Chapter 6

Upside Down Pyramids

1. Would you include balancing comment (in the form of a source’s statement) in a story if you knew that the statement was untrue but could not say so or prove that it was untrue and the source insisted the comment be included?

Yes I would include the balancing comment. A comment from a source is important in that it presents an unbiased story to the public free of persuasion from the journalist. If there is no evidence that the quote is untrue then the journalist has no right to apply bias in the article. The text states that “by providing a comment from both sides of a story fairness and balance essential to the content of the story” p.134.

2 .Because you could not locate a source for balancing comment, would you withhold a story on which you have worked hard? Would your decision change if you knew that an opposing newspaper was planning to run a similar story, reducing the value of your effort?

Page 135 of the text states:

“If people either refuse to comment or cannot be reached for comment, it must be made clear that they were given the opportunity and this should be mentioned high in the story. That makes it obvious to the readers that an effort was made in good faith to be fair and to balance the story.”

Therefore if the journalist has attempted to create fairness but one side has refused to comment it is clear in the article that the journalist would not be held accountable. As a journalist I would still run the story although a competing newspaper was running a similar one. By two papers printing the story a greater balance and diversity of coverage is allowed for.

3. You are sent to report from the scene of a major uncontrolled fire in a high-rise building. People are trapped inside. What dangers should you look out for? Who would you interview? When would you start writing the story?

On arrival at the scene of the story it would be important to note the key hazards of the fire to ensure the safety of myself and others – but also it is important to not get in the way of emergency persons who are attempting to do their work. While the story is important it is equally important to be aware of any potential hazards that may occur.

4. It would not be appropriate to interview emergency workers whilst they are working, however after the fire if one is available they would be suitable, persons who got out or lived in the building, and onlookers.

From your reading of news stories, do you think the inverted pyramid remains the most effective method of structuring material?

Yes, I believe that the inverted pyramid is the effective method of writing a news story. It has benefits to all those who are associated with news, journalists, editors and newspaper readers in that editors may cut stories easily without losing key information. Journalists have a stylised writing guide so that standards are maintained. And newspaper readers may gain key information quickly without having to read a whole article.