D I G I T A L

E A K I N G N EW
B R S
DIGITAL UPDATE
B r e a k i n g N e w s
When breaking news happens, the first place viewers are going to see it
is online either on our website, on social media or on our app. It's the
first place we can beat everyone... or get beat.
 Website
Web story
Web stories need to be started once we send
someone to a story. If there's not a ton of info
available, start a skeleton story. The main
point is that we need to get info (accurate
and verified) up ASAP.
Circulate, tag, push
Breakings news stories should be circulated
in News, Local and Breaking News. They
should be tagged to the top of the homepage
and a push alert (that is checked several
times before it's sent) should be sent out.
 S o c i a l M e d i a
If there is an article on our website then it needs to be on our socials. When
posting it online, don't be scared to highlight that it's breaking news. A
caption can say:
BREAKING NEWS: Man wielding hatchet shot in officer-involved shooting
Reporter at Scene
Get and send info
A soon as you arrive at a scene take a photo
and send it back in Breaking News Teams so
someone at the station can attach it to the
web article.
When you get new information, relay it to the
newsroom so we can update articles.
Social Media
Once you get to a place where you have
time post updates on your social media
like a Twitter thread or pictures of the
scene on Facebook.
Those elements are helpful to add to
articles, especially if there is limited info.
 a c e b o o k L i v e
F T h e y s h o w o u r a u d i e n c e t h a t we a r e t h e r e

Starting a Facebook Live during breaking news is a great way to get

engagement and provide info to our audience in real time.
 A F e w R u l es

Account Orientation
When there is breaking news start Once you start a FB Live you can

the Facebook Live from the KBTX not change the orientation.

Facebook page. Everyone should Please be sure to use Landscape

have access, if you don't please let during any FB Live (or video).

me know.
Should look like this
 d R e s p o n s i b
a r e i l i t
S h y
Breaking news is everyone's job
If you're ending your shift as news breaks, you must
confirm the hand off of responsibility to another
team member.
Remember, big situations require plenty of hands.