50 AI Prompts for Journalists: Research, Write, and Verify Faster

Act as a research assistant. I'm interviewing [name, title, organization] about [topic]. Compile a background briefing: their professional history, published positions on [topic], any controversies or notable public statements, recent organizational developments, and connections to other key figures in this space. Cite all sources by name. Flag any claims you cannot verify.

Act as a senior editor. I'm interviewing [person/role] about [topic] for a [publication type]. Generate 15 interview questions organized by: opening questions (rapport building), core topic questions (news value), follow-up probes (for likely responses), accountability questions (challenging claims), and closing questions (forward-looking). Avoid yes/no questions. Each question should seek specific facts or commitments.

Act as a fact-checker. Create a fact sheet for my interview with [subject] about [topic]. Include: key statistics with named sources, timeline of relevant events, list of stakeholders and their positions, common claims about this topic (with verification status), and specific data points I can use to challenge vague assertions. Mark any unverified claims clearly.

Act as a research assistant. I'm reporting on [topic/issue]. Identify 10 potential expert sources across these categories: academic researchers (with relevant published work), government officials (with jurisdiction), industry practitioners, advocacy groups (both sides), and affected community members. For each, provide their expertise area and why they matter to this story. Focus on sources who have public contact information.

Act as a media trainer (from the journalist's perspective). I'm interviewing [public figure/official] about [controversial topic]. They are likely to: deflect, use talking points, or give non-answers. For each of my 5 key questions below, generate 3 anticipated deflections and a follow-up probe that redirects to the original question. [List your 5 questions.]

Act as a data journalist. I'm interviewing [official/expert] about [dataset or report]. Help me prepare by: identifying the 5 most newsworthy findings in this data, calculating key comparisons (year-over-year, peer comparisons), flagging methodological limitations I should ask about, and drafting 5 questions that use specific numbers to hold the source accountable.

Act as a research assistant. My source claims: [paste specific claims]. For each claim, find: publicly available evidence supporting it, publicly available evidence contradicting it, the original source of the claim if it's been repeated elsewhere, and key context that changes the interpretation. Be explicit about what you cannot verify. Do not generate fake sources.

Act as an area specialist. I'm reporting on [topic] in [country/region/community]. Brief me on: relevant cultural context that affects interpretation, historical background essential for accurate reporting, key local figures and power structures, common Western misconceptions about this topic, and terminology I should use or avoid. Cite named sources for factual claims.

Act as a senior reporter. My first interview with [source] about [topic] produced these key quotes and claims: [paste notes]. Identify: claims that need verification, contradictions with public records, areas they avoided or deflected, new questions raised by their answers, and other sources I should contact to corroborate or challenge their account.

Act as a producer. I'm moderating a panel on [topic] with [X panelists from Y backgrounds]. Create a discussion framework: opening question that engages all panelists, topic blocks with transition questions, provocative questions that create productive disagreement, audience question themes to anticipate, and time management cues for a [X-minute] discussion.

Act as a fact-checker at a major news organization. Evaluate this claim: "[paste claim]." For each element of the claim: identify what can be verified against public records, list specific databases or sources to check, note what evidence would confirm or refute it, flag the difference between verified facts and reasonable inferences, and assess the overall reliability. Rate confidence: confirmed, likely true, unverified, likely false, or false.

Act as a data journalist. Audit this statistical claim: "[claim with numbers]." Check: Is the original study or dataset identifiable? What was the sample size and methodology? Is the statistic being used in its original context? Are there more recent data points? What are common misinterpretations of this type of statistic? Provide the correct interpretation with caveats.

Act as a digital verification specialist. I need to verify this [image/video] that claims to show [description]. Walk me through a verification protocol: reverse image search strategy, metadata analysis points to check, geolocation verification steps using visual landmarks, weather/lighting consistency checks, and social media provenance tracing. List specific free tools for each step.

Act as an investigative researcher. I've received a [document type: memo/email/report] allegedly from [source/organization] dated [date]. Create a verification checklist: formatting and style consistency with known documents from this source, terminology and jargon accuracy, timeline consistency with known events, metadata points to examine, and independent sources who could confirm authenticity.

Act as a media literacy expert. Assess the credibility of this source: [organization/website/individual] who claims [statement]. Evaluate: track record of accuracy, funding sources and potential conflicts of interest, editorial standards or correction policies, expertise relevant to the claim, and how other credible sources reference them. Distinguish between the source's overall credibility and this specific claim's reliability.

Act as a fact-checker. This claim is going viral: "[paste viral claim]." Create a debunking structure: what exactly is being claimed (steel-man the strongest version), what verifiable facts exist, what context is missing from the viral version, what the original source actually said versus how it was characterized, and a clear plain-language correction. Keep the correction under 150 words.

Act as a chronology specialist. Verify this timeline of events: [paste claimed sequence of events]. For each event: confirm the date against public records, identify gaps or inconsistencies, check whether the causal chain is supported or assumed, flag events that cannot be independently verified, and note any events that are missing but relevant.

