One of the most common issues raised by the reporters, cameraman or stringers relates to byline or personal credit for their stories and reports. Admitted, that to each man name is the sweetest sound on the earth. Agreed, that the reporters and cameraman need to be acknowledged and appreciated for their efforts at producing a story. Keeping in tune with this philosophy, good and deserving stories on any channel, newspaper are highlighted with a byline. But then going by the persistent demand from various quarters, shouldn’t we also pause for a moment to ponder if a byline is warranted for every story? Generally in terms of quality and credibility should be reflected in the stories and reports that carry byline. Bylines for every story in a news item/ bulletin will only the result in blurring the difference between routine and truly special stories.
While senior and experienced hands at the respective desk are allocating bylines to a deserving stories, many a time there is a niggling doubt that justice has not been done. Here is a simple ready reckoner with general guidelines pertaining to bylines, for field and desk staff to consult in times of doubt.
When does a story deserve a byline?
1 Exclusive Story: It must be something that is available only with you and your channel or news daily. For this, it must be a story that can not be replicated by other reporters. However one must remember that exclusivity of stories has to be evolved through the quality of our workmanship and journalistic abilities. It is not something that is left to chance or mere harvesting of opportunity.
2 Special Story: It should not be a routine, run of the mill story or report. A story that is the outcome of your journalistic initiative and effort definitely deserves a byline. However, remember that the special story must also be sufficiently important and affect a considerable proportion of your target audience/ reader.
3 Investigative Story: If the story is investigative in nature, it needs to be attributed to a reporter. This is necessary since such stories usually deal with or lead to controversy. Therefore giving a byline to investigative stories is essential to help in tracing the sources if necessary.
4 Interview: in an interview based story or report, the reporter has to do a lot of ground work pertaining to a celebrity or public figure. Since the reporter is specifically interviewing a public personality, as such he is representing the organization on screen. Therefore, bylines may be assigning to such stories.
5 Special Assignments: when assigned for special coverage like election, disasters and special events in areas, which are not in the routine domain of activity. For exp, if a reporter working in
Who deserves a byline for a Story:
Reporters / Stringers: Since he/she is front man on the field, it is his/her initiative and enterprise that is responsible for the story finally aired by the news channel.
Cameraperson: In cases where the story gets special character mainly because of the ingenuity or creativity of the cameraperson, undoubtedly he/she should be included in the byline.
Editors: Packaging could also sometime be a vital factor in deciding the impact of a story. In some instances, stories are generated in the desk rather than the field. In such cases, it is the video editors who can also be considered for mention in the byline.
It is true that some news channels and networks are comparatively liberal when it comes to awarding bylines. Bylines are given to all and sundry inputs in these TV channels. While seeing and hearing our names on TV may be treating for us, it must be remembered that too much of a good thing kills the thrill, novelty and most importantly, the dignity, credibility and effort involved in news gathering of relatively high standards.
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