Prompt Library

Report Better Stories Faster with AI-Powered Prompts

35 copy-paste prompts

35 practical ChatGPT prompts to accelerate story research, sharpen investigative angles, prepare stronger interviews, and produce cleaner copy on deadline.

Story Research & Sourcing

5 prompts

Story Angle Development from a News Event

1/35

A significant event has occurred: [describe the event, e.g., a company announced mass layoffs, a new policy was enacted, a disaster struck a region]. The basic facts have been widely reported. I cover [beat] for [publication type]. I need to find angles that go beyond the breaking news. Generate 10 story angles that: dig into the underlying causes rather than the surface event, identify affected populations or stakeholders that other outlets may overlook, connect this event to larger systemic trends or patterns, suggest data sources or documents that could support an original angle, and indicate which angles could be turned around in [24 hours / 1 week / 1 month]. For each angle, include a one-sentence pitch and identify the primary source type I would need (affected person, expert, public records, data analysis).

Generates differentiated story angles from a breaking news event, prioritized by turnaround time and source requirements.

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Pro tip: The best angle is often "who is affected but not being interviewed?" Every major event has a stakeholder group that other outlets are ignoring. Find that group and you have an original story.

Public Records Request Strategy

2/35

I am investigating [topic/issue] and need to obtain public records. The entities involved include [government agencies, companies, officials]. I am based in [jurisdiction]. Draft a public records strategy that includes: specific records to request from each entity (be precise: what database, what document type, what date range), the correct legal authority for each request (FOIA, state public records act, specific statute), how to frame each request to maximize the chance of getting useful records without triggering overly broad exemptions, anticipated exemptions the agency might cite and how to narrow the request preemptively, a recommended sequencing strategy (which requests to file first and why), timeline expectations for each request, and appeal language to prepare in case of denial or excessive redactions.

Builds a tactical public records request strategy with specific documents, legal authorities, and pre-drafted appeal language.

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Pro tip: File narrow, specific requests rather than broad ones. Asking for "all emails about X" triggers delay and exemption claims. Asking for "emails between [person] and [person] about [specific topic] from [date] to [date]" gets faster results.

Expert Source Identification

3/35

I am writing a story about [topic] and need to identify expert sources who can provide credible analysis and context. The specific questions I need answered are: [list 3-5 questions]. The story angle is [describe]. Suggest 10 categories of experts I should contact, including: academic researchers who study this topic (suggest specific departments or research centers likely to have relevant expertise), industry analysts or consultants, former government officials or regulators with relevant experience, advocacy organizations on different sides of the issue, data scientists or researchers who might have relevant datasets, and practitioners with direct experience. For each category, suggest specific search strategies to find named individuals (conference speaker lists, published research, regulatory filings, LinkedIn approaches). Flag which sources are likely to be available on a [tight/flexible] deadline.

Maps the expert source landscape for a story with specific strategies for identifying and reaching named individuals on deadline.

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Pro tip: Call academic departments directly and ask the administrative assistant who researches your topic. They know every faculty member's specialty and will connect you faster than cold emails.

Background Research Brief for a New Story

4/35

I am starting to report on [topic/issue/entity]. I have limited background knowledge. Create a research brief that covers: the essential context a reporter needs to understand before conducting interviews (key history, terminology, stakeholders, controversies), the major developments in chronological order over the past [X years], the key players and their positions/interests, the fundamental tension or conflict at the heart of this issue, common misconceptions that journalists often get wrong on this topic, the most important data sources and documents that exist on this topic, previous notable journalism on this subject and what angles they covered, and the unanswered questions or under-reported aspects. Cite the types of sources for each claim so I know what to verify independently.

Creates a comprehensive research brief that gets a reporter up to speed on a new topic quickly while highlighting what needs independent verification.

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Pro tip: Use this as a starting map, not as facts. Every claim in a ChatGPT research brief needs independent verification through primary sources before it goes into your reporting.

