Beat Reporters and Their Sources

What makes beat reporting different is that when you regularly report on the same institution or social topic, you develop relationships with key sources, relationships that are fundamental to your ability to do your job. The type of relationships formed between beat reporters and their sources is what makes beat reporting unique.

After landing a beat, it is necessary to talk with your predecesor about their past relationships with crucial sources, as well as to introduce yourself to the sources themselves. You need to flatter sources -- especially when you know that you will need their help story after story. The textbook recommends showing interest in their work and showing that you value any information they can give you.

Getting to know your sources also makes it more likely that you'll be able to get exclusive interviews with them when they are involved in a story that extends beyond your beat. When this happens, your familiarity with a source will be invaluable to an editor, and might result in a promotion.

The textbook warns that after extended close contact with some sources, you may find yourself developing sympathies for their cause/opinions. You may use your beat to get their views out to the public, whether consciously or not. Sources could even intentionally try to take advantage of the personal relationships beat reporters often develop with key sources. The textbook's recommendation is to "be wary" -- good advice for any journalist, but beat reporters especially.

I thought the textbook's "police beat" section was particularly interesting...and funny. Police departments are portrayed here as speicial clubs, where reporters should strive to "fit in" and "learn police lore." Journalists should also encourage police gossip -- some of the most interesting gossip around -- and to then, of course, look for the truth behind it.

What I found most interesting was that the book also recommended reporters "lend a sympathetic ear" to police officers -- interesting advice, considering the textbook warns against developing sympathies for your sources earlier in the chapter. I do think it's true though: Journalists should show sympathy to police officers, to all individuals who place themselves in harms way to serve the public. I have two reasons:
1) As the book says, you have to give a little to get a little. Police officers have a tough job, no argument. If you recognize this, and show you recognize this, they'll probably be more likely to talk to you...everyone likes to be appreciated.
and 2) There's nothing wrong with developing sympathies for any source, even if they're not a police officer or another individual with a notably dangerous or admirable job. Yes, you should be wary of your sympathies, but as long as you don't report in a way that reflects personal bias, no harm done. Journalists should remain fair and objective in their reporting, but aren't expected to show no emotion and refrain from developing personal relationships within the community they're reporting on.