ABSTRACT
Those who go into broadcast news have to enjoy the challenge of working to tight deadlines in an environment of what is, at times, controlled chaos. This chapter offers guidance to students aspiring to that profession. Topics include: the organization of a typical television newsroom; the importance of positive working relationships; TV script-writing tips; “sound bites” and complex story production techniques; radio news reporting; radio script formats; public relations radio news releases; TV field production video techniques; video logic; cutaways and reverse questions; covering dramatic news; broadcast features; advertiser pressures on news content; ethical considerations; covering sports and weather; and, public affairs programming. The chapter concludes with an admonition for novice reporters to remember that their function is that of a watchdog on behalf of viewers and to look for stories of substance and figure out how to give them visual elements in order to make them interesting so that they’re used on the newscast.
