JCM 210 ENGLISH NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING II

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JCM 210 ENGLISH NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING IISeminar 4

5th March 2009

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AGENDA

Beats Briefing (1) Intro. To Beat Reporting Basic Reporting (III): Legal Affairs & Human

Rights News Writing: Ch.4 Multi-element Stories

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Beats Briefing (1)

Identify the policy areas covered by your bureau / bureax

Identify the departments/commissions at the implementation / enforcement level

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Beat Reporting

A “beat” is a specific area of coverage

It can be an entire municipality or parts of the government District Council Security Legco

It can also be a topical beat Finance Environment


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Developing Stories Ideas

Meeting, talking and asking to people

Newspaper clips ( 剪報 ) Internal publication ( 內部刊物 ) Press release ( 新聞稿 ) Internet forum


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The Stakeholders’ List ( 持份者名單 )

Government Officials Professional Bodies / Trade Unions Non-Government Organizations

(NGOs) Legislators Scholars


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Coaching Tips

Ask one source to recommend others Ask people you meet what stories

they would like to read in your field Keep a tickler file of story ideas and

follow-up stories Contact sources regularly Check records on your beat


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Make stories relevant to readers Seek human elements in stories

Pain and pleasure, happiness and anger Translate jargon in technical stories

into simple and layman’s term Check the internet for sources,

background and records


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Basic Reporting (III)Basic Reporting (III)

Legal Affairs and Human Legal Affairs and Human RightsRights


Learning legal rules is not the Learning legal rules is not the franchise (franchise ( 專利專利 ) of lawyers) of lawyers

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Journalists and the law

Journalist has no special privilege for doing anything beyond what is the legal right of any private citizen

The media are the eyes and ears of the general public, act on behalf of the general public, and are the trustees ( 受託人 ) for the general public

Therefore their right to know and their right to publish is neither more or less than that of the general public


News coverage and the law News coverage and the law

Law making: LegcoLaw making: Legco Law enforcement: whenever there are Law enforcement: whenever there are

issues concerning implementation of laws issues concerning implementation of laws and regulations, e.g., police, stock market, and regulations, e.g., police, stock market, and other public sectorsand other public sectors

ConsumersConsumers’’ interest: consumer product interest: consumer product safetysafety

Judicial activities:Judicial activities: High profile court casesHigh profile court cases

PoliticsPolitics Human rights issuesHuman rights issues


The advantage of being legally The advantage of being legally conscious (awareness in law and legal conscious (awareness in law and legal

institutions)institutions) Provides different consideration and Provides different consideration and

aspect (other than purely from journalism) aspect (other than purely from journalism) in looking at the issue in looking at the issue a new news angle a new news angle

Provides you more guidance on the Provides you more guidance on the possible development of a news event possible development of a news event better planning on reportingbetter planning on reporting

Provides you the boundary of reporting Provides you the boundary of reporting and writing and writing better clarity and certainty better clarity and certainty of your storyof your story


What is “law” ?What is “law” ?

Sets of regulation or rulesSets of regulation or rules Promulgated by persons in authority Promulgated by persons in authority

(Government)(Government) With coercive (With coercive ( 強迫強迫 ) or mandatory ) or mandatory

(( 強制強制 ) effect) effect Breach of which will be leading to Breach of which will be leading to

sanction (sanction ( 制裁制裁 ) by persons/bodies in ) by persons/bodies in authorityauthority


Law and politicsLaw and politics

Executive branch proposes and drafts Executive branch proposes and drafts the lawthe law

Legislative branch enacts (makes) the Legislative branch enacts (makes) the lawlaw

Judicial branch interprets (Judicial branch interprets ( 解釋解釋 ) the law) the law

The primary role of the court is to The primary role of the court is to interpret the law according to the interpret the law according to the legislative intention (legislative intention ( 立法意圖立法意圖 ) of it) of it


