Beat reporting, also known as specialized reporting, is a genre of
journalism
Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the " news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (pro ...
focused on a particular issue, sector, organization, or institution over time.
Description
Beat
reporters
A journalist is an individual that collects/gathers information in form of text, audio, or pictures, processes them into a news-worthy form, and disseminates it to the public. The act or process mainly done by the journalist is called journalism ...
build up a base of knowledge on and gain familiarity with the topic, allowing them to provide insight and commentary in addition to reporting straight facts. Generally, beat reporters will also build up a rapport with sources that they visit again and again, allowing for trust to build between the journalist and their source of information. This distinguishes them from other
journalist
A journalist is an individual that collects/gathers information in form of text, audio, or pictures, processes them into a news-worthy form, and disseminates it to the public. The act or process mainly done by the journalist is called journalis ...
s who might cover similar stories from time to time.
Journalists become invested in the beats they are reporting for, and become passionate about mastering that beat.
[Ryfe, D. M. (2009)Structure, agency, and change in an American newsroom. 665-683] Beat reporters often deal with the same sources day after day, and must return to those sources regardless of their relationship with them.
[Scanlan, C. (2011). Beat reporting: what does it take to be the best. Poynter Institute.] Those sources may or may not be pleased with the reporting of the reporters.
[ It is pertinent that beat reporters contact their sources quickly, obtain all necessary information, and write on deadline.][
According to media sociologists, beat reporting occurs because of the limited time reporters are given to cover stories.][Berkowitz, Daniel A. (1997) Social Meanings of News: A Text-reader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications] For big scoops, beats are not necessarily as useful as other journalism types.[ Some of the best inside stories, such as Bay of Pigs and Watergate, did not come from beat reporting.][
Beat reporters collect information from each person they meet while reporting.][Galbraith, K. (2010) The Capriciousness of Beats. Nieman Reports, 64(4), 5-6.] They routinely call, visit, and e-mail sources to obtain any new information for articles.[ When reporters have experience on a specific beat, they are able to gain both knowledge and sources to lead them to new stories relating to that beat.][ Beats are able to help reporters define their roles as journalists, and also avoid overlap of stories within the newsroom.][
]
Etymology
The term comes from the noun ''beat
Beat, beats or beating may refer to:
Common uses
* Patrol, or beat, a group of personnel assigned to monitor a specific area
** Beat (police), the territory that a police officer patrols
** Gay beat, an area frequented by gay men
* Battery (c ...
'' in the sense of an assigned regular route or habitual path, as for a policeman. By analogy, the beat of a reporter is the topic they have been assigned for reporting. Similarly, a beat reporter will follow the same routes or habitual paths in collecting new information on a specified topic. The role of the reporter is to deliver the news, show the story according to their perspective and observations, give us the insights, comment on it and to submit the report of the issues on the given period of time.
Prizes
Several organisations award prizes for beat reporting, of which the Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting
The Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting was presented from 1991 to 2006 for a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity.
From 1985 to 1990 it was known as the ...
, discontinued in 2007, is possibly the best known. Other awards that have a category for beat reporting include the Gerald Loeb Awards, the Canadian National Newspaper Awards The National Newspaper Awards (french: link=no, Concours canadien de journalisme) are prizes awarded annually for the best work in Canadian newspapers.
Synopsis
The awards were first given in 1949 by the Toronto Press Club, which ran the awards u ...
, and the SEJ Awards.
References
External links
Deadbeats
- On the Media radio program, 12 September 2014
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beat reporting
Types of journalism
Journalism terminology