Page 1 of 6 Title Prepare and write a news story for broadcast on television Level 5 Credits 5 Purpose This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in an off-job situation. People credited with this unit standard are able to: plan the production of a news story; set up and conduct interviews for a news story; work to camera for a news story; obtain other visual and sound material; write the script for a news story; record voice-over for a news story; and work with the tape editor to edit, package, and deliver recorded material, for broadcast on television. Classification Journalism > Journalism Skills Available grade Achieved Entry information Recommended skills and knowledge Unit 27218, Gather and record information and plan news stories for publication and broadcast; and Unit 27219, Write a variety of news stories for publication and broadcast. Explanatory notes 1 All evidence requirements must be in accordance with the minimum standards for professional journalism, found in the current editions of: Pay Television Code of Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand Broadcasting Standards Authority, 2008) available at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/pay-tv-code/, and the Free-to-Air Television Code of Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand Broadcasting Standards Authority, 2009) available at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/free-to-air-tv-code/. 2 Industry text: Tully Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism (Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008). 3 Assessment Evidence is required for one news story that includes three interviews for broadcast on television.
Page 2 of 6 4 Definitions actuality refers to video footage of scenes and action related to a news story; breaking stories refers to stories that describes how news stories develop as more facts and comment become available; graphic refers to an illustration, photograph, line drawing, table, graph, cartoon, general artwork, video; house style refers to the conventions used when writing text for television; interview bite refers to a short clip taken from an interview and used to support a news story item; minimum standards for professional journalism refers to the conventions under which the media operate and may include but are not limited to stories of publishable standard, meet agreed deadlines and length and are legally, ethically and culturally sound; news cycle refers to the period in which a news outlet gathers news; news round may refer to general news reporting or relate to a sector of special interest in the community within which a news organisation will expect journalists to find news; news story refers to a timely and succinct account of unfolding events of public interest; a newsworthy person refers to anyone whose status, knowledge, activities, statements, or involvement in a news event means they are topical; newsworthiness refers to events of sufficient interest or importance to the public to warrant reporting in the media; notes refers to material recorded through shorthand, longhand and voice recorder, in accordance with minimum standards for professional journalism. In the compiling of the information for the required stories the notes must display evidence of a steady progression of shorthand use, to the minimum requirement of 80wpm; overlay (also known as a reader voiceover) is the use of images over a voiced script; plan refers to the main purpose of the proposed story and contains the who, why, what, where, and when elements and the requirements relating to the gathering and developing of the information necessary to meet the requirements of the structure of the news story; publishable standard refers to the standard required by news media outlets for them to consider publishing the material. It will meet standards described in the industry texts and may include but is not limited to news cycles; news rounds; breaking news; newsworthy person; newsworthiness; notes; platforms; reliability, validity and usefulness; news values; introductions (impact, succinctness); structure (appropriate for story type and platform; arranged logically); grammar; spelling; punctuation; house style; word selection (jargon and clichés avoided); attribution (mix of direct and indirect quotes including paraphrasing); understanding (issues in context, key questions answered); editorial requirements; balance; fairness; language used in news media publications and broadcasting; reliability, validity and usefulness when referring to a news source mean that the bona fides of the person, organisation or reference are established as a credible, knowledgeable, accurate, and authoritative source; storyboarded refers to a visual laying out of events as they are to be seen on the television programme. Outcomes and evidence requirements Outcome 1
Page 3 of 6 Plan the production of a news story for broadcast on television. 1.1 The plan includes identified news, news angles, and visuals that meet editorial criteria for the programme. 1.2 The plan includes research which supports the production of a news story, provides information to organise and conduct interviews, and is in accordance with the guidelines in the industry text. may include but is not limited to background information, context, recorded material, cultural and protocol considerations, interview talent, sources, authorised and other spokespeople, location for filming, graphics. 1.3 Details for the production of a news story are confirmed with the tutor. details include but are not limited to story angle, treatment, duration, footage, resources, placement. 1.4 Story is outlined or storyboarded to ensure it meets broadcasting requirements before shooting is commenced. Outcome 2 Set up and conduct interviews for a news story for broadcast on television. evidence is required for three interviews. 2.1 Talent and crew are directed to produce interview footage for the news story. may include but is not limited to interview grabs, actuality, backcut questions, noddies, two shots, cutaways, background visuals. 2.2 Microphone placement ensures quality of sound to be broadcast. clear diction, no unwanted sound. 2.3 Interviews are conducted in accordance with the industry text. Outcome 3 Work to camera for a news story for broadcast on television. 3.1 Selection of venue for piece-to-camera meets production and story requirements.
Page 4 of 6 complements story line, structure within story, light and sound. 3.2 On-air presentation is smooth and fluent. includes but is not limited to responses to cues, relevant action or activity, use of props relevant to the story, narrative flow, correct pronunciation. 3.3 Content of narration meets editorial requirements for television broadcast. accuracy, legal considerations, style. 3.4 Grooming and demeanour suit news item, location, programme and technical requirements. style, colour and pattern of clothes, make-up, body language. Outcome 4 Obtain other visual and sound material for a news story for broadcast on television. 4.1 Liaison with crew ensures visual and sound material that assists with conveying the story is recorded. 4.2 The files or other footage selected assists with conveying the story. Outcome 5 Write the script for a news story for broadcast on television in accordance with the publishable standard. 5.1 Visual material is viewed and selected to construct a visual narrative. may include but is not limited to interview bites, overlay, file footage, graphics. 5.2 Optimum use is made of visuals and actuality to engage the viewers and tell the story. 5.3 Language, structure, and content meet editorial, style, and audience requirements for the programme. style, clarity of meaning, target audience. 5.4 News story is impartial, balanced and fair. absence of journalist's opinion, opinion and controversial content clearly attributed, balance of viewpoints canvassed within time
Page 5 of 6 constraints, significance of news made clear without editorial opinion. 5.5 News story is corrected and filed in accordance with training establishment practices. Outcome 6 Record voice-over for a news story for broadcast on television in accordance with the publishable standard. 6.1 Delivery is clear, authoritative, in a style suitable to the news story and audience. articulation, projection, modulation, pace, intonation, target audience. 6.2 Recording of sound and vision meets technical requirements for broadcast quality sound and visuals. Outcome 7 Work with the tape editor to edit, package, and deliver recorded material for broadcast on television. 7.1 Visual and sound material is sorted to assist speed of tape editing. may include but is not limited to material shotlist; time codes match visuals; sound effects, visuals and relevant interview clips noted; graphics sourced. 7.2 Story is assembled with the assistance of the tape editor in accordance with the publishable standard. style, treatment, deadline, duration, special effects possibilities. 7.3 Assembled story package meets production and editorial requirements for the programme in accordance with the publishable standard. story line, balance, legal considerations, accuracy, grammar, pronunciation. 7.4 Recorded material is delivered in the appropriate format at the required time in accordance with the publishable standard. intro, cues, duration, outro, labelling.
Page 6 of 6 Replacement information This unit standard replaced unit standard 23126. Planned review date 31 December 2016 Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment Registration 1 21 July 2011 N/A Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference 0002 This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do. Please note Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements. Comments on this unit standard Please contact info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.