Journalism-type questions for attractive writers

So, I'm trying to put together a book about the adventures of an intrepid reporter, but my understanding of journalism is still a little shaky. I e-mailed my college paper's editor-in-chief for a while to get some information, but he's stopped replying to my mail for some reason, so I thought I'd come to you fine Tropers. If any of you can help me out with these, that'd be much appreciated...

• How do editors "find out about" pressing stories or know what stories to run?
• What's the name of the office complex where stories are written? Not the press, the place thingy where reporters and editors work. I'm not sure whether there's a specific name for it.

Sorry if those are a little stupid. Cheerio!

edited 30th Oct '10 11:08:48 AM by EddieValiant,Jr.

The bullpen is its nickname, I believe.

How do editors "find out about" pressing stories or know what stories to run?

Finding out about stories often comes from just keeping track of people who are likely to make news; either media pursues the events, or the events come to the media. Political controversies tend to occur at political meetings, court cases, and so forth, the schedules of which are generally public, and someone will be sent to attend and take notes. A lot of news - cultural and sporting events, financial upheavals, et cetera - is often something that some party or another wants or is required to make public. Everything else gets covered by curious reporters following a personal interest.

Which stories make it through composition to print is - I think - each editor's personal decision, using the criterion of how much they think a story is likely to capture the public's interest, and, therefore, how many people are likely to buy their newspaper to find out about it.

There's also following emergency vehicles around.

Beat reporters. People who regularly interview people who do are somehow connected with something that regularly produces newsworthy shit.

And they just call it the office.

Hey, I'd forgotten all about this!

Thanks for the tips so far, guys. So, if I generally refer to it as "the office" / "the offices", that's cool?

edited 2nd Nov '10 6:38:50 PM by EddieValiantJr