Data Source Identification for an Investigation

5/35

I am investigating [specific issue, e.g., environmental violations, financial misconduct, safety failures, inequality in public services]. I believe the pattern exists in [geographic area or industry]. Identify every data source that could help me find evidence or patterns, including: federal databases and reporting systems relevant to this topic, state and local government data repositories, corporate filings and disclosures (SEC, state incorporation records, permits), court records and legal filings, academic datasets that cover this area, industry self-reported data, nonprofit and watchdog organization data compilations, and social media or crowdsourced data that might surface individual cases. For each source, specify: where to find it, what it contains, its limitations, and how to analyze it for patterns. Suggest a data analysis approach that a journalist with [basic/intermediate/advanced] spreadsheet skills can execute.

Identifies all available data sources for an investigation with specific access points, limitations, and analysis approaches matched to your technical skill level.

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Pro tip: The most powerful investigative datasets are often mundane: building permits, health inspections, court dockets, campaign finance filings. The story emerges when you aggregate what nobody else has bothered to compile.

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Investigative Reporting

5 prompts

Investigation Hypothesis and Reporting Plan

6/35

I have a tip or suspicion about [describe the potential story]. The initial evidence is: [describe what you know so far]. I cover [beat] for [publication type]. Build an investigation plan that includes: a clear hypothesis statement (what I am trying to prove or disprove), the specific evidence I would need to confirm or refute the hypothesis, a phased reporting plan (Phase 1: document the basic facts, Phase 2: establish the pattern, Phase 3: determine causation and accountability), source categories to develop at each phase (with notes on approach and sequencing), document and data analysis steps, potential legal or ethical pitfalls to navigate, a realistic timeline estimate, what a publishable story looks like at different levels of confirmation (minimum viable story vs. the full investigation), and kill criteria (what finding would tell me there is no story here).

Structures an investigation from tip to publishable story with phased reporting, evidence requirements, and clear go/no-go criteria.

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Pro tip: Define kill criteria before you start. Investigative reporters lose months on stories that should have been abandoned earlier. Pre-committed exit points save time and credibility.

Financial Document Analysis Guide

7/35

I have obtained [type of financial documents: tax returns, audited financials, budget documents, campaign finance filings, corporate disclosures, bank records] related to [entity/person]. I am looking for evidence of [potential issue: misuse of funds, undisclosed relationships, inflated revenue, hidden liabilities, self-dealing]. Walk me through a systematic analysis approach: what to look at first for quick red flags, specific line items and ratios to examine, comparison benchmarks (what is normal vs. suspicious for this type of entity), how to trace money flows between entities, common techniques used to obscure the issues I am looking for, what follow-up documents to request based on common findings, and how to present financial findings in a way that is accurate, fair, and accessible to a general audience. Assume I am a journalist with [basic/intermediate] financial literacy.

Provides a systematic financial document analysis guide calibrated to a journalist's skill level with specific red flags and comparison benchmarks.

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Pro tip: Look at the footnotes first. The most newsworthy information in financial documents is often buried in footnotes, related-party transaction disclosures, and subsequent event notes.

Pattern and Accountability Analysis

8/35

I have documented [number] instances of [problem, e.g., police use of force, environmental violations, building code failures, loan denials]. The raw data shows: [describe the pattern you see]. I need to move from correlation to accountability. Help me analyze: whether the pattern is statistically meaningful or could be explained by other factors, what confounding variables I need to rule out, specific comparisons I should make (peer agencies, similar jurisdictions, before-and-after a policy change), who has the authority and responsibility to prevent this pattern (chain of accountability), whether there are policies, regulations, or laws being violated, what the affected community can tell me that data alone cannot, and how to present the analysis fairly including giving the accountable party a genuine opportunity to respond. Include the specific questions I should put to the responsible entity in a written inquiry.

Transforms a data pattern into a rigorous accountability story by analyzing confounding variables, establishing responsibility, and drafting formal inquiry questions.

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Pro tip: Send your findings to the accountable entity with specific questions at least 48 hours before publication. Their response (or non-response) is part of the story and protects you legally.

Undercover or Sensitive Source Management

9/35

I am working with a sensitive source who has inside knowledge of [describe the situation]. The source is a [describe their position relative to the story]. They are concerned about [retaliation, legal exposure, personal safety, career damage]. Help me develop a source management protocol that covers: secure communication methods and tools appropriate for this threat level, what information to gather from the source vs. what to corroborate independently, how to protect the source's identity in my reporting and notes, documentation practices that balance thoroughness with source protection, ethical considerations specific to this type of source relationship, what to do if the source wants to go on the record later, how to verify the source's claims without revealing that I have an inside source, and my obligations if the source tells me something that suggests imminent harm. Align this with [SPJ Code of Ethics / my organization's standards].