Source of H.K. LawSource of H.K. Law


Hong Kong Basic LawHong Kong Basic Law

Art 18(1)Art 18(1) The law in force in the HKSAR shall be:-The law in force in the HKSAR shall be:-

this Lawthis Law, , the law previously in force in Hong Kong as provided for the law previously in force in Hong Kong as provided for

in Art 8 of this Law,in Art 8 of this Law, and and the laws enacted by the legislature of the Regionthe laws enacted by the legislature of the Region

Art 18(3) Art 18(3) National law promulgated by the Central PeoplesNational law promulgated by the Central Peoples ’’

Govt (Govt ( 中央人民政府中央人民政府 ) under Annex 3 () under Annex 3 ( 附件三附件三 )) 12 such laws relating to nationality, defence and 12 such laws relating to nationality, defence and

foreign affairsforeign affairs


Art 8Art 8

The laws previously in force in Hong The laws previously in force in Hong Kong, that is, the Kong, that is, the common law (common law ( 普通普通法法 )), , rules of equityrules of equity (( 衡平法衡平法 )), , ordinancesordinances (( 法例法例 )), , subordinate subordinate legislationlegislation (( 附屬法例附屬法例 )) and and customary customary lawlaw (( 習俗習俗 )) shall be maintained,shall be maintained,

Except for any that contravene this Except for any that contravene this LawLaw, and, and

Subject to any amendment by the Subject to any amendment by the legislature of the HKSARlegislature of the HKSAR

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BL is the supreme law

Article 8: All previous (old) laws must be consistent with BL

Article 11: No policies practised in HKSAR (executive acts), and laws enacted by the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (new laws) shall contravene BL

Art 158: All levels of court has duty to interpret the provisions of the BL (constitutional supervisory power 憲法檢查權 )


Common law (judge-made law)Common law (judge-made law)

Historical backgroundHistorical background No written law in English historyNo written law in English history Norman conquest England in 1066Norman conquest England in 1066 King William took control of the nationKing William took control of the nation Sent sheriffs to different countiesSent sheriffs to different counties Observed and reported the customary rules to Observed and reported the customary rules to

the kingthe king The king abolished unfavourable rulesThe king abolished unfavourable rules Sheriffs went back to apply the amended rulesSheriffs went back to apply the amended rules


Common law operates by Common law operates by Doctrine of Doctrine of Stare DecisisStare Decisis

Doctrine of judicial precedent (Doctrine of judicial precedent ( 司法判司法判例原則例原則 )) ““Let the decision standsLet the decision stands”” Precedent of a superior court binds the Precedent of a superior court binds the

inferior courts when they deal with inferior courts when they deal with subsequent cases raising similar issues subsequent cases raising similar issues

Law reports (Law reports ( 案例報告案例報告 ) collected all the ) collected all the decisionsdecisions


Application in H.K.Application in H.K. All decisions of the All decisions of the Court of Final Appeal (Court of Final Appeal ( 終終

審法院審法院 )) and and Court of Appeal (Court of Appeal ( 高院上訴庭高院上訴庭 )) are are bindingbinding (( 具約束力具約束力 ))

All decisions of the All decisions of the Court of First Instance Court of First Instance (High Court)(High Court) (( 高院原訟庭高院原訟庭 )) and and District Court District Court (( 區域法院區域法院 )) are persuasive (are persuasive ( 具說服力具說服力 )) onlyonly

Pre-1997 Pre-1997 Privy Council (Privy Council ( 倫敦樞密院倫敦樞密院 )) decisions decisions bind all the courts except the CFAbind all the courts except the CFA

All other English decisions are highly All other English decisions are highly persuasivepersuasive House of Lords, Court of AppealHouse of Lords, Court of Appeal

All the Commonwealth (All the Commonwealth ( 英聯邦英聯邦 )) decisions are decisions are persuasivepersuasive Australia, Canada, New ZealandAustralia, Canada, New Zealand


Rules of equity (judge-made Rules of equity (judge-made law) law)

Grievance resulted from the application of common Grievance resulted from the application of common law (too rigid and inflexible)law (too rigid and inflexible)

