Brief summary of activity
This activity will offer participants the background and experience on reporting on live events.
Aim of the activity
To be able to gather, select (in order of importance), structure, restructure and confirm facts related to broadcasting in settings other than the studioTo arouse curiosity, motivation and willingness to do field research
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the activity, learners will:
- Know about ways and methods of reporting an event
- Understand that reporting requires a very high degree of awareness, motivation, professional involvement and energy.
- Understand the need for preparation and research concerning the topic. Special attention should be given to the quickest possible preparation required in the case of unexpected events
- Defining a report as a specific form of journalistic work which covers an event from various perspectives
Experience and skills required
Trainer will require facilitation skills and experience on reporting live events.
Infrastructure, setting, resources
Studio or portable studio
Playback devices
Length
2 full days
Material
Paper and writing implements
Smart phones
A list of public events taking place
How the activity should take place
Reporting as a core journalistic task
A presentation and an explanation of different types of reporting will be given and this will be followed by a discussion.
The participants will listen to at least two recorded examples of two different radio reports from the local archives. The participants will then analyse them on the basis of the criteria presented and highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
The last part of the workshop should be reserved for a discussion on the topics of the reports which will be prepared by the participants during the following day.
Next, there are several activities to complement the theoretical part of this activity:
- participants will individually write their reports and explain them. The instructor will be available to help and be consulted all day long as the participants prepare questions and the text, lending them technical advice and giving them feedback as to how to improve the quality of their report. The participants will present their reports. Each person has to read their work aloud. They can suggest what kind of recordings they would make to accompany his/her reading. The others will comment on each report using the criteria presented previously.
- or the participants will go out to different nearby crossroads where they will stay for 10-15 minutes. When they return they will tell the others about what they saw or they will write a short report and read it over a microphone. The facilitator and the participants will then listen to and evaluate the reports and discuss them.
- or the participants will go out to buy a postcard. While doing so they will observe the street. Afterwards they will write a report about what they have seen in the form of a postcard to someone. They will then read their reports to the others or read them over the microphone.
- the participants will be sent to the same event where they will stay for 10-15 minutes. Upon their return they will report on the event.
- or the participants will be sent out to an event with mobile phones. Options: 1) The instructor tells them the exact time at which they will be called to report; 2) The instructor tells them an approximate time at which they will be called (e.g. from 2 to 3 p.m.); 3) The instructor tells them to call him/her at a precise time and report. The instructor and the participants will then listen to and evaluate the reports and discuss them.
- or the participants will go to a meeting. They will write/record a 3-4-minute report 3 hours after the meeting is over, 5 hours after the meeting is over, and then 1 whole day following the meeting.
Stage 2: Reporting as a type of radio journalism
The participants will do this activity individually, there are two different approach at this stage:
- Participants will pick a topic and identify suitable people to interview at a live event. The participants will prepare their interviews, questions for a possible poll, research background information on the live event and structure the future live report. They will then have to perform a live report (in real time). They will be allowed to make a pause, but they will have to follow its planned structure and deal with unexpected events. The instructor and the participants will then listen to and evaluate the reports and discuss them.
- or participants will go to a scheduled event and each of them will find three to five different reporting angles. They will then define and present them to all. During the evaluation the instructor will check the relevancy of each angle. The aim is that the participants develop an ability to judge the relevance of an event and its public interest.
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
10 to 14 to 1 or vision impaired/blind participants and trainees with learning difficulties,
Risk and possible adaptation
Be aware of the need for extra support necessary for some of the vision impaired/blind trainees and participants with learning difficulties, such as mobility issues, need for a support person, mobility issues, etc. The trainer need to consider these aspects before deciding what of the options is best for their participants.
Tips for Trainers
Two trainers are recommended for this activity.If trainer has not previous experience on reporting live from events, it might be a good idea to invite someone with that experience.
Analysis and evaluation
Analysis and evaluation is built within the activity.
Scheduling
After portable recorders, research and interviewing.