Basics In Broadcasting

Principles of Convergent Journalism

Wilkinson, Grant, and Fisher

Back to the Basics

Essential qualities all journalists must possess whether they are working for a newspaper, radio, television or an online news site: accuracy, attention to detail, compelling information, solid attribution, proper grammar, word usage, spelling and punctuation.

How TV is Different

Television stresses the visual. Images on-screen dominate over reporters and voiceovers. TV is often “live” in the moment, covering the latest breaking news. TV is simple storytelling. Presentation cannot confuse the viewer.

TV Staff

Television staffs are large and task-specific, unlike radio staffs. Broadcast news relies on a team of people to support each other. Positions include: News Director, Producer, Assignment Editor, Anchor, Reporter, Photographer, Video Editor, Graphic Artist, Studio Production Staff, Librarian/Archivist, and Field Producer.

TV Relies on Visuals

Print allows readers to scan and pause whereas TV is quick, engaging, and can be dramatic. TV depends on graphical elements to bring a story together. Maps, charts, animations, music, ect. all bring a story together. To create a visual story package a team must have: topic, interviews (close-ups & B-Roll), solid script with sound bites, voice tracks, and effectively export the footage either to the web or DVD.

Time

TV stories are normally short and basic. Stories that do not show any visuals usually range about 20 seconds on tape. Voice-Over (VO) and Sound on Tape (SOT) are staples to TV news. This is the voice of the reporter or anchor on the tape while visual pictures are appearing on-screen. TV packages are the actual recorded story. Reporters normally appear once or twice during the story, introducing the topic and closing at the end. Video essays and montages are also common in TV. A reporter may choose to tell a story through photos with voice-over commentary.

Reporter/Talent/Personality/Celebrity

TV is far different from print where the reader does not see the writer of the story. An anchor or reporter on TV is seen by mass audiences and populations. Persons who work in the TV industry and are on film must go through voice training, show an appealing/clean appearance, and be likable to large audiences. An anchor may have to go through voice training to sound authoritative, friendly and sincere. A strong speaker should be able to use inflection and pause in certain areas when presenting on camera. Viewers demand specific qualities like wardrobe, facial hair, jewelry, etc.

Final Note

TV packages must be easy to understand visually and audibly no jargon, slang, or choppy visuals.