How to Cover a Suicide Bombing

Covering a suicide bombing is not easy, and not just when it comes to writing about it. You're dealing with one of the most horrific scenarios seen in today's news reports, not to mention one that will likely require some extensive political analysis that will allow readers to understand why it occurred and what it could mean. Here are some tips on how to cover a suicide bombing

Things You'll Need

• A computer
• The Internet
• A good tape recorder
• A reporter's notepad
• A pen

Instructions

Make note of everything and find witnesses -- any witnesses

1. Get to the scene of the suicide bombing as soon as you hear about possible casualties reported -- through police scanners, radio stations, TV channels or the Internet. You want to be at the scene because you want to paint a picture of the horrific events for your readers and find people who witnessed the actual explosion.

2. Find policemen, firemen and especially medical workers operating in the area and ask them what happened and how many people were injured or killed. Sadly, in regions where suicide bombings are not unusual, people are ready to answer this type of question when approached by reporters.

3. Ask people in the area if they witnessed the explosion or its aftermath and persuade them to talk to you on the record. Most of the time, witnesses are willing to do so. Make note of their names, ages and possibly their occupations as well. You want to make it so that your readers are able to identify with the people involved in your story and this means personalization is needed. People are more likely to read or watch news reports if they can relate to them.

4. Jot down notes of what you see -- whether it is a charred bus with body parts strewn about or policemen lining up body bags against a wall. Be as graphic as possible. You're going to include the information in your article and write it so that the reader will be able to imagine that he was there with you.

5. Write your article like you would any other news story. Keep really good, graphic or emotional quotes up high -- the third or fourth paragraph is ideal. Include figures -- number of people killed and injured -- but also make note of any details of particularly "news-worthy" victims, such as children or teenagers, pregnant women, political figures -- which could suggest an assassination or assassination attempt -- or celebrities.

6. Put your story into context. Explain any political events that may have led up to the attack and what the attack could mean for certain parties or whether the attack could freeze or hinder ongoing political negotiations. Include background about any other recent attacks if there were any.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be traumatized by what you see at the scene of a suicide bombing. If it is too much for you to handle, you may want to tell your editor to send another reporter to cover it.

• The people you will interview may also be in shock. Be persistent in a bid to get them to talk to you, but be sensitive as well.