GETTING INTO TELEVISION

The popularity of broadcast journalism as a career

remains undiminished. TV news is seen as a
glamorous occupation, with the dual prospect of
fame and big salaries for an increasingly youthful
band of personalities.

But getting started in TV news remains as hard as

ever, despite the spectacular expansion of all-
news channels.

NEXT: WHAT QUALITIES FOR A BEGINNER?

 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner?

1. A GOOD EDUCATION
You need a post-graduate degree in mass communications,
with specialisation in broadcast journalism.

But it’s not enough to know the theory and sociology of

broadcast journalism—you must have an experience of
the practicalities too.

A working knowledge of a second language is a bonus.

NEXT POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

2. AN INSATIABLE INTEREST IN NEWS AND CURRENT

EVENTS
The burning desire to ‘find out’ what is going on and to tell as
many people about it as possible is something the
journalist never loses.
Deep knowledge of, and interest in, one specialist subject is
helpful, but at this stage not enough.
What potential employers are looking out for is a good all-
round awareness of current events, domestic and
foreign.
(contd)
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

2. AN INSATIABLE INTEREST IN NEWS AND CURRENT

EVENTS (contd)

Healthy scepticism is another virtue in every journalist.

And while it is all very well to have strong political opinions

and a highly developed social conscience, remember
that as a TV journalist doing a professional job you’ll
have a duty to be impartial.
NEXT POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION

What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

3. EVIDENCE OF A COMMITMENT TO JOURNALISM

Some evidence of a genuine commitment to journalism is

essential.

Contributions to school or college magazines, involvement in

college or community broadcasting would be regarded as
the minimum indication of real interest.
NEXT POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

4. THE RIGHT PERSONALITY

Whether you’re an extrovert and happiest in company, or a
quiet loner, you are, in TV, inescapably a small part of a
machine.

Any TV news or current affairs broadcast represents the

fusion of highly developed production and technical as
well as editorial skills, and unless you have the ability to
recognise the importance of teamwork, any other
admirable qualities you might possess will not be
enough. NEXT POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

5. ‘BROADCASTABILITY’
Not all broadcast journalists find themselves in front of the
microphone or camera, and many organisations have
established clear dividing lines between journalists who
‘perform’ (reporters, correspondents, and presenters)
and those who do not (editors, producers, and writers).
That is definitely changing, however, and although not being
a broadcaster need be no bar to success in ‘backroom’
and managerial jobs, there is no doubt that an
acceptable voice and appearance will improve
opportunity. NEXT
POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
What qualities for a beginner? (contd)
6. OTHER SKILLS (computers, technical equipment,
shorthand)
Computer skills are a given.

Today journalists are increasingly being expected to

understand and work other equipment—including picture
editing machines and portable cameras in the trend
towards multi-skilling—so any technophobia is likely to
be a drawback.

Shorthand remains a useful tool but it is not as important to

know as it is in print journalism. NEXT POINT
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION

What qualities for a beginner? (contd)

7. THE ABILITY TO WRITE

Finally, you must be able to write.

Signs of natural ability are easy enough to spot, but what

employers want is an indication of a journalistic
approach, and they’ll not be convinced by examples of
notes, journals, project/internship reports, or academic
papers.
NEXT: SOME OF THE BASIC QUALITIES EXPECTED...
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
SOME OF THE BASIC QUALITIES EXPECTED OF
THOSE TRYING TO GET INTO TV JOURNALISM

1. Ability to communicate
2. Ability to distinguish fact from fiction
3. Awareness of what’s required to get the job done
4. Basic experience, paid or unpaid
5. Demonstration of initiative
6. Evidence of commitment
7. Flair and imagination
8. Genuine interest in news and current affairs
9. Good all-round general knowledge
10. Enquiring mind
11. Knowledge of station/programme/subject area (contd)
 GETTING INTO TELEVISION
SOME OF THE BASIC QUALITIES EXPECTED OF
THOSE TRYING TO GET INTO TV JOURNALISM (CONTD)

12. Originality of thought

13. Persistence, persistence, persistence
14. Sense of humour
15. Solid grounding in basic journalism skills
16. Story ideas
17. ‘Team-playing’ talent
18. Thorough awareness of potential of medium
19. Willingness to take on anything

NEXT: HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS

 HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS
Quite similar to how the press gets its news. Much gathering
and sifting of news is routine and mechanical.

Regular enquiries: police, fire, ambulance services

Publicity handout material: govt. depts., political parties, PR
firms, private companies, corporate houses, social
organisations
Plus: ‘house’, trade, and business magazines, official
statistics, advance copies of speeches, invitations to
exhibitions, trade fairs, inaugurations, openings, closings,
the laying of foundation stones, and other ceremonies of
varying importance
(contd)
 HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS
Well-established fixtures: parliament and assembly
sessions, courts, state visits, sports events, anniversaries
of all types

They all join the queue with scores of other public and semi-
public events that are carefully weighed for their potential
interest.

The more important ones are noted in the newsroom diary.

Finally, other newscasts, radio, magazines, daily and weekly

papers are scoured for titbits on which to build something
bigger.
(contd)
 HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS

News agencies: PTI, UNI, AP, AFP, Reuters

plus

AP Television News (APTN), Reuters Television

(contd)
 HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS

General reporters: used mainly on the diary or follow-up

assignments offering the most picture-worthy
possibilities. Also engaged in spot news stories broken
first by the agencies.

Correspondents: usually specialists who concentrate their

activities on particular areas of news and are regarded as
experts after years of devoting themselves to a single
subject and building up highly placed personal and
trustworthy contacts, and in turn themselves become
reliable sources.

(contd)
 HOW TELEVISION GETS ITS NEWS

Archives: Most TV news depts. maintain their own archives,

largely built up from material they have already
transmitted, supplemented by purchases from outside.

To this wide and fascinating mix of home-grown and

expensively gathered news material can be added the
occasional unexpected bonus—the tip-off from a
member of the public, or a home video that turns out to
be a genuine exclusive for the organisation lucky enough
to get it.

NEXT: CT3 – WHO DOES WHAT