Act as a financial journalist. Analyze this financial disclosure: [describe document — campaign filing, corporate report, nonprofit 990]. Identify: unusual patterns in revenue or spending, related-party transactions, discrepancies with public statements, comparison with peer organizations, and specific line items that warrant further reporting. Flag items that may require FOIA requests for clarification.

Act as a science journalist. Evaluate this study: [paste title, journal, key findings]. Assess: study design (sample size, methodology, control groups), statistical significance and effect size, funding source and potential conflicts, whether conclusions match the data, how it fits within existing literature (does it confirm or contradict consensus?), and limitations the authors acknowledge versus limitations they don't.

Act as an investigative reporter. Draft a public records request (FOIA/state equivalent) for [specific records] from [government agency]. Include: precise description of records sought, relevant date range, legal basis for the request citing specific statutes, format preference (electronic), fee waiver justification (public interest), and expedited processing argument if applicable. Make it specific enough to avoid overbreadth objections.

Act as an enterprise editor. I have this news event: [describe event/development]. Generate 10 story angles organized by: the immediate news angle, the human impact angle, the systemic/policy angle, the historical context angle, the data/investigation angle, the follow-up angle (what happens next), and the contrarian angle (what everyone is getting wrong). For each, suggest a specific headline and primary source type.

Act as a research analyst for a [beat] reporter. Analyze emerging trends in [topic area] over the past 6 months. Identify: patterns in recent developments that suggest a larger story, data sources that could quantify the trend, affected populations or stakeholders, policy responses (or lack thereof), and potential future developments. Cite specific recent events that illustrate each trend.

Act as an investigative editor. I'm pursuing a story about [topic/allegation]. Create an investigation plan: hypothesis to test, key documents to obtain (with specific FOIA targets), source categories to develop (insiders, victims, experts, officials), data analysis opportunities, legal considerations, and a publication timeline with milestones. What would make this story bulletproof?

Act as a features editor evaluating pitches. Help me develop this story idea into a pitch: [describe idea]. Structure the pitch as: the news peg (why now), the central question or tension, what reporting will reveal that isn't already known, proposed sources (3 minimum), estimated scope and timeline, and the so-what for readers. Keep the pitch under 300 words.

Act as a data editor. Here is a dataset about [topic]: [describe dataset, variables, size]. Identify the 5 most newsworthy findings by looking for: outliers and anomalies, trends over time, geographic patterns, demographic disparities, comparisons with benchmarks or standards, and correlations worth investigating. For each finding, suggest a headline and the verification steps needed.

Act as a local reporter. A national story about [topic] is breaking. Help me localize it for [city/region]. Identify: local data equivalents for national statistics, local officials with jurisdiction over this issue, affected communities or institutions in our coverage area, local policy context that differs from the national picture, and local sources who can provide on-the-ground perspective.

Act as an explainer editor. I need to help readers understand [complex topic]. Create an explanatory framework: the core concept in one sentence (no jargon), the 3 most common misconceptions, an analogy that makes it intuitive, the key stakeholders and their interests, what changed recently to make this newsworthy, and specific reader actions or implications. Target a general audience reading level.

Act as a solutions journalism specialist. I'm reporting on [problem]. Help me identify potential solutions angles: organizations or communities that have measurably reduced this problem, specific interventions with documented outcomes, transferability analysis (would it work elsewhere?), limitations and critiques of the solutions, and evidence-based metrics for evaluating success. Cite named examples.

Act as an accountability reporter. [Entity] promised [specific commitment] on [date]. Create a framework for measuring whether they delivered: specific benchmarks from the original commitment, data sources to measure progress, stakeholder perspectives on results, comparison with peer organizations' performance, and a scorecard format for presenting findings.

Act as a planning editor. Create a 12-month story calendar for my [beat]. For each month, suggest: a data-driven story tied to regular releases (government reports, quarterly earnings, annual statistics), an enterprise story opportunity tied to seasonal patterns, a profile or feature opportunity, and relevant anniversary hooks. Focus on stories that require advance planning and records requests.

Act as a projects editor. I'm planning a multi-part series on [topic]. Design the architecture: how many parts (recommend optimal number), what each installment covers, the narrative arc across the series, data visualization opportunities per installment, multimedia elements to consider, and publication cadence recommendation. Each part must stand alone while building toward the series thesis.

Act as an audience engagement editor. I'm publishing a story about [topic]. Design an engagement strategy: questions to pose to readers before publication (callout), interactive elements within the story, social media discussion starters, follow-up story opportunities based on reader response, and specific communities or groups to share it with. Focus on generating meaningful reader contributions for future reporting.

Act as a headline writer for a [publication type]. Write 10 headline options for this story: [one-paragraph summary]. Create variations across these styles: straightforward news headline, number/data-driven headline, question headline, how/why headline, and contrast/tension headline. Each must be under 70 characters. Each must be factually accurate. Rank them by likely click-through rate.

Act as a writing coach. I'm writing a [story type] about [topic]. Write 5 different lead paragraph options: a hard news lead (who/what/when/where), an anecdotal lead (scene-setting), a data lead (striking statistic), a quote lead (compelling source quote I'll supply), and a contrast lead (then vs. now). Each lead should be under 40 words. Each must hook the reader immediately.