Creates a tailored source protection protocol covering communication security, verification strategies, and ethical obligations.

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Pro tip: Never promise more protection than you can legally guarantee. Reporters can be compelled to reveal sources by courts. Be honest about the limits of your ability to protect them.

Pre-Publication Legal and Ethical Review Checklist

10/35

I am preparing to publish an investigative piece about [topic]. The story names [individuals/organizations] and makes [describe the key claims]. The evidence includes: [list evidence types: documents, on-record sources, confidential sources, data analysis, public records]. Create a pre-publication review checklist covering: factual accuracy verification (has every factual claim been independently confirmed by at least two sources?), fair comment and opinion (are opinions clearly attributed and factually grounded?), defamation risk assessment (identify the highest-risk statements and what evidence supports them), right of reply (has every person or entity criticized been given adequate opportunity to respond?), source reliability assessment (are any sources motivated by malice or personal gain?), privacy considerations (is any private information disclosed, and is disclosure justified by public interest?), legal exposure analysis (what legal theories could a plaintiff use against this piece?), and ethical considerations beyond legal requirements. Flag the three highest-risk elements that an editor or media lawyer should review closely.

Runs a systematic pre-publication review for legal risk, ethical compliance, and factual integrity with specific high-risk elements flagged.

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Pro tip: The right of reply is not a formality. Give the subject of your story enough time and specific enough questions to respond meaningfully. Perfunctory right of reply undermines both the ethics and the legal defense.

Interview Techniques

5 prompts

Interview Question Development for a Profile

11/35

I am interviewing [person, role/title] for a [type of piece: profile, feature, news story]. The angle of the story is [describe]. What I already know about them: [background information]. I have [X minutes] for the interview. Develop a complete interview question set organized into: opening questions that build rapport and get them talking comfortably, core questions that advance my story angle (each with a follow-up if they give a surface-level answer), questions designed to elicit specific anecdotes rather than generalizations, one question that challenges their narrative or public position (with a respectful framing), closing questions that often yield the best quotes, and a "doorknob question" (something casual to ask as the interview appears to be ending). For each question, note what I am really trying to learn and what a good vs. bad answer would tell me about the story.

Creates a structured interview guide with strategic question sequencing, follow-up prompts, and analytical notes on what each question reveals.

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Pro tip: The best interview question is often the pause after an answer. Let silence sit for 3-5 seconds. People fill silences with the unscripted, honest statements that make great quotes.

Confrontational Interview Preparation

12/35

I need to interview [person/role] about [allegation or problematic finding]. My evidence includes: [summarize what you have documented]. They are likely to [describe expected behavior: deny, deflect, become hostile, invoke legal counsel, try to go off record]. Prepare me for this interview: the ideal setting and approach (phone, in-person, ambush, or scheduled), how to open the interview without immediately triggering defensiveness, the sequence for presenting my findings (when to reveal what I know), specific questions that are precise enough to prevent deflection (closed questions where needed), how to handle common deflection tactics: "no comment," "I'll get back to you," "that's not accurate," "who told you that?", "are you recording this?", body language and tone guidance for maintaining authority without hostility, what to do if they make a significant admission, and follow-up documentation procedures immediately after the interview.

Prepares a confrontational interview strategy with question sequencing, deflection countermeasures, and guidance for handling admissions.

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Pro tip: Never reveal all your evidence at once. Present findings incrementally and let the subject respond to each one. Their story often changes as they realize how much you know, and those contradictions are part of the story.

Trauma-Informed Interview Approach

13/35

I am interviewing someone who has experienced [type of trauma: violence, disaster, loss, abuse, displacement]. They are [describe: a victim, a survivor, a witness, a family member]. The story is about [describe the article]. Develop a trauma-informed interview approach that covers: how to establish informed consent and set expectations before the interview begins, opening the conversation in a way that gives them control, question framing that avoids re-traumatization while still gathering necessary details, how to handle emotional moments (when to pause, when to offer to stop, when to continue), how to ask about the hardest details without being exploitative, how to give them agency in how their story is told, follow-up care (what resources to provide, how to check in after publication), and ethical considerations for using their story (what to include, what to leave out, how to protect them). Include specific language examples for difficult moments.

