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A newsdesk is a central facility or department in a news organisation that coordinates, organises and supervises news reporting and publishing. The newsdesk plays a critical role in the newsroom and is often the heart of news production. Here are some of the main functions and tasks of a newsdesk:
News gathering: the newsdesk is responsible for the ongoing gathering of news sources. This may include tracking news outlets, social media, official press releases, interviews and other sources of information:
News selection: Based on the information gathered, the newsdesk decides which news items are relevant for reporting and which should be published in the organisation's media channels.
Planning and assignment: The newsdesk plans which stories or reports should appear in upcoming newscasts, articles or programmes. It assigns journalists and reporters to the respective tasks.
Coordination: The newsdesk coordinates the work of reporters, editors, cameramen and other staff to ensure that news is produced and published in a timely and efficient manner.
Editing: Journalists submit their reports to the newsdesk, which checks and edits them to ensure they meet journalistic standards and are accurate.
Breaking news: The newsdesk is particularly important when it comes to breaking news. It ensures that such news is handled and published immediately in order to inform the public quickly.
Communication: The newsdesk often acts as an interface between newsrooms and other departments within the news organisation, including the technology department, the graphics department and the online editorial department.
News distribution: The newsdesk is responsible for distributing news content to various platforms, including television, radio, print, online websites and social media.
Crisis management: In the event of an emergency or crisis, the newsdesk monitors the news situation and ensures that relevant information is communicated in real time.
Research and background information: The newsdesk may also be responsible for providing background information and research to journalists to enable informed reporting.
The newsdesk may also be responsible for providing background information and research to journalists to enable informed reporting.
The newsdesk is a key player in the news industry and plays a crucial role in organising, prioritising and publishing news. The effective functioning of the newsdesk is critical to providing high quality and timely news to the public.
There are various forms of journalistic presentation that journalists use to present news and stories. These forms of presentation are often chosen according to the content and type of reporting. Here are some of the most important journalistic presentation forms:
Message: The news item is the basic form of journalistic reporting. It provides a clear, concise and objective account of current events, often in the form of a "who, what, when, where and why."
Reportage: Reportage is a more detailed form of reporting that often includes personal stories, interviews and background information. It is used to shed light on an event or topic in more detail.
Interview: In an interview, the journalist talks to people involved in a particular event or issue to gather their opinions, viewpoints and information. Interviews can appear as separate articles or as part of features.
Commentary: Commentaries are opinion pieces by journalists or experts who present their views on current topics or events. This form of presentation allows for the inclusion of subjective opinions and analysis.
Column: Columns are regular opinion pieces by specific authors or columnists, often focusing on specific topics or areas of interest. They can be humorous, critical, informative or personal.
Feature articles: Feature articles are longer, more in-depth reports that often focus on human stories, trends or background information. They provide an in-depth and well-researched perspective.
Image reporting: Image reporting involves the use of photos or graphics to accompany or complement a story. Images can often convey emotions and impressions better than text alone.
Analysis: Analysis articles provide a thorough examination and evaluation of a complex issue or situation. They often include in-depth research and expert opinion.
Investigative journalism: Investigative journalism aims to uncover secret information, scandals or wrongdoing. It often requires investigative research and in-depth analysis.
Chronicle: A chronicle is a narrative account of events in chronological order. It is often used to trace the development of a story or event.
Editorial: Editorials are opinion pieces written by the editorial staff of a newspaper or magazine that state the publication's position or stance on a topic or issue.
Live reporting: Live reporting occurs in real time and covers ongoing events, such as political debates, sporting events or crises, through text, video or social media.
These forms of presentation can be used in various media formats, including printed newspapers and magazines, television, radio, online news and social media. The choice of the most appropriate form of presentation depends on the nature of the news or story, as well as the target audiences and objectives of journalism.
In Switzerland, journalists can usually obtain a press card from a variety of sources. Here are some of the main sources where you can apply for a press card:
Swiss Federation of Journalists (SJV): The Swiss Federation of Journalists is one of the main places for journalists to apply for a press card in Switzerland. As a rule, you must be a member of the SJV to use this service. The SJV offers members assistance with the application process and issues the press card.
