2 CBBJ3203: Topic 4 - Evaluation, Sources and Broadcast News Gathering Techniques.

2 CBBJ3203: Topic 4 - Evaluation, Sources and Broadcast News Gathering Techniques.

INTRODUCTION

In this topic, aspects of news evaluations and factors influencing this evaluation

and its execution will be discussed. We would also discuss sources as well as

important news gathering techniques for journalists.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Explain why news evaluation is important to journalists;

2. Identify eight sources of news;

3. Identify five effective news gathering techniques for broadcast

news; and

4. Explain forms and ways interviews are conducted.

4.1 NEWS EVALUATION

According to White (1984), one thing that is considered as the most difficult to be

done by journalists is to evaluate news. Some feel that journalists who can

evaluate news are those who are talented to do that „some people are just born

with it‰.

However, many do not agree with this view. If news is considered suitable and is

qualified to be reported, then it has to contain the following THREE elements:

􀄆 Impact

􀄆 Importance

􀄆 Importance of Information

For television broadcast journalists, there is another element that needs to be

considered:

􀄆 Visual Effects

(a) Impact

The extent of news affecting audience's lives is considered in determining

the news impact. News about price increase of goods, higher income tax,

reduction in allowance and many more are examples.

(b) Importance/Public Interest

When defining the word importance, you have to ask yourself:

"Does" the news you write become an agenda for people to talk about

later?

Usually, news that becomes the talk of people is news that can divert the

viewer
s attention from their stressful life and daily routine. For example:

News about a famous artist or important people getting married will attract

people's attention and will have an effect on the people who admire them.

(c) Information

News is usually related to the information gains for the audiences. Now, there

are certain news reported to certain audiences specially reported by a

specialist-reporter. Its roles are like a medical doctor. Information about

medicine intake, symptom of diseases, diagnosis, benefits of exercise, certified

medicine and many others are showed for the customers' knowledge.

Information is considered very useful to the audiences. (Refer Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1: News qualified for reporting

4.2 SOURCE OF NEWS

Every station has its own way of presenting news to the audience. Radio and

television stations also have teams of journalists respectively to make field

coverage. However, a journalist is usually given the opportunity for one news

report each day. Although news can be obtained via phone calls, yet this method

has its own weaknesses and limitations. It is rarely used by stations except to

make live coverage of hot and sensational news.

In general, journalists obtain their news from the same sources of news. There are

several main sources:

Figure 4.2: Types of news sources

4.2.1 News Agency (Wire Services)

The service of news agency (wire services) is the easiest and the most effective

way to obtain news by a station. There are several types of news service agencies.

They are:

(a) The Radio News Agency Service (Wire Radio)

This news is obtained from the radio agency usually used by radio stations

without any editing or rewriting. Most radio broadcast organisations

subscribe to the wire radio service to get the news package that has been

edited.

(b) The Television News Agency Service (Wire Radio)

The television news agency service is similar to radio wire. It provides the

headlines and news summary. It is different from newspaper wire because

most television stations (and radio) always update news throughout the

day for broadcasting. Every news aired cannot be "outdated" and must

always be updated or added with information so people do not get the

same news over and over again.

(c) 'A' wire

'A' wire provides news in detail. It contributes to the main news, including

the national news (local) and international. 'A' wire is rarely available in

broadcast news because of its exharbitant subscription cost.

(d) Other Sources of News

Other sources of news are business news, meteorology and sports news.

Figure 4.3 summarises the types of news services that are accessible by broadcast

journalists.

Figure 4.3: Types of news agency service

For further understanding about wire services, you can refer to White, T.

(1984). Broadcast News Writing, Reporting and Production. Canada: Collier

MacMillan Inc. pp 24-26.

REFERENCES

4.2.2 Photo News Agency

In developing a story, journalists need to have a good working relationship with

the crew especially cameramen who have important role in contributing ideas to

the news reported. Journalists may not have the chance to get to the scene of the

event that took place. Here, the cameraman plays an important role because

static or motion pictures recorded in his camera can be used to strengthen or

prove the originality of the news.

4.2.3 Newspaper

Most news reported is usually taken from newspapers. Newspapers are one of

the main sources for international news and national news. However, only the

writing idea can be taken from newspapers because news in newspapers is

different in terms of the style of writing and format.