Builds a trauma-informed interview protocol that gathers necessary information while respecting the source's dignity, autonomy, and well-being.

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Pro tip: Ask "what would you like people to understand about your experience?" rather than "how did it feel?" The first question gives them narrative control. The second demands emotional performance for your story.

Expert Interview for Explanation

14/35

I am interviewing an expert in [technical field, e.g., epidemiology, climate science, financial regulation, cybersecurity, constitutional law] to explain [complex topic] to a general audience. My readers are [describe audience]. I have a [basic/intermediate] understanding of the subject. Create an interview guide that: starts with framing questions to establish the context my readers need, progresses from accessible concepts to more complex ones, includes specific requests for analogies and real-world examples ("Can you explain this the way you would to a neighbor?"), asks them to address the most common misconceptions, pushes them to quantify or be specific when they use vague qualifiers ("significant increase" should become "X% increase"), identifies the areas where experts disagree and asks them to explain the debate, and ends with forward-looking questions (what should we watch for next, what would change your assessment). Include follow-up probes for when their answer is too jargon-heavy.

Develops an expert interview guide that translates complex topics into accessible language through strategic questioning and analogy requests.

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Pro tip: Record the interview and listen for the moment the expert drops the jargon and explains something conversationally. That unguarded explanation is almost always clearer than their prepared answer.

Source Cultivation and Relationship Building

15/35

I cover the [beat] and need to build a reliable source network. My current source base is [describe: thin, concentrated in one area, mostly official sources]. Target institutions and sectors I need sources in: [list]. Create a source cultivation strategy that includes: a mapping of the source ecosystem (official sources, insiders, affected communities, watchdogs, competitors), specific approaches for each source category (how to make initial contact, what to offer, how to build trust), the difference between on-record, background, and off-record relationships and when to use each, a long-term relationship maintenance plan (how often to check in, how to provide value to sources between stories), how to diversify my sources beyond the usual suspects (demographics, perspectives, institutional levels), tactics for developing sources inside institutions that are hostile to the press, and ethical boundaries for source relationships (what you can and cannot promise or provide). Include a realistic 90-day plan for expanding my source network by [target number].

Creates a systematic source cultivation strategy with relationship management tactics and a 90-day network expansion plan.

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Pro tip: The best time to cultivate a source is when you do not need them for a story. Call people to learn about their work with no agenda. Those conversations build the trust that pays off when a story breaks.

Writing & Editing

5 prompts

Lede Writing for a Complex Story

16/35

I have finished reporting a story about [topic]. The key findings are: [list 3-5 main findings]. The most compelling character or moment in my reporting is [describe]. The story matters because [explain significance]. My publication's style is [describe: formal/conversational, print/digital, long-form/tight]. Write 5 different ledes (opening paragraphs) for this story: one anecdotal lede (opening with a character or scene), one summary lede (the classic who-what-when-where-why), one contrast/tension lede (juxtaposing two realities), one data/statistic lede (opening with the most striking number), and one delayed-reveal lede (building suspense before dropping the main finding). Each lede should be 2-4 sentences and make the reader need to keep reading. After each, explain why it works and when this type of lede is most effective.

Generates five distinct lede options for a story, each using a different journalistic technique with analysis of when each approach works best.

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Pro tip: Read each lede out loud. If you stumble over a phrase, your reader will stumble mentally. The best ledes have rhythm and can be spoken naturally.

Story Structure for a Long-Form Piece

17/35

I am writing a [estimated word count] piece about [topic]. My material includes: [list: X interviews, X documents, X data points, key scenes, key findings]. The story has multiple threads: [list the different threads or sub-stories]. My editor wants a [narrative / explanatory / hybrid] structure. Create a detailed story outline that: organizes the material into a logical sequence that maintains reader engagement, identifies the narrative spine (the throughline that connects everything), places information at the point of maximum impact (not the point of maximum convenience), indicates where to use scene, exposition, quote, and data (the rhythm of a good long-form piece), identifies transitions between sections, flags material that should be cut (does not advance the story despite being interesting), suggests where to place the "nut graf" (the paragraph that tells the reader why this story matters), and recommends a kicker (ending) that resonates without over-stating the conclusion. Mark the natural break points for digital reading.

