The Standard-Examiner hosted a Facebook Live to describe how their news process works. During the video the newspaper's executive editor and publisher talked about how they make coverage decisions, select stories and how the editorial process works. They took questions live from the audience and received more than 2,000 views.
The Standard-Examiner hosted a Facebook Live to describe how their news process works. During the video, the newspaper’s executive editor and publisher talked about how they make coverage decisions, select stories and how the editorial process works. They took questions live from the audience and received more than 2,000 views.
When faced with critical comments from a user on Facebook, Standard-Examiner used the opportunity to explain the reasoning behind why they cover certain stories, what requirements a story needs to meet in order to be relevant, and how their advertising department is separate from their newsroom. The commenter wanted them to make promises they couldn't make, but the news organization said it felt the back and forth with the commenter and the newsroom's explanations helped others better understand their news priorities and how they make decisions.
Some users assume journalists sensationalize news to make money. In this example, the accusation was direct: “Standard, has your marketing department worked out how many unique impressions and page views you get per dead kid?” The staff used the opportunity to explain the reasoning behind why they cover certain stories, what requirements a story needs to meet in order to be relevant, and how their advertising department is separate from their newsroom. The commenter wanted them to make promises they couldn’t make, but the news organization said it felt the back and forth with the commenter and the newsroom’s explanations helped others better understand their news priorities and how they make decisions.
When the comics printed in the paper were printed in black and white instead of color, there was a question from a reader, wondering why. The Standard-Examiner answered that question in a Q&A post on Facebook.
When the comics printed in the paper were printed in black and white instead of color, there was a question from a reader, wondering why. The Standard-Examiner answered that question in a Q&A post on Facebook. They addressed the financial factors behind the decision. “The Standard-Examiner strives to produce a daily product that readers enjoy, but when a local newspaper experiences unexpected increases in costs, it must find a way to adjust. This week is one such example.”
After creating a poll on Facebook about guns, the Standard-Examiner received a question about the words they were using to describe certain guns. The news organization explained why they were using certain terms and asked for feedback from users about the issue.
After creating a poll on Facebook about guns, the Standard-Examiner received a question about the words they were using to describe certain guns. The news organization explained why they were using certain terms (and the role the Associated Press played in that) and asked for feedback from users about the issue.
Ogden behind the scenes pornography
With big stories, take time to introduce the staff behind the scenes. Use it as an opportunity to explain why you did a story, what questions you set out to answer and how it came together.