Pitching Political Stories

contributed by Dan O'Donnell, WGAL, Lancaster, PA

Don't… pitch the impossible.

Don't… build a political story around a rally or vigil or any other "contrived" political event.

Don't… forget it's television — reliance on full-screens is a bad idea that will hurt your pitch.

• Full screens are boring
• They're also lots of work for others – who are not as invested in your story

Don't… make excuses. Is your newsroom really not interested in politics or is that an easy excuse for not doing the work?

Do… talk with your news director NOW to develop a plan and goals for political coverage.

• Even in a newsroom supportive of political reporting, political stories will always be trumped by "today's news" because "you can do the political story tomorrow." But tomorrow — you hear the same thing and the story never gets done.
• Set an achievable goal… and be specific. Agreeing to one political story per week is too vague and will get bumped.
• The plan should include how you're going to do this, without being off the road for a week, especially in smaller newsrooms.

Do… include lead producers and your assignment editor in the planning.

• Get the usual "skeptics" invested in the product. If the 6 p.m. producer is helping put the story together, it's more likely he or she will want it in their newscast. No producer likes being handed a tape and an anchor lead and being told "run this."
• The assignment editor needs to understand what the newsroom's goals are and what resources will be required. Like producers, you're more likely to get what you need if the desk is invested.

Do… ask producers and the news director why they're not interested in doing political stories – if they truly are not. They may have a valid reason — and you may be able to come to an agreement if you know what they don't like about "political stories."

Do… live up to the goals and your part of the plan.