Designs a detailed story architecture for a long-form piece with material placement, pacing guidance, and digital reading optimization.

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Pro tip: The hardest part of long-form writing is cutting good material that does not serve the story. If a great anecdote does not advance the main thread, save it for another piece.

Edit Pass for Clarity and Tightening

18/35

Edit the following draft for clarity, concision, and impact. The piece is a [story type] for [publication] targeting [audience]. Word count target: [target] words. Current word count: [current]. Here is the draft: [Paste your draft] Perform these editing passes: Pass 1: Cut unnecessary words and phrases (eliminate "it is important to note that," "in order to," "the fact that," and similar filler). Pass 2: Identify and fix passive voice, unclear attribution, and vague language. Pass 3: Check that every paragraph earns its place (flag any paragraph that could be cut without the reader noticing). Pass 4: Verify that quotes are doing work that paraphrase cannot (flag quotes that should be paraphrased and paraphrases that would be stronger as quotes). Pass 5: Assess the overall pacing (flag sections where the story drags). Show each change with a brief explanation of why.

Performs a multi-pass editorial review focused on word economy, clarity, quote quality, and pacing with explanations for each edit.

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Pro tip: Cut 20% from your first draft as a rule. Almost every story is better shorter. If cutting 20% loses essential information, the story may need to be rethought rather than just trimmed.

Headline and Social Copy Variations

19/35

I have written a story about [topic]. The key finding or angle is [describe]. The most surprising element is [describe]. The story matters to readers because [explain]. Write headline variations for different platforms: 3 print/web headlines (under 70 characters, clear and specific), 3 SEO-optimized headlines (include key search terms, under 65 characters), 3 social media posts for Twitter/X (engaging, under 280 characters, include a hook), 2 social media posts for LinkedIn (professional tone, hook + context), 2 newsletter blurbs (compelling description in 2-3 sentences that makes people click), and 1 push notification text (under 100 characters, creates urgency without clickbait). For each, explain the strategic choice and which audience it targets. None should misrepresent the story or promise something it does not deliver.

Creates platform-optimized headline and distribution copy variations that drive engagement without compromising editorial integrity.

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Pro tip: The best headline contains a specific detail that makes people curious. "City spent $4.2M on consultants who never delivered" outperforms "City faces questions about consultant spending" every time.

Fact-Check and Verification Checklist

20/35

I am preparing to fact-check my story before publication. The story contains: [number] named sources, [number] statistical claims, [number] historical references, [number] institutional claims (policies, positions, actions attributed to organizations), and [number] direct quotes. Create a comprehensive fact-checking checklist organized by claim type: for named sources (verify title, affiliation, and that quotes are accurate and in context), for statistics (verify the original source, methodology, date, and whether the number supports the claim being made), for historical references (verify dates, details, and that the historical parallel is fair), for institutional claims (verify with the institution and check for updates since you last checked), and for quotes (read back or send relevant quotes to sources for accuracy confirmation). Include a template for tracking each fact-check item and its verification status. Flag the types of errors that are most common and most damaging in journalism.

Creates a systematic fact-checking process organized by claim type with a tracking template and common error pattern warnings.

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Pro tip: Check the numbers that seem too perfect. Round numbers in official statistics are usually estimates, and reporters often present estimates as facts. Know the difference and communicate it accurately.

Digital & Multimedia

5 prompts

Data Visualization Strategy for a Story

21/35

My story about [topic] contains these key datasets: [describe each dataset: what it measures, the range of values, the timeframe, the comparison points]. The main takeaways from the data are: [list 3-5 findings]. My audience is [describe]. Our CMS supports [describe: embedded charts, interactive graphics, static images, scrollytelling]. Recommend a visualization strategy: which data points deserve their own visualization vs. being stated in text, the best chart type for each visualization (and why alternatives are wrong), specific design decisions (axis labels, annotations, color choices) that make the data honest and clear, interactivity opportunities that add value vs. gimmicks that do not, mobile considerations, and alt text descriptions for accessibility. Flag any visualizations where the chart could mislead readers and suggest how to present the data fairly. Include a specification I can hand to a graphics team.

Develops a data visualization strategy with specific chart type recommendations, design guidance, and specifications for graphics production.

