Reporters must understand their beats

A reporter needs to know a little bit about everything, John Edwards, my first newspaper editor (http://www.smithfieldtimes.com), once told me when I was fresh out of college.

From the workings of school boards, city councils and county supervisors, to budgets and tax levies, to how the legislature works, to the difference between a rifle and a gun, a felony and a misdemeanor, reporters must have a basic understanding of these often complex subjects in order to do their job.

But understanding these things is only part of the equation. Explaining these issues to the reader is the much harder, and much more essential part of a reporter’s job.

Faced with talking to government and law enforcement officials on a daily basis, reporters can easily become trapped in the jargon that accompanies these duties: revenue enhancement, appropriations, an altercation, a controlled purchase.

Cutting through the jargon is the job of each reporter.

Cop talk
The police report, along with the obituaries, will always top the list of most read items in community newspapers. People have an innate curiosity about what their neighbors are up to, particularly if its no good.

The cop reporter needs to understand and even speak in "cop talk" when working his or her beat, but when its time to write the story, be mindful to translate it into something the reader understands. Here's a few I've come across lately:

• Altercation—Simply put, a fight.
However, much more detail is required in these cases. How many people? Any weapons involved? Anyone hurt? An altercation implies violence, but perhaps it was a verbal altercation. Ask the follow up questions for the details that tell the story.

• Failed to maintain control of his vehicle—wrecked, crash, skid off the road, etc.

• Controlled purchase—An undercover officer bought drugs.

• Brandished a weapon—It’s a charge, not an accurate description. Did the person point it at someone? If so, who? Did the suspect show the weapon to someone? Did they wave it around in the air? Details are needed here.

• Murder—Again, a charge, not an action. A suspect may kill a person, but is charged with murder.

Government-ease
Like police officers, government officials also have their own special vernacular, particularly when it comes to talking about budgets.

• Bond issue—A loan that will have to be repaid with interest.

• Shortfall note—Again, a loan to be repaid. A shortfall note is usually taken out to cover costs when there is a shortfall of money coming in. For example, a local school board recently took out a shortfall note to pay expenses that should have been covered by local taxes. The taxes had not yet been collected, but the school needed to pay bills, thus the need to borrow the money.

• Expenditures—What the board, council or agency will spend on a particular item.

• Appropriations—There are two meanings here.

One, a state legislature can appropriate money, or designate a set amount, for various public uses, such as roads, schools, health care, etc.

Two, a local board will often appropriate funds, or agree to pay for, a specific service or item.

• Secured a grant—Unless they’re using bungee cords, just say they received a grant.

• Funding source—Revenue. Be specific on what kind of revenue: taxes (mileage), water fees, sales tax revenue, etc.

• Revenue enhancement—Generally means fees or taxes are going up.

There’s also a few that Matt Baron had in one of his columns that are worth noting:

• Positive fund balance—Money left over in the budget from the previous year.

• Savings—Often a tricky term used by officials. If you reduce the interest rate on a loan and cut the payments by $96,000, nothing is saved. Rather, you’ll spend $96,000 less. Use spend less or reduced expenses by.