Tiny Mighty News

How to Report Your Local News

You saw something. Here's how to tell the world.

How to report on TMN

Step 1: Open the app and tap the Share (+) button

This launches your TMN reporter tool.

Step 2: Use voice chat to tell your story

Just speak naturally. Tell us what happened, where, and when. Our AI will structure your words into a proper news report. You don't need to be a writer — just tell us what you saw.

Step 3: Upload your media

If you have photos or video, attach them to your report. Make sure they are real and unedited. AI-generated or altered media is not allowed on TMN.

Step 4: Confirm your location

TMN will verify your report using your GPS location from your phone and the time stamp on your media. Make sure you say your location, the location of the incident you are reporting, and if they are different, include a reason for our editors.

Step 5: Submit

Once you submit, your report goes through our verification process. Our AI checks it first. If needed, a human editor reviews it before it is published. If the story needs additional work or checking, it might take some time for it to publish. You will be able to track the status of your story in the app.

Good journalism basics

You don't need a journalism degree to report for TMN. But a few simple habits will make your stories stronger, more credible, and more likely to be published.

Tell us the five W's

Every good news report answers these basic questions:

  • Who is involved?
  • What happened?
  • Where did it happen?
  • When did it happen?
  • Why does it matter to your community?

If your report answers all five, you're already doing well.

Stick to what you saw

There is a difference between what you witnessed and what you think happened. Stick to the facts. Say "I saw three police cars outside the building at 9pm" rather than "the police were doing a raid." Let the facts speak for themselves.

If you are making an allegation, you must seek a response

This is one of the most important rules in journalism. If your report accuses a person, business, organization, or public official of wrongdoing, you must give them a chance to respond before you submit.

Here's how:

  • Contact the person or organization directly — by phone, email, or in person
  • Ask them for their response to your allegation
  • Include their response — or their refusal to respond — in your report
  • Include their contact information so our editors can follow up if needed

If you cannot reach them, say so in your report: "TMN contacted [name] for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication."

Reports that make serious allegations without a documented attempt to seek a response will not be published.

Include contact information for your sources

If someone spoke to you on the record, include their name and a way for our editors to reach them — a phone number or email. This helps us verify your story quickly and get it published faster.

A note on fairness

TMN serves many different communities with many different perspectives. Your job as a reporter is not to take sides — it is to give your community the information they need to form their own opinion. Report what you know. Be fair. Be accurate.

Have questions about your report? Contact us at [email protected].