4.2.4 Press Release

Radio and television stations usually receive various press releases (PR) in a day.

Nonetheless, not all PR can be used. Sometimes, it offers initial information about

an event and at times it functions only as an announcement. In this case, journalists

have to be smart in identifying which PR can be used for further action.

Press release is the easiest and cheapest way for a journalist to get news

(Stephens 1980). It is a free arrangement by organisations or parties that want

their events or functions to be conveyed to the public.

In most matters, as a journalist and an editor, you have to be careful, especially

with PR that is related to products. If you fail to identify the facts right, the news

produced might come out to be a promotion for products marketed and not a

report that has news value.

4.2.5 Phone Calls

This is the common way for stations to get breaking news. This method is usually

used in situations whereby journalists want to get fast news or because the

sources are at a distant location and no local journalist can be assigned, or the

information from the party contacted via phone is live cast. However, journalists

have to be careful and smart in choosing genuine phone calls and have the

precise information that is strong in gathering news materials.

4.2.6 Police and Fire Brigade

Source of news also include spokespersons from organisations that have their

roles in the society. Usually, if the news to be reported involves humanity,

journalists have to get their sources from parties that have power and authority

like the police and fire brigade. These two sources play an important role.

Journalists wanting clarification on "what" has happened and what has been

done to lessen the impact of the incident, use this source.

4.2.7 Eyes and Ears of Journalists

Everyone in the news department plays important roles as members of news

teams that contributes to the outbreak and development of news. Usually, the

relationship between journalists and the public 
􀒟 politicians, leaders of the society,

businessman, corporate members and many others 
􀒟 also contribute to producing

an excellent piece of news.

As a journalist, you can give ideas and suggestions to your editor to improve the

approach of certain news.

4.2.8 Future File

SELF-CHECK 4.1

How does a radio or television station get ideas for the next news

and what type of special report that will be broadcast next week?

Usually, every station has its own future file. Future file is a file loaded with

ideas, notes, press releases and various activities that are going to take place. All

these activities are kept in the future file that is created for a period of 31 days

and showcased for journalists and staff of the news department to check.

Therefore, all crew/news teams can contribute to the news obtained via sources

mentioned before.

ACTIVITY 4.1

What will happen to TV stations if they do not have a future file?

Are they able to sustain as the latest news channel for viewers?

TECHNIQUES 4.3 OF NEWS GATHERING

Journalists must have suitable skills that suit the location of reporting. The

following are some of the techniques that can be used by journalists in gathering

materials to develop their news.

Figure 4.4: News gathering techniques

4.3.1 Interview

Interview is the main approach to obtain news and further develop news for

broadcast (Shook, 1989). This technique enables journalists to obtain information

from primary sources at the location of the incident. This technique helps

journalists in developing scripts based on the planned news commitment.

In television news broadcast, visual shots portray an incident or event that

happened, while an interview acts as providing a little moment of emphasis to

strengthen the news. Without the interview or audio-visual (sound bites), news

will not be meaningful to the viewers.

Although the main reason of the interview is to get information and to obtain

news, the priority of the journalists is to broadcast the recorded interview in their

report package. It is because an interview has certain advantages that can help

strengthen the viewer's construction towards the reported news.

Among the importance of interview:

(a) Interview can detail important information, apart from helping to make

news more energetic.

(b) Interview is able to give a spontaneous effect to the issues highlighted.

(c) Interview can show the importance and credibility of news.

(d) Interview helps the audience to appreciate and enliven the ambience of the

news.

A good interview is an interview that is successful in making the audience identify

the subjects being interviewed when facing or meeting them at another time. Look

at Figure 4.5 to know some tips before you go out and interview the subject:

Figure 4.5: Tips for interviewer

(a) The Way the Interview is Conducted

Unlike the printed media journalists, the presence of broadcast journalists is

most felt and known because when broadcast journalists do coverages, they

are always accompanied by a camera crew. However, not all sources met

are ready to be interviewed. Sometimes, the subjects evade being

interviewed and this adds to the job difficulty of a journalist.

What you are supposed to do to overcome such a problem?

