US Army Journalist - Course - Survival Books

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Lesson 2, Learning Event 2Preparing an article for external news media may mean "writing" itseveral times to fit the writing and format styles of the variousmediums and the differences between news organizations using thesame medium.Additionally, whether writing for internal or external release theArmy journalist may be writing hard news, sports or accidentstories, he may also write feature stories or editorials. In somecases the Army journalist will find himself researching and writingspeeches for the commander. All of these types of writing requiredifferent styles of writing, with their own unique requirements.In writing news, sports and accident stories, the writer uses"inverted pyramids" to format his copy. The inverted pyramid is amethod of providing the most important facts of the story first.The least important facts come last. The writer places allessential facts in the first paragraph. But, even then there areseparate requirements between these types of stories.In feature writing the writer is freer to develop his subject;editorial writing allows the writer an opportunity to influence hisaudience.Speech writing is in a category, all its own.But, Army journalists must be more than crafted writers, for it isnot simply their job to publish information.As discussed in previous subcourses, no commander is able to doeverything himself. Commanders seldom make decisions prior toobtaining the advice of their specialists. The commander'sspecialist in communicating with internal and external audiences ishis public affairs officer (PAO). The PAO in turn depends on hisstaff to advise him, to gather information, evaluate publicunderstanding of and attitude towards the command, and to providefeedback from the public to the PAO and the commander. Thisfeedback and advice are important tools for both the PAO and thecommander in accomplishing the unit mission.ARMY NEWSPAPER OPERATIONSThe organization of the ideal Army newspaper staff isdifficult to describe, not only because needs are dependenton population, but also because missions vary.13
Lesson 2, Learning Event 3At mythical Fort Boston, a corps headquarters also serves as thepost headquarters. An armored division is the major tactical uniton post. There are nearly 18,000 soldiers and 6,000 DA civilianemployees, as well as 30,000 Army family members. There are threeelementary schools, a junior and a senior high school on post.Ideally, an editor might hope to have four or five journalistsworking various beats, with another two covering sports. Thesejournalists might also assist the editor in layout, pasteup andproofreading. They are each responsible for their own photography.Ideally, other PA staff sections are staffed sufficiently to limitadditional requirements on the newspaper staff.In reality, the newspaper staff may consist of two or three peoplewho occasionally also fill the requirements of public informationand community relations sections. The editor in this situationwill need to establish a stringer system. A stringer is a nonjournalistwho gathers the essential facts about something his unitor organization does and provides this information to the editor oran assigned reporter. Stringer systems will be discussed inanother subcourse. The Army journalist may also be responsible fordistribution of the newspaper.Teamwork and personal initiative are critical if a qualitynewspaper is to be published. Nothing short of long hours anddedication will produce a newspaper filled with the news andinformation the Army audiences deserve and need.Decision MakingNo newspaper reporter, civilian or military, is ever the finalarbiter of what will appear in print. Sometimes reporters areassigned stories they would rather not do, or in which they have nointerest. The decision isn't theirs. Similarly, a writer's copyis subject to editing and rewriting under the editor's pen.Changes are to be expected. Invariably they lead to betterstories.Ultimately, the commander has responsibility for what is publishedin his newspaper. It is his right to review all copy before itgoes to the typesetters. Most PAOs and editors act responsiblyenough that commanders ask only to De briefed on the newspaper'scontent; sometimes --only when a controversial or sensitive topicwill be published.14
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