Oct. 17 TAB Southwest Broadcast Newsroom Workshop Takes a Deep Dive into Newsroom Tools

TAB's Southwest Broadcast Newsroom Workshop, set for Saturday, Oct. 17 in Round Rock, will explore several of the current "tools of the trade" in newsgathering, including the latest frontier - the application of AI to help journalists uncover and report the news of the day. TAB's annual newsroom training event will have two sessions detailing how innovative journalists, and forward-thinking newsrooms, are using AI.

National Murrow, DuPont, and Peabody award winning investigative reporter Brendan Keefe and nationally recognized newsroom trainer Al Tompkins will demonstrate how to use AI in everyday newsgathering, while keeping human judgment, accuracy, ethics, and editorial control at the center.

Workshop attendees will learn how to:

• Use AI safely and ethically - Understand where AI can help, where it can mislead, and why journalists must verify facts, protect sensitive information, avoid bias, and remain responsible for every word that airs or publishes.
• Write better prompts that get better results - Learn how to give AI clear instructions, context, tone, format, and guardrails so the output is more useful from the start.
• Generate and refine story ideas - Use AI to brainstorm angles, conduct deep research, sort through thick data, spot missing voices, and turn broad topics into focused, local, audience-relevant stories.
• Set up stories faster - Use AI to identify the best sources, find their contact info, and even draft emails requesting interviews - all within seconds.
• Version scripts for different platforms - Adapt a TV package script into a radio reader, web story, anchor intro, social post, push alert, or newsletter blurb - while preserving accuracy, tone, and the broadcaster's work.
• Prepare for stronger interviews - Use AI to research subjects, build question lists, anticipate evasive answers, and create follow-up questions that lead to better sound and clearer accountability.
• Improve writing without losing your voice - Ask AI to tighten copy, simplify complex language, suggest alternate leads, or improve flow while keeping the reporter's style and editorial intent intact

These two sessions are designed to help broadcast storytellers free up more time for the real creativity of reporting, critical judgment, and the storytelling only journalists can do. Other sessions will cover:

• Using FOI laws for enterprise journalism
• Hone interviewing skills
• Basic and advanced MMJ techniques
• Executing better live shots and stand-ups
• And much more!

Register HERE and see the full schedule of sessions!

Early-bird professional registration is $51 and includes lunch, morning coffee, and pastries. The fee increases $10 next week on October 8. Registration closes October 14 at Noon. There will be no onsite registration.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.