states in which the mail edition
of the paper has its greatest circulation. Chicago papers, for
example, circulate not only in Illinois, but reach into Wisconsin,
Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and parts of Missouri, Ohio and Minnesota. St.
Louis and Kansas City papers have a broad field in the Southwest. The
newspaper’s function is to give all the important news of the nation
and the world, and to give besides the special news of that section of
the country which it serves. It is to the end that news within this
territory may be covered, or covered more fully than it would be by a
national news gathering organization, that the paper maintains a corps
of special correspondents.
A special correspondent is in effect an out-of-town reporter for the
paper he represents, working under the direction of the telegraph
editor just as the local reporter works under the city editor. The
only difference is that he is not in as close touch with his chief as
the local man. Though now and then he may get a definite assignment
by wire, he works largely on his own initiative. This is added reason
why he should cultivate a “nose for news” and the art of writing news.
A mistake made by wire is usually harder to correct than a mistake
made in the office. Time is lost and unnecessary expense incurred if
the correspondent sends in a slipshod story about which the office
has to ask questions. The correspondent is as much an agent of the
paper as the local reporter. He is responsible for all the news in a
given territory, and if wide-awake and efficient he can do much toward
increasing the prestige of his paper in his community.
WRITING FOR THE WIRE
The general rules that govern all news writing apply with equal
or greater force to the telegraph story. So far from taking an
unworthy advantage of his comparative freedom from supervision, the
correspondent should feel perhaps even more keenly than the local
reporter the news writer’s obligation to be absolutely fair and
accurate. It goes without saying that he should be concise, because
the newspaper pays for every word that he sends over the wire. On the
other hand he should never sacrifice clearness to save a few words.
Few newspapers want their dispatches skeletonized--boiled down, that
is, by the omission of such words as “the” and “of.” If the dispatch
is skeletonized intelligently, the editor in the office can easily
supply the missing words, but most newspapers consider that any saving
effected in this way is more than offset by the loss of time in editing
the story. Unless a newspaper specifically states that it wants its
news in skeleton form, the correspondent should put it on the wire
exactly as he would like to see it in print.
In estimating the value of his story to the paper he serves, the
correspondent should never let his personal interest in the doings of
his own community bias his judgment. A story that is worth a column
of space in his local paper may be of no value whatever to a paper
published 100 miles away. In “sizing up” a story let the correspondent
imagine himself a stranger, in the community for the first time. What
would be of interest to him? What, in other words, is of more than
purely local concern? Not the fact, surely, that a new sidewalk is
being laid on Elm street. That is a matter in which the residents on
Elm street, Smithville, may be vitally interested, but it has no news
value outside of Smithville. The correspondent who makes a newspaper
pay tolls on trivial items is certain to get a peremptory order to stop
sending, and if he is not an authorized correspondent, the telegraph
tolls may be charged back to him.
No newspaper worthy of the name will knowingly print fake stories. If
for no other reason than self-interest, the correspondent should hew
close to the narrow line of truth, for the faker cannot hope long to
escape detection and dismissal. Neither should the correspondent try
to win favor by inserting in his stories “puffs” of persons to whom he
feels indebted for information. The writer who seeks to use the columns
of a newspaper for personal ends is unfaithful to the trust reposed in
him as the newspaper’s agent. Newspapers are in the business of buying
and selling news. They want the facts that are news--and the facts only.
SOME PITFALLS TO BE AVOIDED
“Remember,” the Chicago _Record-Herald_ tells its correspondents in
a pamphlet of instructions, “that while news is always truth, the
truth is not always news.” Essentially the same warning is given
by other newspapers. While it applies partly to matters of trivial
importance, it is intended chiefly to put the correspondent on his
guard against stories that are forbidden by good taste or decency. When
a gossipy individual approaches a correspondent and whispers that he
has something “that will make good reading,” the chances are he will
tell something that no reputable newspaper would print. The writer
should beware of malicious gossip and unfounded rumors. Things that
are merely rumored are not news. No newspaper cares to give space to
libelous matter and no newspaper that is edited on right principles
will intentionally print anything that will injure the reputation of an
innocent person.
The _Record-Herald_ thus states some of the pitfalls that are to be
avoided:
“If John Smith leaves town and Mrs. Jones precedes or follows him,
thereby causing local scandalmongers to intimate that they have eloped,
don’t send it; the chances are that the gossip is false, and in no way
can a correspondent do more irreparable damage.
“If John Smith has been financially hard up and suddenly disappears,
suffering, perhaps, severe mental strain, don’t send a dispatch that he
is an absconder or an embezzler. He may be neither.
