Codes and Conventions –TV News Programme

• Studio Presenters: Often called news anchors they host the show reading or introducing the stories.

• The studio set: Will usually have a table or desk and seats or a sofa.

• The studio background: Likely to have images or graphics on it connected to the stories. Some show a busy newsroom to stress the urgency of the news.

• Direct address to camera: Makes the audience connect to the audience.

• Outside broadcast: At the scene of the story. Gives the impression of capturing news as it happens.

Typical Features of a TV News Programme

Typical Features of a TV News Programme

• News package: A single news feature linked to from the TV studio. These are pre-recorded and edited together beforehand.

• Outside broadcast (OB): Live feed to a reporter at the location of the news story / event. Gives appearance of capturing news as it happens.

• Piece to camera (PTC): Reporter addresses the audience straight down the camera. Could be in a live feed or part of a news package.

• General Views (GV's): Shots used to illustrate a story. Visuals important in TV. • Voiceover (VO): Reporter's voice tells the audience the story and the facts

with GV's as a wallpaper. • Interviews: Interviews with contributors (key people, witnesses, experts)

about the story. • Vox-pops: Short interviews canvassing the opinion of the public. Voice of the

people.

Visual Codes – What does the presenters appearance communicate to the audience?

• It is vital that a news presenter looks authoritative and trustworthy.

Neat , conservative

haircut

Suit: Professional, respectable,

smart

Direct address to camera, in the centre of

the frame

Mode of Address• Direct address straight at viewers down the camera.• Use personal pronouns: Thank you for watching etc.• Very clear, smooth, fluent and articulate diction.• Title sequences capture fast moving pace of news. Music

adds to brand identity.• News presenters announce top stories at the beginning of

programme.• Interviewees generally look off camera to reporters• The use of present tense creates a sense of urgency.• Active voice to add drama. Emphasis and pauses.