PRINT VS BROADCAST
Writers for the mass media always work at two task: gathering information and putting that information into an acceptable form. Having the proper information- all the relevant facts of a story, the proper identification for the people involved, the times and dates, accurate direct quotations, and so on – is vital to the writing process, but it is only the beginning. There comes a time when the information gathering must cease and the writing must begin.
Broadcast
Broadcasting is the world’s most pervasive medium of mass communication. It is not unusual for the American home to receive fifty or more television channels via its cable system or satellite dish. A person who wants to succeed in the field of broadcasting needs to have intelligence, diligence, dependability- and the ability to write. Even though broadcasting is an audiovisual medium, almost everything you hear or see in the way of news or entertainment has been written down. The occasions for ad libbing before the cameras are relatively rare, and rehearsed. Broadcasters consider air time too valuable to leave to chance. Even reporters doing live news spots often work from notes and have a good understanding of the forms of writing for the medium.
Summary
Writing for broadcasting is similar in many ways to writing for the print media, but there are some important differences. Those differences concern the way in which news is selected for broadcast, the characteristic of writing and story structure, and the style with which the information is presented.
Print and electronic Media writing
Similarities exist between good writing for print and electronic media. The media themselves- primarily radio and television- dictate some differences in format and approach for their particular audiences. Writers need copy that is readable and that can be heard.
Similarities
1The writing process.
Broadcast reporters start with an idea, do research and interviews, the produces copy that is well written and relevant to their audiences. The writing process stage of outlining is critical for electronic media writers, who must plan a story before they leave the scene of an event. They must have a variety of visual shots to illustrate their stories as well as an outline so they can get necessary audio, such as a quote from a country commissioner, or video, perhaps a shot of fire trucks, that will be needed to produce the final story package.
2News values
Electronic media writing is no exception. Timeless is the most critical news element for electronic media. Radio and television, because of their ability to broadcast live, can get information out to audiences as news events occur. Immediacy is the key. For a news clip to last throughout a 24-hour cycle, the event must be compelling. In radio and television, news that happened in the morning may be old in the afternoon, whereas newspaper can and do print yesterday’s news. Conflict is another key news value for electronic journalism. Viewing conflict firsthand on television can make an audience remember a story for a lifetime.
3Clear, Concise writing
The rules of using short sentences, active voice, and short words, avoiding jargon and technical language, cutting wordiness, and getting to the point quickly are particularly critical in broadcast writing. Broadcast stories are generally shorter than those in print. Whereas a print news story may use 120 words to tell an event, a broadcast report may have to condense the account to 15 seconds. Newscasters read about 10 words in 4 seconds; a 15-seconds broadcast story is about 35 words long. Every word counts, therefore, and language must be clear and precise.
4Research
Like print reporters, electronic reporters develop sources and do research and interviews. Research can be more difficult. Print reporters can access stories in library files or on computer databases fairly quickly. Electronic media reporters must review tapes to learn what the station may have covered before – a time – consuming process. Most electronic reporters do not accumulate clips and files they can readily consult. Television stations, for example, have file footage, but those archives are not as extensive as are newspaper libraries or morgues.
Differences
1Deadlines
Reporters for electronic media often work under tighter deadlines. Print reporters may have a 7pm deadline for a morning newspaper, whereas a television reporter must have a story on the air at 5 pm. The television reporter also may be producing several stories for that evening broadcast, perhaps two news briefs and one package that includes a standup, or appearance, by the reporter.
2 Writing structure
Radio and Tele reports are shorter than print versions, they must be written to be understood the first time. They have only one chance to be heard. And they must make it through clutter. Most radio and television audiences are doing other things: driving the car, listening to children’s voices, cooking dinner.
Electronic media reporters start a story with a headline to grad listener or viewer attention. Then they give a lead to the story, which generally sets up the context for the story. Next comes explanation. The wrap-up usually focuses on the possible effects. For tele, the entire story may run an average 30 seconds; for radio, the report may be only 20 seconds.
In addition to writing the story for tele and even radio, the reporter will have to write several advance headlines or teasers that anchors can use to promote an upcoming newscast. In a teaser, reporters give only enough information about a story to make viewers watch it later. For example, a story may need a teaser or lead-in during an afternoon newsbreak, plus another teaser or a lead- in just before 6pm news. Then a reporter must write a lead- in for anchors before being introduced. Finally, a reporter will give her own lead on the story. All are different, gradually adding information without revealing the entire story.
3Style
Electronic media writer adopt a more conversational style in writing their articles. Often the style is narrative and more like telling a story to listeners. For example, reporter might use contraptions in sentences. A more casual style still requires clear, concise writing.
4Format
In tele reports, copy fills the right- hand side of the page; cues for the technical members of the crew appear in the left- hand column. Abbreviations, such as VO for voice-over when the announcer or reporter switches from the studio to the videotape, are indicated in the left-hand column.
Some broadcast journalists type in all caps, but others prefer upper- and lower-case. Paragraphs are not split between pages, and each story is typed on a separate page. Specific style rules on how to use abbreviations, numbers, and attribution are explained later in the chapter.
5cost
Print journalists need computers and printing presses. Tele reporters require editing equipment, studios, and satellite dishes. Radio reporters are on the economical end of electronic media production, requiring less in house equipment to air their broadcast.
Lead and structure
Broadcast
Writing for electronic media means writing for the ear; using short sentences, having speech that is more conversational, following a subject-verb-object sentence order, having copy that is clear and understandable, and putting smooth, clear transitions between thoughts. Let’s look at producing broadcast copy, following these guidelines
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