This document discusses the codes and conventions of factual programming such as news shows and documentaries. It explains that news shows typically have anchors who report current events in a structured format, using field reporters on location, interviews with experts, and footage of events. The structure includes the most important stories first. Documentaries can take an observational, participatory, reflexive, expository, or performative mode. The expository mode uses narration and commentary, while the observational mode aims to capture objective reality without influencing events.

1. Codes and conventions
of factual programming
By Connor Thomson

2. What is a News Show?
A news program is a regularly scheduled radio or television
program the reports current events. News is typically reported
in a series of individual stories that are presented by one or
more anchors. Usually have a main national news, then after a
local news.
News in broadcasting of various news events and other
information through different media platforms, such as
television, radio and internet. The content is usually either
produced locally in a radio studio or television studio
newsroom, or by a broadcast network. It may also include
additional material such as sports coverage, weather forecasts,
traffic reports, commentary and other material that the
broadcaster feels is relevant to their audience.

3. The codes & conventions of a
news show.
News anchors and reporters- these are the main reporters in the studio, reading out the main
news and introducing news stories. Such as Fred Dinenage & Sangeeta Bhabra on ITV
Meridian News.
Field reporters- these are the reporters who tend to be at the scene of the event, reporting on
the latest information. Such as wars or terrorist attacks, a field reporter will be near by to
reports when new information is released.
Interviews- interviews are used to get more information from a story. I.e. a specialist will
come in to talk further about the story as they have more knowledge.
Expert and witnesses- this is having guess speakers coming in to talk about an important
story or important figure.
Actual footage- This is usually live or first hand footage of the event, linking to the story. Such
us the footage that every knows the 911 plane footage.
A report structure- this is the structure of the news program, such as the most important
stories being told first. Also could be the reporter stating and introducing the story in the
studio, cut to an interview, then a reporter at the scene, then back to the studio.
Modes of address to viewer- this is how the reporter delivers the news to the consumer.
Links to studio- this when a news show links in to another studio elsewhere.

4. What is a documentary?
 A documentary is a broad term to describe a non-fiction
movie that in some way “documentary” or captures
reality and real life events.
 Documentaries are often used to reveal an unusual,
interesting or unknown angle that has not yet been
previously explored. Topics of documentaries are
endless and are only limited to ones own imagination,
as long as there is factual information and has an
audience who takes interest in the subject.

5. The 5 modes of
documentaries.
 The expository mode- This mode is what we most identify with the documentary- it “emphasizes verbal
commentary and argumentative logic” often using a narrator, broadcasting events such as WW2 and
the peoples point of view. Mostly associated with News Programs.
 Observational mode is best known by using a direct camera it attempts to capture as accurately as
possible. Objective reality with filmmaker as neutral observer. The filmmaker remains hidden behind
the camera, ignored by the surrounding environment he/she neither changes nor influences the
actions events being captured. Since nothing is staged for the camera, the camera is hand held and
rushes about to keep up with the action resulting in rough, shaky, often amateur looking footage.
 The participatory mode- unlike the observational mode, the participatory mode welcomes direct
engagement between the filmmaker becomes part of the events being recorded. The filmmakers
impact on the events being recorded is acknowledged, indeed, is often celebrated and increases the
events impact. Such as recently on BBC 3 there was a documentary by Reggie Yates about Russia,
he went around with a crew interviewing people and finding more information on the subject.
 The Reflexive Mode- The Reflexive Mode acknowledges the constructed nature of documentary and
flaunts it – conveying to people that this is not necessarily “truth” but a reconstruction of it; a truth, but
not the truth.
 The Performative Mode – This mode of documentary emphasizes the subjective nature of the
documentarian as well as acknowledging the subjective reading of the audience – notions of
objectivity are replaced by “evocation and affect’. This mode emphasizes the emotional and social
impact on the audience