Handling the Editor-Reporter Chat
The following are points developed by John Miller, chair of the Ryerson School of Journalism, and given out as a handout during the coaching writers' segment at a National Copy Editors Seminar in the early '90s.
- BE SPECIFIC: Tell why you're meeting and what bothers you. Tell why the story bothers you -not just "It sounds better this way," or "I want it done this way"... but "You really drive this story home to me in the twenty-third paragraph; let's think of making that the lead." Reporters want specific advice and criticism. Being specific helps you keep the discussion on track.
- BE COLLABORATIVE: Think carefully about how you begin this chat. Make it seem like an opportunity to make the reporter's story better rather than a big problem he or she has caused you. You're part of a team. Give the reporter credit for what's positive - even if it's only an interesting fact in the fifth paragraph, or a great anecdote buried near the end.
- LISTEN: The most important skill. Asking the reporter why he or she approached the story this way gets 'em into the conversation on equal footing. They might explain some background that puts your feelings about the story in a new light. Or they might totally fail to justify the approach, and know it, allowing you to get your points in unimpeded. Clarify and confirm: Show the reporter you're listening, "So what you're saying is that you found the stuff about the lawyer more grabby than the stuff about the prostitute?" Listening and soliciting feedback breaks down the obstacles between what you meant and what was heard.
- LET THEM DO IT: When there's time, resist the urge to rework the story yourself. If they do it, they've learned.
- KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT: If structure is the big problem, focus on that first. If missing information is, focus on that. Keep it on track.
- SECURE AGREEMENT: Don't just ask "Is it clear what I want?" The answer will inevitably be a surly "yeah." Have the reporter tell you what the two of you have just agreed to do. Then, there's no misunderstanding.
- RECOGNIZE THE WIDER PROBLEM: Know when to stop. If the chat isn't working, break it off and talk later when the pressure of this story is off. Acknowledge an attitude problem if it exists, and suggest you talk about it separately. If story organization is an ongoing problem, suggest the reporter work from a written outline.
(John Miller, a former deputy managing editor at The Toronto Star, teaches journalism at Ryerson. He is available to help out in newsrooms in any fashion; e.g., an extra resource person on the desk, coaching, diversity training, helping launch new sections, re-evaluating old ones and headline writing. He can be reached at: jmiller@ryerson.ca)