Lord Chancellor (Lord Chancellor ( 掌璽大臣掌璽大臣 ) set up a Court of ) set up a Court of Chancery (Chancery ( 衡平法院衡平法院 ))

Applied a different set of rules based on Applied a different set of rules based on morality morality (( 道德道德 )) and and conscienceconscience (( 良知良知 ))

Aims to do justiceAims to do justice Doctrine of Doctrine of stare decisisstare decisis applies applies

Court to decide and applies the legal principlesCourt to decide and applies the legal principles With flexibility and discretionaryWith flexibility and discretionary

Where there is conflict b/w equity and Where there is conflict b/w equity and common law, equity prevails (common law, equity prevails (衝平法凌駕普通法衝平法凌駕普通法 ))


Application of modern equityApplication of modern equity

The introduction of new (non-The introduction of new (non-monetary) remedies (monetary) remedies ( 非金錢性非金錢性司法濟助司法濟助 ))

Discretionary (Discretionary ( 酌情酌情 )(not )(not as of rightas of right (( 當然權利當然權利 ) as common law)) as common law)

Injunction (Injunction ( 禁制令禁制令 )),, Specific Specific Performance (Performance ( 強制履行令強制履行令 ), Declaration ), Declaration (( 宣告令宣告令 ), Rescission (), Rescission ( 合約撤消令合約撤消令 ))


Application of modern equity Application of modern equity

The introduction of new rights in The introduction of new rights in civil lawcivil law

Recognition and enforcement of equitable Recognition and enforcement of equitable interests in propertyinterests in property

Legal interest (Legal interest ( 法定權益法定權益 )) Equitable interest (Equitable interest ( 實質權益實質權益 ))

The concept of trusts (The concept of trusts ( 信託信託 )(express or )(express or implied trust)implied trust)

Breach of Confidence (Breach of Confidence ( 違反保密責任違反保密責任 ):): an an equitable cause of action equitable cause of action


Civil Courts SystemCivil Courts SystemCourt of Final Appeal

( 終審法院）

Court of Appeal (Civil) of the High Court

（上訴庭）

Court of First Instance of the High Court

(X > $1M) （原訟庭）District Court 　（區域法院）

($50,000 < X =< $1M)

Lands Tribunal 　（土地審裁處）

Small Claim Tribunal 　（小額錢債審裁處）

(X =< $50,000)

Labour Tribunal(exclusive for labour dispute)

（勞資審裁處）


Criminal Courts SystemCriminal Courts System

Court of Final Appeal

Court of Appeal (Criminal) of the High Court

Court of First Instance of the High Court

(unlimited jurisdiction)

District Court(7 yrs, unlimited fine)

Magistrate’s Courts(2 yrs, $100,000)


Courts of law (Courts of law ( 法庭法庭 ) and tribunals ) and tribunals (( 審裁處審裁處 ))

Ct of Final AppealCt of Final Appeal High Ct: Ct of Appeal & Ct of First InstanceHigh Ct: Ct of Appeal & Ct of First Instance District Ct, Family Ct District Ct, Family Ct Magistrates' Ct, Juvenile Ct, Coroner's CtMagistrates' Ct, Juvenile Ct, Coroner's Ct

Labour Tribunal, Lands Tribunal, Small Labour Tribunal, Lands Tribunal, Small Claims Tribunal, Claims Tribunal, Obscene and Indecent Obscene and Indecent Articles Tribunal (Articles Tribunal (色情及不雅物品審裁處色情及不雅物品審裁處 )),, Immigration Tribunal, Transport TribunalImmigration Tribunal, Transport Tribunal


Hong Kong decisionsHong Kong decisions

Law Reports Law Reports Hong Kong Law Reports and Digest Hong Kong Law Reports and Digest

(HKLRD)(HKLRD) Hong Kong Cases (HKC)Hong Kong Cases (HKC)