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Pro tip: If a chart needs a paragraph of explanation to understand, the chart is wrong. The best data visualizations make their point in 3 seconds and reward closer inspection with detail.

Podcast or Audio Story Structure

22/35

I am producing a [podcast episode / audio story / radio segment] about [topic]. Length target: [X minutes]. The material I have includes: [list: interviews with sources, ambient sound, narration elements, documents to reference, data to convey]. The tone should be [conversational / serious / investigative / explanatory]. Create a detailed production script outline that includes: a cold open that hooks listeners in the first 30 seconds (suggest specific sound or quote to use), narrative arc with clear acts (setup, complication, resolution or revelation), transitions between segments (how to move between scenes, sources, and narration), where to use each interview clip (suggest specific types of quotes to pull: emotional, factual, surprising), pacing guidance (when to speed up, when to slow down and let a moment land), how to handle exposition without losing the listener (narration techniques for dense information), and a closing that resonates without over-explaining the significance. Include timestamps for each section.

Creates a production script outline for audio journalism with specific structural, pacing, and sound design guidance.

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Pro tip: The cold open should be the single most compelling moment in the entire piece. Pull the best quote, the most dramatic sound, or the most surprising revelation to the first 15 seconds.

Interactive Digital Feature Planning

23/35

I want to produce an interactive digital feature about [topic]. The story involves: [describe key elements: geographic data, timeline events, character journeys, comparative data, before/after imagery, documents readers could explore]. Our technical capabilities include [describe: CMS, development resources, existing tools]. Audience is primarily [mobile/desktop] and typically engages for [X minutes]. Design the interactive feature including: the core narrative structure (how the story unfolds), interactive elements and what each adds to the storytelling (not just decoration), the user experience flow (how a reader moves through the piece), responsive design considerations (what changes on mobile vs. desktop), load time and performance considerations, accessibility requirements, graceful degradation (what happens if JavaScript fails or a reader has a slow connection), and analytics events to track engagement. Distinguish between "must-have" interactivity and "nice-to-have" features given limited development resources.

Plans an interactive digital journalism feature with prioritized interactive elements, UX flow, and realistic scoping for available resources.

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Pro tip: Every interactive element should pass the "so what" test. If removing the interactivity and replacing it with a static image or text tells the story equally well, the interactivity is decoration, not journalism.

Social Media Breaking News Protocol

24/35

Design a protocol for covering breaking news on social media for our newsroom. We publish on [list platforms]. Our team size is [number] during breaking news. Our audience expects [describe: speed, accuracy, context, analysis]. Common breaking news scenarios we face: [list types of stories that break on our beat]. Create a protocol covering: the first 15 minutes (who posts what, on which platform, what verification standard applies), escalation and team coordination (who does what when a story breaks), live updating strategy (threading on X, updating on web, Instagram Stories), verification workflow under time pressure (minimum confirmation standards before posting), correction protocol (how to handle getting something wrong in real time), when to post vs. when to wait (a decision framework for speed vs. accuracy trade-offs), template language for different confidence levels ("confirmed" vs. "sources say" vs. "unconfirmed reports"), and post-event debrief process to improve next time.

Creates a comprehensive breaking news social media protocol with verification standards, team coordination, and correction procedures.

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Pro tip: In a breaking news situation, being second with the correct information always beats being first with wrong information. One incorrect tweet during a crisis can follow your publication for years.

Newsletter Strategy and Content Framework

25/35

I want to launch or improve a journalism newsletter on [beat/topic]. Target audience: [describe]. Current subscriber base: [number or starting from zero]. Publication frequency: [daily/weekly/bi-weekly]. Competing newsletters in this space: [list any you know]. Design a newsletter strategy that includes: a positioning statement (what makes this newsletter indispensable for this audience), content structure for each issue (recommend sections and their purpose), the editorial voice (with examples of tone and style), a value proposition that goes beyond "curated links" (what original analysis or reporting will you provide?), subscriber growth tactics specific to journalism newsletters, engagement metrics to track and benchmarks to target, a sustainable production workflow that fits within [X hours] per issue, and a 12-week content plan for the first quarter with specific themes or recurring features. Address how the newsletter drives traffic to longer-form journalism without becoming just a promotion channel.

