An article from CCJ partner NewsLab.From all indications, one of the fastest growing beats in local TV news these days is consumer reporting. It's also one of the broadest. Consumer reporters can be investigators, uncovering scams or scandals. They can be viewer advocates, responding to specific complaints. Or they can focus on product comparisons or other "news you can use." The first task for any newsroom planning a consumer beat is to define the franchise. Then comes the challenge of telling stories day in and day out without relying on formulas that quickly become stale. So how do you keep a consumer beat from consuming you, while still providing viewers with the information they need?