August 28, 2009 Archives

Assigned Text:

Broadcast Journalism

On Thursday, watch WTAE-TV "Channel 4 Action News" at 5, 6, or 11pm.

Keep a log of how the show uses its time.  (Theme music? Anchors chatting? Promotion of stories that are "coming up after the break"?) 
  • During a 30 minute TV news program, how much time is spent on actual news?
  • Of that actual news content, how much was created by the WTAE reporters here in the Pittsburgh area?
  • What is happening during the rest of the time?
  • Compare this WTAE job description with the characteristics of a "journalist" from The News Manual.
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A Famous Person Has Died

A comic strip called "Goodbye, Foom" on a site called "Pictures for Sad Children" offers commentary on the role of television in the creation of public events.
Don't be scared by the word "quiz" -- this is just to test the "clicker" hand-held voting gadgets. (Bring the gadgets every day… I won't announce every clicker assessment session.)

"Dog bites man" is snoozeworthy because it happens all the time, but "man bites dog" is less common, so it is more newsworthy.

A Newsworthy Story

  • is uncommon (rather than common)
  • affects many people (rather than few) people
  • has significant impact (rather than trivial)
  • happens nearby (rather than far away)
  • involves prominent people (rather than ordinary people)

Recent Comments

Ashley Pascoe on Byron, TV News: What Local Stations Don't Want You to Know: "That's why TV news shows are
Andrew Wichrowski on Portfolio 1: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/And
Michelle Tantlinger on Portfolio 1: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Mic
Dianna Griffin on Portfolio 1: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Dia
Megan Seigh on Portfolio 1: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Meg
April Minerd on Crime Reporting Tips: How the news relates to "THEM"
Aja Hannah on Portfolio 1: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Aja
April Minerd on Sample Crime Report: ?Questions? http://blogs.seton
Matt Henderson on Portfolio 1: An actor plays the role of new
Katie Vann on Portfolio 1: Portfolio 1 - Learning the Bas
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