Index

Index 

• 1. Channel 4: Case Study 
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• 2. BBC News at 6: Case Study 
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• 3. Election Angles
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• 4. Newsround Case Study 
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• 5. News Values 
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• 6. Running Order 
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• 7. Bias/ TV News Representation 

Bias

1) Whose perspective have Sky News used to present the story? (Clue: it’s in the opening line)
They have used the perspective of the police only
2) How are the police represented in this coverage?
The police are represented as the heroes and the victims of this 3) How are young people represented in this coverage?
Young people are represented as the looters and the villains who are trashing the city, however, the audience is unaware that most of the actual statistics 
4) What images and videos are selected by Sky News to accompany the story?
Other stories revolving around black people and the youthful - negative stories- perhaps showing that this is a common thing for the youth 5) What choice of words is used to present this news event?
They describe the looters as 'hooded, masked, youths' which is an assumption - the also over exaggerate 6) What aspect of the story is chosen as the most important detail and included at the very beginning of the report?
The police officers and amount of destruction - they do not fully cover the reason why they began to riot which was the death of Mark Duggan

7) How is narrative used to engage the audience with this news story?
They include fire and ruins of Tottenham at the beginning followed by rushing police - they only reveal why they began rioting at the end

8) How can we apply Todorov’s equilibrium theory to this coverage?
The civilians loss and the amount of fire - the devastation of the entire event

9) What examples of Propp’s character types can we find in this coverage? Are there heroes and villains?

They used the police officers to play the role of the heroes and the rioters were the villains

10) How might citizen journalism have been used to provide a different angle on this story?

Citizen journalism is used to end bias and actually put the story straight - the news gatekeepers are practically forced to use it because either way then video will be shown eventually. This will generally be telling the truth as it is raw footage with no edits. 

Running Orders

Planning a TV news running order: blog task

1) Name the TV news programme you created a running order for in this morning's lesson.
BBC 60 Second News 2) List the five stories you chose and explain why you chose each one.
1. Top Story: A woman has been convicted of murdering her husband. He was wealthy banker and she a stay-at-home mum
2. Second Story: A well known politician has been named on Twitter as been investigated by police for fraud 
3.Israel has shelled a residential area of Gaza, killing around 25 civillias
4. Cheryl Cole has announced that she is pregnant
5. A news series of BBC drama Sherlock achieved record viewing figures last night 3) Use the Uses and Gratifications theory to explain why ONE of the stories appeals to the target audience for that programme.
The news story on BBC drama, Sherlock. This is used as a diversion as it is seen as escapism and the viewers are allowed to exit reality and go into the world of TV dramas. It is used as entertainment to add a lighter side to the news they may have already presented
4) Now choose one of the other TV news programmes we have focused on and choose a five-story running order for that programme. The four TV news progammes are:

Newsround:
Top Story: Israel has shelled a residential area of Gaza - this story would be phrased differently 
Secondly: David Cameron's office has announced he will be visiting Washington next week to meet President Obama. 
Thirdly: Lady Gaga is in London and has been spotted jogging in Hyde Park
Fourth: A well known politician has been named on Twitter as being investigated by police or fraud
Fifth: A news drama on Sherlock 

Channel 4:
Top Story: Israel has shelled a residential area of Gaza killing around 25 civilians 
Second: Gunfire has been reported on the streets of Moscow although no there are no details as yet regarding open fire
Third: 20  people were killed in 15 different accidents
Fourth: A tweet by Miley Cyrus 
Fifth: Cheryl Cole has announced she is pregnant 

Blumer and Katz

Uses and Gratifications (Blumler and Katz)

Researchers Blumler and Katz suggest that media audiences are active and make choices about the way they consume media.

They suggested there are four main uses or gratifications (pleasures) that audiences get from the media.

Diversion: escapism or entertainment.

Personal Relationships: using the media for emotional interaction (e.g. developing affection for characters on TV)

Personal Identity: finding ourselves reflected in texts or learning behaviour and values from the media.

Surveillance: Information useful for living (e.g. news, weather, traffic news etc.)

News Values

Story One: 9/11 Attacks

Negativity: This story is very negative and dramatic - this is one of the most devastating stories since WW2

Closeness to home: Even though this isn't in London, it is still very important as many British people were in America 

Immediacy: This is breaking news

Simplicity: The idea of the story is very simple to understand - the simple stories gain the most attention

Uniqueness: This story is very unique and until then, it had never happened before

Elite nations and people: America is an elite nations and is considered to be a very important country due to the links they have with everything  - this fits in to it 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Newsround Case Study

