Workshop: Reporting, writing policy stories the public will actually read, Feb. 28
It’s one of the thorniest -- and most important -- challenges journalists face today: How do you get the public to read about policy?
Whether you currently write for insiders (or outsiders who want to be on the inside), or you simply want to learn how to frame and report your work for maximum impact, the National Press Club Journalism Institute will host a half-day workshop that will give you the tools and knowledge to produce exclusive stories that reach people who don’t typically read about policy -- and also make insiders sit up and take notice.
The sessions will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Club. The cost is $25 for Club members and $50 for non-menbers. Register online.
Sessions include:
How to write policy stories for the general public with story coach Andie Coller, a Politico and National Journal alum. You’ll learn why general-interest policy stories are so important, why they frequently fail online, and how to identify, frame and present policy stories that will hook and engage people who don’t already follow the topic you cover.
When and how to humanize your policy stories, with New York Times investigative reporter Sarah Kliff. You’ll learn why making the connection between personal stories and policy works (and when it doesn’t), how talking to regular people can help you break policy news and the best tactics for finding the right human(s) to be the heart of your story.
Finding (and interpreting) the data your readers want and need, with McClatchy D.C. data reporter Ben Wieder, whose hands-on (bring your laptop!) session will teach you how to locate the data your readers really want, determine if what you find is trustworthy and confirm reliable interpretations before your publish.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute serves as a beacon for journalism in the public interest.