Grassroots Communications

Journalism Basics
1 What is Journalism? 2 News and News Worthiness 3 Basic story elements the 5 Ws and 1 H, and

What is grassroots journalism?

Who is a grassroots journalist? What makes a grassroots journalist Where does a grassroots journalist work? Who works with grassroots journalists? Which tools are used by grassroots journalists?

What makes news Man biting a dog

What is news? What makes news? Who makes news in our area? When is news reported?

What Makes news?

Frequency: Events which occur suddenly and fit well with the news organization's schedule are more likely to be reported than those which occur gradually or at inconvenient times of day or night. Long-term trends are not likely to receive much coverage. Negativity: Bad news is more newsworthy than good news. Unexpectedness: If an event is out of the ordinary it will have a greater effect than something which is an everyday occurrence.

What makes news cont

Unambiguity: Events whose implications are clear make for better copy than those which are open to more than one interpretation, or where any understanding of the implications depends on first understanding the complex background in which the events take place. Personalization: Events which can be portrayed as the actions of individuals will be more attractive than one in which there is no such "human interest."

Basic Story Elements inverted pyramid

Introduction Body

Conclusion

5 Ws and H what are these animals?

W

Who?
Who is involved in this story?

Who is affected by it?

Who is the best person to tell the story? Who is missing from this story? Who has more information about this? Who is in conflict in this story? Do they have anything in common? Who else should I talk to about this?

What
What is the point of this story? What am I really trying to say? What surprised me? What is the most important single fact I learned?

What can people do about it?

What happened?

What does the reader, viewer, or listener need to know to understand this story?

What is the history here? What happens next?

Where?
Where did this happen?

Where is this story going next? How will it end?

Where else should I go to get the full story?

When?
When did this happen?

When should I report this story?

When did the turning points occur in this story?

Why?
Why is this happening? Is it an isolated case or part of a trend? Why are people behaving the way they are? What are their motives? Why does this story matter? Why should anyone watch, read, or listen to it? Why am I sure I have this story right?

How?

How did this happen?

How will things be different because of what happened?

How will this story help the reader, listener, or viewer? The community?

How did I get this information? Is the attribution clear?

How would someone describe this story to a friend?

A story Example
In pairs go through the short stories you were given and identify the 5Ws and H What can be improved in the story?

What Makes a Good Story

Short sentences Simple language Short paragraphs Full details Logical Good grammar Correct spellings

Practical 1
Go through a story you will receive and identify its weaknesses

Practical 2
Real stuff You are a grassroots communicator assigned to write a story on how a borehole changed the life of the community. How would you carry out the assignment? List the processes, equipment and people you will talk to. List the questions you will ask each of the people you are to work with. 2) Write a 100 word imaginary story on a new classroom block built by the community with assistance from World Vision.

Feedback & Peer Review

END