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Breaking bread (and news) with sources

So I inherited the police beat in January or February, and I've been trying very hard to develop sources for a department that has been famously and notoriously secretive in their operations.

It's very difficult because I am not kama'aina, which means a local, but directly means "child of the land." Sure I'm from an island, but since I don't know how to spell the street names, it kinda gives me away.

So do you all have any tips on how you all develop sources? I'm not going to pretend I'm a guru at this: I was behind a desk for two of three years in my career, so I don't have as much beat experience as some of you might have.
Published Thursday, May 24, 2007 5:16 PM by GenePark
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Comments

# re: Breaking bread (and news) with sources

Sunday, May 27, 2007 1:39 AM by ElysseJames
Sorry, wish I could help!

# re: Breaking bread (and news) with sources

Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:07 AM by SonyaSmith
Well I'm a beat reporter! I think this is something we all need to always work on. For sourcing advice - please check out this online tip sheet written by Larry Welborn. He's currently a courts reporter for the Orange County Register. He's been there for a long time and is an excellent reporter - plus he's a nice guy!!!! Here ya go: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=95300
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