1. lcome to the world of
urnalism, where
porters have been
gging dirt, raking muck,
king headlines and
adlines for centuries
w. It’s a history full of
bloid trash, of slimy
nsationalists, of
runkards, deadbeats and
mmers” (as a Harvard
iversity president once
scribed reporters).
But it’s a history full of
roes, too: men and
men risking their lives
tell stories of war and
agedy, risking
prisonment to defend
ee speech. And as you
n see here, reports have
come beloved characters
p culture, too, turning up
movies, comics and TV
ows as if guided by an
cult hand.
Every culture seeks
effective ways to spread
new information and gossip.
In ancient times, news was
written on clay tablets. In
Caesar’s age, Romans read
newsletters compiled by
correspondents and
handwritten by slaves.
Wandering minstrels spread
news (and the plague) in the
Middle Ages. Them came
ink on paper. Voices on
airwaves. Newsreels, Web
sites, And 24-hour cable
news networks.
Thus when scholars
analyze the rich history of
journalism, some view it in
terms of technological
progress—for example, the
dramatic impact of bigger,
faster printing presses.
Others see journalism as
a specialized form literary
expression, one that’s
constantly evolving,
reflecting and shaping its
culture.
Others see it as an
inspiring quest for free
speech, an endless power
struggle between Authority
(trying to control
information) and the People
(trying to learn the truth).
Which brings to mind the
words of A.J. Liefling:
“Freedom of the press is
guaranteed only to htose
who own one.”
In the pages ahead, we’ll
take a quick tour of 600
years of journalism history,
from hieroglyphics to
hypertext: the media, the
message and the politics.
Technical advances and
brilliant ideas forged a new
style of journalism. It was a
century of change, and
newspapers changed
dramatically. The typi
newspaper of 1800 wa
undisciplined mishma
legislative proceeding
long-winded essays a
secondhand gossip. B
1900, a new breed of
tor had emerged. Jour
had become big busin
Reporting was becom
disciplined craft. And
newspapers were bec
more entertaining and
essential than ever, w
most of the features w
expect today: Snappy
headlines, Ads, Comic
Sports pages. And an
“inverted pyramid” sty
writing that made stori
tighter and newsier.
Radio and television
brought an end to
newspapers’ media
monopoly. Why? Well
yourself: Which did yo
Broadcast journalism
Inside Reporting
Tim Harrower
9
3. Broadcast news
Print journalism offers depth,
context and information.
Broadcast journalism –
emotional appeal, realism, and
immediacy.
News as entertainment.
TV, radio journalism neither better nor
worse than print journalism
4. Broadcast news
News director serves as one-
person newsroom.
Report local stories.
Rework wire copy.
Read news on the air.
If reporters, assignments often
vary.
How a radio broadcast news story comes
together
5. Broadcast news
Start day with news meeting to
collect assignments.
Assignments vary.
Stand-ups often done live.
Must fit to the precise second in
broadcast.
How a TV broadcast news story comes
together
6. 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.
7. Writing for broadcast
Use friendlier, conversational
tone.
Keep it short. Simple. And
easy to follow.
Don’t use inverted-pyramid
form.
Stories require different styles
• Use present tense as
often as possible.
• Contractions are
acceptable.
• Treat attributions and
quotes differently.
8. Writing for broadcast
Add phonetic
pronunciation.
Use punctuation to help –
not hinder –delivery.
In different media…
• Avoid abbreviations
and symbols.
• Round off numbers
and spell them out.
9. Radio news reporting
Write to your bites.
Read stories aloud.
Record natural sound.
Paint word pictures.
Radio may be most challenging
Best radio reporting
• Conversational,
yet concise.
• Friendly,
yet authoritative.
• Snappy,
yet eloquent.
10. Radio news reporting
Record yourself.
Adjust your delivery.
Most common problems
can be avoided.
It takes practice to sound like a pro
Study the pros.
Practice.
