The process involved before scripting news for broadcast is a complex and multifaceted endeavour that requires careful planning, research, and coordination. This process is crucial in ensuring that the news presented is accurate, timely, and relevant to the audience. Let's delve into the various steps involved in this process, which occurs before the actual scripting of news for broadcast begins.
News Gathering
The first and most fundamental step in the process is news gathering. This involves collecting information from various sources to identify potential news stories. News gathering is typically carried out by:
- Reporters and Correspondents: These professionals are often assigned to specific beats or geographical areas. They develop sources, attend events, conduct interviews, and report back to the newsroom with potential stories.
- Wire Services: News organizations often subscribe to wire services like the Associated Press (AP) or Reuters, which provide a constant stream of news from around the world.
- Press Releases: Organizations and individuals send press releases to newsrooms, providing information about events, announcements, or developments.
- Social Media Monitoring: Many newsrooms now actively monitor social media platforms for breaking news, trending topics, and public reactions to events.
- Citizen Journalism: Tips and footage from members of the public can sometimes lead to significant news stories.
- Investigative Journalism: Some stories are the result of long-term investigations conducted by the news organization's investigative team.
Editorial Meetings
Once potential news stories are gathered, the next step involves editorial meetings. These meetings typically occur at least once a day in most newsrooms and involve key editorial staff such as the news director, executive producer, senior reporters, and editors. During these meetings:
- Story Selection: The team discusses and decides which stories will be covered based on their newsworthiness, relevance to the audience, and available resources.
- Angle Determination: For selected stories, the team determines the specific angle or perspective from which the story will be presented.
- Resource Allocation: Decisions are made about which reporters will cover which stories and what resources (e.g., camera crews, satellite time) will be allocated to each story.
- Broadcast Rundown: A preliminary rundown of the broadcast is created, determining the order of stories and approximate time allocated to each.
Fact-Checking and Verification
Before any story moves forward to the scripting stage, it undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking and verification. This step is crucial in maintaining the credibility and integrity of the news organization. The process typically involves:
- Source Verification: Ensuring that the sources of information are reliable and credible.
- Cross-Referencing: Checking information against multiple sources to confirm its accuracy.
- Expert Consultation: For complex or specialized topics, experts in the field may be consulted to verify information or provide context.
- Legal Review: Stories that involve sensitive issues or potential legal implications may be reviewed by the organization's legal team.
Research and Background Information Gathering
Once a story has been selected and verified, the next step involves in-depth research and gathering of background information. This process helps provide context and depth to the story. It may involve:
- Historical Research: Looking into the background and history related to the story.
- Data Analysis: For stories involving statistics or trends, careful analysis of relevant data is conducted.
- Document Review: Examining relevant documents, reports, or records related to the story.
- Additional Interviews: Conducting interviews with experts, witnesses, or other relevant individuals to gather more information and perspectives.
Visual Element Planning
For broadcast news, visual elements play a crucial role in storytelling. Before scripting begins, the team plans what visual elements will accompany the story. This may include:
- On-Location Footage: Planning what footage needs to be shot on location.
- Archive Footage: Identifying relevant archive footage that can be used to illustrate the story.
- Graphics and Animations: Planning any graphics or animations that need to be created to explain complex information.
- Live Shots: Determining if and where live shots will be incorporated into the story.
Ethical Considerations
Before moving to the scripting stage, ethical considerations must be thoroughly addressed. This involves:
- Impartiality: Ensuring that the story presents a fair and balanced view of the issue.
- Privacy Concerns: Consider any privacy issues that may arise from reporting the story.
- Sensitive Content: Determining how to handle potentially sensitive or distressing content.
- Conflicts of Interest: Identifying and addressing any potential conflicts of interest in reporting the story.
Logistical Planning
For stories that require on-location reporting or live elements, significant logistical planning is necessary. This includes:
- Travel Arrangements: Organizing transportation and accommodation for reporters and crew.
- Equipment Preparation: Ensuring all necessary equipment is available and in working order.
- Permit Acquisition: Obtaining any necessary permits for filming in specific locations.
- Safety Assessment: Evaluating and preparing for any potential safety risks, especially in conflict zones or disaster areas.
Interview Preparation
For stories that involve interviews, thorough preparation is essential. This involves:
- Background Research: Research the interviewee and the subject matter.
- Question Preparation: Drafting a list of potential questions.
- Logistics: Arrange the time and location for the interview.
- Technical Setup: Ensuring proper audio and visual setup for the interview.
Audience Consideration
Throughout the pre-scripting process, consideration of the target audience is paramount. This involves:
- Relevance Assessment: Ensuring the story is relevant and important to the audience.
- Language Adaptation: Considering how to present the story in a way that is accessible and understandable to the audience.
- Local Impact: For national or international stories, consider how to highlight the local impact or relevance.
Time Management
Given the time constraints of broadcast news, careful time management is crucial in the pre-scripting phase. This includes:
- Story Length Determination: Deciding how much time can be allocated to each story within the broadcast.
- Deadline Setting: Establish deadlines for various elements of the story to ensure it's ready for broadcast.
- Live Element Timing: For stories with live elements, carefully plan the timing to fit within the broadcast schedule.
Coordination with Other Departments
The news production process involves coordination with various departments within the organization. This may include:
- Graphics Department: Coordinating the creation of any necessary graphics or animations.
- Technical Team: Ensuring all technical requirements for the story are met.
- Web Team: Coordinating how the story will be presented on the organization's digital platforms.
- Social Media Team: Planning how the story will be promoted and shared on social media.
Legal and Compliance Review
Before scripting begins, stories may need to go through a legal and compliance review. This is particularly important for stories that involve:
- Potentially Defamatory Content: Ensuring the story doesn't contain any legally problematic statements.
- Copyright Issues: Checking that all content used in the story is properly licensed or falls under fair use.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the story complies with relevant broadcasting regulations.
Format Consideration
The format of the news program influences the pre-scripting process. Considerations include:
- Program Style: Adapting the story approach to fit the style of the specific news program (e.g., in-depth analysis vs. brief updates).
- Segment Placement: Determining where in the program the story will be placed and how this affects its presentation.
- Teaser Creation: Planning how the story will be teased earlier in the program or in promotions.
Contingency Planning
Given the dynamic nature of news, contingency planning is an essential part of the pre-scripting process. This involves:
- Backup Stories: Having alternative stories ready in case a planned story falls through.
- Flexibility: Being prepared to adapt quickly if breaking news occurs.
- Technical Backups: Having backup plans for technical failures, especially for live segments.
The process involved before scripting news for broadcast is extensive and multifaceted. It requires careful planning, thorough research, ethical consideration, and coordination among various teams and departments. This comprehensive pre-scripting process is crucial in ensuring that the final news product is accurate, relevant, engaging, and professionally presented to the audience. It's this behind-the-scenes work that forms the foundation for the polished news broadcasts that viewers see on their screens.