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Broadcast journalism

There is an old adage that goes “pictures are worth a thousand words.” Like a picture, a video can also tell a story the way words cannot. Broadcast journalists must think not only in terms of factual information, but also in how video will portray or reinforce words.

Broadcast journalists now deliver the news to the public in a variety of formats. Once restricted to radio and television, the Internet plays an integral role in the realm of broadcast journalism. According to a 2013 Poynter Institute analysis from a New York Times study, “34% of millennials surveyed watch mostly online video or no broadcast television.”

No matter where you watch it, broadcast journalism strives to give audiences important and breaking news quickly and accurately. These journalists collect and verify stories which affect their audience, and present the news in an accurate and balanced way to fulfil the public’s right to know in a democratic society.

Broadcast journalists report on a variety of current event topics, ranging from politics, entertainment, sports, the environment, social unrest or the economy. However, not every broadcast journalist works in front of the camera as a reporter or anchor. A typical newscast relies heavily on a team of producers, directors, editors and photographers working behind the camera.

Broadcast journalists are often required to possess a series of skills when reporting, producing and delivering the news.  On this page, you’ll find more information on how to write broadcast style, shoot video and edit stories. Below are a few videos created by the students of FRISCO ISD-TV from Frisco, Texas, and LHS TV & Films from Ladue High School in St. Louis, Missouri:

THE BROADCAST TOOLBOX

Broadcast journalism listserv
Join a listserv for broadcast journalism teachers to share ideas and solve problems together. Created by Carol Knopes, formerly of the Radio Television News Directors Foundation, the listserv is administered by the Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University. Join here!

Curriculum
A series of lessons that teachers can use in any broadcast journalism program as well as recommendations for equipment and guidelines for starting a broadcast program. Much of the material can be easily modified for print and online journalism classes, as well as television production modules. Developed with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for RTDNF and made available on SchoolJournalism.org.

Six word story, six unique shots
This iBook by Don Goble provides readers with a simple six-word story, created as a video with six unique camera shots that gives students the ability to tell a powerful visual story. This One Best Thing guides educators through a project that addresses the fundamentals of filmmaking, as well as the digital storytelling process.

Factors to consider when starting a broadcast journalism program at school
This article provides a comprehensive guide for schools considering beginning a broadcast journalism program, including a resource of ideas and best practices. Additionally, JEA provides JEA Curriculum access to all of its members. This curriculum includes a number of Multimedia Broadcast lessons that can be used in the classroom.

Student Reporting Lab Video Tutorials
PBS’ Student Reporting Labs program contains an eight-part instructional video series that explores topics such as video, production roles, audio, lighting, white-balance, interviewing and B-roll. The site also provides 9 lesson plans for teachers aimed at strengthening digital and news literacy competencies.

ROLES IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Technical aspects of producing
This article discusses some of the responsibilities of a producer during a newscast.

Essential skills for anchors
Anchors are the most prominent feature of any newscast. This article contains tips on speaking as a broadcaster.