WEEK 12- Chapter 12 'Broadcast Journalism: the world's town crier'

WEEK 12- Chapter 12 ‘Broadcast Journalism: the world’s town crier

1. Do you think the ABC should be privatised? What impact might this have on broadcast journalism? If you disagree, could the government funding process be made less ‘political’?

Although the government controls the content of programs and provides the funding for the ABC I personally feel that it should not be privatised. The debate continues that due to the ABC being government owned they consequently control what issues journalist cover. I do not want another television channel similar to ten, prime or NBN. As long as there is politics involved funding will always be ‘political’. Also the argument if ABC was privatised it would be less bias in their content is crap because the commercial channels are biased in what content is covered.

2. You are a television news director with two strong job applications. One is form a ‘telegenic’ male, 28, with reasonable skill experience. The other is from a female, 38. She is of ‘average’ appearance but has considerable skill experience. Your present reporting staff consists of four females and one male, none older than 32. Who do you hire, and why?

I would choose the male and the reasons why to give him the opportunity to build his career profile. Another reason would be to balance the female ratio to male TV presenters. As shallow as it sounds that fact that he is ‘telegenic’ would be more likely to attract audience viewers.

3. Given the strengths and weakness of each medium, which do you think is the ‘best communicator’ on any given story: radio, television, the web, or newspapers?

I think the various mediums have their strengths and weakness. If it were ground breaking story that day, you would listen to the radio for the convenience and efficiency or Internet. Later that day the television would provide the visuals and the following day the newspaper would reiterate the story. I would say the web and radio would provide the speed that allows viewers/listeners to know news updates constantly.

4. During the last federal election campaign do you think the broadcast media focused more on issues or personalities? What could have been done better?

The last federal election campaign focused more on personalties rather than issues. Broadcast media has made the focus on less important aspects of the campaign such as the worm rather than policies. No let me rephrase there has been lots of news coverage on policies I just don’t remember do to more entertaining news such as Kevin’s drunken strip night. I think there should be more attention paid to policies rather than personalities and stunts.

Journalism Issue

The journalism issue taken from the reading that I found interesting was reporting for television. Television reports are highly visual therefore newstories are reliant on captivating images. Televisions must be appealing to the audience in terms of their voice and looks. Having clear and articulate language is a must. I think broadcast journalism in 3rd year will give an insight to what the basic fundamentals when reporting in front of a camera. It would also be interesting to learn how a routine story is turned into a standout story due to visuals. Also how the current changes in technology are impacting and expanders a TV reporter’s job.