Unreported judgmentsUnreported judgments HKLII: HKLII: http://www.hklii.org/ Judiciary: Judiciary:

http://legalref.judiciary.gov.hk/lrs/common/ju/judgment.jsp

http://www.hklii.org/







How to find judgments of other How to find judgments of other countriescountries

World Legal Information InstituteWorld Legal Information Institute http://www.worldlii.org

Google (install the Google Toobar)Google (install the Google Toobar)

http://www.worldlii.org/

http://www.worldlii.org/

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Divisions of the law

Criminal and civil law Criminal: deals with offences that are deemed

to harm the whole community and thus to be an offence against the sovereign

HKSAR (prosecutor) v. Chan Tai Man (defendant) Punishment (deterrent 阻嚇性 in nature)

Civil: concerns the maintenance of private claims and the redress of private wrongs

Brown (plaintiff) v. Smith (defendant) Compensation (compensatory in nature) Breach of contract ( 違約 ), tortious act ( 侵權行為 )


Judicial Officers (Judicial Officers ( 司法人員司法人員 )) JudgesJudges

Magistrate Magistrate 裁判官裁判官 (solicitors or barristers (solicitors or barristers > 5 years> 5 years’’ standing) standing)

District Court Judge District Court Judge 區域法院法官區域法院法官 (solicitors (solicitors or barristers > 5 yearsor barristers > 5 years’’ standing) standing)

High Court Judge (High Court Judge ( 高等法院高等法院 ) (solicitors or ) (solicitors or barristers > 10 yearsbarristers > 10 years’’ standing) standing)

Justice of the Court of First Instance (Justice of the Court of First Instance ( 原訟庭法原訟庭法官官 ))

Justice of Appeal (Justice of Appeal ( 上訴庭法官上訴庭法官 ))


Judicial Officers (con’t)Judicial Officers (con’t) Court of Final Appeal (Court of Final Appeal ( 終審法院終審法院 ))

Permanent Judge Permanent Judge 常任法官常任法官 No. = 3No. = 3 (solicitors or barristers > 10 years(solicitors or barristers > 10 years’’ standing) standing)

Non-Permanent Judge Non-Permanent Judge 非常任法官非常任法官 No. = 17No. = 17 (judges from overseas jurisdiction) (judges from overseas jurisdiction) Lord Hoffmann of the House of LordsLord Hoffmann of the House of Lords Sir Anthony Mason of the Supreme Court of Sir Anthony Mason of the Supreme Court of

AustraliaAustralia


Andrew Li, (Andrew Li, ( 李國能李國能 ))the Hon Chief Justice, CFA the Hon Chief Justice, CFA

(( 終審法院首席法官終審法院首席法官 ))


Law Officers Law Officers The Secretary for Justice and Government The Secretary for Justice and Government

LawyersLawyers Secretary of Justice Secretary of Justice 律政司司長律政司司長

Law Officer (Civil Law) Law Officer (Civil Law) 民事法律專員民事法律專員 Solicitor-General Solicitor-General 法律政策專員法律政策專員 Director of Prosecutions Director of Prosecutions 刑事檢控專員刑事檢控專員 Law Draftsman Law Draftsman 法律草擬專員法律草擬專員

Very similar to the role of Procuratorate Very similar to the role of Procuratorate (( 檢察院檢察院 ) in civil law system () in civil law system ( 民法民法 // 大陸法大陸法系系 ) which is led by the office of Procurator-) which is led by the office of Procurator-General (General ( 檢察長檢察長 ))


Wong Yan Lung, S.C.Wong Yan Lung, S.C. Member of C.E. Member of C.E.

cabinet (main cabinet (main officials)officials) Appointed by C.E. Appointed by C.E. Appointment approved Appointment approved

by C.P.G.by C.P.G. Legal adviser to Legal adviser to

H.K.S.A.R. GovtH.K.S.A.R. Govt Formerly known as Formerly known as

Attorney General (Attorney General ( 律律政司政司 )) Used to appoint a Q.C.Used to appoint a Q.C.


