Better News Writing

No one thinks they’re a bad news writer. There are all sorts of reasons for using clichés and “news-speak” in stories (time/deadline pressure being one), but seldom an excuse. That’s why phrases like “fled on foot” and “the incident remains under investigation” – phrases only cops use – find their way into news copy every day, from local stations to the networks. Here’s a link to a short, very readable article in today’s bulletin from the RTDNA.  See if you can find some phrases or words here that you fall back on – even though you know they’re clichés or cop-speak.