􀄆 You have to be open-minded so that your subject trusts you.

􀄆 Create good relationship with the subject interviewed. This process

takes only about five minutes. You can chat while "having tea" to create

this cordial mood.

􀄆 You must have "interest" towards the subject and be confident as well

as honest when presenting the information gathered as your news

materials.

(b) Practise Professionalism while Interviewing

You have to practise good ethics while interviewing the subject. Do not rush

for a deadline. Instead, you have to be polite and treat the subject in a wellmannered

way. Besides that, you must also arrive at the location right on time.

(c) The Use of Leading Question

Interviewing a subject is not easy. Journalists have to be smart in

understanding the subject's feeling in order to get information from the

subject. This is also to avoid a situation whereby journalists ask an initial

question that only requires the subject to give one-word answers. Avoid

asking questions that require the subject to give a short "yes" or "no"

answers.

(d) Techniques to Make the Subject Comfortable during Interview

You have to let your subject focus on the work that he is doing or scenario

that is normal to him. Avoid from forcing the subject to focus on himself,

his looks or actions while interviewing.

To get the real action, you have to interview the subject while the subject is

doing his daily activities, like working, playing, discussing and many

others. This method is much better than interviewing a subject who is

standing still with a microphone in his hand. In fact, it helps the subject to

feel more relaxed and natural compared to a situation where the subject

becomes conscious that you are taking his shots only when he is standing

still in front of the camera.

(e) Save Questions for the Real Interview

Do not expose interview questions to the subject until the interview session

starts. This is to ensure a spontaneous interview and the subject will feel

more energetic and spontaneous in giving their response. If the subject is

told the questions to be asked, the subject might leave some contents out of

the story, as he had practised his answer.

(f) Use a Wireless Microphone

When conducting an interview with a subject that is not familiar with bright

lights and other television equipment, try to avoid a hand-held microphone

or shotgun microphone. Such equipment makes the subject realise that his

action is being recorded. Instead, you have to use a wireless microphone so

that the subject does not realise there is a microphone in the conversation.

Besides that, in order not to make the use of equipments obvious, you have

to arrive early so that you have time to arrange and prepare the equipment.

You have to use a low intensity light so the subject will feel comfortable

during the interview session.

(g) Research and Plan the Interview Ahead

The more you know about the source, the higher will be your confidence

when facing the subject, and you will be able to pay attention to what is

being said by the subject. In fact, you will not worry about the type of

questions to be asked and how to continue asking questions in the session.

A journalist will be successful in interviewing the subject by asking

"sensible" questions. This will give confidence to the subject, that you know

what you are doing and that you know the interview topic well. Usually,

the subject or respondent will give positive feedback if the journalist

understands the questions he/she asks. The respondent will always give

negative feedback if the journalist "does not" understand what is asked.

SELF-CHECK 4.2

In your opinion, how do you get the best and authoritative interview?

(h) Construction of Interview Questions

Your aim of interviewing the subject must be clear, or else, the subject will

not agree to talk, and this will make it difficult for you to get the

information needed.

Therefore, ask several easy questions in the initial stage as an effort to make

the situation comfortable, and save your best, pertinent and the most

controversial questions to the end of the interview session. This is to ensure

that you can build the interview to a climax.

Besides that, your interview should be conducted like a story. Thus, the

outcome will bring a clear conclusion regarding issues that you want to

expose through the interview session.

(i) Observation Method

Observation method is also the most important part in an interview

sessions (White, 1984). In the interview process, journalists who are able to

show interest in what is said by the subject will succeed in getting more

authoritative information. In fact, it can also help journalists to expand the

news by building sequential constructive questions. An effective interview

can help journalists to identify the edit points in their story.

SELF-CHECK 4.3

Have you heard of a group of journalists who pose questions which

are irrelevant to the topic of discussion or questions that are

commonly asked? In your opinion, should a journalist practise

before hand by studying and looking for reference sources?

(j) ÂAsk Interview Questions' versus 'Chance to get News Materials' 

There are differences between the two situations although they can both

help journalists to obtain information.

While interviewing the subject, journalists have to abide by certain rules:

􀄆 Do not interview the subject at only one location. Allow the subject to

move or do the normal activity. This will ease the interview process and

help the journalist move forward with remaining questions from the

easiest to the more concrete ones.

