You are starting a job as a local government beat reporter for the largest newspaper in your state. To familiarize yourself with the role, you are interviewing the previous local government beat reporter. What are some questions you should ask?

What will be an ideal response?


There are a number of questions a new beat reporter should ask his or her predecessor before starting on the beat. These include:
• What big stories are coming down the road on this beat?
• What stories need extra work or should be followed up?
• Do you have any “I wish I had gotten to that” topics that you think are really valuable?
• What were some of the most problematic parts of the beat?
• Which people were really helpful sources? Which ones made you wish you never took this job?
• Where should I spend most of my time, both physically and in terms of coverage?

Communication & Mass Media

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