2) How does Newsround use the key conventions of TV news?
They use all the key conventions but they use them in a way which appeals to younger children - it is presented in a easy to understand // tabloid way3) Who are the presenters for BBC Newsround? Why do Newsround have a variety of presenters?
Many - including Helen Skelton 4) Are any other presenters or reporters used?
Yes, reporters on locations - Aisha and etc 5) What does the studio look like? How is technology used in programme?
The studio is a room complimented by a screen, sofa etc- the presenter also uses tablets instead of paper to make it more technological 
6) What is the opening sequence to Newsround? Does it fit the key conventions of TV news?
The opening is based around technology and white, purples, blues and pinks which all are made into different shapes - this is portraying that the show is modern as the colours make everything seem light and airy 7) How does Newsround typically present a news story? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
Presenter to camera and interviews and many graphics and images 8) Who is the target audience for Newsround? You may want to research this online.
The target audience is around 8-119) Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme? Do young people feature in the news programme at all?
There are email links and websites for the people to go in and play games, surveys and perhaps report stories themselves (citizen journalism)10) What news stories are covered in the broadcasts you have watched? List ALL the stories that are covered AND the order that they appear in. How long does each story appear for?
Dogs, ducks, Easter eggs and more less serious stories - also a story about classrooms and education 

Case Study 3

1) What is the angle of a news story? Give an example to explain your answer.
The angle of the news story depends on the style, news  and location - it is viewing different perspectives to make sure the news is aimed at those who are watching it
 2) What is the difference between tabloid and broadsheet news coverage?
Broadsheet is more sophisticated and is read by educated people however tabloid contains more celebrity based news3) What would be an example of a tabloid-style TV news programme?
A tabloid news programme is shown through Channel 4, MTV and Youtube news shows 
4) What would be an example of a broadsheet-style TV news programme?
The Telegraph 
5) What is the difference between international, national, regional and local news coverage?
  International is worldwide and covering news stories around the world
National news in UK wide news only
Regional is covering a particular region - London, Leeds etc
Local news is centring around a particular location within a region - West London

BBC Election Cover
1) Is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?

This seems to be national news because it involves those who live in  England2) What angle does the report take on the story?
They have made it completely balance3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
Broadsheet4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?
No particular classes - perhaps all round

Channel 4 
1) Is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
This seems to be national news as well - it covers a broad range or perspectives2) What angle does the report take on the story?
They are pretty balanced3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
Both4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?
A mixture

Sky 
 1) Is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
National 2) What angle does the report take on the story?
It was right wing and not very balanced - it focused on the right wing parties only3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?

Tabloid
4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why? 
Right winged people

Case Study 2

Basic details

1. What do the letters BBC stand for? British Broadcasting Corporation
2. How is the BBC funded? The BBC is funded through tax payers and the license of a TV
3. What is the BBC's famous mission statement? (Clue: it's three words)Inform, educate and entertain
4. What is BBC1's programme remit? BBC One's remit is to be the BBC's most popular mixed-genre television service across the UK -  offering a wide range of high-quality programmes. A very high proportion of its programmes should be original productions (BBC website)
5. How does the BBC News at Six fit into BBC1's remit? They offer a mixed genre television service and appeal to a wide range of people of different lives - it fits into peoples schedules

Presenters

1. Who are the presenters of BBC News at Six? Main presenters are Fiona Bruce and Sophie Raworth 
2. What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience? They are wearing suits and formal clothing which connotes a serious presentation 
3. Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters? To commit to a diverse community and represent different minority groups - they are being funded by the public, therefore it must seem like it
4. How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV news programme? Other presenters are used for interviewers and off studio presenters
5. Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience? There is a fair amount of males and females - it is diverse - they do this so it appeals to the public

Opening sequence
Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.

1. What is the very first shot? The presenter at the desk - introducing the show
2. How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience? They use the world with cities etc 
3. How is music used in the opening sequence? The music is dramatic and lively which connotes the seriousness of this news programme
4. How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later? The news stories are said and briefly touched and then it cuts to the opening sequence

Studio mise-en-scene

1. What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? The background of computers, the pan over the entire studio and cameras
2. Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is? They sometimes stand and sometimes sit - the standing is slightly informal which takes away from the seriousness
3. Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?  You can see the journalists and full studio as well as the cameras etc - you can see everything which suggests that not everything is done on a green screen//in front of a image - there is more to the studio
4. How does the studio use colour? The use red and white mainly which may symbolise politics

How news stories are presented

1. How does the news programme typically present a story? Following and introduction with images - then a short interview - outside the studio refrences
2. What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.) Presenter to the camera, interviews, reporters on location, graphics, images, videos etc
3. What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.) Politics, international news, local news, weather, sport 
4. Give two real examples of how news stories are presented to keep the interest of the audience.It starts off with Tesco which is slightly boring but then moves onto serious news about abuse

Running order

1. Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find. 
2. What is the top story? The top story is about Tescos losses
3. How long does the top story last for? For 10-15 minutes
4. What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’). Top story, sub stories, sport
5. How long is each story shown for? About 5 min
6. Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was? To emphasise some and use some as breaks

Audience

1. What is the target audience for this BBC News at Six? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.It is for those who stay at home or come from work - a typical British family and schedule
2. What are the viewing figures for BBC News at Six? Around 4m 
3. Why might someone choose to watch this TV news programme over others?It is at a very convenient time fort hose who work and it only lasts 28 min
4. Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?    
5. What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer?