“Or if John Smith be removed from some position of trust, and his
employer has seen fit to put experts at work on his books, don’t jump
to the conclusion that John is a defaulter, and don’t send a dispatch
that he is under suspicion. Facts, not suspicions, are news.
“Be careful never to confound the name of the plaintiff for that of
the defendant, or vice versa; nor the name of a person making an
arrest for that of the person arrested; nor the name of a lawyer for
that of the client whom he is defending--in short, remember that it
is reprehensible, if not actually libelous, to accuse any person of
anything that some other person stands accused of.
“Never draw conclusions adverse to conduct or character; never comment
upon the facts. Let the facts themselves tell the whole story.
“Carefully scrutinize and consider any court news affecting business
standings or business transactions. Ex parte statements filed in court
are always one-sided, sometimes malicious, and may be libelous. Not
infrequently such statements are filed in the hope that they will find
their way into print and thus damage the credit or reputation of the
person assailed. The fact that such a statement or petition has been
filed does not necessarily justify publication.
“Be wary at all times of stories affecting the professional repute of
doctors, lawyers, preachers and members of other professions largely
dependent upon the esteem in which they are held.
“Shun, whenever it is possible, all stories affecting the characters of
women.”
WHAT NOT TO SEND
Here are some of the things that most newspapers include in their lists
of what not to send:
1. Trivial accidents, such as the breaking of an arm or leg by
machinery, unless the person hurt is of wide prominence.
2. Insignificant robberies or burglaries.
3. Murders in which the persons concerned are obscure or in which there
is no element of mystery.
4. Unmentionable offenses, breach of promise, abandonment and similar
cases. If, however, the circumstances are very unusual, send the facts
guardedly, but only the facts that can be verified through judicial
proceedings. “Such stories,” the Chicago _Tribune_ adds, “should be
handled with extreme care. Where lynching or attempts to lynch follow
assaults, that fact should be bulletined immediately.”
5. Daily accounts of trials, murder or otherwise, unless specifically
ordered.
6. Puffs of individuals, hotels, etc., or any other form of free
advertising. No press agent stories are wanted.
7. Obituaries of obscure persons.
8. Marriages, unless the persons are prominent, in which case notice
should be sent in advance by mail.
9. Ordinary damage suits.
10. Storm news, unless there is loss of life or great property damage.
11. Condition of crops, except in case of rain, frost or drought at
critical times.
12. Ordinary business transactions.
13. Meetings of secret societies, except state or national meetings.
14. Accounts of county fairs or picnics, unless ordered.
15. Abstracts of sermons, unless they contain some striking news
feature.
16. Reports of celebrations, unless persons of state or national
prominence attend, or of the general observance of Christmas, New
Year’s or the Fourth of July.
17. Stories of freaks or monstrosities, such as three-legged chickens.
18. School commencements, meetings of teachers’ institutes, medical
societies, farmers’ alliances and the like, in which the interest is
purely local.
19. Interviews with “a well-known citizen,” “a prominent official” or
any other anonymous individual.
20. Theatrical notices, unless they contain some real news feature.
21. Political speeches or gossip, unless ordered.
22. Fatal accidents to trainmen or obscure persons, except where there
are two or more fatalities.
This list, while not exhaustive, gives a general idea of what is to be
avoided. No set of rules could be drawn up to cover every case with
which the correspondent has to deal. To equip himself to give the
best service he should not only learn the general principles of news
writing, but should study the columns of the newspaper he represents
to find out its particular needs. He should remember, too, that no
rule is iron-clad. A story falling under any head of the foregoing
classification may possess some extraordinary feature that will make
it worth printing. In that case the correspondent should be careful to
build his story around the unusual part.
Most newspapers rely on a news gathering organization for stories of
railroad wrecks, big fires, floods and the like. The correspondent
should never duplicate a story of this kind that he knows will reach
the newspaper through another channel in time for publication. If,
however, an event is of unusually grave importance, or if it happens at
a late hour, the chances are that a special dispatch will be required,
and the correspondent should send a bulletin of the facts immediately.
Alertness in furnishing bulletins of important news is always
appreciated. The correspondent should never under any circumstances
duplicate a story to two newspapers in the same city.
WHAT TO SEND
A careful reading of a list of “Don’ts” will give the correspondent
a fair idea of what the newspaper does want. In addition he should
remember that nearly every newspaper has a hobby--a fondness for a
certain class of news of which it makes a specialty. This hobby may be
the gathering of news that will help along the cause of good roads, or
statistics of Fourth of July accidents, or sporting news; whatever it
is, the correspondent can make it a source of profit.
The Cincinnati _Enquirer_, for example, is particularly insistent that
its correspondents keep it informed regarding sporting events. The
Chicago Tribune includes in its book of instructions a list of “Tribune
Specialties.” These are:
Unique statistics.