􀄆 Do not simply ask, but make the interview process a discussion session.

Meantime, you have to be smart in choosing whether to keep quiet, to

step-into or inject questions to get additional information that you want.

(k) Prepare Information about Hand Signal between Journalist and

Cameraman

Sometimes, this technique can be used in official interviews. Journalist and

cameraman can signal each other. So that they can arrange the setting of the

interview without disturbing the subject during the interview process.

(l) How to Show Reaction without Showing that You Agree?

There are several ways to show reaction towards the subjectÊs answer

without showing that you agree with what the subject has said. You can do

the following gestures:

􀄆 Tilt your head to the side to indicate that you are ready to listen and

once in a while say "mmÚmmÚ" Do that reaction in a low voice tone

to avoid it being recorded in your camera.

􀄆 Shift your position or move a little to the front.

(m) Control the Interview Situation

You have to control the situation during the interview. Do not give the

microphone to the subject. Sometimes the subject tends to grab the

microphone from you. Should this happen, take back the microphone

firmly. If the subject is stubborn, stop the interview and explain to the

subject that you are supposed to ask questions. Sometimes you have to be

firm in order to do your work.

At times the subject may talk longer and you do not get the chance to

interject new questions. Be firm if this happens. Ask a different question

when the subject stops to breathe. The subject may drag and ruin the actual

objective of interview.

(n) Interview Children

Children will be stunned and curious when they are in front of any strange

equipment. Thus, if you want to interview children, explain to them what

you want to do. In order to comfort, let them touch the equipment so that

they will and feel easy.

(o) The Talking Head

Shorten every part of the interview that you want to insert as your news

"bit". Use the news bit to strengthen your news, not to replace the

newsreaderÊs script or background voice. Good news bit are ones that can

be broadcast in 10 to 20 seconds.

When interviewing, it is possible for what is termed as "the legitimate talking

head interview" to happen. There are several criteria of a valid interview:

􀄆 Prepare information about the subjectÊs personality.

􀄆 Show that what is said by the subject is not so important compared to

what and how it is said.

􀄆 Portray the actual subject interviewed

􀄆 Show that the subject can present his statements dramatically.

􀄆 Strengthen the visual

(p) Viewer's Perception of the Interviewee

It is important to ensure that the outcome of the interview is valid and is

accepted by the viewers. Ambience, lighting effects and your body

language can also influence the viewer's perception of the interviewee.

Therefore, follow the following rules when you interview the subject.

􀄆 Use correct body language. Visual has to show the whole face so that

the viewer can see the subject's facial expression to show the mood of

the subject at that time.

􀄆 The shot distance is like the distance of the TV anchor person. Viewers

will feel more comfortable with this distance. Do not get too close or too

far from this distance.

􀄆 Wear suitable clothes for the interview session.

􀄆 If the interview session is to take place in a formal situation, do it

seriously. But, if the session is not formal, create a more friendly

discussion with the subject.

EXERCISE 4.1

Explain briefly aspects that you need to do to control the interview session. 

4.3.2 Telephone Interview

Interview via telephone is the main asset in radio news broadcast. TV news also

uses materials from telephone interviews, especially exclusive news and in

situations where it is difficult to get suitable visuals for the story reported. If it is

used wisely, the outcome of the news will be more effective.

Although it is considered easy, telephone interviews need skills of their own. If

your respondent only answers "YES" or "NO", your interview will not be

successful, especially when it is aired live.

Thus, you can apply the following tips to handle a good telephone interview.

Figure 4.6: Interview via telephone

(a) Calm the Respondent

You have to calm the respondent before the interview. If the interview

keeps getting "YES" or "NO" as an answers, you have to pretend that the

line is not clear and ask the subject to repeat the answer. Probably the

answer the subject gives later will be more in detailed. You also have to

avoid asking leading questions.

(b) Let the Respondent Tell the Story

If you have not got the information you need, let the subject continue telling

his story. What you need to do is to encourage by giving clues so the

discussion can continue until you are sure that you have got the bit needed.

(c) Ensure the Technical Quality is Always in a Satisfactory Condition

The technical quality is as important as the outcome of the interview.