11. • Voicer – news story
that does not use
actualities.
• Lead-in – words that
introduce an element
in the story.
• Live – not
prerecorded.
Radio news reporting
Anchor – person hosting
newscast.
Actuality – sound bite.
Natural sound – ambient
sound.
Script – written version of
story.
Common radio news terms & jargon
12. • 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.
Radio news reporting
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.
Common radio news terms & jargon
13. Television news reporting
Collaborate.
Write to the video.
Don’t overload with
facts.
TV journalism’s unique approach
• Engage viewers’
emotions.
• Look professional.
• Talk into camera
and depend on
video.
14. Television news reporting
Find location.
Maintain eye contact.
Rephrase and re-ask
questions.
TV journalism’s unique approach
Interviewing tips
• Watch for good
sound bites.
• Avoid “stepping
on” sound bites.
• Shoot cutaways.
15. Television news reporting
• B-roll – video images
shot at news scene (also
called cover).
• Stand-up – shot of
reporter at news scene.
• Package – story
prepared by reporter.
Common TV news terms & jargon
• Audio – sound heard
on TV.
• Video – images seen on
TV.
• Sound bite – recorded
comment.
• Track – audio recording
of reporter.
16. • 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
• Anchor intro –
introduction to piece
read by anchor (also
called lead-in).
• Bridge – stand-up that
moves story from one
angle to another.
Common TV news terms & jargon
17. Television news reporting
• Rundown – order
stories will appear.
• Prompter – device that
projects script for
anchor to read.
Common TV news terms & jargon
•Talking head –
person being
interviewed.
18. lcome to the world of
urnalism, where
porters have been
gging dirt, raking muck,
king headlines and
adlines for centuries
w. It’s a history full of
bloid trash, of slimy
nsationalists, of
runkards, deadbeats and
mmers” (as a Harvard
iversity president once
scribed reporters).
But it’s a history full of
roes, too: men and
men risking their lives
tell stories of war and
agedy, risking
prisonment to defend
ee speech. And as you
n see here, reports have
come beloved characters
p culture, too, turning up
movies, comics and TV
ows as if guided by an
cult hand.
Every culture seeks
effective ways to spread
new information and gossip.
In ancient times, news was
written on clay tablets. In
Caesar’s age, Romans read
newsletters compiled by
correspondents and
handwritten by slaves.
Wandering minstrels spread
news (and the plague) in the
Middle Ages. Them came
ink on paper. Voices on
airwaves. Newsreels, Web
sites, And 24-hour cable
news networks.
Thus when scholars
analyze the rich history of
journalism, some view it in
terms of technological
progress—for example, the
dramatic impact of bigger,
faster printing presses.
Others see journalism as
a specialized form literary
expression, one that’s
constantly evolving,
reflecting and shaping its
culture.
Others see it as an
inspiring quest for free
speech, an endless power
struggle between Authority
(trying to control
information) and the People
(trying to learn the truth).
Which brings to mind the
words of A.J. Liefling:
“Freedom of the press is
guaranteed only to htose
who own one.”
In the pages ahead, we’ll
take a quick tour of 600
years of journalism history,
from hieroglyphics to
hypertext: the media, the
message and the politics.
Technical advances and
brilliant ideas forged a new
style of journalism. It was a
century of change, and
newspapers changed
dramatically. The typi
newspaper of 1800 wa
undisciplined mishma
legislative proceeding
long-winded essays a
secondhand gossip. B
1900, a new breed of
tor had emerged. Jour
had become big busin
Reporting was becom
disciplined craft. And
newspapers were bec
more entertaining and
essential than ever, w
most of the features w
expect today: Snappy
headlines, Ads, Comic
Sports pages. And an
“inverted pyramid” sty
writing that made stori
tighter and newsier.
Radio and television
brought an end to
newspapers’ media
monopoly. Why? Well
yourself: Which did yo
Broadcast journalism
Inside Reporting
Tim Harrower
9
