8 Writing for Broadcast Journalism

Introduction

Broadcast journalism delivers the news through television and radio, requiring a distinct writing style from print or digital formats. Broadcast stories are written to be heard, not read, and must prioritize clarity, brevity, and conversational tone. This chapter explores the core principles of writing for broadcast journalism and how reporters craft stories for the ear.

Characteristics of Broadcast News Writing

– Conversational Tone: Scripts should sound natural when spoken aloud—more like everyday speech than formal writing.

– Short Sentences: Long, complex sentences are harder to follow when spoken. Keep it simple and direct.

– Active Voice: Active constructions are clearer and more engaging.

– Present Tense Broadcast favors immediacy—use present tense whenever appropriate.

– Attribution First: In broadcast, attribution (e.g., ‘Police say…’) often comes at the beginning to establish source credibility.

Writing the Script

A typical broadcast news script includes a lead that hooks the viewer or listener, followed by key facts in logical order. Scripts are often written in two columns: one for audio (what’s said) and one for visuals (what’s shown).

– Leads: Focus on clarity and audience impact. Avoid clever wordplay that might confuse listeners.

– Structure: The structure is often similar to print (lead, support, quotes), but simplified.

– Pronunciation Cues: Phonetic spelling or emphasis indicators are sometimes included for anchors.

Timing and Pacing

Broadcast news stories are timed to the second. A script for a 30-second story must fit within that time limit. Writers must read their scripts aloud to ensure pacing and timing are appropriate.

Audio and Visual Elements

Broadcast stories are multimedia by nature. Writing must account for visuals, ambient sound, and audio clips.

– Sound Bites: Short audio clips from interviews or speeches that enhance the story.

– Natural Sound (NAT Sound): Background audio that adds realism (e.g., crowd noise, sirens).

– B-roll: Supplemental footage that supports the story visually.

Ethical Considerations in Broadcast Journalism

Accuracy and fairness remain essential in broadcasting. Visuals can be powerful but potentially misleading if taken out of context. Editing must not distort meaning, and staged re-creations must be clearly identified.

Key Terms

– Sound Bite: A short recorded excerpt from a person speaking.

– NAT Sound: Natural background noise that adds atmosphere to a broadcast segment.

– B-roll: Video footage that supplements the main audio or visual content.

– Anchor: The main presenter of a news program.

– Script: The written text of a broadcast, usually formatted for audio and visual components.