Writers Guidelines
Mohr Media aims to promote engagement and understanding of the global world. We follow good journalistic principles while covering topics with complexity and reporting on them in clear, understandable ways.
1. Understand Your Bias.
We all come equipped with our own sets of biases. It’s important to recognize those beliefs and make sure we’re not seeking out information that only confirms those attitudes. Reporters need to be able to set those pre-ingrained beliefs aside to find the truth. Over time, it becomes easier.
2. Go deep. Find the Original Source. Read the Fine Print.
In the discovery of information, track the story back to the most original source as possible. Read deep enough to find relevant information that is factual. (ex. In reporting on a survey, for example, go deep enough to read the original questions and note any questions that were not answered by all respondents.)
3. Be Clear. Clarity is the Goal.
For news briefs especially, keep the copy concise. News analysis pieces can add more depth, insight and context.
4. Get the Nuts and Bolts Right.
Just like an investigator documents evidence piece by piece, journalists compose a story with facts that have integrity. Not every story is meant to be a front-page, groundbreaking piece. Most stories consist of bits and pieces that are relevant to a larger picture. Over time, a journalist who earns confidence and trust by getting the nuts and bolts correct will discover bigger stories that others miss.
5. Quality Not Quantity.
The purpose of news briefs is to document key information for daily reporting and reference. The more you follow a topic, the more you’ll understand the relevance of the information.
6. Cover Multiple Sides.
Often, traditional news reporters are taught to cover two sides in a single story. The problem with that is most issues are more complex than a two-sided coin. As you become familiar with a topic, you’ll discover that the real story exists in its complexity. Many issues include multiple players and viewpoints. Focusing on only two sides — often from the two main U.S. political parties — does an injustice to the story. A better method is to address one or two sides at a time and follow up with other points of view in additional reporting.
In international reporting, this means including the points and views of non-Western countries, including China and Russia, to better understand them. It also means acknowledging that all sides have both reason and weakness. For example, while Western countries promote democracy and human rights, their policies and motivations are not necessarily correct.
7. Identify the Trends, Facts, and Figures.
The more you can understand the broader picture as you cover a topic, you will develop an ability to put stories in context and recognize what is relevant.
8. Be Respectful.
In dealing with sources, be respectful. That means more than showing respect. It means being open-minded enough to hear the person’s point of view. Give yourself a chance to understand where the person is coming from in developing the viewpoint. That means setting suspicion and your own bias and knowledge aside.
9. Use Your Rational Mind.
Emotion clouds the eye, leading you to information that confirms your own bias. When seeking information, use your rational mind.
10. Be Independent.
It’s okay to have values. It’s not okay to be a team player in the sport of politics. If you feel drawn to one side or another, step back. Maintain your independence from politics and your sources. Your job is to seek truth. That fact-finding helps ensure fair play.
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