Develops a complete newsletter strategy with positioning, content framework, growth tactics, and a sustainable production workflow.

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Pro tip: The most successful journalism newsletters deliver one insight per issue that readers cannot get anywhere else. That single exclusive thought or analysis is what drives opens and forwards.

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Editorial Strategy

5 prompts

Beat Coverage Plan

26/35

I am taking over (or restructuring) coverage of the [beat] for [publication]. The beat encompasses: [describe scope]. Our audience cares about [describe audience priorities]. Current coverage has been [describe: reactive, sporadic, strong on X but weak on Y]. Competing outlets covering this beat: [list]. Build a comprehensive beat coverage plan that includes: the 5-7 running stories I should track continuously (the threads that define this beat right now), a weekly and monthly coverage rhythm (what types of stories on what cadence), enterprise and investigative projects to develop over the next [3-6] months, source development priorities (who I need to build relationships with), data and documents to monitor regularly, coverage gaps that no outlet is filling well, a story ideas pipeline with at least 15 story ideas categorized by effort level (quick hit, mid-range, enterprise), and metrics for evaluating whether my beat coverage is actually serving readers. Include seasonal or calendar-driven stories I should plan for.

Creates a structured beat coverage plan with story pipelines, source priorities, and a coverage rhythm that balances breaking news with enterprise work.

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Pro tip: Block one day per week for enterprise reporting, and protect it ruthlessly. The daily news cycle will consume 100% of your time if you let it, leaving no room for the stories that actually build your beat.

Newsroom AI Usage Policy

27/35

Our newsroom needs a clear policy on how journalists can and cannot use AI tools (including ChatGPT, image generators, transcription tools, and automated writing tools). We are a [publication type, size] covering [beats]. Current AI use by our staff is [describe: widespread but unguided, minimal, varies by reporter]. Draft a newsroom AI policy that covers: permitted uses (research assistance, transcription, brainstorming, editing support, data analysis), prohibited uses (generating quotes, fabricating sources, creating fake images, publishing AI-generated text as original reporting), disclosure requirements (when must we tell readers AI was used?), verification requirements (how to validate AI-assisted research), the accuracy standard (AI output must meet the same verification standards as any other source), ethical boundaries specific to journalism (byline integrity, source protection, editorial independence), training and implementation plan, and a review cadence as the technology evolves. Ground the policy in existing journalism ethics principles rather than creating rules from scratch.

Develops a comprehensive AI usage policy for newsrooms that balances productivity benefits with journalistic ethics and transparency.

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Pro tip: The core principle is simple: AI tools are assistants to the journalistic process, never substitutes for it. Every AI output must be verified to the same standard as information from any other source.

Editorial Calendar and Planning System

28/35

Design an editorial planning system for our newsroom of [size] covering [beats]. Current planning is [describe: disorganized, too rigid, non-existent]. We publish [frequency] on [platforms]. Recurring events we need to plan around: [list: elections, budget cycles, annual reports, conferences, seasonal stories]. Create an editorial planning system that includes: a planning cadence (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly editorial meetings with specific agendas), an editorial calendar template that balances planned coverage with breaking news capacity, a story tracking workflow from pitch through publication, a resource allocation model (how to decide which stories get reporter time, photography, graphics), quality control checkpoints (where in the workflow do editors review), a pipeline for enterprise and investigative pitches separate from daily news, a retrospective process for evaluating what worked and what did not, and tools/platforms to implement this system at low cost. The system should be lightweight enough that reporters actually use it.

Builds a practical editorial planning system with meeting cadences, story tracking workflows, and resource allocation frameworks.

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Pro tip: The best editorial calendar reserves 30% of capacity for unplanned stories. A calendar that is 100% committed to planned content breaks the moment news happens, which is every day.

Audience Engagement and Impact Strategy

29/35

I want to build a strategy for measuring and increasing the impact of our journalism. Our publication is [type, audience size]. Recent impactful work includes [examples]. Current engagement metrics we track: [list, e.g., pageviews, time on page, social shares]. But we want to measure real impact: policy changes, public awareness, accountability outcomes, community action. Design an impact strategy that covers: a framework for defining and measuring journalism impact beyond traffic metrics, specific impact indicators for different story types (investigative, explanatory, community), audience engagement tactics that deepen the relationship beyond passive reading (events, memberships, community reporting, tip lines), how to solicit and incorporate community feedback into coverage decisions, a follow-up reporting cadence for high-impact stories (do not let accountability stories die after one publication), partnership opportunities with other newsrooms for amplification, and a quarterly impact report template that demonstrates value to leadership, funders, and the community.

