News Values, News production and News Genres

Question 1

The news genre has been undermined by

Answer 1

The news genre has been undermined by the rise of blog­ ging, which is outside the control of the media

Question 2

News is according to Park?

Answer 2

• News is timely: it is about very recent or recurrent events.
• News is unsystematic: it deals with discrete events and happenings, and the world seen through news alone consists of unrelated happenings.
• News is perishable: it lives only when the events themselves are current, and for pu poses ofrecord and later reference other forms of knowledge will replace news.
• Events reported as news should be unusual or at least unexpected, qualities that are more important than their ‘real significance’.
• Apart from unexpectedness, news events are characterized by other ‘news values’ that are always relative and involve subjective judgements about likely audience interest.
• News is mainly for orientation and attention direction and not a substitute for knowledge.
• News is predictable.

Question 3

The paradoxical and provocative final statement that news is predictable was explained by Park as follows:

Answer 3

if it is the unexpected that happens it is not the wholly unexpected which gets into the news. The events that have made news in the past, as in the present, are actually the expected things … it is on the whole the accidents and incidents that the public is prepared for … the things that one fears and that one hopes for that make news. (1940/1967: 45)

Question 4

following terms as descriptive of news:

Answer 4

‘saleable’, ‘superficial’, ‘simple’, ‘objective’, ‘action centred’, ‘interesting’ (as distinct from significant), ‘stylized’ and ‘prudent’.

Question 5

dimensions along which an item of news might be placed:

Answer 5

dimensions along which an item of news might be placed: news versus truth; difficult versus routine (in terms of news gathering); and information versus human interest.

Question 6

. The language of news is ‘linear’

Answer 6

. The language of news is ‘linear’, elaborating an event report along a single dimension with added information, illustration, quotation and discus­ sion.

Question 7

a key element of facticity is attribution

Answer 7

a key element of facticity is attribution to very credible or positively verified sources

Question 8

without an attribution of credibility by the audience, news could not be

Answer 8

without an attribution of credibility by the audience, news could not be distinguished from entertainment or propaganda.

Question 9

The news genre: main attributes

Answer 9

• Timeliness and recency
• Unexpectedness
• Predictability of type
• Fragmentary nature
• Perishability
• Signalling function or effect
• Shaped by values
• Interesting
• Facticity

Question 10

So-called ‘tabloid television’

Answer 10

So-called ‘tabloid television’ - sensational, gossipy, weird information - is another example of the stretching of a genre

Question 11

that a frame is needed to

Answer 11

that a frame is needed to organize otherwise fragmentary items of experience or information.

Question 12

The idea of a ‘frame’ in relation to news has been widely and loosely used in place of

Answer 12

terms such as ‘frame ofreference’, ‘context’, ‘theme’, or even ‘news angle’.

Question 13

‘Framing involves

Answer 13

‘Framing involves selection and sali­ ence.’

Question 14

the main aspects of framing by saying that frames define

Answer 14

the main aspects of framing by saying that frames define prob­ lems, diagnose causes, make moral judgements and suggest remedies.

Question 15

Framing is a way of

Answer 15

Framing is a way of giving some overall interpretation to isolated items of fact

Question 16

The strength of the news genre is attested to by the extent to which

Answer 16

\by the extent to which certain basic features are found across the different media of print, radio and television, despite the very different possibilities and limitations of each.

Question 17

Television news bulletins are also generally constructed with a view to

Answer 17

Television news bulletins are also generally constructed with a view to arousing initial interest by highlighting some event, maintaining interest through diversity and human interest, holding back some vital information to the end (sports results and weather forecast), then sending the viewer away at the close with a light touch.

Question 18

. The primary function of nar­rative is to

Answer 18

. The main function of nar­ rative is to help make sense of reports of experience. It does this in two main ways: by linking actions and events in a logical, sequential or causal way; and by provid­ ing the elements of people and places that have a fixed and recognizable (realistic) character

Question 19

News accounts are typically cast in

Answer 19

News accounts are typically cast in narrative form, with principal and minor actors, connected sequences, heroes and villains, a beginning, middle and end, signalling of dramatic turns and a reliance on familiar plots.

Question 20

news cannot follow normal narrative, because

Answer 20

news cannot follow normal narrative, because news struc­ ture requires an abstract of the story at the start and also a sequence that reflects the varying news values of actors and events.

Question 21

The elements of news judgements.

