How to handle breaking news without burning out your team

Breaking news: the adrenaline shot of the journalism world. It’s fast, chaotic, and exhilarating—but let’s be real, it’s also a surefire way to exhaust your newsroom if you’re not careful. For magazine and news website publishers, the challenge is delivering timely, accurate coverage without turning your editorial team into a group of sleep-deprived zombies. Here’s how to crush breaking news coverage while keeping everyone’s sanity intact (yours included).

1. Set Up a Breaking News Protocol

When news breaks, chaos doesn’t have to follow. A solid protocol is like your newsroom’s emergency escape plan:

• Assign Roles Ahead of Time: Know who’s writing, editing, fact-checking, and posting. This avoids everyone shouting, “Who’s got this?” at the same time.
• Create a Chain of Command: Decide who makes the final call on publishing. A quick decision-maker ensures the process doesn’t get bogged down in debate.
• Prep Templates: Have ready-to-go templates for different types of breaking stories (e.g., live updates, timelines, or quick Q&As). This saves precious minutes when speed matters.

Pro Tip: Practice your protocol with mock breaking news scenarios. It’s like a fire drill, but with fewer alarms and more coffee.

2. Prioritize Accuracy Over Speed

Yes, breaking the story first is exciting, but breaking it wrong? Not so much. Readers will forgive a slight delay—they won’t forgive fake facts.

• Double-Check Everything: Even under pressure, take a beat to confirm sources, spellings, and facts. “Better safe than sorry” is more than just a cliché.
• Update as You Go: Publish what you know, but be clear about what’s unconfirmed. Add updates as new details emerge.
• Be Transparent: If something changes, own it. “We initially reported X, but new information shows Y” builds trust.

Pro Tip: A Slack channel dedicated to fact-checking can be a lifesaver during breaking news chaos. Teamwork makes the dream work.

3. Use Tools to Streamline the Process

Technology is your friend when it comes to breaking news. The right tools can shave precious minutes off your workflow:

• News Alerts: Set up notifications for trusted sources (think AP, Reuters, or local agencies). Google Alerts and TweetDeck are your go-to companions.
• Collaboration Platforms: Use tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana to keep everyone on the same page without endless email chains.
• CMS Features: Take advantage of live-update features in your content management system. Readers love real-time reporting.

Pro Tip: Automate as much as you can—but not at the cost of accuracy. Auto-publishing typos is not the flex you think it is.

4. Keep Your Team’s Energy Up

Breaking news doesn’t have to mean breaking your team. Protecting morale is just as important as protecting your reputation:

• Rotate Responsibilities: Avoid burning out one person by sharing the workload. Breaking news coverage should be a relay, not a marathon.
• Provide Breaks: Encourage short breathers, even during the craziest stories. A five-minute walk or snack break can do wonders for focus.
• Celebrate Wins: After the dust settles, take a moment to recognize your team’s hard work. A quick “Well done, everyone!” goes a long way.

Pro Tip: Keep a stash of snacks and caffeine in the office. Nothing fuels journalism like coffee and granola bars.

5. Plan for Post-Mortems

Once the story is out and the world has moved on, take time to review what worked and what didn’t:

• Hold a Debrief: Gather your team to discuss the process. What flowed smoothly? What could be improved next time?
• Document Lessons Learned: Keep a shared file of best practices and avoidable pitfalls. It’ll save you headaches during the next big story.
• Acknowledge Contributions: Highlight individual and team efforts that made a difference. Positive reinforcement keeps morale high.

Pro Tip: Include freelancers and contributors in the debrief. They’re often on the frontlines and can provide valuable insights.

6. Balance Breaking News With Long-Term Projects

While breaking news is important, it shouldn’t derail your entire content strategy:

• Protect Regular Coverage: Assign a few team members to stay focused on evergreen and feature content. The rest can dive into the breaking story.
• Set Boundaries: Decide which stories truly warrant all-hands-on-deck. Not every news flash needs the full treatment.
• Maintain Perspective: Remember that your readers value both timely updates and in-depth reporting. Striking a balance is key.

Pro Tip: Use breaking news as a gateway to deeper stories. Once the immediate buzz fades, follow up with analyses, profiles, or investigative pieces.

Conclusion

Breaking news doesn’t have to break your team. With the right protocols, tools, and mindset, you can deliver timely, accurate reporting without sacrificing your staff’s well-being. Remember, a well-oiled newsroom is a happy newsroom. So plan ahead, stay cool under pressure, and don’t forget to celebrate your wins—preferably with snacks. After all, even in the chaos of breaking news, a little humor and humanity go a long way.