Dow Jones changes how it covers breaking news

According to a memo posted on the Romenesko site, Dow Jones Newswires will begin handling all breaking news stories for itself, the Wall Street Journal and WSJ.com starting in January.

The memo stated, “For Newswires, this will mean fuller participation in the spot-news process in the U.S. and a broader responsibility to quickly produce stories that serve all groups.

“For WSJ.com staff, the time saved in not duplicating these stories will be put to tasks more geared to the online world — blogs, infographics, videos, podcasts, and additional sidebars or other elements that add to readers’ understanding of business and world news. Online editors also will contribute frequently to the editing of spot news.

“For WSJ reporters and editors, this change will help focus their efforts on interpretive and longer-form journalism. In many cases, a story produced by the corporate-news desk will stand for Journal editions overseas and in the U.S.

“However, Journal reporters will remain responsible for their companies and industries. They will be expected to follow announcements and conference calls, to read the stories produced by the new desk and to look for ways they can add real value or analysis. Value-added material will usually be sent as soon as possible—not held for the next print edition deadline—to maximize the benefit to our real-time outlets, which operate in intensely competitive spheres.”

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