Elevating Legislative Reporting: Tools and Techniques

Training for media professionals

1. Elevating Legislative Reporting: Tools and Techniques in High-Impact Storytelling Explore the tools and techniques for crafting high-impact stories that capture the essence of legislative processes and policy decisions.

2. Temidayo Taiwo- Sidiq Temidayo Taiwo- Sidiq is a seasoned journalist and parliamentary monitor with over 13 years of experience in various fields. He holds a degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin. He has contributed to organizations like RED For Africa, YNaija.com/ Y! Africa, The Future Project, and founded Polity Panorama in 2021. In 2023, he became a prominent media commentator on Nigerian parliamentary issues and led the first legislative-focused Election Situation Room and MVP Hall of Fame. He currently advises the Media and Public Affairs Committee at the Nigeria House of Representatives .

3. The URL Mindset Unlearning Letting go of preconceived notions and outdated information to make way for new perspectives and approaches. Re-Learning Actively seeking out and engaging with updated knowledge, skills, and best practices to improve reporting. Learning Maintaining a continuous mindset of growth and adaptation to stay ahead of the curve in legislative reporting. Adopting the URL (Unlearn, Re-Learn, Learn) mindset empowers journalists to stay relevant, insightful, and impactful in their legislative reporting. The concept of URL (Unlearning, Re-Learning, and Learning) is a valuable mindset for journalists, and anyone seeking to stay curious and informed. It highlights the importance of:

4. Session Objective Factual Reporting vs. Narrative Storytelling Explore the difference between traditional factual reporting and the power of narrative storytelling to make legislative issues more relatable and engaging. Relatable and Accessible Storytelling Discover techniques to craft stories that resonate with the audience, bringing complex legislative topics to life in a way that is easily understood . High-Impact Storytelling Tools Introduce a variety of tools and strategies for effective storytelling, including the use of visuals, personal anecdotes, and creative language to elevate legislative reporting.

5. Understanding Motivation Uncovering the drives and passions that fuel a journalist's pursuit of high-impact legislative reporting Understanding the source of one’s motivation as a journalist is of great importance, as it helps to minimise bias and identify potential conflicts of interest. Understanding this, helps one to stay focused on the story, rather than being driven by personal agendas.

6. Identity Crafting Shaping a unique voice and perspective in legislative reporting Parliamentary Observer Parliamentary Expert: Possesses in-depth knowledge of parliamentary procedures and rules Advises on legislative best practices and protocol Supports lawmakers and staff in navigating complex processes Legislative Activist Advocates for specific policy changes or social causes Mobilises public support and awareness campaigns Collaborates with lawmakers, organisations, and communities to drive legislative change . Attends parliamentary sessions and committee meetings Observes and reports on debates, discussions, and decisions Provides real-time insights and analysis to stakeholders Parliamentary Analyst/Monitor: Tracks and reports on parliamentary activities, debates, and votes Monitors committee work and legislative progress Legislative Strategist: Develops effective legislative strategies for clients or organisations Monitors and analyses bill progress and political landscape Provides guidance on advocacy and lobbying efforts

7. The Looming Threat to Your Job Automated Story Generation AI-Powered Editing Algorithmic News Curation Audience Personalization Will you be replaced by a robot, or will you revolutionise the way you report?

8. Turning the Tide A L U E Analyse Look Deep Uncover Enrich Analyse legislative developments with in-depth storytelling (provide context and implications for the public) Look deeper through investigative reporting (explore topics like election expenses, and parliamentary processes) Uncover hidden gems with listicles and rankings (highlight notable lawmakers, bills, and achievements) Enrich your coverage with parliamentary insights (offer new perspectives & predictions) V Vitalise Vitalise your reporting with multimedia storytelling (visuals, videos & infographics) Leveraging VALUE Storytelling By embracing the principles of VALUE, journalists can provide real value to their audiences and set themselves apart from machine-generated content. What do you bring to the table? : VALUE is the key to unlocking engaging and insightful legislative reporting! ●NB: Collaboration: (BBC Africa Eye model What does VALUE stand for:

9. SPORT Reporting S P O R T Status Project Outcome Outline Processes Report Milestones Track Impact Identify the current stage of the bill or legislation, such as introduction, debate, committee review, voting, or enactment. Predict or report on the likely outcome of the legislation, including potential impact on various groups or sectors Explain the steps and procedures involved in the legislative process, including committee hearings, mark-ups, and floor debates. Cover key events and milestones in the legislative journey, such as passage in one chamber or signing into law Monitor and report on the effects of the legislation after its enactment, including implementation, enforcement, and any changes or amendments. Status Reporting Sport Reporting As A Technique In Effective Parliamentary Reporting Covering all aspects of the legislative journey, providing comprehensive and informative reporting on the parliamentary process

10. Constitution The supreme law of the land, outlining the foundational principles, structures, and powers of the government, including the legislative branch. Extant Laws The collection of currently enacted statutes and regulations that govern the legislative process and the scope of parliamentary powers. Standing Orders The established rules and procedures that guide the day-to-day operations, debates, and decision-making within the legislative chamber. Legislative Agenda Stay informed about the legislative priorities and goals of the National Assembly Notice Paper Obtain and review the Notice Paper regularly, which outlines upcoming business and debates Order Paper Obtain and review the Notice Paper regularly, which outlines upcoming business and debates House Directory Maintain an accurate and updated directory of: Committee members and their chairmen Lawmakers' contact information and constituencies Parliamentary staff and their roles ESSENTIAL TOOLS IN EFFECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY REPORTING

11. Additional Tips: Build relationships with lawmakers, committee chairmen, and parliamentary staff to stay informed and gather insights. Attend committee hearings, public hearings, and plenary sessions to stay up-to-date on legislative developments. Verify information through multiple sources to ensure accuracy and balance in your reporting. Stay organised and maintain a comprehensive database of documents, contacts, and information for easy reference. Continuously update your knowledge and skills to stay current with changing parliamentary procedures and best practices in journalism.

12. “The highest purpose of journalism is to inform, to educate, and to enlighten” WALTER LIPPMANN (1889-1974) American writer, journalist, and political commentator