by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: May 10, 2009

Journalists are responsible for reporting on newsworthy events; however, reporters should also be aware of their duties to give accounts that are as accurate as possible. When covering particular events, journalists may find themselves faced with the daunting task of estimating crowd sizes. Whether a journalist is covering a sporting event or a spontaneous protest in urban streets, it is crucial that reporters do their best to estimate crowd sizes as accurately as possible. By definition, estimations will never be exact. Fortunately, however, journalists can approximate the size of a crowd by keeping the following tips in mind.

Counting

In some instances, such as sporting events or music concerts, journalists will find that reaching a relatively accurate estimate of crowd sizes are much easier. For instance, smaller crowds are much more easily counted by hand. Similarly, smaller event venues can allow journalists to report an accurate estimation of attendants if they are able to count the chairs set up for individuals before an event. Nevertheless, counting is not always 100% accurate. Sports events and concerts are usually held at venues with a predetermined occupancy limit and a certain number of seats. Journalists should be sure to do some research when reporting on events held at particular venue. Ask for the exact number of seats and then base your estimations on the density of the crowd and the perceived percentage of empty seats.


Questions

Likewise, journalists should ensure that they ask questions in order to obtain the most accurate figure possible when it comes to estimating the size of a crowd. Police, security, and venue officials are usually well versed in the occupancy limitations and the number of seats available within a particular location. Moreover, many venues will hire staff members to use hand counters or automatic counters at turnstiles in order to have a good estimate of the number of attendants at a particular event.


Composition

Not surprisingly, riots or spontaneous crowd conglomerations can be much more difficult to estimate. Despite the difficulties, however, reporters should be aware that different crowds have different compositions. Journalists can essentially eyeball a crowd's composition and use a predetermined reference point (such as square footage) in order to reach a relatively accurate approximation. For example, if a reporter is covering a concert at an outdoor venue can use the occupancy limit and their own perceptions of the crowd's composition to determine an estimate.


Overall, over and under estimation can skew a journalistic piece and express a bias that could have potentially serious consequences for reporters in certain circumstances. Therefore, while estimating a crowd's size is never 100% accurate, journalists need to be aware of these approximation techniques in order to provide their audiences with as accurate a figure as possible.

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