1st Place, Breaking News Coverage
2021-22, Division MS, News Writing
By Bridget Belden
The Link
Traverse City East MS
As of December 3, 2021.
At 10:46 am this morning EMS students, teachers, and parents received an email from Mr. Perkins informing them that earlier in the morning students received a text message that threatened the safety of EMS students and staff. Thankfully the students who received the message quickly reported it, helping to ensure the safety of students at EMS. This report allowed the administration at EMS to contact law enforcement to help pinpoint the threat and determine it was false.
Currently an investigation is still in motion with law enforcement and the TCAPS administration. Safety measures have already been set into action.
“Today’s experience mirrors what over 100 school districts around our state are facing as a copycat response to the Oxford school shooting earlier this week.” said Mr. Perkins in a schoolwide email. Furthermore, 60 schools have already closed today due to similar events.
Administration is asking that if students need to report anything they should do so by talking to a staff member or anonymously report information to OKAY2SAY by either calling the tip line with the number 855-565-2729, texting the number 652729, or emailing okay2say@mi.gov
For additional information and resources visit the EMS outreach document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Go6lGYFIGWNkPJ7rrjdjc7ZONOQaeqRXIdoGtAbrDY/edit
NW-01. Breaking News Coverage
Coverage of an unplanned breaking or developing news event, published within 48 hours of the originating news event. Report should contain as much information as possible without editorializing or relying on assumptions. Online reports may reflect updates as the news event unfolds, but it should be noted in the story when this has occurred. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Reports as much of the who, what, where, when, why and how as possible
- Story is in the form of a short report to get out essential facts as soon as possible
- Does not sacrifice accuracy for the sake of timeliness
- Sharp, attention-getting lead that underscores news story importance
- The most important, relevant and timely information is near the beginning of the story
- Emphasizes news elements, i.e. timeliness, nearness, impact, and prominence
- Avoids opinion unless properly attributed
- Proper diction/grammar; use of third person