Broadcast News Writing, Reporting, and Producing, 7th Edition

Broadcast News Writing, Reporting, and Producing, 7th Edition

by Frank Barnas
Released July 2017
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781315462196

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Book description

Broadcast News Writing, Reporting, and Producing, 7th Edition is the leading book covering all aspects of writing and reporting the news. It identifies the key concepts and terms readers need to know in the news gathering and dissemination process, and provides practical, real-world advice for operating in the modern day newsroom.

New to the seventh Edition are profiles of working journalists who give readers a glimpse into the working life of modern reporters, producers, and directors. This new edition also covers important aspects of the use of social media, drone journalism, and digital technology. A new chapter on portfolio development will assist readers in developing the skills to advance in their careers. The text has also been updated to reflect new industry standards in modes of information gathering and delivery, writing style, and technology.

Additional features include:

  • Key words at the start of every chapter, identifying important terms and definitions;
  • End of chapter summaries, which allows readers to review the chapter’s main points;
  • "Text Your Knowledge", which helps readers quiz themselves on important concepts;
  • Chapter-by-chapter exercises, which readers can apply to a chapter’s themes;
  • A companion website featuring video tutorials of necessary skills for journalists, including how to arrange lighting structures, how to hold a microphone, and how to properly conduct an interview.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Table of Contents
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Introduction
  8. Part 1 Acquiring the News
    1. Chapter 1 Legal and Ethical Considerations
      1. Introduction
      2. Accuracy
      3. Gathering News and Getting Information
      4. Protecting and Defending Your Work
      5. Knowing the Legal Ramifications
      6. Knowing the Ethical Ramifications
      7. Online Ramifications
      8. Summary
      9. Test Your Knowledge
      10. Exercises
    2. Chapter 2 Locating the News
      1. Introduction
      2. Assignment Desk
      3. Spontaneous, Planned, and Enterprised Stories
      4. Follow-Ups on Previous Newscasts
      5. The Wires
      6. Local Experts
      7. Social Media and the Internet
      8. Monitoring the Competition
      9. Beat Checks, Cop Shops, and Police Scanners
      10. Press Releases and Future Files
      11. Franking and Political News Releases
      12. Public Information Officers
      13. The Calendar
      14. Production Meetings
      15. Summary
      16. Test Your Knowledge
      17. Exercises
    3. Chapter 3 Developing Stories
      1. Introduction
      2. Advancing the Story
      3. Avoiding the Pack
      4. Localization
      5. Tips
      6. Confidentiality
      7. Accuracy of Sources
      8. Gaining Confidence
      9. Leaks
      10. Trial Balloons
      11. Authoritative or Informed Sources
      12. Background Briefings
      13. Keeping in Touch
      14. Summary
      15. Test Your Knowledge
      16. Exercises
    4. Chapter 4 Collecting Information from Real and Virtual Documents
      1. Introduction
      2. Internet Versus Physical Reporting
      3. Internet Domains
      4. Internet Searches
      5. Social Media
      6. Open Records
      7. Public Records and “Sunshine Laws”
      8. Filing an FOIA Request
      9. The Privacy Act
      10. Collecting Governmental Information
      11. Collecting Information About the Government
      12. Government Information on Businesses and Individuals
      13. Additional Real and Virtual Documents
      14. Database Services
      15. City Directories, Phone Books, and Reverse Directories
      16. Creating Expert Databases
      17. Summary
      18. Test Your Knowledge
      19. Exercises
    5. Chapter 5 Beats, Spot News, and Reporting Assignments
      1. Introduction
      2. Beats
      3. Spot News
      4. Summary
      5. Test Your Knowledge
      6. Exercises
  9. Part 2 Writing the News
    1. Chapter 6 Newswriting Mechanics
      1. Introduction
      2. Slugs
      3. The Split Page
      4. Punctuation
      5. Rewriting Wire Copy
      6. Conversational Style
      7. Removing Unneeded Words
      8. Reading Your Copy Out Loud
      9. Avoiding Information Overload
      10. Looking Ahead
      11. Timing Stories
      12. Summary
      13. Test Your Knowledge
      14. Exercises
    2. Chapter 7 Newswriting Style
      1. Introduction
      2. Descriptors and Identifiers
      3. Numbers, Capital Numbers, Punctuation Marks, and Websites
      4. Language—Using the Best Words
      5. Language—Using the Best Phrasing
      6. Verbs
      7. Attribution, Quotes, Time, Transitions, Locations, and People
