Intro to Broadcast Journalism Mini Lesson

First, what is journalism? Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. The activity or profession of writing for newspapers or magazines or of broadcasting news on radio or television.

What is Broadcast Journalism? Broadcast journalism is news that is carried on radio, television, and the Internet. Broadcast journalism is a powerful medium, it can shape public opinion, touch hearts, influence, and inspire.

Social Media’s Affect Citizen Journalism (we will come back to this….) View and respond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcDU9uV4eZQ Chat with partner- group discussion Good or bad?

How Broadcasting is Different Think about how seeing something on television or hearing a person on radio is different than seeing still photos and reading a story. Broadcasting ads an emotional element. Always make your stories accurate, use solid news judgment and strong writing.

Broadcast news Broadcast Journalism is neither better nor worse than print journalism Print journalism offers depth, context and information. Broadcast journalism –emotional appeal, realism, and immediacy. Can become “info-tainment.”

Broadcast news All the news that fits – and that’s really not much 70% of stories last less than one minute. 75% of stories are local. Crime stories appear most often. Most stories of controversies give one point of view.

Writing for broadcast Stories require different styles Use friendlier, conversational tone. Keep it short. Simple. And easy to follow. Don’t use inverted-pyramid form. Use present tense as often as possible. Contractions are acceptable. Treat attributions and quotes differently.

Writing for broadcast In different media… Add phonetic pronunciation. Use punctuation to help – not hinder –delivery. Avoid abbreviations and symbols. Round off numbers and spell them out. While viewing the clip: -What tone does the reporter use? -how’s the length? -How is this human interest? K.I.S.S.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpHBduwcRtg Example- http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/your-iphone-ispy/ngpmT/

Radio news reporting Radio may be most challenging Write to your bites. Read stories aloud. Record natural sound. Paint word pictures. Best radio reporting Conversational, yet concise. Friendly, yet authoritative. Snappy, yet eloquent.

Radio news reporting It takes practice to sound like a pro Record yourself Adjust your delivery Most common problems can be avoided Study the pros Practice!

Radio news reporting Anchor – person hosting newscast Common radio news terms & jargon Anchor – person hosting newscast Actuality – sound bite Natural sound – ambient sound Script – written version of story Voicer – news story that does not use actualities Lead-in – words that introduce an element in the story Live – not prerecorded

Radio news reporting Wrap – story begins and ends with reporter Common radio news terms & jargon Wrap – story begins and ends with reporter Intro – the lead to a reporter’s wrap In-cue – first words of a cut or wrap Out-cue –final words of a cut or wrap Tag – closing line; also called sign-off, sig-out, lockout, standard outcue Talent – reporters, anchors, disc jockeys Tease – brief headline or promo for coming story

Television news reporting TV journalism’s unique approach Talk into camera and depend on video Collaborate Write to the video Don’t overload with facts Engage viewers emotions Look professional Notice these elements in this short clip: http://www.wsbtv.com/videos/news/great-story-soldiers-honored-for-saving-choking/vCkntK/

Television news reporting TV journalism’s unique approach Interviewing tips (we will come back to this…..) Find location Maintain eye contact Rephrase and re-ask questions Watch for good sound bites Avoid “stepping on” sound bites Shoot cutaways

Television news reporting Common TV news terms & jargon Audio – sound heard on TV Video – images seen on TV Sound bite – recorded comment Track – audio recording of reporter B-roll – video images shot at news scene (also called cover) Stand-up – shot of reporter at news scene Package – story prepared by reporter

Television news reporting Common TV news terms & jargon Anchor intro –introduction to piece read by anchor (also called lead-in) Bridge – stand-up that moves story from one angle to another Toss – what’s said as one reporter hands off to another On cam – on-camera VO – voice-over SOT – sound on tape

Television news reporting Common TV news terms & jargon Rundown – order stories will appear Prompter – device that projects script for anchor to read Talking head – person being interviewed

Tips http://www.poynter.org/uncategorized/27244/tips-for-getting-started-in-broadcast-journalism/