Act as a narrative editor. Help me structure this story: [summarize key facts, sources, data]. Recommend the best structure from: inverted pyramid, narrative chronology, nut graf, hourglass, or diamond. Explain why that structure fits this material. Then provide a detailed outline with section transitions. Indicate where to place quotes, data, and context.

Act as an explainer writer. Simplify this technical concept for a general audience: [paste technical content or jargon-heavy text]. Rewrite it using: no jargon without immediate definition, sentences under 20 words, concrete examples instead of abstractions, and analogies where helpful. Maintain factual accuracy. Flag any simplification that sacrifices important nuance.

Act as a writing editor. Here is my story so far: [paste first few paragraphs and key facts]. Write 5 options for the nut graf — the paragraph that tells readers why this story matters now and what it's about. Each should: connect the specific to the universal, establish stakes, and signal the story's direction. Keep each under 50 words.

Act as a copy editor. I need transitions between these story sections: [describe or paste section summaries]. Write 3 options for each transition that: move the reader smoothly between ideas, avoid formulaic phrases ("meanwhile," "on the other hand"), maintain narrative momentum, and don't introduce new information. Each transition should be one sentence.

Act as a data visualization editor. I have this data: [describe dataset and key findings]. Write the narrative text that should accompany a chart/graph. Include: a headline for the visualization, the key takeaway in one sentence, context that the visual alone doesn't convey, methodology note, and source attribution. Keep total text under 100 words.

Act as a social media editor. Write social media posts promoting this story: [one-paragraph summary]. Create: a Twitter/X post (under 280 characters with a hook), a LinkedIn post (3-4 sentences, professional tone), an Instagram caption (conversational, with hashtag suggestions), and a newsletter blurb (2 sentences highlighting the key finding). Each must accurately represent the story without sensationalizing.

Act as a reporter writing to your editor. Draft a memo explaining why we should invest resources in this story: [describe story idea]. Include: news value assessment, competitive landscape (has anyone covered this?), source access and feasibility, required resources (time, travel, FOIA costs), potential legal risks, and expected impact. Be honest about challenges. Keep it under 500 words.

Act as a standards editor. Draft a correction for this error: [describe what was published and what was wrong]. Follow journalism correction standards: state what was published, state what is correct, explain the nature of the error (factual, contextual, attribution), and note when the article was updated. Be direct and transparent. Do not minimize or explain away the error.

Act as a business researcher. Map the corporate structure of [company/organization]. Identify: parent company and subsidiaries, key executives and board members, major shareholders or funders, recent acquisitions or divestitures, regulatory filings (SEC, state registrations), and connections to other entities relevant to my story about [topic]. Use only publicly available information. Cite each source.

Act as a political researcher. Map the lobbying and influence network around [policy issue/legislation]. Identify: registered lobbyists and their clients (from public disclosures), campaign contributions from affected industries, revolving door connections (officials who joined industry or vice versa), industry trade groups and their public positions, and think tanks producing relevant research (with their funders). Cite disclosure databases.

Act as a legal researcher. I'm investigating [person/organization] for a story about [topic]. Guide me through finding relevant court records: federal (PACER/RECAP) and state court databases to search, case types most relevant to this investigation, key search terms and name variations to try, how to read docket entries efficiently, and what filings to prioritize (complaints, depositions, settlements). Note which databases are free vs. paid.

Act as a fiscal analyst. Analyze this government budget document for [agency/jurisdiction]: [describe budget or paste key figures]. Identify: largest line-item changes year-over-year (increases and decreases above 10%), items that don't match public statements or priorities, hidden or obscured spending, comparison with peer jurisdictions, and unfunded mandates or deferred costs. Present findings as a summary memo with specific dollar amounts.

Act as a regulatory analyst. Review this filing: [describe document — SEC 10-K, FDA submission, EPA permit, FCC application]. Identify: key disclosures that could be newsworthy, risk factors that weren't previously public, changes from prior filings, technical language that obscures important information, and specific items that warrant further reporting or expert comment.

Act as an investigative researcher. I'm looking into [nonprofit organization]. Guide me through publicly available data: IRS Form 990 analysis (key ratios to examine, red flags), state charity registration filings, board member connections and potential conflicts, executive compensation benchmarks, program spending vs. fundraising ratios, and any enforcement actions. Recommend specific databases and tools.

Act as a foreign affairs researcher. I'm verifying claims from a source about [topic] in [country]. Help me navigate: relevant government databases and registries in that country, local media outlets to cross-reference, international organizations with relevant data (UN, World Bank, regional bodies), academic researchers specializing in this area, and cultural or linguistic considerations that affect interpretation. Note translation tools and their limitations.

Act as a research librarian. My publication covered [topic] extensively [timeframe]. Help me identify follow-up opportunities: compile a checklist of promises, deadlines, and commitments from our past coverage that are now due, identify stakeholders who should be re-contacted, find new data releases that update our previous reporting, and suggest anniversary hooks or milestone moments for revisiting the story.