From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
MaryCampbell 18:57, 8 Sep 2004 (EST)
== Live Broadcasting ==
Electronic Journalism
- Live broadcasting of news events is traditionally considered a strength of radio; however as new media technologies emerge and are easily accessible, television news stations are increasingly using this technique to their advantage (Alysen, 2000: 45).
- For example Australia’s Sky News and the BBC operate as twenty four hour news channels dedicated to comprehensive live coverage of events.
- Electronic news gathering and the satellite age have pushed television news deadlines back to the last minute of the program. News stories are able to be constantly updated and live coverage means the viewing audience is able to be kept abreast with developments as they happen (Alysen, 2000: 46). New technologies have broken down existing barriers to regional and international reporting as it is now possible to broadcast live from any destination in the world.
- Electronic news gathering crews, satellite technology, mobile broadcasting vehicles and portable editing equipment means news reports can be broadcast live or put together and relayed back rapidly with ease.
These technologies have revolutionised news coverage and ultimately resulted in an increase in audience expectations of news services.
- The ability to report live is becoming an increasingly necessary skill in broadcast journalism. Such a skill requires not only an ability to mentally organise information and structure a story prior to writing it, but also confidence on the reporter’s part (Alysen, 2000: 45).
- While some live broadcasts can be mentally structured, many of the most dynamic live reports are driven by fast changing events and leave no time for serious planning.
International Television News (ITN)
- During the early stages of the satellite age of broadcasting, one of the major difficulties which arose was one of satellite availability. Originally, if a government disapproved of the nature of a specific report about their country, it could prevent the airing of that story by denying the news network involved access to the satellite (Boyd, 2002: 286).
- To overcome this obstacle, ITN (International Television News) was the first network in the United Kingdom to use its own portable satellite dish (Boyd, 2002: 286). The utilisation of satellite technology enables news stations to transport the satellites and broadcast from remote areas, where it would be otherwise impossible to transmit the story back.
- ITN currently owns and operates ten mobile satellite uplink trucks and broadcasting stations (Boyd, 2002: 286). It utilises the technology, placing the trucks strategically around the United Kingdom to offer a rapid response and live coverage wherever news may break. If a satellite truck is unavailable, reports can be sent via videophones or microwave links.
Preparing for a live broadcast
- Most live broadcasts, otherwise known as live crosses, are used where a story is late breaking or to update a story. A live broadcast begins with a throw line from the news presenter in the studio which is followed by the on location reporter either:
- presenting a report to camera;
- giving a question/answer interview with the in studio news presenter; or
- conducting an interview with someone at the scene
- A journalist can prepare for the possibility of a live broadcast by (Alysen, 2000: 46):
- check with the newsroom about the appropriate length of the report;
- keep in mind a picture overlay may be needed for the television medium;
- know the cue which marks the point where the live broadcast begins;
- as much as is possible, know what you are going to say;
- maintain eye contact during the broadcast, though minimal notes are acceptable;
- describe the situation, circumstances and the scene during the report;
- verify important facts before the broadcast; and
- know the throw back line to the studio.
Related Wiki Entries
Go back to Digital Journalism
MaryCampbell 14:36, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
Bibliography
- Alysen, B. (2000) The Electronic Reporter – Broadcast Journalism in Australia, Victoria: Deakin University Press. ISBN 0949823848
- Boyd, A. (2002). Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News, Oxford:Focal Press. ISBN 0240515714
MaryCampbell 14:36, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
