Broadcast Journalism, 6th Edition

5    Getting the story

 

‘The camaraderie of the newsroom; the mischief of asking questions; the fun of working outside the norm of 9–5; the special status of licensed voyeur, busybody; the envied status of being on the inside track.’

– KIM FLETCHER – MEDIA GUARDIAN, JULY 2006

News editors are to broadcast journalism what generals are to warfare. They set the objectives, weigh the resources and draw up the plan of campaign. Under their command are the officers and troops on the ground.

Some news editors prefer to be in the thick of battle, directing the action from the front line, while others favour a loftier perspective, set back from the heat of the action. These will oversee strategy, but delegate a number two to be responsible for tactics. ...