Cigaret stories, legal, legislative, deaths, insanity, etc.
Animal stories--by mail.
Unique hunting and fishing stories--by mail.
Interesting personalities about men and women in the public
eye--by mail.
Odd photographs.
Scientific discoveries.
Stories of romance--by mail.
Short human-interest stories, things that will bring smiles or tears
to men and women everywhere, are always in demand. It is a perverted
notion that all newspapers are eager to get so-called scandal news. The
“cleaner” the story, the more likely it is to be printed.
For a newspaper published, say, in Chicago, events involving residents
of Chicago have a special value beyond their ordinary worth as news. In
such cases street addresses should always be sent.
Advance notices should be sent by mail of weddings of prominent
persons, of coming elections and political conventions of all parties,
and of all meetings in which there is more than local interest. If
predictions as to the outcome of an election are desired, go to the
political leaders; the personal opinions of the correspondent are not
wanted.
Stories of important business transactions and movements in the
industrial world are nearly always acceptable.
If the newspaper you represent uses illustrations, don’t overlook an
opportunity to get good pictures. Photographs illustrating important
news stories should be mailed at the earliest possible moment. Use
special delivery stamps and wire the newspaper that you have mailed a
package which will reach the city at a certain time.
SPORTING NEWS
Special instructions regarding sporting matter are given by many
newspapers. Note the following:
Never take sides in controversies.
Send pictures of the winners of important sporting events.
In sending summaries of trotting meetings, always observe the
newspaper’s style.
Do not send accounts of prize fights between men of only local
reputation, except in case of death or severe injury. Send to the
sporting editor by mail advance notice of all important contests, and
if possible send photographs of the fighters in advance.
Be absolutely sure of your facts before stating that a record has been
broken.
Never say that a contest is for the championship of a city, county or
state, or any other championship, when such is not the case.
Watch for general news features. For example, if a spectator is killed
at a baseball game, say so at once. Never bury facts of general
interest under a story that will interest only those who read the
sporting page.
Be prompt. The sporting page as a rule goes to press early, and stories
are often left out, especially on Saturday nights, because they reach
the office too late. File stories of Saturday afternoon events as soon
as possible.
HOW TO SEND
The correspondent sends his story in one of three ways--by telegraph,
mail or long-distance telephone.
Practically all news of immediate interest is sent by telegraph. Assume
that you are the correspondent of a morning newspaper and at 5 o’clock
in the afternoon have a story of a fire and panic in a theater, in
which five persons were killed and twelve injured. You have plenty of
time to send what the newspaper calls a query--a brief dispatch setting
forth the salient facts of the story. Nearly all newspapers require
their correspondents to file queries on early news.
An acceptable query in this case would be:
“Theater fire and panic; five dead; twelve injured; five hundred.” This
means that you are prepared to furnish 500 words on the story. It is
unnecessary to say, “Do you want the news?” or “How much?” The dispatch
in itself is a question.
Get your story into shape to put on the wire without delay if it is
ordered. If it is not wanted, no reply to the query will be received.
Assume that the story is ordered in this dispatch: “Rush three hundred
fifty theater fire.” That means that the correspondent is to keep his
story within 350 words. The fact that a newspaper does not order a
story or orders less than the correspondent offers does not necessarily
imply that his news judgment is questioned. Stories that ordinarily
would be used may be crowded out by a rush of news of greater
importance. One story like that of the San Francisco earthquake and
fire will cause the omission or rigid condensation of news that usually
would be “featured.” Sometimes the correspondent’s story is not ordered
because the facts are covered in the reports of a news gathering
organization as fully as the newspaper desires.
After the date line at the beginning of your story write the time of
filing, thus: “Centralia, Mo., June 6.--Filed 6:30 P. M.” This will
enable the newspaper to fix the blame if the dispatch is delayed. In
sending more than one story make each a separate dispatch, with date
line and signature.
For morning newspapers file all day news as early as possible, but
instruct the telegraph operator not to send until 6 P. M., when the
night press rate, which is cheaper than the day rate, goes into effect.
Promptness is essential. News matter received after 11 P. M. is likely
to be thrown away unless of great importance.
Never write a “blind” query, such as “prominent citizen killed” or
“horrible accident.” State plainly and specifically what your news is.
It is especially important that the correspondent observe this rule
in sending late news of comparatively small happenings. Much can be
compressed into a hundred words. If it is too late to order more, your
dispatch--in this case a compressed news story rather than a query--can
be treated as complete in itself.