Institution

1. What other news programmes and services does the BBC offer in addition to the BBC News at Six? BBC Breakfast, News at 10 etc
2. What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate? OFCOM regulates and gives and emit which must be followed to have a license - it must be impartial
3. The BBC has been accused of 'dumbing down' the News at Six. What does this mean? Do you agree with the accusation that the news is 'dumbed down'? They use excessive graphics - they defended themselves by saying that it helped the audience understand - it does dumb down the news but i think it was done correctly

TV News and New/Digital Media

1. Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website? Yes
2. What does the website offer viewers? It has highlights etc and recaps with extra website links 
3. Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed? Yes
4. How does the Twitter feed promote the programme? Displaying the hashtags
5. Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories? No

Case Study 1

Channel 4 – Case Study

Basic details

1.             When is Channel 4 News on?

             Channel 4 is on at 7pm, Monday to Friday

2.             When was the programme first broadcast?

            1982

3.             What awards has the programme won?

            Two Journalism awards

4.             What is the media institution that produces Channel 4 News?

                          Produced by tax payers and the government

Presenters

1.             Who are the presenters?

             Jon Snow, Krishnan Murthy, Cathy Newman and Matt Frei

2.             What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience?

             They are wearing formal attire which makes them seem serious and bold

3.             Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters?

             They may use a variety of presenters because it appeals to – diverse community

4.             How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV News programme?

             They are used to present different news stories

5.             Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?

There are 3 males and 1 female – they are mainly white, however, one person is a British Asian. It is appealing to a very wide range of people

Opening sequence

Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.

1.             What is the very first shot?

           A proactive intro where the main story is introduced

2.             How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience? 

            They use a wide range of colours with a white surface and they have featured videos to drag attention to the main story – the colours connote a light heart and slightly informal

3.             How is music used in the opening sequence?

             The music is very dramatic and adds a serious touch to the new programme

4.             How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later?

They introduce the first news story and then play the opening sequence – afterwards, they present other new stories say that it is coming up later

Studio mise-en-scene

1.             What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? (Desk, cameras etc.)

           You see the lights and background – you understand how airy and spacious it is – no green screens – natural

2.             Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?

              They are either standing or sitting on a desk – this makes it seem so much more informal and as if the presenters are talking to you directly

3.             Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?

        Some technology is visible (overhead cameras) which may show how modern the studio is as it is fitted – however, it is not overly fake which makes it seem more serious

4.             How does the studio use colour?

The studio uses a wide range of colour including white, purple, pink, red and orange which add fun and colour to make it seem more informal and can target a wider range of audience.

How news stories are presented

1.             How does the news programme typically present a story?

          They traditionally use a voice over to give an intro into the story and then they then use interviews and the typical talking to the camera in front of a screen

2.             What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)

The use all of the above to really stylize and make their show interesting and productive – it adds different techniques to make the show flow easier and appeal all types of audiences

3.             What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)

This show covers a very random, wide range of stories to attract different audiences – it includes serious offences and crimes (rape, murder) and also covers gaming, politics, international news (Syria) and slight more irregular topics such as celebrity gossip etc.

4.             Give two real examples of how news stories presented to keep the interest of the audience.

They are presented through very unclear footage with some who is undercover

Running order
Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.

1.             What is the top story

Immigration control

2.             How long does the top story last for?

About 5 min

3.             What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’).

4.             How long is each story shown for?

5.             Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was?

Audience

1.             What is the target audience for this TV News programme? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.

The target audience is made to fit around a wide rangle – from about 16 to 60 as it contains very mutual topics, very harsh topics and very themed topics to fit a different age grouyp each story.

2.             Why might someone choose to watch this TV News programme over others?

This programme is slightly left wing but is not biased and contains mixed views and a diverse crew

3.             Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?

There are social media tags and links which you can follow to help you find something etc

4.             What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer? 

Institution

1.        Who owns, runs or produces this TV News programme?

This channel is owned by the government and has a specific emit

2.        Does the institution own, run or produce any other TV News programmes, channels or newspapers?

It owns E4 and 4oD etc

3.        How does the programme fit the TV channel it is on?
The programme doesn't have any specific features which fit with the programmes this channel plays - it generally just completes Channel 4

4.        What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?
The have a broadcast code which makes sure that shows are impartial and routine with no bias

TV News and New/Digital Media

1.             Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?
Yes, Channel 4 does have a dedicated website to broadcast the news channel and give extra details and support etc

2.             What does the website offer viewers?
It offers them a political inside, highlights, support and mainly different videos linking to news stories for research purposes and background information

3.             Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed?
Yes, it does have a Twitter feed which offers highlights and extra news

4.             How does the Twitter feed promote the programme?
The Twitter logo and details are displayed at the bottom of the screen

5.             Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories?
They are allowed to go on tot he website and submit news stories and they do have opportunities to send videos through Twitter