A real-life experience, guided by a Media Communication Arts instructor, in broadcast news writing for the mediums of radio, television, and other forms of media. Working as a reporter on the news staff of WHFR-FM 89.3, the student-staffed station of Henry Ford College, the student is expected to weekly contribute quality broadcast news stories: written copy, copy with actualities, and prerecorded interviews.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- What is "News"?
- Print and online sources and areas of research for broadcast news
- Mechanics of Radio, Television, and Other Media News Writing
- Radio news story and show production for WHFR Radio
- Newsroom tasks and the role of the News Director
- Media Laws and Ethics for newswriting
- Actualities: recording, editing and proper layout
- Interviewing
- Television/Media news packages
- News through social media
- Analyze and debate the topic of what constitutes "news" in a media literate society.
- Develop and integrate the research and rewrite of print and other sources required for broadcast news stories.
- Interpret and evaluate the standard mechanical form and style of broadcast new stories
- Write, revise and produce by deadline standard broadcast news stories per weekly class news show to fit the mission of WHFR's format.
- Explain and demonstrate the job of News Director for at least one class news broadcast.
- Evaluate a minimum of 5 class news broadcasts for legal and ethical consequences and industry standards.
- Record and edit actualities, incorporated into news stories, submitted by deadline, over the class broadcast period.
- Conduct, record, and edit if necessary one 3-5 minute radio interview for potential airing on WHFR.
- Create a television news package script to reflect at minimum industry standards.
- Discuss and debate ongoing how social media is affecting the knowledge base of our news interpretation as a society.
Assessment and Requirements
- Tests on the pertinent theoretical and critical knowledge.
- Critique and grading of "newsworthiness and airability" of story choices and mechanics each week.
- Review of portfolio of final draft of all scripts produced, including sound bites and TV package if applicable.
Outcomes
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Skilled demonstration, given in department by department faculty. Faculty will assess demonstration based on evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and student checklist located in The School of Liberal Arts office.
Portfolio must contain evidence that illustrates competency in all course learning objectives not already measured through the skilled demonstration. Department faculty will evaluate submitted portfolios based on the evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and student checklist located in The School of Liberal Arts office.