Legal ProfessionsLegal Professions

Solicitor (Solicitor ( 事務律師事務律師 ))

Barrister (Barrister ( 訟務律師訟務律師 )()( 大律師大律師 ))


The Legal ProfessionsThe Legal Professions

BarristersBarristers Work in “chambers” (Work in “chambers” ( 大律師事務所大律師事務所 )) Self-employed advocates (Self-employed advocates ( 訟辯人訟辯人 )) Historically, barristers did not work for a Historically, barristers did not work for a

fee – “gentlemen’s agreement” meant a fee – “gentlemen’s agreement” meant a barrister who remained unpaid could not barrister who remained unpaid could not sue the solicitor or client sue the solicitor or client


Must be instructed by solicitors (brief)Must be instructed by solicitors (brief) Direct access from the lay client except fromDirect access from the lay client except from

Accountant, surveyor, mainland lawyer or lay clientAccountant, surveyor, mainland lawyer or lay client

11stst principle: must uphold the rule of law principle: must uphold the rule of law Must be independent Must be independent Must not refuse instruction (cab-rank rule)Must not refuse instruction (cab-rank rule) Appearance: wigs and gownAppearance: wigs and gown


ChangeChange

England and Wales England and Wales decided to abolish decided to abolish the wigs in its civil the wigs in its civil and family courts and family courts hearings hearings

Should H.K. Should H.K. barrister drop the barrister drop the wigs?wigs?


Senior Counsel (Senior Counsel ( 資深大律師資深大律師 ))(replacing the Queen’s Counsel)(replacing the Queen’s Counsel)

Addressed as Addressed as ““S.C.S.C.”” Leading barrister (the Leading barrister (the ““Big GunBig Gun””)) More than 15 yearsMore than 15 years’’ standing standing Of integrity and expertise in special Of integrity and expertise in special

areas of lawareas of law Wearing silk gown Wearing silk gown

Application for Senior Counsel = Application for Senior Counsel = ““taking silktaking silk”” Hallmark of successHallmark of success Leaders of the professionLeaders of the profession

Appeared with junior in court (enhancement Appeared with junior in court (enhancement of advocacy)of advocacy)


Appointment of Senior Counsel Appointment of Senior Counsel (Appointment Ceremony 2006)(Appointment Ceremony 2006)


Overseas Q.C.Overseas Q.C.

Admitted to fight in individual casesAdmitted to fight in individual cases Usually Q.C. from London (London Usually Q.C. from London (London

Silk)Silk) Must be the expert in a particular Must be the expert in a particular

subject areasubject area To lead the local S.C. and the junior To lead the local S.C. and the junior

counselcounsel


David Pannick, Q.C. David Pannick, Q.C. (( 彭力克御用大律師彭力克御用大律師 ))

Frequently invited Frequently invited by HKSAR by HKSAR government to government to appear in high appear in high profile human right profile human right casescases

The case of The case of CitizensCitizens’’ Radio ( Radio ( 民民間電台案間電台案 ))


SolicitorSolicitor General practitionerGeneral practitioner Non-contentious matters (Non-contentious matters ( 無爭議案件無爭議案件 ))

Probate, conveyancing, acquisition and Probate, conveyancing, acquisition and merger, matrimonial, drafting of commercial merger, matrimonial, drafting of commercial contractscontracts

Criminal & civil litigationCriminal & civil litigation Right of audience up to Full Hearing in the Right of audience up to Full Hearing in the

District Court District Court Right of audience up to Chambers Hearing in Right of audience up to Chambers Hearing in

the Court of First Instancethe Court of First Instance


Appearance in court: gown without Appearance in court: gown without wigswigs

Regulatory bodyRegulatory body The Law Society of Hong KongThe Law Society of Hong Kong SolicitorsSolicitors’’ Guide on the Code of Conduct Guide on the Code of Conduct

Must refuse to act if there is any Must refuse to act if there is any embarrassment (e.g., conflict of embarrassment (e.g., conflict of interest)interest)

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PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RIGHTS

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Types of Human Rights• 1st generation of human rights: Civil and Political

Rights ( 政治及公民權利 )– International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966