Answer 21

For news to be relevant, it has to have proximity.
Relevance
Immediacy
General Interest
Drama and Impact
New, True and Interesting

Question 22

Type of news

Answer 22

Emergencies
Crime
Planning and Developments
Government and Politics
Conflict and Controversy
Industry and Business
Health. Medicine. Science
Soft Human Interest
Sport
Seasonal or Unseasonal Weather
Local Special Interest
Animals
Cultural and Religious Periods
Entertainment and Celebs

Question 23

Hard News Formula

Answer 23

• What has happened?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Who was involved?
• How did it happen?
• Why did it happen?
• What does it mean?

Question 24

Wealthier stations employ specialists – experts with experience in certain areas, with a key set of contacts.

Answer 24

Wealthier stations employ specialists – experts with experience in certain areas, with a key set of contacts. Chief fields (or ‘beats’) are ‘cops, courts and council’ and increasingly, the environment.

Question 25

Chief fields (or ‘beats’) are

Answer 25

Chief fields (or ‘beats’) are ‘cops, courts and council’ and increasingly, the environment.

Question 26

The job of the investigative journalist is to

Answer 26

The job of the investigative journalist is to find something wrong and expose it,

Question 27

When the big story breaks, a reporter’s contacts are their

Answer 27

When the big story breaks, a reporter’s contacts are their most valuable

Question 28

On the record:

Answer 28

On the record: everything that is said or recorded in the meeting or conversation can be used, and the speaker can be identi- fied by name. attributing a comment or fact to someone else strengthens the story by giving it a foundation, and distances you from what has been said. Indeed, you are reporting it.

Question 29

Off the record:

Answer 29

Off the record: This could mean that the information cannot be used at all. Or it may mean that it can be used, but not attributed to the source (sometimes you may be able to use their position and not their name, other times they may ask you to use neither). Or it may mean that it can’t be used in a broadcast report, but that the reporter can use the information without saying where it came from, to help in their background to the story or to per- suade someone else to speak on the record.

Question 30

When politicians are not making news themselves, they are usually good for

Answer 30

When politicians are not making news themselves, they are usually good for a comment or reaction to stories that affect their constituencies

Question 31

A reporter should be wise to that and make sure legitimate news, rather than vote-catching
.

Answer 31

A reporter should be wise to that and make sure legitimate news, rather than vote-catching
.

Question 31

FOI

Answer 31

It means that journalists can get information that was previously hidden – although there are still a lot of exemptions that can thwart their endeavours. Where you are not given the information, the authority approached has to give a reason.

Question 31

The major external source of news is

Answer 31

international news agencies

Question 32

Most newsrooms supplement their own material by

Answer 32

Most newsrooms supplement their own material by buying news tip-offs and stories from freelancers.

Question 33

Non staff memebers who contribute regualraly are

Answer 33

Non staff memebers who contribute regualraly are known as stringer or correspondents working journalist who add considerable to the eyes and ears of a station

Question 34

Stringers will either be specially commisioned to report a story or

Answer 34

Stringers will either be specially commisioned to report a story or will odder their copy on spec in hopes that the station will buy it

Question 35

Advantages: of stringers

Answer 35

Advantages:

• Stringers are cost-effective because they are often paid only for work that gets used on air.
• They enhance a station’s ‘ground cover’, by using local specialist know- ledge to get stories that might not be available to staff reporters.
• They can be commissioned to cover stories that would be too time- consuming to warrant staff coverage.
• Experienced broadcast freelancers can fill for staff members who are sick or on holiday.

Question 36

Disadvantages of stringers

Answer 36

Disadvantages:

• Stringer copy is seldom exclusive as their living depends on supplying news to as many outlets as possible.
• Copy may not be in broadcast style, as many stringers are newspaper journalists more familiar with writing for print.
• Stringers have to sell their copy to make a living, so stories may be dressed up to make them more marketable.
• Stringers are less accountable than staffers who can be more readily disciplined for their mistakes.

Question 37

syndicated recordings are

Answer 37

syndicated recordings are simply free, unadulterated publicity.

Question 38

At best, syndicated items are

Answer 38

At best, syndicated items are harmless, even useful, fillers. At worst they can be scarcely disguised adverts or propaganda

Question 39

Social media has

Answer 39

Social media has complicated newsgathering and verification.

Question 40

Many stories coming to broadcasters from

Answer 40

Many stories coming to broadcasters from the public are now more than just tip-offs (or complaints) and can include audio-visual material, leading this informa-tion to be classified as ‘user generated content’ or ‘citizen journalism’

Question 41

Staging a news event is

Answer 41

Staging a news event is the pressure group’s ultimate way of winning attention.

Question 42

Some news releases carry embargoes, which means

Answer 42

Some news releases carry embargoes, which means they are not to be used before a certain release date.

