#2:
The microphone is always on.
Sorry, that is always, ALWAYS #1
#3 Always talk to both sides on every issue.
#4 Politicians, cops, crooks and lawyers are all paid professional liars, and usually rather good at it.
#5 Never give up your sources to a network reporter. They will burn them and you every time. (Except me, of course, who would never do such a thing....)
#6 If your mother says she loves you, check it out.
#8 Always have two of every critically needed electronic part or device. If you have two, they will both work. If you have only one, it will break 10 seconds before air.
#9 The local police and sheriff’s dispatchers are old, lonely, uncared for, and KNOW EVERYTHING.
#10 Never turn a photo light on at a riot or any nighttime outside story in a minority neighborhood.
#11 Collect favors
#12 Anchoring is no fun. Field reporting is the best gig in the world, aside from astronaut or DARPA tester.
#13 Get 3-way confirmation on every story. Never do a 3-way with your photog and the Mayor's secretary. The Mayor is probably doing her too and will be pi**ed...... and only God knows what social diseases your photog has.
#14. If a source ever purposely lies to you, unless it’s a safety or security issue, burn ‘em. It feels good and teaches the next one to never try it.
#15 regarding stories A, Make them short B, make them early C. if necessary make them up!
#16 on trips, it's usually the photogs who get la*d, not the reporters.
#17 if you ever find a closeted gay at a hospital or courthouse, be very nice to them. They love to tell you EVERYTHING.