Looking for some sound reporting tips to undergird your environmental coverage?

A nonprofit news media public service organization, NewsLab, headed by former CBS and CNN environmental reporter Deborah Potter in Washington, D.C., offers a useful “Reporter’s Checklist for Accuracy” on its web site.

The organization specializes in upgrading coverage by local broadcast news organizations, but print reporters are likely to find some of its advice equally relevant.

(Some of it may sound like old hat to seasoned pros, but even beat veterans occasionally can use some reminding.) Some excerpts:

Confirm information that could be in doubt

• Any unattributed information (information that has no name attached to it) is a red flag, demanding further investigation. Even two sources may not constitute confirmation, because one source may have learned the information from the other. Always ask: How do they know what they know, and why are they telling me this?
• Make sure that anyone claiming to be an eyewitness actually was at the scene and in a position to observe what they are telling you. In breaking news situations in particular, people often sound authoritative when they are actually passing along unconfirmed rumors.

Clarify context

• Make sure the soundbites you choose fully capture what each person meant to say.

Look for what might be missing

• Review your script [story] with an eye to significant information or points of view that have not been included. Look at each soundbite, in particular, and ask: Who would disagree or take a different position?

Review for focus

• Make sure your story backs up your lead. Have you over-reached or over-stated the story?

Do the math

• Stories with numbers must be checked to make sure the numbers add up. Recalculate percentages, percent change, ratios, and the like, no matter where you got them.
• Check with an expert not involved in the story if you have questions about how the numbers were calculated.

Fact check graphics

• Make sure the information you provide to graphics is correct -- especially numbers. Call to confirm all telephone numbers and visit all Web addresses.

Screen the finished story

• Be sure that your words and pictures are telling the same story.
• Be sure the narration and soundbites match the finished script, and that mistakes have not crept in during tracking or editing.