Covering a legislative body, whether it’s a parliament, congress, or local board or council, is a major responsibility and challenge for journalists.
From the local to the national level, these institutions are a leading expression of democracy, playing a key role in the formation of laws and public policies.
Whether you’re assigned to cover a legislative beat, or you want to report your own freelance stories on governing bodies in your country, the following tips will help to enrich your coverage.
(1) Know the rules
It may sound obvious, but the more you know about the rules of a legislative body, the better you will be able to understand developments and the tactics and tricks employed by the parties involved. Familiarize yourself with topics such as the makeup of the legislative body, how officials are elected, and how long each congressperson is permitted to speak for while on the floor or in a hearing.
Don’t forget, however, that the vast majority of your audience will not know these rules. Act as a bridge for them, by providing clear explanations in your reporting.
(2) Speeches are important, but they aren’t everything
It is easy to be impressed by the eloquent oratory power of some legislators. But what is said on the floor and what is recorded in the minutes of legislative sessions are often only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to topics of interest for your coverage.
Watching legislators’ speeches and reviewing the minutes from sessions and committees can be helpful — but recognize that there will always be a deeper story, which often is more worthwhile for journalists to look into.
(3) Identify key players
In any congressional body, it’s unlikely that all members of a party or coalition play the same role. It’s essential, therefore, that you identify which actors are most relevant to the story you’re reporting.
Legislators discuss a wide variety of issues. There are very few politicians who are involved in all issues, however — and there may be elected officials who specialize in the issues you are trying to cover. These roles might not be formally spelled out, so it’s important for you to create your own map of legislators based on research and what sources tell you.
(4) Capture what happens in non-formal meetings and negotiations
Legislative bodies typically operate through committees whose meetings will have records kept of them. Key decisions, though, often are made in less formal settings.
Political parties usually act through coordinators or party leaders, who hold meetings with government officials, and other public and private sector figures. Once you have identified key actors, track their non-formal meetings and, if possible, reconstruct what happens in them.
(5) Legislators aren’t the only sources
While the members of the legislature are the protagonists of our coverage, they aren’t the only actors in the cast. There may be other government officials, lobbyists, community leaders, trade unionists or other individuals that end up having a crucial impact on what you’re covering. It is essential to keep track of them.
At the same time, keep in mind that each congressperson usually has a team behind them. It may be easier to access the information you’re looking for by consulting these staffers. Similarly, non-partisan officials who work for the legislative body itself may become your sources.
(6) Identify the special interest groups elected officials associate themselves with
The elected officials you’ll follow usually have ties to certain interest groups, such as business sectors, unions, civil society organizations, or religious groups. Identifying the spokespeople of these different groups can boost your reporting, helping you anticipate situations and get inside scoops.
(7) Track important events
There will be surprises during a congressional term, and developments you can’t foresee. But, there are events that typically occur in every legislative term around which you can plan your coverage.
These topics may vary, but they are usually related to the Executive Branch's rendering of accounts, budget votes, or visits of ministers or secretaries. Tracking when these events happen will help you plan your reporting on the debates and deliberations around them that will take place.
(8) Review official documents and minutes
Documents issued by legislative bodies are extremely useful for your coverage. These can range from session minutes to decisions by presiding officers. Draft laws or decrees often have explanatory statements and data that can enrich your coverage, too.
If you’re reviewing an exceedingly long document, consider utilizing an AI tool such as NotebookLM to obtain a summary. You can also search for keywords on the websites of the legislative entities you’re covering.
(9) Consult alternative information sources
You may be able to obtain additional information on the legislative body you’re covering by consulting alternative information sources, beyond the legislature and elected officials.
There may be academic papers or studies, for instance, or non-governmental organizations that can provide information on a subject. Consider also searching for keywords on relevant websites that have information about the legislature and its activities.
(10) Become a go-to source for the rest of your team
Your legislative coverage presents a great opportunity for collaboration, for newsroom reporters and freelancers alike.
Legislative bodies usually deal with a variety of topics — health, economy, environment, security — which may be relevant to your newsroom colleagues’ reporting beats. You can play a key role by alerting your team to what is being discussed in the legislative body. If you’re a freelancer, consider teaming up with another freelance journalist who has a complementary reporting focus or specialty.
One final tip to share: showing up in person — whether it’s a legislative chamber session, or spending time in the corridors of the legislative body you’re covering — will always work in your favor. Being in these spaces not only will enable you to tell stories more effectively, but you will also be able to take pictures and videos to bolster your reporting. During your visits, make sure also to work in time to sit down and review the materials you’ve collected.
Main image of the European Parliament via Jonas Horsch on Pexels.
This article was originally published by IJNet in Spanish. It was translated to English by journalist Natalie Van Hoozer.
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