Although the interview succeeds satisfactorily, but if there are some

technical problems, the interview cannot be used. Thus, make sure that the

line is clear and the recording runs smoothly.

(d) End the Interview Wisely

A new journalist in this field usually faces problems with ending a

conversation. Although there are no rules on when an interview should

end, yet a journalist will realise when the interview can end after the

information needed is gathered.

4.3.3 Observation

Observation is the second technique used by journalists to gather information. It

can support and strengthen the information obtained while interviewing.

Sometimes, if an interview cannot be conducted, observation is the best method

for a journalist to process his news.

Observation technique is an important and critical skill, which journalists think

as a stressful situation. In a live broadcast, much "ad-lib" has to be done because

journalists do not have time to prepare the script. In fact, journalists become the

eyes and ears of viewers at that time and have to report accurately.

4.3.4 Documentation

Although the interview and observation method is able to strengthen the story,

the valid and authoritative method in gathering news is through documentation

because it can ensure the validation of certain report about a subject or incident

that needs to be reported.

4.3.5 News Conference

There are several steps that can be taken by journalists to ensure that the news

conference attended is not abused by certain parties. Utilise the following steps:

Figure 4.7: Steps to face a news conference

(a) Find the Background to the Issues Relating to the News Conference

As an early precaution, get the background information from previous

newspaper cuttings and/or news coverage. In addition, you can obtain

information about the issue from the Internet.

(b) Find the Actual News in the News Conference

Usually, journalists who attend the news conference are given news

statement texts. In that session, journalists have to read the texts given

carefully to detect what the actual content is. Do not forget to find suitable

news to be used in the report. Plan what and how to expand the story to be

a complete news report.

(c) Be Careful during Question and Answer Session

In a news conference, you will be in a question and answer session together

with other journalists. Here, you have to follow the session carefully.

Usually, in this situation, the organiser will take this opportunity to avoid

questions and concrete answers compared to an individual interview.

Therefore, do not forget to take notes and try to find non-uniformity of

answers given. Based on the initial information gathered, try to find

confirmation from the organiser.

(d) Attend the News Conference Early

Journalists have to attend the news conference early to get the best seat that

is near the speaker or the moderator of the question and answer session.

EXERCISE 4.2

1. Explain briefly how journalists obtain news?

2. Explain why research and planning are important in an

interview process?

4.3.6 Other Sources of News

In the process of gathering news, journalists are bound to face various unplanned

and unexpected situations. Therefore, journalists on duty have to identify the

following aspects to make the process of gathering news go smoothly:

(a) Off-the Record Talk

Off-the Record signifies that the informer does not want himself to be

quoted as the source of news. In such a situation, journalists cannot use the

information directly because it can make the source loses his trust in you.

In such a case, journalists can use the information if he can find a second

source to verify and the information obtained. This off-the record talk can

benefit the journalists under the condition there is going to be an effort to

obtain news from other sources without mentioning the first source of

information (off-the record).

(b) Background Briefing

When the source gives briefing and information without mentioning the

source of news directly, it is considered as the background briefing. This

method is usually used by government or industry to enable gathering of

news to be done comprehensively.

(c) Leaks and Trial Balloons

Leaks and trial balloons is a tactic to give information to journalists. Leaks of

information usually cover sensitive issues and shared by the source with the

journalists. Usually, the person who leaks the news tries to seek influence, for

instance during election. Therefore, journalists have to be sure of the validity

of the news so that you are not deceived by the tactic of the source.

In the meantime, trial balloons on the other hand are usually an effort to

test the reaction of the public before the enforcer announces something,

such as a new policy. If the reaction is negative, there will not be further

reports or news. Conversely, if the reaction is positive, the relevant policy

can be announced in subsequent news report.

􀁸 This topic has discussed considerations during the evaluation of the news

because evaluation of news is a very important process in developing

materials for news broadcast.

􀁸 Through an authoritative source, journalists can ensure the credibility of the

materials and the information gathered.

􀁸 This will ease the journalists, tasks writing of the report and broadcasting the

material.

􀁸 In the next topic, you will learn another vital aspect in news reporting that is

the style and techniques of writing.