- Do not pass a verdict or make a judgment: It is not your duty as a editor to pass a verdict or make judgment. Just gather the facts of the story, present them to your audience and let them decide on whose side they will want to go.
- Do not editorialise: Leave editorialising to the editorial writers. News reports must be as straightforward and objective as possible.
- Avoid the use of unfamiliar jargon: Do not assume that your audience understands the meanings of the unfamiliar jargons you are using. Always use familiar words.
- Keep yourself and other reporters out of the story: Keep yourself and other colleagues out of the story unless you and them are an essential part of the news.
- Avoid the use of “told me,” “told this writer” or “told our reporter: The phrase “in an interview will serve your purpose.
- There must be perfect accuracy in writing and reporting: When in doubt, leave it out.
- There must be no willful distortion of facts in either news or headlines: Never tamper with the facts of a story no matter the benefits that may accrue to you as a result. This is an unforgivable offence in journalism. Any reporter who tampers or fabricates the so-called facts of a story is “finished” in the industry. You become leprous, untouchable and unemployable.
- Always use simple words: News writing and reporting are not the platforms to impress anybody with long sounding and big words. Always use the nearest simple word. A good news report is the one the average reader reads and understands.
- Start your story halfway down the first page: You must give enough space for your superior editorial staff to work on your copy.
- Leave at least one-inch margin at left, right, top and bottom of each page: Do not overcrowd the pages. Leave appropriate margins as required, stories from the bottom without losing any substance of the story.
- You must quote accurately: Use quotes only where necessary to brighten up your story. Please, do not overdo this in your copy.
- Use “said” if you want to write in the present tense and “said that” if it is reported speech: This style helps the copy retain currency and life.
- Always read your copy carefully and connect all typographical spelling and grammatical mistakes before turning it in: This is a primary rule even in ordinary or everyday writing. No amount of haste could justify a badly written copy.
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