News Production: Developing Skills

Finding stories

Broadcast journalist relies on a wide range of sources and contacts in the never ending search for new news
The best journalists do not just sit and wait for a story to 'appear' they go out and FIND it
Now have experience from the documentary of some these-one that suggests how to find new stories.

1) Newspapers
2) Whats gone viral online-social media
3) Word of mouth "Whistle blower"
4) News Agencies
6) Personal stories
7) Reliability; it could be biased, make sure its verifiable
VERIFIABLE 

How journalists find stories with 'news value'
-Working what dishpan(1997) called 'beats'-'patrolling'
-pressure groups, public relations 
-The police 
-Many of these 'beats' are exclusively accessed by news journalists 
-THESE PEOPLE GIVE YOU INFORMATION THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE
-"Whistle blower" will talk about more, people higher up won't necessarily tell you everything

Working what fisherman (1997) called 'beats'-'-patrolling' much like a police officer on recognised chains of information.
PRIMA SOURCES
-Your own direct contacts
-Original sources direct for the source material e.g. archive material from libraries etc such as national archives.
-Public appeals
-Press releases/states/official statements
-Stringers that work for other newspapers 9freelancers)
-Other platforms/media

-Newsrooms frequently trawl 'the wires' for ups o the minute trip offs news stories such as-
P.A. (Press Association)
- Provide a range of news stories and content for print and digital media for the U.K and Ireland.

These subject specialists work in the newsrooms and are praised for their in depth knowledge and well honed contacts-often invited  to confidential 'lobby' briefings with politicians and on the mailing lists of important relevant bodies.
'lobby' politic-influential groups 'lobby' the government in such meetings to get their views across and attempt to influence.
-Sometimes pooled foreign news 'bureau' with other broadcasters.
-Again valued to their local contacts and on the ground knowledge and access.

Correspondents 

-Journalists, editors and correspondents based permanently abroad for news networks. E.g. Gavin Hewitt, Europe editor.
-Sometimes pooled with foreign news 'bureau' with other broadcasters
-International news agencies and large scale news organisations such as ABC, NBC and SKY.

Archives

Many Broadcasters have their own archived material which is a rich source of pictures as well as independent archives which sell their material under license.
-Beware of fake news
-Think about how many stories are now popup via social media-WHO IS SENDING THEM AND WHY

UGC

User Generated content is good for capturing moments that are happening at that times. News can't be everywhere but the public can be. They can't be everywhere at a time, that content will appear in their output for years to come. The audience is a very important part of what the BBC do. 

Communication 

-Whichever your source of information and stories, you will need to be a consummate COMMUNICATOR in order to access these.
-As with the documentary unit, know the essentials BEFORE you make a call- do your RESEARCH and know what questions you want to ask. 
-Get used to USING THE TELEPHONE

Be creative but also ethical.
You often need to have stamina and be prepared to push at a story in order to get what you want 

Deadlines

Make sure you meet them with the right material

Finding your 'angle'

-Must be some kind of approach or new take to it that makes it new
-The angle can be defines as the main significance
-Engaging to the audience- Find an interesting topic 
-Choice of people- Cast 
-Always a little bit partial- balance is important.

 Newsworthy, the decision process

-Relevance: Is it current now, is it affecting people now.
-Resonance 
-Timelyness 
-Controversy

Can establish an agenda of your own 
News PEG- Tie story to hit dates or events such as an anniversary. Princess Diana's death anniversary recently 

Deciding whats important 
Conflict is interesting and exciting
Values of the TV Network, is it true to their values?
Is it better to know what you're getting or is it to be balanced 

Who said that?

Whenever delivering info ensure you attribute the information, ensure its reliable. 
So whats a reliable source?
Just as with the documentary unit, the proof of your journalistic skills is when you try to set your story up to shoot it.
By the time you set it up you should be clear about it.

DON'T BURN BRIDGES
Even if you don't need them, you never know when you may need them again.
RESPECT those people; need to respect them, be polite and sensitive to them and their needs. They are helping you so keep them on your good side
Treat others how you would want to be treated 

OOVs (aka VOs)

Source your story and get relevant information
Boil it down and find the relevant information 
Visual medium to accompany VO
PTC's 
GV's 
Sequences 
These elements to be scripted and completely rehearsed 

Script rule: Three words a second 


BBC NEWS STORY
-went to archive
-footage
-Perspective of victims 
-Woman ad baby creates sympathy 
-Source with statistics
-Experts

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