Question 43

Other information that may be embargoed:

Answer 43

Other information that may be embargoed:

• Financial information on interest rates, company profits warnings or national budget announcements whose early release may affect local or global stock markets.
• For security reasons, visits by politicians or heads of state to dangerous locations may be embargoed until they have left the area.
• An embargo (or ‘news blackout’) may be requested or ordered by author- ities involved in, say, a siege or negotiations to release a kidnap victim, or to temporarily restrict publicity after a murder so investigations can con- tinue out of the public eye.

Question 44

Pros of an embargo:

Answer 44

• All media are on a level playing field. They all have the information released to them at the same time and the opportunity to work on a story for several days.
• More time to produce a story should mean that it is told more accurately, with more opportunity to interview several people or gather background information which may make a longer and more interesting feature.

Question 45

Cons of an embargo:

Answer 45

• With around-the-clock news channels and websites, there are more outlets that want to be first or get ‘the scoop’. At the very least they may be frustrated by an embargo, or at worst, go ahead and break it.
• Breaking an embargo gives that outlet an unfair advantage: they are first with the news and may find any ‘punishment’ for their actions (not getting other embargoed information for a certain period of time) acceptable.
• Ignoring an embargo means that editors are more concerned with being first than with being best. Perhaps they consider ‘breaking’ a story more important (To them? Their career? Their audience? Their ratings?) than a considered, well-produced feature.
• If a reporter wants to interview other people who are not directly associated with the story, how can they be briefed or questioned without the embargo being broken

Question 46

Prime sources of breaking news are

Answer 46

of course the emergency services – fire, police, ambulance, coastguard, etc. who will publish information on their websites or social media.

Question 47

Copy pasting

Answer 47

copytaste each item to see if it is worth running or pursuing or offers new information on an existing story.

Question 48

The News Cycle

Answer 48

updates of a news story from its first airing to its last,

Question 49

NPR’S NINE TYPES OF LOCAL STORIES THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO SHARE

Answer 49

Place explainers – The stories behind the traits, quirks and habits of ‘where we live’.
Crowd Pleasers – stories that celebrate where we live.
Curiosity stimulators – Content that captures a quirky side of a city. news explainers – ‘rather than just telling you what happened, news
explainers dissect why or how it happened.’
major Breaking news – events that have a big and long-lasting impact on a city or a region.
feel-good smilers – as nPr says: “Think awww, think awesome, think hilarious. most of all, think positive.”
Topical Buzzers – The story of the moment that everyone’s talking about locally.
Provocative Controversies – ‘Blood-boiler’ stories.
awe-Inspiring Visuals – Beautiful and dramatic still and video clips.

Question 50

The ideal brief

Answer 50

The ideal brief that is given to them has details of the story, who the interviewee is, the time and place to meet them, with the relevant background and a selection of suitable questions.

Question 51

holding copy.

Answer 51

holding copy. This is a short news item that can be run in the next bulletin or headlines to tide the news- room over until the reporter returns with the interview.

Question 52

At a local level, the importance to the community

Answer 52

At a local level, the importance to the community comes first.

Question 53

Deciding what your angle is may depend on factors such as these:

*

Answer 53

What your transmission area is – a local station may decide the angle is what the jobs boost will mean for the town; a national station may take a wider view such as the resurgence of steelmaking in the country.
* The age of your audience – a radio station with a younger audience may take the angle of new jobs; one with an older demographic may think that with more people moving to the area to take up the jobs, could there be a strain on social services?
* The of the broadcast – business people are more likely to be early
risers so the financial aspect of the deal could be an angle for early break- fast bulletins; a more general overview of the story could be in the evening bulletin which is more generally consumed by a family audience.

Question 54

When choosing the story and the angle, interviewing a guest and writing the story always be aware of possible cognitive bias

Answer 54

When choosing the story and the angle, interviewing a guest and writing the story always be aware of possible cognitive bias – common ways of thinking that lead journalists (and audiences and sources) to make avoidable mistakes.

Question 55

Work to Sequence

Answer 55

• Arrange to do your interviews in the order in which they will appear on air.
• Maybe have all your interviewees in the same place.
• Decide what questions you will ask each of them so they can best explain the story for you in a logical way.
• Bridge the different interviews with a link recorded on location – so in effect the whole story is packaged up in one ‘as live’ recording.
• Decide what the main angle is, or the best quote is, and record that inter- view again afterwards: one guest, one question, one answer. That short response will then be easy to find and will need minimal editing before it can be used as a stand-alone news bulletin clip.
• Rehearse your guests. Obviously you don’t want to tell them what to say, or to have their answers off by rote, but if you explain what you will be doing, what you will ask each of them, and that you want short answers, then it will help you (and them) save time.