Out of the office, onto the beat

2007-11-30T11:33:00.001-08:00

When I talk to students about the reporting tasks in a newsroom, I often note that beat reporters have more fun than general assignment reporters. GAs work at the whim of their editors or news directors, covering whatever breaking news story comes down the pike. That might mean a dramatic cops-and-robbers car chase, or it might mean a chicken-n-rice Chamber of Commerce speech. Beat reporters, on the other hand, have a greater chance of controlling their own destinies, covering stories they believe are most important and becoming the expert in the newsroom on their beat topics.

But they have to be prepared.

During the fall semester of the 2007-08 year, 13 students enrolled in a senior capstone class at Miami University called Beat Development learned how to be prepared.

They started the semester by selecting a beat on campus or in Oxford that interested them. They read prior coverage of the beat. They set up an exploratory interview with a key source on the beat, generated some preliminary story ideas and then started producing stories. Over the course of 15 or so weeks, they reported and wrote six different stories from their beats.

In addition to exposing them to the pure kick of being the resident expert, the beat work taught students how to work with sources, look for story ideas, identify new angles, compete against other journalists and make tight deadlines. Not incidentally, quite a few of them produced stories worthy of their portfolios, including ones sure to impress potential employers.

They also learned how to blog -- along with their techno-phobe instructor.

Following are the students, listed in the order they are pictured above, front row, left to right, followed by back row, left to right, and their self-selected beats. Judge for yourself how well they mastered their beats. Just click on their name to attach to their blog. I think you'll agree: they didn't miss a beat.

Betsy Sinn covered Oxford's City Council for class, writing stories about city appointments, development within Oxford, public forums, City Council elections and the city's search for a new city manager.

Lindsay Jackson covered Oxford's legal system, writing stories about students' relationships with local attorneys, headline-making court cases, and student alcohol and legal problems.

Seema A. Choudhary covered student issues on Miami University's campus, writing stories about campus- wide events, changes to university policy, and reaction to two student controversies, a gun protest and an art display.

Rachel Waddick covered the Oxford Police Department, covering such topics as train safety initiatives, the Special Response Team, area hate crime, the OPD motorcycle patrol and the coming retirement of a veteran OPD officer.

Michael Truax covered Miami University RedHawks football through the 2007 season. He wrote game previews, recaps and other related stories.

Katie Streicher covered the Miami University Police Department, writing stories about new technology, hiring procedures, fire response, residence hall safety, officers' children and Adderall use.

Veronica Strickler covered Miami fine arts, including theater, film, visual arts and dance.

Charlie Turner covered Miami's Board of Trustees and some of its fall 2007 priorities.

Emily Stewart covered Fairfield schools, writing stories related to athletics, discipline and politics.

Patrick Deignan covered Miami University Associated Student Government, writing stories about construction on campus, faculty retirements, local elections, city development and ASG's top leader.

Laura Richey covered Middletown schools, writing stories about levies, band competitions, elections, community centers, bus service and more.

Megan Milstead covered part of the School of Fine Arts, writing stories about the new dean and other administrative issues, the architecture and interior design department and some of their student groups' accomplishments, and ongoing construction and lack of space in Fine Arts buildings.

Adam Centner covered Miami's growth and development, writing stories about the proposed student center, the new business school and parking garage, building renovations, residence halls, and a local branch groundbreaking.

Patricia Gallagher Newberry
Lecturer, Miami Journalism Program
Instructor, JRN421A, Beat Development
Fall 2007