ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the practical considerations of news gathering in the field. It looks at the best working practices for different stories and situations. Seeking written permissions, printing off location maps and drawing up realistic shooting schedules are all part of good newsroom practice on diary stories. Health and safety training for reporting in the field is essential for all journalists. Generic health and safety assessments will apply to day-to-day news assignments. The main bulletins on terrestrial Television and longer, speech-based radio programmes will also have production meetings in which editorial and technical staff discusses the logistics of getting the programme on air. Most newsrooms will have at least one meeting a day – usually at the opportunity in the morning after most staff has come on duty. The best radio reporting has strong actuality – sound recorded on location. Recording a radio interview is an intimate experience.
