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Broadcast journalism

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Broadcast journalism is the field of news and reporting delivered through electronic methods. This includes radio, television, and the World Wide Web. It differs from older methods like printed newspapers or posters. These electronic media disperse moving and static pictures, visual text, and sounds.

Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980
Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980

Today, television is often seen as the most influential medium. This is because it uses persuasive visuals like action or shock. It also uses fast cuts, which are quick changes in camera angles. The internet is also a major force in modern news delivery.

News stories are constructed in several specific ways. A "package" is a complete story containing audio, video, graphics, and effects. It is usually narrated by a reporter. A "reader" is a simpler article read without any accompanying video or sound. Sometimes, an "over the shoulder digital on-screen graphic" is added to a reader. A "voice-over," or VO, is a video article narrated by a news anchor. Another type is "sound on tape," or SOT. This refers to sound or video recorded in the field, such as a short interview or soundbite.

HK Victoria Park Now TV News Reporter 2007
HK Victoria Park Now TV News Reporter 2007

Creating a broadcast requires a large team of professionals. News anchors, or presenters, often sit at a desk in a studio. They read from teleprompters to deliver the news to the audience. Reporters research and write stories, often working in the field. They use electronic field production, or EFP, and are accompanied by a videographer. The videographer holds the camera while assistants manage audio and lighting.

A journalist works in San Francisco's Marina District after the October 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
A journalist works in San Francisco's Marina District after the October 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

Behind the scenes, segment producers choose and arrange the stories. A newscast director assigns camera positions and selects shots. A technical director operates a video switcher to mix all the elements together.

Radio was the first medium used for broadcast journalism. Many early radio stations were non-profit community ventures. Later, companies began using radio advertising to pay for their programs. Some radio programs are produced locally, while others use syndication. This means they are broadcast by a larger network. In radio news, stories might include speech soundbites and recorded event sounds. Some radio bulletins are very short, running for only four minutes. Yet, these short segments can contain as many as 12 to 15 different stories.

History shows how the industry moved from entertainment to serious news. Initially, people used radio only for fun. This changed with Edward R. Murrow. He was an American who reported from London during World War II. He provided updates on Hitler's reign and the bombings in London. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans relied heavily on radio for major announcements. Television news grew throughout the 1940s and 1950s, but radio still dominated.

Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980
Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980

Television news truly took off following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Radio could only provide the sounds of the event. Television allowed viewers to visualize the horror of the assassination. This event caused news companies to compete to be the first to report. CBS News was the first to report that Kennedy had been killed. This moment set a new standard for instantaneous and live coverage. It transformed television journalism into the fast-paced field we see today.

In the early years, NBC and CBS were the two main competing forces. NBC was established in 1926, and CBS was established in 1927. During this time, women faced many challenges in the industry. Most radio broadcasts were hosted by men. Women were mostly limited to entertainment programs for homemakers. However, the shortage of men during World War II opened new doors. By the 1960s and 1970s, much larger numbers of women entered the field.

The industry has seen massive changes in ownership and technology. Many radio stations are now owned by large media conglomerates. For example, Clear Channel Communications owns most stations in the United States. This consolidation has led to more "niche" formats. It has also led to the sharing of resources within station clusters. Some worry this de-emphasizes local news and critical emergency information. Furthermore, automation allows stations to broadcast for many hours without anyone on the premises. As technology continues to evolve, broadcast journalism must constantly adapt to the digital age.

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File:Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980.jpg
Alex Alben at CBS News, 1980.jpg
File:HK Victoria Park Now TV News Reporter 2007.JPG
HK Victoria Park Now TV News Reporter 2007.JPG
File:A journalist works in San Francisco's Marina District after the October 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.jpg
A journalist works in San Francisco's...
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