Journalism is more than just writing articles day in and day out. No, journalism is about so much more: objectivity, integrity, accountability, transparency, and accuracy. And if you’re going to be great at your craft, you’ll want to be prepared and conduct your research in the most bulletproof way possible. Today, video and audio recordings are practically the easiest way to gather and store information, so it’s no surprise that journalists also now have to sift through hundreds of hours of playback. That’s why business transcription companies are the ideal complement to the journalism process.
Converting audio to text has multiple applications, creating a faster, more streamlined process for journalists. So, let me take you through how exactly transcription can help.
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- Journalists benefit significantly from using transcripts of interviews, press conferences, court cases, group discussions, and more. Having written transcripts lets reporters double-check facts quickly and ensure they’re quoting people correctly in their stories.
- News transcripts make it easier for deaf people, non-English speakers, and those who prefer reading rather than watching or listening to the news.
- Ditto’s professional, U.S.-based transcription services offer the biggest edge for journalists, with its 99% accurate rate, fast turnaround time, security features, and exemplary customer service.
Do Journalists Transcribe Interviews?
Interviews are the bread and butter of journalism. In the distant past, before recording devices were widely available, reporters needed to transcribe interviews at the moment, using whatever shorthand method they could use.
Today, everyone has a computer in their pocket. Recording full interviews can be as easy as pulling out your phone and pushing a button.
However, journalists still have to go through these recordings with a fine-toothed comb to gather everything they need for the story. They can transcribe the recordings themselves (which usually takes four times as long as the recording’s length), or they can outsource their transcription needs to professionals like Ditto. The latter option might incur additional costs, but it gives journalists more time to do their job—among multiple other benefits that we’ll discuss later.
Essential Transcripts For Journalism
Here are the most common transcription applications in journalism.
| Types | Description |
| Interview Transcripts | Verbatim transcripts capture the entire content and essence of interviews. |
| Press Conference Transcripts | Press conference transcripts are complete records of public statements that can be used for quoting and reporting. |
| Court Proceeding Transcripts | Transcripts from court proceedings can be used as evidence for further court action like appeals and to report significant public legal events. |
| Media Event Transcripts | Captures the nuances of conversations and perspectives from multiple participants in discussions or debates. |
The Role of Transcription in Journalism
Here are the most notable benefits of journalism transcription:
Accuracy in Reporting
When journalists transcribe audio or video content, they essentially create a verbatim record of the spoken material. These accurate records can then become a tool to maintain the integrity of their reports.
In addition, transcripts allow journalists to quote sources precisely to avoid misrepresentation or, even worse, legal issues. Journalists can also utilize transcripts to fact-check their work and ensure their reporting reflects their sources’ exact intent.
In addition, we now live in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly, so the need for precise documentation has never been more important.
Allows for Quick Reference
Journalists may need to review large amounts of information quickly, especially when writing articles or preparing for follow-up interviews, which can consume too much time. Transcripts can be used as a reference tool in journalism and make this easier for everybody.
Reporters and editors can skim through transcripts much faster than they can review the records, which means more efficient fact-checking. This may sound simple, yet it’s a godsend when the team works with tight deadlines or deals with large volumes of interview material.
Furthermore, journalists can build a searchable transcripts database when working on long-term investigative pieces. That way, it’ll be so much easier to spot patterns or connections over time.
Accessibility
New content must be accessible to a wider audience. Transcribing audio and video content supports this principle by ensuring that journalists’ work reaches individuals with hearing issues or who prefer to consume written information. Of course, more eyes and ears on your work means more potential income.
However, this is not limited to what’s morally and commercially right. Inclusivity is a cornerstone of the law. That’s why providing accessibility options for any content is a legal requirement for news organizations.
Legal Protection Through Accurate Documentation
Media outlets are often scrutinized and sometimes legally challenged, and having a verbatim written record of interviews and public statements is an added layer of protection.
Transcripts can be used as evidence if there are disputes about what was said or how it was reported. For instance, if a source claims they were misquoted or that their words were taken out of context, journalists can refer to the transcript to verify the accuracy of their reporting, which is particularly important in investigative journalism or when covering sensitive topics.
In addition, transcripts can protect news organizations from defamation claims or other legal challenges. I’ve encountered many news organizations maintaining transcript archives solely for this reason.
What To Consider When Choosing a Transcription For Journalism
Now that we’ve discussed the reasons why you should consider journalism transcription, let’s talk about what to look for when considering a transcription partner:
Accuracy
The repercussions of transcript inaccuracy can be heavy and far-reaching, so you’d want to find the most accurate transcription solution possible.
While AI is such a big buzzword these days, AI transcription is not the best option, as it only reaches around 61.92% accuracy.
Human transcription—particularly Ditto’s human transcription solution—reaches more than 99%. That means our transcripts won’t have too many glaring errors, if at all. Verbatim transcription, even with jargon, is done cleanly. You can reliably use them for any story with absolute confidence in its accuracy.
Affordability
High-quality transcription comes at a price, but a cost-effective provider knows how to balance their pricing structures with the quality of their work. Choosing a fly-by-night transcription provider that employs sneaky tactics like hidden fees and discretionary charges is a quick way to rack up expenses.
Reliable transcription companies meet their clients’ transcription needs quickly and accurately without charging exorbitant prices. They provide costs upfront and are willing to contact clients if the current pricing models don’t match the required work. Additionally, reliable transcription partners, like Ditto Transcripts, often allow clients to pay for service as is without committing to long-term contracts.
Our prices start at $1.50 per audio minute and offer different turnaround time options for every budget.
Experience
Some companies may offer low prices that reflect their lack of experience, and journalists can sometimes unknowingly fall into this trap. Transcripts from such providers are inaccurate and low-quality because they are not well-versed in journalism.
A reputable transcription company with over a decade of experience, like Ditto Transcripts, will never compromise on the quality of your transcripts. We offer accurate services with fast turnaround times and can handle any document or audio file. You can request a sample transcription to assess the quality of our service at any time.
Flexibility And Expanded Services
Customization and flexibility are essential when selecting a transcription service, as news media outlets can have different transcription requirements.
This can include the ability to scale and meet changing demands, transcribe different audio files from different sources, convert transcripts to specific file formats, add digital signatures, speaker labels, and time stamps, and accommodate rush or bulk jobs.
Confidentiality And Security Measures
Reviewing the quality of security and privacy measures is one of the best ways to ensure the company you want to work with is up and up. Typical security measures include secure servers, top-of-the-line encryption, well-managed user access channels, individual passwords for every user, and sophisticated recording and tracking measures.
Top-of-the-line Customer Service
Transcription work doesn’t involve producing accurate transcripts or being well-versed in media terminology. Clients may have follow-up questions or request additions or corrections if necessary.
With Ditto, you are assured of prompt response times via multiple communication channels. Our customers don’t get left on hold or have their calls go unanswered. You can check online reviews from past customers or ask if the company can provide references.
Utilize Journalism Transcription Services With Ditto
Don’t waste time looking for cheap transcriptions for journalism when you already have the best provider.
Ditto Transcripts has extensive knowledge of media and its terminologies, can work within any timeline, and provides the highest levels of quality. Our transcription process ensures that we deliver 99% accuracy all the time. We don’t do automated transcription, and everyone on our staff—transcribers, transcription editors, and customer service managers—is an expert in the field.
Ditto Transcripts is a HIPAA, FINRA, and CJIS-compliant transcription company based in Denver, Colorado. We provide fast, accurate, and reliable transcription services for individuals and companies of all sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote and ask about our free five-day trial.