(政治及公民權利公約 ) Link• Draft by the United Nations• Put into effect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (聯合國世界人權宣言 ) Link

• Strong emphasis on civil liberties (公民自由 )• Control of state powers• Negative in nature• Boycotted by socialist nations

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http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_ccpr.htm

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

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• 2nd generation of human rights: Economic and Social Rights ( 經濟社會及文化權利 )– International Covenants on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights (ICESC) ( 經社文公約 ) Link– Strong participation of socialist nations– Strong emphasis on economic rights– Positive in nature– Right to trade union– Right to education


http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_cescr.htm

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• 3rd generation of human rights: Right to development ( 發展權 )– New rights recognised by the Millennium Summit ( 聯合國

千禧峰會 ) as a new mission– U.N. Declaration on the Right to Development Link– States’ duty to formulate development policies– Right to continuous development ( 可持續發展權 )– Right against pollution– Right to clean water– Right to self-determination ( 自決權 )


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International Protection (7 major human rights treaties)

• International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)– Enforced by the United Nations Human Rights Committee

(treaty body) 聯合國人權事務委員會• States Reporting• Adjudication by the Human Rights Committee

• International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESC) – Enforced by the United Nations Economic and Social

Council 聯合國經濟、社會及文化權利委員會• States Reporting• State visit by Special Reporteur ( 特使 )


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Other human rights treaties by U.N.

• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

• Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families


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• Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

• Convention on the Rights of the Child


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Regional Protection• European Convention on Human Rights 歐洲人權公

約– Promulgated by the Council of Europe ( 歐洲委員會 )– Human Rights Commission (before 1998)– Court of Human Rights (after 1998)

• African Convention on Human Rights 非洲人權公約– Court of Human Rights

• American Convention on Human Rights 美洲人權公約– Inter-American Court of Human Rights


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What about Asia?

What are the difficulties ?Difference in concept of human rights

Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN)(東南亞國家聯盟 )


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Hong Kong

• One of the signatories to the ICCPR and ICESC

• In 1991, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights ( 香港人權法 ) (HKBOR)was passed to adopt the ICCPR provisions– Localized the ICCPR


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STANDARD HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION UNDER THE HKBOR Presumption of innocence Art 11 (1)Right to fair trial Art 10Protection against discrimination Art

1Freedom of speech Art 16Protection against arbitrary arrest

Art 5Protection against torture and

degrading treatment Art 3

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Right of abode ( 居留權 ): Art 24 Equality before the law: Art 25 Freedom of speech ( 言論 ), of

association ( 結社 ), of assembly ( 集會 ), of demonstration ( 示威 ), and of forming and joining trade union ( 組織及參與工會 ): Art 27

Freedom and privacy of communication ( 通訊自由 ): Art 30


Constitutional rights (Constitutional rights ( 憲法權利憲法權利 ) under Chapter 3 ) under Chapter 3 (Art 24-42) of the BL of the BL Link


Permitted restriction of rightsPermitted restriction of rights(( 對人權施加的限制對人權施加的限制 ))

Article 39(2)Article 39(2) BLBL The rights and freedoms The rights and freedoms …… shall not be shall not be

restricted unless as restricted unless as prescribed by law prescribed by law (( 依法作出依法作出 )). . SuchSuch restriction shall not restriction shall not contravene the provisions of this Articlecontravene the provisions of this Article

Any restriction must be Any restriction must be made by law made by law according to legal procedureaccording to legal procedure; and; and

Must not contravene the provisions of the Must not contravene the provisions of the HKBOR and BLHKBOR and BL


Research on Human Rights Research on Human Rights IssuesIssues


Int’l databaseInt’l database

University of Minnesota Human Rights University of Minnesota Human Rights LibraryLibrary

European Court of Human Rights European Court of Human Rights Portal SearchPortal Search

Inter-American Commission (Court) of Inter-American Commission (Court) of Human Rights HomeHuman Rights Home

Bills of Rights Comparative Law Bills of Rights Comparative Law MaterialsMaterials (South Africa Law Resource (South Africa Law Resource based on 1996 South Africa based on 1996 South Africa Consitution)Consitution)


