Memory vs. Mechanics: This exercise is designed to work on the skill of using the mechanics of journalism, versus the lazy form of relying on memory, to make what's called a "fast turn" story. You will often get handed a story and need to turn it around under deadline and have to work with colleagues to get it done, with each of you bringing different facts to the table, and collaboratively writing the piece. In this case, you should use either the print or broadcast template, name it, then share it out with all three of you on the same group. Figure out who has which role. If everyone is going to be a writer, that's fine, but it's tough to coordinate. In cases like this, it's often easiest if it works like this with three roles:

Gathering Facts

Writing/Reporting

Editing/Publishing

More notes in "PARAMETERS" details below the group assignments list.

You now have 45 mins from start to finish to dive into your exercise. For print writers, you should plan to turn about 300-words. For broadcast, you should turn about a one-minute piece. Be ready to report back just before 11am.

RACISM DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN NYC

Late last night, the New York City Board of Health declared racism a public health crisis, mostly due to the fact. "the COVID-19 pandemic magnified inequalities, leading to suffering disproportionally borne by communities of color in our city and across the nation." This is not the first city to do so, but by far the largest. What does this mean? if you have time, call the NYC Public Health Board's public information officer – or their website – do they have a press release out yet? Can you call them to see how they're instituting this? Will there be fines for violators? Find a way to advance this story. Get creative.

Here is a backgrounder article: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/racism-declared-new-york-city-public-health-crisis-n1281929

Parameters:

Online data

You may quote Associated Press (as fact)

You may not quote sources I gave you or other news sources as sources

You may, however, use quotes in stories or in reports or in YouTube and use those as direct quotes

You may make calls to sources, public information officers (PIOS), people for quotes, etc. 

Do not make up quotes

You may leave this room to work or stay here

45-mins to work

Timer ends at 11am – prepare to report your story then

Print: 300-ish words / Broadcast: One min report