Explain the code and convention in your own words
How does the code and convention inform/determine audience responses? How does it achieve an audience response?
· Present an impartial summary of current issues
· Relay the facts without opinions (formal/traditional)
· Engage viewers using body language and delivery of news while behaving professionally
· Allows audience to form their own opinions based on the facts
Studio news readers appearance
• Usually an anchor or a pair of anchors with the combination of an older man and young woman
• They must be presentable, so are always well-groomed and dressed smartly
• They speak clearly and in received pronunciation – regional accents must be toned down
• They use direct address to build a rapport with the audience
• Appear friendly and trustworthy, so the audience are able to listen to and believe them
• Inoffensive, so accepted with minimal active response (other than acknowledgement)
· Field reporters go to the location of a story and provide the finer details of the report
• They do their own research for this and write their own script
• They often provide information that would be unobtainable for the studio news readers or the researchers working from the studio
• Their role is very important for getting all the necessary information to accurately deliver the story in a factual and unbiased manner
• Allows the audience an inside view to prove the stories
• Gives the sense of being involved/in the know
• Links to the studio is where the news is featuring interaction with field reporters and other studios and there is a conversation between the studio news readers and whoever is connected via video link
• Diversifies the show to avoid it being visually boring
• Makes the station seem more reliable as they have connections and conduct research into the stories
• It enables the audience to see the widespread coverage of news in the world and get relevant details faster
Mode of address to viewer
• Modes of address to the viewer is the way in which presenters and reporters speak and behave whilst on camera in order to deliver the information in a way that will engage and interest the viewers
• For example, they employ direct address and eye contact to hold viewers’ attention
• They also speak formally, often in received pronunciation, to appear professional and reliable
• Aspects of their appearance and behaviour can be manipulated to deliver the message correctly
• Connects and engages viewers
• Influences the way they are received by the audience
• It is vital this is used to successfully connect with and interest the audience
• Interviews are often conducted to get different opinions in news stories
• They can offer both the views of the experts and the general public and can add important, relevant information to the report
• They are often conducted in the studio, on location or via video links and this enables the news readers to find out more in order to deliver this to viewers
• As well as this, it can deliver inside views of people involved, like a powerful politician or a witness to an accident
• Gives exclusivity and insider opinions to viewers
• Shows more opinionated sides of stories to allow viewers to form their own judgements based on (generally equal) representation of two sides of an argument
• Interests viewers more and give them information directly from the relevant people in a story
• Experts and witnesses are used to enhance a story or provide different views for the audience
• Sometimes they are interviewed and other times they are set up in a panel-like formation, speculating on the stories alongside the news reporter
• An example of this is Sky News’ morning section with Eamon Holmes
• Makes audience feel current and connected with events
• This adds interest, and sometimes humour, for the viewers
• The report structure is very important for captivating viewers
• The studio news reader will begin with reading the headlines
• After this, the stories will be delivered one at a time, using studio links, field reporters and interviews to fully deliver the information in an interesting and accurate way
• Gives audience a sense of organisation and trustworthy preparation
• Enables the audience a first look at whether or not there are stories of interest to them
• Actuality footage is very useful for news shows
• It has the same effects as witness accounts, however it is more reliable
• An example of this is the CCTV footage of the British man, David Miller, who was murdered in Thailand - it shows him alive and well just hours before he was killed
• CCTV footage of a crime would be effective in delivering the story in an interesting and accurate way as it proves what has happened and shows the order of events correctly