BBC News

Quiz: Gathering news

See how much you know about gathering the news.

1.) Interviews

A closed question…

1. Prompts "Yes" or "No" answers.
   
2. Encourages people to give detailed answers.
   
3. Works well in radio interviews.
   

2.) Interviews

Encouraging your interviewees to include your question in their answer is useful because…

1. It gives you time to think of your next question.
   
2. It makes it easier to leave out your questions when you are compiling the report.
   
3. People like giving long answers.
   

3.) News values

If you present stories fairly and without bias, you could be described as being...

1. Impartial
   
2. Incredible
   
3. Inferior
   

4.) Interviews

You've asked someone if you can interview them on camera. They say yes - but only if you give them a list of your questions first. What should you do?

1. Send them the questions you are going to ask.
   
2. Refuse to tell them anything.
   
3. Tell them the topics you are going to be asking about.
   

5.) Research

You find a website that has some useful information you want to use in your report. What should you do?

1. Try to memorise the information.
   
2. Write down the information you want in your notebook.
   
3. Take notes and bookmark the webpage for later.
   

6.) Fact and opinion

A fact is...

1. A statement made by someone important.
   
2. A statement based on a belief.
   
3. A statement that is true and can be backed up with evidence.
   

7.) News values

What word best describes a news report that only gives a one-sided view of a story?

1. Biased
   
2. Balanced
   
3. Boring
   

8.) Staying safe

You've been researching a story online and are about to take a lunchbreak. What should you do before you leave?

1. Load up your editing software ready to use when you get back.
   
2. Make sure you've logged off your computer.
   
3. Write down a list of things to do after lunch.
   

Answers

1. Closed questions prompt "Yes" or "No" answers which might be dull for your audience. Try asking open questions, which often begin with words beginning with W: what, who, where, when, why - and one which doesn’t begin with W: how.
2. It makes it easier to leave out your questions when you are compiling the report. So "I decided to run the marathon because I wanted a challenge" is a more useful answer than "Because I wanted a challenge." Ask interviewees if they can reference the question, so their answer can "stand alone".
3. Being fair and unbiased means you can be described as impartial. Impartiality requires you to seek out and weigh the relevant arguments on any issue and to present them fairly without letting your personal views affect what you say. Being impartial helps your audience trust what you tell them.
4. You should tell them the topics you are going to ask about but avoid sending them a list of questions. You don't want them to prepare all their answers in advance as a) they sound unnatural and b) you are more likely to get to the truth when your guests are answering spontaneously.
5. Taking notes in your notebook is good but it is even better to take notes and bookmark the webpage. Your editor may ask for more information about the source and if you've got it bookmarked, you can easily refer back to it.
6. A fact is a statement that is true and can be backed up with evidence. When you are reporting, remember to make it clear if something is a fact or if you are reporting someone's opinion.
7. A one-sided story is biased. Reporting just one side of a story means the audience aren't getting all the facts. Try to make sure your stories are balanced and look for alternative views.
8. You should make sure you've logged off your computer. That way, people won’t be able to use your accounts or look at any personal information you may have left behind.

Your Score

0 - 2 : Keep working at it

3 - 5 : Good but could be better

6 - 8 : Well done!