Language of the Newsroom
From Voices for Ohio's Children
Above the Fold
The top half of the paper, considered the prime spot (generally refers to the front page only).
Actuality
The verbatim recorded statements of an official, expert, witness,victim,etc.
Advertorial
A paid advertisement that’s written like an editorial.
Advisory
A press release to alert the media about a press conference.
AP Style
A style book published by the Associated Press with guidelines on capitalization, punctuation and the like. Most print outlets adhere to AP Style at least to some extent.
B-role
The soundless portion of video that’s used in a voice over. Can be new or file footage.
Backgrounder
Giving a reporter information that educates them about the issue but that won’t be included in the story itself. Usually the reporter will tell you if they’re looking for background info rather than quotes.
Branding
Naming an ongoing story so it is instantly recognized by readers/viewers/listeners – such as ‘Election 08’ or ‘On the Home Front.’
Breaking News
Coverage of an event that just took place or is continuing to unfold. The technology of the past 20 years has made covering breaking news very attractive to broadcasters because they can reach their audience immediately, which gives the story an even greater sense of urgency.
Caption
In print it’s the text that appears under a photo; in TV it’s the identifier (name and title) of the person speaking on camera that’s superimposed on the lower third of the screen.
Column
A regular opinion piece written by a communist (i.e., Molly Ivins or Maureen Dowd), often syndicated to run in multiple newspapers.
Copy
The text of the story.
Double Truck
The center spread of a newspaper (usually the only pages where ink can be bled across the center margins, making it prime ad space).
Editorial
An unsigned opinion piece that reflects the position of the editorial staff or board.
Franchise
A regular series (about food, business, health, etc.) that’s either generated in-house or is purchased from an outside source. Some outlets like to localize canned franchise material, which can present an opportunity for coverage of your issue.
Graphics
In print it refers to any kind of visual element; in broadcast it generally refers to all visuals (maps, text, etc.) except video.
Hook
The angle the story takes on the issue at hand (i.e., lots of people are unhappy with the new Medicare rules). In breaking news, the event itself serves as the hook.
Inverted Pyramid
The format for presenting information in a news story, with the most important information at the top, lesser information at the bottom.
Key
Short for ‘Chroma Key,’ electronically placing video or graphics (such as weathr maps) on a ‘blue screen’ (although they’re now lime green) behind an anchor or reporter. Supered images only appear on the TV screen.
Kicker
A light, often funny story done at the very end of the broadcast and teased throughout as a way to keep viewers/listeners tuned in.
Lead (or Lede)
The first sentence or paragraph of the story. As it sets the stage and draws the reader/viewer/listener in, it is the most important element and often the most difficult to write.
Liner or Reader
A story that has no video. Usually delivered with a graphic via an over-the-shoulder box.
Masthead
The box that lists the publisher and editor of the paper, and sometimes the staff.
Microwave Shot
Sending live images or audio to a receiver via a microwave (the trucks with the long polls wrapped in red coils). Given unobstructed airspace, microwaves can be sent some 100 miles, and can also be ‘bounced’ off of buildings.
Nats
Short for ‘natural,’ ambient sounds on tape such as sirens, gun shots, laughter, applause, etc. Generally used along with a sound bite.
Nat Packages
A story that’s told entirely through visuals and ambient sound (i.e. no reporter or anchor voice over). Not often done, but can be a great way to cover a feature story of something light such as kids at the State Fair in a goat milking contest. Usually put together by a photographer rather than a reporter.
News Hole
The amount of space/time/left for news coverage once all of the advertising has been placed.
Not for Attribution
Giving a reporter information they may use in their story as long as they do not attribute it to you. Since most outlets do not like to use anonymous sources, reporters will generally go to another source for confirmation. Apply the same caution as with giving information off the record.
Nut ‘Graph
The paragraph that tells the reader (in a nut shell) what the story is about. Usually incorporates the ‘hook’ or story angle and should be now lower than the third or fourth paragraph from the top.
Off the Record
Means you’re telling the reporter something in confidence that they’re not going to include in the story (unless they can get it confirmed by someone else). Going off the record is risky because the reporter may not keep their word (or may simply forget that the info was off the record). However, if you have an ongoing relationship with a reporter you trust – or you’re trying to build such a relationship – giving them tidbits off the record can score you points with the reporter and possibly more coverage down the line.
Op-Ed
Meaning literally ‘opposite editorial,’ it’s an opinion piece written by someone outside the newspaper to counter the paper’s editorial position or to advance an issue with a particular agenda.
Phoner
A live interview conducted with the interview speaking by phone. Generally used in breaking news. In TV it’s a last resort when an on-camera interview is not possible.
PIO (Public Information Officer)
Generally the first source of “official” information for a story.
PKG (Package)
A report that is “packaged” on tape and generally includes voice over, sound bites and a reporter stand up. Can be tossed to by the reporter who’s live in the field or studio, or by the anchor.
Press Kit
A folder containing information pertinent to your organization and the press conference or release of new information. Also often contains fact sheets and other hand-out materials such as brochures.
Presser
Short for ‘press conference.’
Press Release
A one-page ‘memo’ sent to the media outlets (generally by PR people) to inform them of an event or new information on an ongoing story or issue.
Quote
The verbatim written statements of an official, expert, witness, victim, etc.
Satellite Shot
Sending live images, video or audio great distances via an orbital satellite. It’s the most technically advanced live shot and requires the most pre-planning and engineering know-how.
SOT (Sound on Tape)
Usually refers to a sound bite but can also refer to ambient sounds (nat) such as sirens, gunshots, etc.
Sound Bite
The (usually short) verbatim recorded statements of an official, expert, witness, victim, etc.
Super
Short for ‘superimposed.’ Generally refers to text that’s shown on the bottom third of the screen.
Stand Up
The portion of a packaged story in which the reporter appears on camera. A stand up generally serves as a transition in the story or highlights a key piece of information. Sometimes includes a demonstration of some kind (like how to install a car safety seat).
Tag
The last bit of factoid that’s read on camera by either the anchor or reporter after a packaged story.
Tease
Text (with or without visual) meant to interest the reader/viewer/listener in a story that is yet to come.
VNR (Video News Release)
P.R. that’s thinly disguised as a news story. These seldom make the air, although they are sometimes mind of Brole for use on another story.
VO (Voice Over)
A story in which the anchor or reporter reads while video is shown.
VOB or VO SOT (Voice Over the Sound Bite)
Voice over the sound bite. A story in which the anchor or reporter reads while video is shown that includes a pre-recorded sound bite.
Wire Story/Wire Copy
A news story provided by a news service such as the Associated Press, CNN or Reuters. Generally only dailies and bi-weeklies have access to wire services, which generally only cover event stories.
