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Step 1
Utilize all newsroom resources to gather information. The assignment editor who sent you to the breaking news live shot should have some details. This may only be what and where the breaking news happened. Press the assignment desk to get you more information as you prepare for your live shot. Also have them pull background information and file video. Biographies and historical accounts are useful. The details can help you fill time when you don't have anything new.
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Step 2
Witnesses should be your first priority. After that seek police and other officials. If no one seems to know what is going on, look for neighbors who can put things into context. If you have time, interview one of these people in your breaking news live shot. If you have a producer or intern with you, send them out to canvas the area.
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Step 3
Write down your bullet points. You don't have time to write a script so just outline the points you want to make in your live shot. Keep everything simple, straightforward and logical. Start with the breaking news, explain what happened chronologically, then wrap it up with what we can expect next.
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Step 4
Tell viewers what you don't know. Reporters often do breaking news live shots without knowing any facts. In local TV news it is more important to get on the air first than to have all the details. If you are missing important facts that are essential to the story, explain that you don't know but are working to find out. Viewers appreciate this and wont be wondering why you never mentioned something obviously important.
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Step 5
Don't talk too much. Reporters often lose track of what they are saying in breaking news live shots and start to yammer. Often a reporter will do a great breaking news live shot only to ruin it by dragging it on too long.
