Broadcasting
Introduction
Broadcasting refers to the ways used to deliver information and entertainment to the public. Broadcasting is a term used for Radio and television though contemporary we do have broadcasting via International Networking Internet.
In more technical way, broadcasting refers to the process of transmitting electromagnetic audio signals (radio) or audio fiscal signals (television) that are accessible to a wide population via standard readily available receivers. The term has its origin in the medical agricultural practice of “broad casting” which refers to planting seeds by scattering them across a held.
Broadcasting gained popularity in the mid 20th century when political leaders used radio and television to address nations. Because of radio and TV capacity to reach and influence large numbers at people and owing to the ltd spectrum of frequencies available , government we have now decided to regulate the broadcasting bodies e.g. in Tanzania we have Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
Example of broadcasting stations locally we have Sahara Communications which had Radio Free Africa and Star TV , we have Tanzania Broadcasting Company of television and radio stations like ITV , Channel 5, Pulse, Radio One , East Africa Radio e.t.c.
Internationally we have Aljazeera, BBC, CNN, Deutsche Welle and RFI (Radio France International).
What is Outside Broadcasting
Outside broadcasting refers to production of television or radio programme from a mobile studio unit (either Radio or Television) mostly used to cover live news reportage and sports events. The unit is usually away from the studies.
In outside broadcasting , the broadcasting units (e.g. TBC one) do have a vehicle known as the outside Broadcasting Van (OB Van) which carry the powerful microwave transmitter antennae which can sent signals to satellite or directly to the broadcasting station.
Outside Broadcasting Techniques
According to Oxford Mini School Dictionary, techniques are the methods of doing something skillfully.
Outside Broadcasting in most cases deals with live reportage of sports events or news. Breaking news stories can make compelling live shots. Cold, dark crimes scenes or empty building where something happened hours ago do not make good live shots. In most stations there wont be enough live units for every reporter so the producer have the luxury of deciding which stones are most suitable for live shots on that particular day.
C.A Tuggle Forrest Carr and Suzanne Human in their book Broadcast News Handbook suggests that one element even a mediocre live shot adds to a news cast is the “People” fact. Broadcasting is all about sight and sound to be sure, but it’s also about people. It is in fact, an intensely personal medium. Even if a live location is visually weak, the live reporters can provide that “people” connection.
For whatever reason you choose to go live the idea is to get your live shots on the air cleanly. The best TV stations put resources and systems in place to make sure that happens.
Through in our research for thin topic could not get the actual techniques like at what angle should a microphone be placed the reporter is reporting e.t.c but we have some of the basics on what are essentials in the live reportage.
A unit must have a live coordinator who will:
- Facilitate communication with the crew in the held, the producer and the engineers turning in the live shot.
- Supervise to make sure that each live remote is ready at the appropriate time.
- Make sure the producer is fully appraised of the states of all live remotes
Also we must have in mind, for a live shot to be ready; four elements must be established and verified.
- Signal: is the microwave, satellite or fiber signals strong and air worthy
- Video: Obviously, we have to see a camera picture
- IFB: The reporter must be able to hear program audio from the TV station (IFB is abbreviation for “interruptible feedback) with the true IFB with producer or live coordinator can open a mike, interrupt the programme audio going to the held and speak to the reporter “
- Readiness: The reporter and photographer must be standing by and ready for the live shot.
Getting the Right Actualities
Getting the right actuality in outside broadcasting refers to the fact interviewing extract and people on the spot during the event. For decades getting interviews with right actually has been used as a technique which centralizes TV and Radio news reporting world wide. Doyd A (2001) pg 149) says that actuality is used to transport the audience to the scene, to hear the words as they were said and to see or hear the news as it is actually happening hence the term actuality. This is where broadcasting scores heavily above newspapers. It a single picture is worth a thousand words what must be the value of moving pictures and sound.
Combine sound and picture with text and rapid access to achieve material and you have the new super broadcasting system of tomorrow the internet.
Therefore, if you are reporting using the OB make sure you get people connected on whatever you’re covering about. This refers to commenting on what you see at the location in order to make viewers and listeners get the real picture of the happening
Live Reportage
Schultz (1961) currently will do extended special news programming live at a particular location. In many ways the program will look like a regular newscast, in that there are anchors delivering the news and introducing taped segments but doing live on location gives the news and introducing taped segments but going live on location gives the news somewhat different look and feel. It sends a subtle message to the audience that this is special and not the routine newscast done every day in the studio.
Live reportage is typically produced in much the same way as a regular newscast. Producers will create a rundown, help put together scripts, and oversee the show from the control room.
In today’s world of communication, live reportage has paused so a serious debate in the newsroom. Live reporting has become the standard at most stations but many believe that it is now so overdone that it has reduced the quality and effectiveness of broadcast journalism.
Why? Most stations use live coverage in some form whether through a local microwave relay a satellite transmission truck or with just a simple phone, that being the fact , it is not so easy to run such things – financially . The OB Vans cost a thousand of dollars and to justify the expense many station managers and news directors will demand some sort of live show in every newscast.
Now live reportage makes journalist lazy to meet their deadlines so reporting but with like reportage sends a message to the audience that the news team is on top of the story and committing its major re sources to news coverage. Stories covered live somehow seem more important, get credibility and are good Public Relation tools.
Unfortunately due to the above facts, like reportage now is “live for sake” that is many stories are covered live simply because the station has the capability of going live regardless of whether the story has any real value.
On the other side technicality when one does outside broadcasting/live reportage, its inevitable and unpredictable the bellow could occur:
If the OB Van uses microwave technology the effective range is 60 or 50 miles with clear line of sight so one cannot operate well in mountainous or forest place and any other obstacles.
Topography when there is thunderstorm and rain, the fact that units mast goes 100 feet up it is dangerous as thunder might struck the mast which may lead to malfunction of the mast’s hydraulic system.
One could go to the scene only to find news envisioned in the studio is not the one found on the scene for example they call to say a building is set ablaze and when a reporter with a live re[portage scene get at the location only to find a small kiosk was ablaze.
Reference:
- Schultz, B. (1961), Broadcast News Producing, Sage Publications. Inc
- Doyd, A. (2001), Broadcast Journalism, Focal Place, Oxford UK
- Barnouw, E. (1990), Tube of Plenty: The Evolution of American Television, Oxford University Press
- Cloud et al (1996), Pioneers on the Front Lines of Broadcast Journalism
- Oxford Mini School Dictionary
* Carolyn Kandusi is currently a third year student of BA Mass Communication at Tumaini University, Dar es Salaam College. She wrote this article as a part of her class assignment in her 4th semester, Second Year
We, the People 