Your employer or media organization: If you work for an established media organization in Switzerland, you can also contact your employer directly, as many media organizations handle the issuance of press cards for their employees.
Swiss Press Council: The Swiss Press Council is an independent self-regulatory organization for the press in Switzerland. They advocate for journalistic ethics and standards and issue a press card for members.
Association of Foreign Correspondents in Switzerland (ACOS): The ACOS is an association of foreign correspondents and journalists in Switzerland. It offers assistance in applying for press cards for foreign media representatives.
The exact requirements and conditions for issuing a press card can vary from organization to organization. In most cases, you must be able to prove that you are a journalist, for example by providing samples of your work or other documents. Membership in a journalist association such as the SJV can make the process easier, as these organizations often provide the necessary proof and support. It is advisable to contact the respective body to which you wish to apply for the press card directly for detailed information and instructions on how to apply.
In Switzerland, there are various journalists' associations and organizations that represent the interests of journalists and offer them support and networking opportunities. Here are some of the most important journalists' associations and organizations in Switzerland:
Verband Schweizer Medien (VSM): The Swiss Media Association is one of the most important and influential organizations for media companies in Switzerland. It represents the interests of publishers, editors, and journalists in print, broadcast, and digital media.
Swiss Press Council: The Swiss Press Council is an independent self-regulatory organization for the press in Switzerland. It promotes journalistic ethics and standards and reviews complaints about violations of the press code.
Swiss Journalism Council.
Swiss Journalists Association (SJV): The SJV is the main professional association for journalists in Switzerland. It represents the interests of journalists and offers its members legal support, training and networking opportunities.
Swiss Syndicate of Media Workers (SSM): The SSM is a trade union that represents the interests of media workers in Switzerland. It advocates for the labor rights and professional concerns of journalists and editors.
Swiss Association for Communication (SVK): SVK is an association for communication professionals, including journalists, PR professionals, and other media and communication professionals.
Swiss Association of Science Journalists (SASJ): SASJ is an association specializing in the interests of science journalists and promoting quality and ethics in science reporting.
Association of Foreign Correspondents in Switzerland (ACOS): ACOS is an association of foreign correspondents and journalists working in Switzerland. It provides support and networking opportunities for foreign media representatives.
There are also regional journalists' associations and organizations in different parts of Switzerland that specialize in the interests of journalists in specific regions. Membership in one of these associations can provide journalists with access to training, resources and a network of colleagues to further their professional development. Choosing an association often depends on individual interests and the type of journalistic work.
In Germany, there are several journalists' associations and organizations that represent the interests of journalists and offer various services to their members. Here are some of the most important journalists' associations in Germany:
German Journalists' Association (DJV): The DJV is one of the largest and best-known journalists' associations in Germany. It represents the interests of journalists in various media sectors, including print, broadcast, online and freelance. The DJV provides legal support, training and other services to members.
Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten (VDS): This association targets sports journalists and offers support and networking opportunities in this specific field. It also organizes the annual election for "Sports Journalist of the Year."
Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV): BDZV represents the interests of publishers and newspaper publishers, but also plays an important role in the media landscape and provides information and resources for journalists.
Freischreiber e.V.: Freischreiber is a professional association for freelance journalists. It advocates for the interests of freelancers and provides information on fees, contracts and other issues affecting freelance journalists.
German Press Council: Although the German Press Council is not an association of journalists, it plays an important role in the German media landscape. It is an independent self-regulatory body for the press and advocates journalistic ethics and standards.
Women Journalists Association: This association is specifically dedicated to the interests of women journalists and advocates for equal rights and opportunities for women in the media.
Association of German Science Journalists (WPK): The WPK is an association of journalists who report on scientific topics. It promotes quality and ethics in science reporting.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other regional and specialized journalists' associations and organizations in Germany. The choice of an association often depends on the journalist's individual interests, type of journalistic activity, and goals. Membership in one of these associations can provide journalists with access to resources, training, and a network of colleagues.