      8. Transferring to the Web and Social Media
      9. Summary
      10. Test Your Knowledge
      11. Exercises
    3. Chapter 8 Writing Compelling Leads
      1. Introduction
      2. The Five Ws and H Rule
      3. The “Right” Emotion
      4. The Eight Types of Leads
      5. Updating the Lead
      6. Summary
      7. Test Your Knowledge
      8. Exercises
  10. Part 3 Reporting the News
    1. Chapter 9 Fieldwork
      1. Introduction
      2. Equipment
      3. Setting Up in the Field
      4. Video
      5. Audio
      6. Summary
      7. Test Your Knowledge
      8. Exercises
    2. Chapter 10 Interviewing
      1. Introduction
      2. Before the Interview
      3. Warming Up
      4. During the Interview
      5. Phrasing Questions Carefully
      6. Avoiding Leading Questions
      7. Listening Carefully
      8. The Tough Questions
      9. Keeping Control
      10. Keeping a Neutral Demeanor
      11. Identifying Sound Bites
      12. Checking Facts
      13. Asking Enough Questions
      14. Finishing the Interview
      15. After the Interview
      16. Returning to the Station
      17. Special Considerations
      18. Off the Record
      19. Man-on-the-Street Interviews
      20. The Phone Interview
      21. Summary
      22. Test Your Knowledge
      23. Exercises
    3. Chapter 11 Covering Planned Events
      1. Introduction
      2. Press Conferences
      3. Political Press Conferences
      4. Promotional Press Conferences
      5. Emergency Press Conferences
      6. Covering the Press Conference
      7. Interviewing around the Press Conference
      8. Finding Workable Video
      9. Meetings
      10. Virtual Press Conferences
      11. Summary
      12. Test Your Knowledge
      13. Exercises
    4. Chapter 12 Reporting Live
      1. Introduction
      2. Organizing Thoughts
      3. Ad-Libbing
      4. Memorizing and Delivering Live Reports
      5. Live Shots and Streaming
      6. Keeping Cool
      7. Voiceovers from the Field
      8. Technical Challenges
      9. Summary
      10. Test Your Knowledge
      11. Exercises
    5. Chapter 13 Voiceovers, Packages, and Story Formats
      1. Introduction
      2. Readers
      3. Combining Words and Pictures
      4. Voiceovers
      5. Scripting the Voiceover
      6. Incorporating Sound Bites
      7. The Split Page
      8. The Package
      9. Stand-Ups and Reporter Involvement
      10. Posting Stories
      11. Summary
      12. Test Your Knowledge
      13. Exercises
  11. Part 4 Producing the News
    1. Chapter 14 Producing the Television Newscast
      1. Introduction
      2. Producers—Definitions and Skills
      3. The Logistics and Strategies of Producing
      4. Technical Aspects of Producing
      5. Summary
      6. Test Your Knowledge
      7. Exercises
      8. In-Class Exercise: Creating a Newscast
    2. Chapter 15 Producing the Radio Newscast
      1. Introduction
      2. The State of Radio News
      3. Your Audience
      4. Organizing Material
      5. Fundamentals of Writing for Radio News
      6. Writing from the Back
      7. The Lead Story
      8. The Rest of the Newscast
      9. Localizing the News
      10. Story Length
      11. Actualities and Field Technology
      12. Studio Technology
      13. Wraparounds
      14. Lead-Ins
      15. Teases
      16. Headlines
      17. Pad Copy
      18. Back Timing
      19. Convergence and Radio News
      20. Summary
      21. Test Your Knowledge
      22. Exercises
    3. Chapter 16 Delivering the News
      1. Introduction
      2. Appearance
      3. Credibility
      4. One-Way Communication
      5. Delivery, Pacing, and Dialects
      6. Reading the Teleprompter
      7. Listening to Yourself
      8. Correct Pronunciation
      9. Marking Copy
      10. Characteristics of Successful Anchors
      11. Cosmetics
      12. Before the Newscast
      13. Mic Levels
      14. Virtual News Sets
      15. Online Delivery
      16. Summary
      17. Test Your Knowledge
      18. Exercises
  12. Part 5 Transitioning into Professional Newsrooms
    1. Chapter 17 Careers in Broadcast Journalism
      1. Introduction
      2. Media’s Dominance in America
      3. Employment Trends in Broadcast Journalism
      4. Working Environment and Job Descriptions
      5. Future Opportunities in Newsrooms
      6. What You Will Need to Know to Land a Job
      7. Summary
      8. Test Your Knowledge
      9. Exercises
    2. Chapter 18 Portfolio Development
      1. Introduction
      2. Self-Assessment
      3. Cover Letters
      4. Resumes
      5. Sample Reel Structure
      6. Website Structure
      7. Summary
      8. Test Your Knowledge
      9. Exercises
  13. Glossary
  14. Index

Product information

  • Title: Broadcast News Writing, Reporting, and Producing, 7th Edition
  • Author(s): Frank Barnas
  • Release date: July 2017
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781315462196