HANDLING THE BIG STORY
The rules that apply to the sending of the early story may be waived
when the correspondent has late news of big, vital importance. The
main thing then is to get the story into the office, and get it there
as quickly as he can. The Cincinnati _Enquirer_ says: “Never postpone
sending in a good piece of news. Get it to us somehow, no matter at
what hour the event may occur. Remember that a few words of an item
to-night are worth more than a column of the same to-morrow night.”
That is a good rule for the correspondent. Do not delay sending news in
the hope that it will be allowed greater space if you hold it a day.
Assume that you have the story of a railroad wreck in which a dozen
passengers were killed. You are sure the story will be wanted. It is
10 o’clock at night. There is not time to query and get instructions.
As soon as possible send a brief bulletin, telling what the news is
and about how many words you will have. Then begin to send the story
at once. Don’t wait until you have completed the story before handing
it to the telegraph operator. Give him the lead and write the story as
he works. Send the big facts first, then the details. Write simply and
naturally, without padding.
If you cannot get to a telegraph wire, do not hesitate to use the
long-distance telephone. Have your facts well in mind so that you can
tell them without an expensive waste of time. A big story may be rushed
into type for the city edition of a morning newspaper as late as 2:30
o’clock or even later. News that is important enough to warrant “making
over” the first page or the issuance of an extra edition is available
up to 4 or 5 o’clock.
Evening newspapers, as a rule, are essentially local in character,
and hence use less special telegraph matter than those published in
the morning. But a big story is a big story at any hour of the day or
night, and if it develops in time for day publication the correspondent
of an evening newspaper should use every effort to get it in. The St.
Louis _Post-Dispatch_ says: “In the early hours of the morning--say up
to 10 or 11 o’clock--a brief bulletin on any important news item will
be sufficient; if the telegraph editors want more they will notify
you by wire. But after that hour the _Post-Dispatch_ would rather
have too much of a good thing than not enough. Remember that the Home
Edition--the principal edition of the _Post-Dispatch_--is practically
closed to its correspondents at noon. If anything BIG happens in your
locality about that time, rush it to the _Post-Dispatch_ without any
preliminary notification. Do not hesitate to ‘take a chance’ at any
time if you believe you have something that the _Post-Dispatch_ would
like to know about.”
SENDING BY MAIL
Feature stories, which are as interesting at one time as another,
obviously should be sent by mail. To what extent the correspondent
should use the mails for matter of more immediate interest depends
somewhat on the instructions he receives from his office. As a rule,
early news matter for a morning newspaper should be sent by mail if the
correspondent is sure his letter will reach the office by 10 o’clock
at night. If news of great importance is mailed, wire the office to
that effect, telling what train your letter is on. Most newspapers
furnish special envelopes to their correspondents for use in mailing
stories. Don’t hesitate to use a special delivery stamp in mailing
important news. It is often possible for the correspondent to send news
in advance by mail, to be held until a dispatch is received from him
releasing the story for publication. A speech or a report of which the
correspondent has an advance copy may be handled in this way to save
telegraph tolls and time.
For the evening paper, stories of the late afternoon or night may be
sent by mail when the correspondent is certain they will reach the
office early in the morning. But an important story, which depends for
its interest on immediate publication, should never be entrusted to
the mails when there is any likelihood that it will not be received on
time. In brief, the correspondent should strive to get all worth-while
news for the paper he serves and get it to his office first.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Below are some general instructions that hold good for the
correspondent of any newspaper, in any territory:
1. Don’t send more than ordered.
2. Keep the local telegraph office informed of your address and
telephone number, so that messages may be delivered to you at any time.
3. Get a substitute to do your work when you are temporarily absent
from town. Have him sign dispatches with your name to avoid confusion
in accounts.
4. Make it a point to keep on friendly terms with the telegraph
operators. They can often be of great service.
5. Write your dispatches plainly.
6. If possible, use the typewriter in preparing stories to be mailed.
7. Never send letters or photographs by express. The express companies
deliver only during the day.
8. Study the style of the newspaper you represent by comparing your
stories as sent with the stories as printed.
9. Spell out round numbers in dispatches.
10. When an extract from a speech or a document is sent by wire,
indicate the beginning of the quoted matter with the word “quote” and
the end with the words “end quote.”
11. Incur any legitimate expense in getting important news and
photographs. If possible, however, query the office and get
instructions before doing so.
PAYMENT
The correspondent is paid on the basis of matter used. Rates vary,
but the average is $5 a column, usually estimated at 1,500 words.
Extra payment is allowed for exclusive news. A few newspapers require
correspondents to send in at the end of each month a “string” of
their published stories, but the majority keep an account with each
correspondent by means of credit tabs showing the date of each story,
the name of the sender and the number of words.