Radio Journalism

Week 7

News priorities concern the order in which stories are broadcast. This will usually start from national news to news affecting the local area. This is dependent upon what type of radio station it is. The demographic and the area drive the demographic. I.e. a local radio station such as 'the breeze' may choose a local story as their main story. This will depend upon the content, the impact and the target demographic of the story.

Example of the order of a News Bulletin

1. One of James Bulger's killers is back in prison, after breaching the terms of his release.
2. A man's in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a car in Bentley.
3. Secret files have emerged which suggest police in Portugal dismissed potential leads in the Madeleine  McCann case.
4. There's now more time to tell the Waverley Borough Council where new housing should go in the area.
5. Haslemere and Farnham and the areas around them are set to get a whole lot brighter.
6. Half of all men think the Elvis quiff is the greatest hairstyle ever invented.

The position of a story often depends upon the waning interest of the public and whether it is a national or local news story. There are subjective elements; however what needs to be considered in what story is going to provoke the biggest reaction. Often, negative, urgent stories are a higher priority to report than positive ones, as they are more likely to capture the interest of the audience.

 The unique selling point of local radio stations is the fact that they report on local stories. National news stations have many more stories to cover.

Intros

Previous:

1. Noone was seriously injured when a coach with 38 holidaymakers was in a collision with a lorry on the Southern approach to Inverness yesterday.

Now:

1. A coach of holidaymakers crashed on the coast to Inverness.

Previous:
2. According to a report published today British men between the ages of 35 and 45 are healthier than ever before.

Now:

2. British men are healthier than ever before.

Previous:

3. North Dale Crags, the popular tourist attraction in Dartmoor was the scene of a tragedy last Saturday when a young rock climber, 18 year old student Mark Wallcaster from Suffolk fell 150 foot to his death.

Now:

3. A man has fallen to his death on Dartmoor.

Previous:
4. It has been suggested by Mrs Hazel White, Secretary of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce that the local council tax is too high at £225 per year.

Now:

4. Local council tax is too high

Previous:

5. At 8.30 pm on Saturday 16th October at Greenwich Station, South East London, police were called to a disturbance as a result of which three men were arrested and one policeman was slightly injured.

Now:

5. A policeman has been injured at Greenwich station.

Making news is the production of a product. It needs to sell, because ratings matter!