This module aims to teach students the principles and practice of broadcast journalism. You will learn to use a variety of industry-standard software and hardware, and acquire the technical skills necessary to produce quality radio and television packages. You'll learn about broadcast regulation, find out how to pitch stories to potential employers, and develop your presentation skills, receiving voice coaching and taking part in radio and television news days. Alongside traditional methods of broadcast, you will consider what opportunities the internet offers for both storytelling and live reporting.
As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ's Broadcast Journalism exams.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and practical workshops. Lectures will run for the first half of Teaching Block 1, complemented by two-hour practical workshops. For the rest of Teaching Block 1 and all of Teaching Block 2, the module will be taught through three-hour practical workshops.
Broadcast regulation will be taught in additional two-hour sessions for eight weeks in Teaching Block 2. Students will also be expected to take part in radio and news days, giving them the opportunity to practise their skills in a studio environment.
Lectures will examine contemporary broadcast journalism, exploring the changing face of broadcast news. They will also deliver theory of filming and recording.
Technical workshops will show students how to become proficient in the use of camera and recording equipment, how to edit and how to produce a news package for TV and Radio.
Students will also make a site visit to a radio and television station to complement the workshops.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures, practical workshops, broadcast regulation classes | 94 hours: 5 hours lectures 61 hours workshops 16 hours broadcast regulation classes 12 hours radio/TV news day |
| Guided independent study | Produce a TV and radio package | 206 |
| Study abroad / placement | n/a | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The module will be assessed by three summative assignments. Students will have to:
1. Produce a 90-second TV report and associated planning documents. The TV report must include a piece to camera and two interviews. The planning documents must include a story plan and risk assessment demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory environment. (40%)
2. Produce a radio package of 2-2 ½ minutes and associated planning documents. The planning documents must include a story plan and risk assessment demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory environment. (40%)
3. Prepare write and present two pitches, one for radio and one for television. These pitches, which will form the basis of their radio and TV packages, must be original ideas. Students will present them in class, and also write them up as a 300-word document clearly outlining the intended story, intended audience and explaining why the idea would work. (20%)
Students will be expected to produce these assignments independently, with guidance from the module leader. The assessments will test the students' ability to identify, plan, compile, edit and distribute broadcast packages, requiring them to demonstrate news gathering and technical skills as well as an understanding of broadcast regulations. Practical workshops will provide regular opportunities for feedback and feedforward, ensuring students are well prepared for their summative assessments.
In addition to Kingston University assessments, students will also cover the syllabus requirements for the NCTJ Diploma Broadcast Journalism double module.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Identify, research and produce accurate, fair and balanced news stories suitable for radio, television and the web, targeted at a specified audience and produced to a deadline. | Formative: In-class and independent news production assignments. Summative: TV report and radio news package and story pitches. (Assignments 1, 2 & 3) |
| 2) Use a range of hardware and software and apply technical skills to compile, record, edit and publish content for broadcast. | Formative: In-class and independent news production assignments. Summative: TV report and radio news package. (Assignments 1 & 2) |
| 3) Demonstrate a good working knowledge of broadcast regulation, as laid out in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. | Formative: In-class tests. Summative: TV report and radio news package and associated planning documents. (Assignments 1 & 2) |
| 4) Identify an audience and commission and deliver original, creative content to a brief, to a high standard. | Formative: In-class activities. Summative: Radio and news story pitches. (Assignment 3) |
| ) Plan, write and present live and recorded material confidently. | Formative: In-class and independent news production assignments. Summative: TV report and radio news package. (Assignments 1 & 2) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | TV package | 40% |
| Coursework | Radio news report | 40% |
| Coursework | Story pitches | 20% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Core Text(s):
Stewart, P. & Alexander, R. (2016 7th edition) Broadcast Journalism, London: Routledge
Recommended Reading:
Adie, K. (2003) The Kindness of Strangers: The Autobiography Headline
BBC Academy http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism
Emm. A. (2014) Researching for the Media: Television, Radio and Journalism
Hudson. G. & Rowlands. S. (2012) The Broadcast Journalism Handbook London:Routledge
Paxman. J (2016) A Life in Questions William Collins
Reuters Institute Digital News Project https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/page/digital-news-project
Robinson. N (2013) Live From Downing Street Bantam
Snow. J (2005) Shooting History: A Personal Journey Harper
Thompson. N (2012) Writing for Broadcast Journalists London:Routledge