Brief summary of activity
This activity includes a discussion around news definition, values and formats, types of journalistic work, guidelines and it would conclude with the production of a news bulletin.
Aim of the activity
To be able to carry out all the tasks involved in producing a news bulletin including editing
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the activity, participants will understand:
- How to conduct an editorial meeting aimed to selecting news, choosing information angles and tasks assignment
- Consider a diversity of sources of information
- How to compile and to structure material
- How to structure a bulletin
- Preparation and presentation of a live bulletin
Experience and skills required
Facilitation skills are required. If trainer has not experience in production of new bulletins it would be a good idea to invite an experienced person to participate in the discussion and offer their insights into the news preparation.
Infrastructure, setting, resources
Computers, newspapers, pen paper, studio or portable studio.
Length
Around 3 hours, but allow extra time for a vision impaired/blind participants.
Material
Recording devices
Editing devices
Telephone hybrids
News agencies
Internet access
A radio studio
How the activity should take place
The participants will engage in a general discussion on the following topics:
- What is news?
- Common and alternative news criteria
- News and programme formats
- A revision of different types of journalistic work (e.g. text with or without original sounds, commentary, editorial report etc.)
- Working with reporters
- Guidelines coming from the editorial board
The trainer will give his/her input on how to prepare a specific news bulletin. This will include the following topics:
- News in relation to the programme format / genre
- Possible elements of a news bulletin
- Technical requirements
- Structuring a news bulletin (including at least one local issue and local references, original sounds if possible)
- Sound beds
The participants will be divided into groups and produce a news bulletin for live broadcast on the basis of the previous discussion and the instructor’s input. They will follow these stages of work:
- Research (finding sources, selecting issues etc.)
- Creating and structuring material (telephone interviews, headlines, cutting and editing raw material etc.)
- Writing news
- Editing news
- Structuring a bulletin
- Placing separate news items in order paying particular attention to the first and last items
- Presenting the live bulletin in the studio
A feedback round should follow.
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
10 participants (divided in two groups for the news bulletin production) to one trainer
1-4 for vision impaired/blind participants or trainees with learning difficulties per trainer.
A sound engineer would be required to support the production of the news bulletin.
Tips for Trainers
A sound engineer would be required to support the production of the news bulletin.
If trainer has not experience in production of new bulletins it would be a good idea to invite an experienced person to participate in the discussion and offer their insights into the news preparation. The bulletin should be presented in real time. Its duration should depend on the number of participants
Analysis and evaluation
There will be a feedback round at the end of the production that will evaluate:
- editorial team work
- content of the news bulletin
- programme running order
- technical issues
Scheduling
After or along-side interview and research and after introductory activities in the studio and with portable recorders.