Creates a journalism impact measurement and engagement strategy that goes beyond traffic metrics to track real-world outcomes.

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Pro tip: Publish follow-up stories on your investigations. The initial story gets attention, but the follow-up that shows what changed (or did not change) is where accountability journalism actually achieves its purpose.

Revenue Diversification for Sustainable Journalism

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Our newsroom is exploring revenue diversification beyond [current model: advertising, subscriptions, grants]. We have [size] audience, [describe engagement level], and our journalism focuses on [beats/community]. Evaluate revenue opportunities for a newsroom like ours: memberships vs. subscriptions (which model fits our audience), events (types that align with our editorial mission without compromising independence), sponsored content guidelines (where the ethical line is and how to maintain it), grants and foundation funding (which funders support journalism in our area and what they look for), consulting or licensing our expertise, merchandise and premium products, and community-funded reporting (allowing the audience to sponsor coverage of specific topics). For each revenue stream, assess: revenue potential, editorial risk, implementation effort, and sustainability. Create a 12-month pilot plan for the top 3 opportunities. Flag revenue streams that could compromise editorial independence and how to structure them to prevent that.

Evaluates revenue diversification opportunities for newsrooms with editorial independence safeguards and a 12-month implementation plan.

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Pro tip: Build a wall between revenue operations and editorial decisions, and make that wall visible to your audience. Transparency about your funding model builds the trust that makes every revenue stream work better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, when used as a reporting and productivity tool rather than a replacement for journalism. ChatGPT is ethically appropriate for research assistance, brainstorming story angles, drafting interview questions, structuring stories, and editing drafts. It is not appropriate for generating quotes, fabricating information, creating fake sources, or producing text that is published as original reporting without disclosure. The ethical standard is the same as any other tool: the journalist remains responsible for verification, accuracy, and editorial judgment. Use it like a research assistant whose work you always verify, never like a ghostwriter whose output you publish unchecked.

Treat every factual claim from ChatGPT with the same skepticism you would apply to an anonymous tip. Cross-reference against primary sources: official documents, databases, direct quotes from named sources, and published records. ChatGPT can confidently state incorrect information, misattribute quotes, invent plausible-sounding statistics, and conflate events. Never publish a fact sourced solely from ChatGPT. Use it to identify what to look for and where to look, then verify through traditional reporting methods. If you cannot independently verify a ChatGPT claim through a primary source, do not use it in your story.

You should tell them. Most newsrooms are developing AI usage policies, and transparency with your editor is both an ethical obligation and a career-protecting practice. Frame it honestly: you used ChatGPT to brainstorm angles, structure your story outline, or draft interview questions, then did the actual reporting yourself. Editors are generally supportive of tools that make reporters more productive as long as the journalism meets the same standards. Hiding AI usage creates risk: if it comes out later, it looks like you had something to hide, even if your usage was perfectly appropriate.

Limited and with extreme caution. ChatGPT does not have real-time information and cannot report on events as they unfold. During breaking news, it can help you draft social media posts, structure a developing story template, prepare background context quickly, or generate questions for sources you are about to call. It cannot verify facts about the breaking event itself. The biggest risk during breaking news is the temptation to let ChatGPT fill gaps in your knowledge with plausible-sounding but unverified information. In time-pressure situations, that temptation is most dangerous. Stick to using it for structure and preparation, never for facts about the event itself.

The top risk is false confidence: ChatGPT presents information with equal authority whether it is correct or fabricated, which can lead reporters to skip verification steps they would normally take. Second is homogenization: if every reporter uses the same tool for angle development, coverage becomes less diverse in perspective. Third is source protection: inputting details about confidential sources or unpublished investigations into ChatGPT creates a potential security and confidentiality risk. Fourth is plagiarism: ChatGPT may reproduce copyrighted text without attribution. Finally, there is the reputational risk: if your audience learns you used AI and you did not disclose it, trust is damaged regardless of whether the usage was appropriate.

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