UN Human Rights Committee UN Human Rights Committee International LawInternational Law

General Comments on ICCPRGeneral Comments on ICCPR Judgments decided by the Human Judgments decided by the Human

Rights CommitteeRights Committee

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Multiple-Element Story An inverted pyramid that deals with two

or more related news events simultaneouslyDealing with multi-issuesCombining two or more different but related

stories into one Application

News coverage of LegcoMerging of different wires stories Any story which touches upon several

issues


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Multiple-Element Leads Summary lead which deals with two

events Lead 1 from Story 1 RANGOON, Burma – Troops invaded a

university campus Tuesday as hundreds of flag-waving students demanded the release of jailed opposition leader Aung Aan Suu Kyi.


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Lead 2 from Story 2

OSLO, Norway – The eldest son of jailed Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday accepted a Nobel Prize on her behalf, saying he accepted it “in the name of all the people of Burma.”


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Combine the stories (Lead 1 + 2)

Hundreds of university students in Rangoon protested against the military junta in Burma Tuesday as the eldest son of jailed opposition leader Ann San Suu Kyi accepted a Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo, Norway.


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Problems of multi-element story lead Difficult to summarize two events in one

35-word sentence

Alternative: write in a lead in two paragraph (exception to the general rule)


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Example of a 2-paragraph lead Troops invaded a Rangoon university

campus Tuesday as hundreds of flag-waving students demanded the release of jailed Barmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In Oslo, Aung San Suu Kyi’s eldest son accepted a Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf, saying he accepted the award “in the name of all the people of Burma.”


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Supporting Paragraphs Two events call for two supporting paragraph Hundreds of university students in Rangoon

protested against the military junta in Burma Tuesday as the eldest son of jailed opposition leader Ann San Suu Kyi accepted a Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo, Norway.

In Rangoo, a crowd of 2,000 gathered on University Avenue while riot police and soldiers with machine guns surrounded the campus to break up the mid-morning student rally.

Rangoon Oslo Rangoo


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Provide obvious transitions when shifting focus over time or distance Once the supporting paragraph of the

Rangoon part have been established, it is a straightforward to proceed with the standard pyramid

Then a transition to Oslo introducing the supporting paragraph for the Norwegian segment


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Structure of multi-element story Multi-element lead (1 or 2 paras) Supporting para for event 1 Secondary info for event 1 (inverted

pyramid) Supporting para for event 2 Secondary info for event 2 End with background info See pp. 60-70 Textbook


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Structure (con’t)

A & B Transition & A A A Transition & B B B


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Transitional Phrases

If a journalist is writing about event in two different places, he must make it clear to the reader which place he is writing about at any given time

“In Rangoon” (para. 2) “In Oslo” (para. 7) See other phrases at p.71


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Further examples See how the textbook author combined

the two stories concerned with Angola Story A: African summit may be

‘decisive’ for Angola Story B: Russia issues warning to U.S.

about Angola Combined: Russia and Uganda eye

Angola’s future in OAU


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Problems of multi-element story Easy to lose control over the

organization of the story

Shirtailing techniquePresent the info in bullets points / dashes


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Example

A group of legislator Tuesday agreed to limit debate in Legco in order to avoid the late-night sessions that plagued the panel last year

Members agreed that no more than two debates should be held during a single sitting …..


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Other recommendations included these:○ Complex questions requesting statistics and

broad policy explanations would not be permitted;○ Questions based on rumours and press

reports also would not be permitted;○ The chairman would not elected by members

in a secret ballot.

Mr. Li said the recommendations will be taken up by the entire Council next month.


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ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: WHO’S WHO IN YOUR BEAT?

Re-organise your data according to the Stakeholders’ List

Government OfficialsProfessional Bodies / Trade UnionsNon-Government Organizations

(NGOs)LegislatorsScholars

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JCM 210 ENGLISH NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING II

Documents

Transcript of JCM 210 ENGLISH NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING II