What Makes a Good Reporter?

Sky Sports News Football Correspondent knows what it takes to be a good reporter.

Mr C, 38, loves the traveling, games and the atmosphere of covering football matches. Flying from one country to another in the early hours of the morning to report news stories comes with excitement paired with tiredness, which can often be involved in the lives of good reporters.

Giving an example of Bill Kenwright taking over as Chairman of Everton FC on one Christmas Eve. Mr C had finished his work for Christmas but had to "dart back to the office" when he was told of the news so that he could break this story and get response to it. He describes events like these, coupled with transfer deadline days as"manic", claiming that you always have to be in the right place to report the biggest news of the time.

This was prominent with him at the time of Torres leaving Liverpool as they signed Andy Carroll on deadline day in 2011. He recalls seeing fans burning football shirts and having to report all the last minute details that caused controversy with fans.

However, there can be times when there isn't drama and stories don't come so easily. Mr C says that it can happen during International week when there is not much happening, but this has to be dealt with. According to Mr C you have to take initiative and think ahead; try to get to the press office, find quirky stories, but most of all, talk to people.

This ability to find a story is also a crucial factor of being a good reporter. An example of a recent event came to his mind; when an off-duty ITV reporter tweeted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, was travelling in first class on a train whilst only carrying a standard ticket. This discovery spread and was soon all over the social networking sites and news. Stories that break like this, in Mr C's opinion, show the signs of a good reporter.

His final addition was that contacts are essential, and "keeping them sweet" is a must once you have them. In his field, he gives examples of people high up who you have previously interviewed, as well as those more unexpected, such as gate men at football grounds, who you get to know and could potentially witness transfers that no one knows about yet. Building up their trust could lead to you getting stories from them, before anyone else knows about them.

Dangers of 'Steaming Cocktails'

"That's really gruesome." This, a reaction from student, Miss A, in Bournemouth speaking about a horrific news story involving one girl's loss of a stomach. 

Gaby Scanlon was celebrating her 18th Birthday in Lancaster in early October when she suffered excruciating pains after drinking two 'nitrogen cocktails'. Mixed with Jagermeister, this lethal steaming cocktail led to Gaby having her stomach removed. Some weeks on, she is now considering suing the bar that served it to her.

 Mrs B, 46, drug counsellor and mother from Poole said "this is awful" and she is "constantly warning" her 10 year old daughter about "drugs and things". Regarding Oscar's Bar, who served this drink, she adds "it's not good is it? I don't know how they're allowed to do it, quite honestly.

"It's just a question of the government has to put a stop to it."

Mr C, 42 year old Draftsman from Torquay backed up her point  by saying: "It's stupid of the bar and they should test it first or train their bar staff properly."

 Mr D, 74, from Hemel Hempsted thinks "they didn't realise what they were doing, the bar people. they didn't realise the problems it created." In addition, he believes that she just wants some money and that Gaby's intentions to sue are "a bit wrong...I don't think they should get anything out of it because she was stupid".

Other opinions on the prospect of Gaby suing came from Miss E, a 15 year old school girl, who thinks she should "try to sue but she should also understand that she's partially to blame. She should be responsible for what she's drinking." Miss E and friend Miss F, also 15 and both from Basingstoke, have been warned by family members to be careful when out and to cover drinks. Mrs G, 68, from Reading, adds that "a lot of people are aware of it and I always warn my grandchildren to cover their drinks."

Mrs H, 48 year old teaching assistant from Reading thinks this "needs to be highlighted in the press". She also thinks we "should have camera's in the bars" to make sure they know what is being served.

There are differing views on who's fault this "tragic" incident was. Mr I, 25 year old student thinks that "if the girl was drunk when she drank it, it's her friends' fault, but if she was sober, it's her own fault, because she should know what she's drinking." However, Mr J, 20 year old student living on Oxford Road, thinks it's partially the fault of all 3; hers, her friends and Oscar's Bar; adding, "I'd sue them, sue them for everything they're worth".