Broadcast Journalism 101: Broadcast News Judgment and Ethics - Conflict Reporting and Safety for Broadcast Crews

What This Is

Conflict reporting and safety for broadcast crews is a critical aspect of broadcast journalism that involves covering high-stakes, often unpredictable events while ensuring the well-being of the crew. A well-crafted broadcast package can effectively convey the urgency and complexity of a situation, as seen in the BBC's coverage of the 2011 London riots, where a VOSOT (Voice of Sound on Tape) combined video, voice, and a soundbite to quickly deliver breaking news.

Key Terms & Production Elements

• Stand-up: Reporter speaking directly to camera on location – adds authority and a sense of place; use to transition or prove you're there.
• Nat sound (Natural Sound): Background audio recorded on location – brings a story to life; never leave home without recording room tone.
• B-Roll: Additional footage shot to support the main story – use to add visual interest and context; shoot at least 3-5 minutes of B-Roll for every minute of airtime.
• SOT (Sound on Tape): A pre-recorded interview – use to add depth and context to a story; always transcribe SOTs for accuracy.
• VO (Voice-Over): A narrator speaking over footage – use to provide background information or connect the dots between scenes; keep VO concise and engaging.
• LIVE (Live Shot): A live broadcast from a remote location – use to add immediacy and excitement to a story; always test your equipment and signal before going live.
• Package: A self-contained broadcast segment – use to tell a complete story with a clear beginning, middle, and end; aim for a 90-second package.
• VOSOT (Voice of Sound on Tape): A quick, 30-second broadcast segment – use to deliver breaking news or a developing story; keep it concise and focused.
• ENG (Electronic News Gathering) Truck: A mobile broadcast studio – use to produce high-quality live shots and packages; always test your equipment and signal before going live.
• Field Mix: A mix of audio and video recorded on location – use to create a seamless and immersive broadcast experience; always record a clean voice-over and sync it with your footage.

Step-by-Step Production How-To

1. Write a 30-second reader: Start with a clear and concise script, focusing on the who, what, where, when, and why of the story. Use a conversational tone and aim for a 30-second read. Format your script with a clear headline, a brief intro, and a concise summary.
2. Structure a 90-second package: Start with a strong intro that sets up the story, followed by a series of scenes that build on each other. Use a clear and concise script, and aim for a 90-second package. Use a mix of VO, SOTs, and B-Roll to keep the story engaging and dynamic.
3. Set up a three-point lighting interview: Use a key light, a fill light, and a backlight to create a well-lit and visually appealing interview. Position the key light at a 45-degree angle to the subject's face, and use a softbox or a diffuser to soften the light. Use a fill light to reduce shadows and a backlight to separate the subject from the background.
4. Record a clean voice-over: Use a high-quality microphone and a quiet recording space to capture a clean and clear voice-over. Record in a lossless format, such as WAV or AIFF, and aim for a 44.1 kHz sample rate and a 16-bit depth.
5. Edit a 90-second package: Use a non-linear editing software, such as Adobe Premiere or Avid Media Composer, to assemble your package. Use a clear and concise script as a guide, and aim for a 90-second package. Use a mix of VO, SOTs, and B-Roll to keep the story engaging and dynamic.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Reading a print article on air without rewriting – always rewrite your script to make it concise and engaging.
• Mistake: Forgetting to white balance – always check your white balance before recording to ensure accurate colors.
• Mistake: Not testing your equipment and signal before going live – always test your equipment and signal before going live to ensure a smooth broadcast.
• Mistake: Not transcribing SOTs for accuracy – always transcribe SOTs for accuracy and to ensure that the audio is clear and concise.

Broadcast Exam / Newsroom Assessment Tips

• Typical skill tests: Writing a 30-second reader, structuring a 90-second package, and setting up a three-point lighting interview.
• Tricky distinctions: Package vs VOSOT, gain vs iris, and cardioid vs shotgun mic pattern.
• What assessors look for: A clear and concise script, a well-structured package, and a high-quality voice-over.

Quick Practice Scenario

You arrive at a protest and only have 20 minutes before the live cross. What do you shoot first?

Answer: You shoot a stand-up to establish your location and authority, and then you shoot some B-Roll to add visual interest and context. You also record a clean voice-over to provide background information and connect the dots between scenes.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Must-know terms: Stand-up, Nat sound, B-Roll, SOT, VO, LIVE, Package, VOSOT, ENG Truck, and Field Mix.
• Camera settings: White balance, exposure, and focus.
• Script formatting rules: Headline, intro, and summary.
• Common pitfalls: Reading a print article on air without rewriting, forgetting to white balance, and not testing your equipment and signal before going live.
• On-air traps: Using a low-quality microphone, forgetting to sync your audio and video, and not testing your equipment and signal before going live.