Introduction to Radio Journalism

COURSE GOALS & DESCRIPTION

A production course in how to use the microphone, audio tape & digital audio equipment. Also,
how to edit audio, especially for use in broadcast journalism. Brief overview and history of elec-
tronic journalism and some issues of controversy.

OBJECTIVES
General
To develop in the student the skills, techniques and art of radio news through sound and the spo-
ken word. It is a "hands-on" course teaching the use of the microphone, recorder, the phone, satel-
lite networks and the editing equipment used to create the short inserts used in normal studio
news programs.

SPECIFIC
At the end of the semester the students should know;
A) the difference and similarities between print and broadcast journalism
B) radio news production; know it's definition and contribution to local broadcast journalism
C) know how to use remote equipment, especially the audio tape recorder
D) know the technique of mixing audio sources
E) know the techniques of audio tape editing, especially for use in radio news. COURSE OUTLINE

I - Equipment for Radio News Production

1.1 Microphones
1.2 Sound recording Machines
1.3 Portable Sound Mixers
1.4 Sound transmission over lines
1.5 Telephone Recordings
1.6 Wireless Microphones and Microphone Transmitters
1.7 Radio Newsgathering Vehicles
1.8 Wireless News Links

Adapted by George Lessard for Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.

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 Introduction to Radio Journalism
I I - News Directives
2.1 Organization of the Newsroom
2.2 What is news
2.3 News Sources
2.4 News Formats
2.5 National constraints and legal aspects
2.6 The A.B.C.: Accuracy-Balance-Clarity

III Writing for Radio News

3.1 Writing for the ear: five principals
3.2 How to make your copy sound lively
3.3 How to shape a sentence
3.4 How to structure a news item
3.5 How to grab the attention of the listener
3.6 How to retain the interest of the listener
3.7 Helping the newsreader

I V - Reporting
4.1 The Basics of Reporting
4.2 Quoting the Source
4.3 Tools for Newsgathering
4.4 Handouts, News Releases
4.5 Covering Speeches
4.6 Covering Seminars, Conferences
4.7 Covering Disasters, Obituaries
4.8 Crime and Court Reporting

V Interviewing for Radio News

5.1 Types of Interviews
5.2 Planning and Preparation of the Interview
5.3 The Question Line during the Broadcast Interview
5.4 Recording the Interview
5.5 Editing the Recorded Interview

Adapted by George Lessard for Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.

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 Introduction to Radio Journalism
VI Bulletin Editing
6.1 The Basics of Bulletin Editing
6.2 Lifetime of a News Item Follow up of News
6.3 Length of a Story
6.4 Bulletin Structure and Content
6.5 Main Points and Recapitulation

V I I Presentation
7.1 Towards more lively news
7.2 Types of news programs
7.3 Actuality - inserts
7.4 Voice Reports
7.5 Running Order
7.6 The approach of the newscaster

PRE-REQUISITES
Introduction to Mass Communications

EVALUATION
A) A written final exam
or -
B) A News Portfolio (audiotape) to be turned in at the end of the semester containing what the
student thinks is the best of this work. This audio tape should contain examples of course news
principles and audio recording & editing techniques. Tapes will be limited to 10 minutes in length.

GRADING
Project # 1 -Record & edit a 1-minute news segment with "studio" audio only...10 %

Project # 2 -Record & edit a 2-minute news segment with "studio" and "sound bit"...10 %

Project # 3 -Record and edit a 5-minute news show with at least 3 news "bites". Show requires an
"in-studio" news anchor, telephone feeds opening & closing . ...15 %

Hands on test # 1 - Audio Recorder & microphone work: Student demonstrates privately to
instructor a professional knowledge of the unit and its accessories and resolves problems set up
by instructor...15 %

Adapted by George Lessard for Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.

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 Introduction to Radio Journalism
Hands on test # 2 - Editing: Student demonstrates professional knowledge of editing and
resolves problems set up by the instructor...15 %

Quiz # 1 -Written quiz based mostly on text, especially vocabulary and tape editing concepts .. 5 %

Quiz # 2 -Written quiz based on text / vocabulary ... 5 %

Final tape -Students edits the best of their three projects into a 8-10 minute "demonstration"
(demo) tape (that the student can take and use for employment / resume possibilities). The tape
may contain 2-3 minutes of new recording specifically for this tape. Tape should clearly show such
talents as good recording, news value, focus, writing, "flow" & pacing: plus good editing practices,
clean edits, good audio levels & audio balance...20 %

Professional grade -(absences, lateness, news sense, equipment appreciation (care, mainte-
nance, security) ... 5 %

TOTAL.......100 %

TEXTS :
HERE'S THE NEWS - A RADIO NEWS MANUAL
- Compiled & edited by Paul De Maeseneer - Unesco Associate - Expert

THE BROADCAST NEWS PROCESS (THIRD EDITION)

- BY FREDERICK SHOOK/DAN LATIMORE, MORTON PUBLISHING - ISBN 0-89582-164-8

BROADCAST NEWS, REPORTING & PRODUCTION

- by White, Ted & Meppen - ISBN 0-02-427010-5, Macmillan Press, 1984

Adapted by George Lessard for Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.

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