Reflection on Brief for semester 2

Within this new assignment, I am required to design a document that celebrates and promotes a piece of writing that has been influential within any field of Journalism. This task allows me to be creative and choose a topic of my choice. The content of my document will be used to create typography elements, and generate graphics. Once I have chosen the topic I will have to contextualise the piece of writing and present information surrounding the events that led to the writing itself.

I will be using InDesign in order to produce the document. I am as happy about this as it has so many different features available, and I have also used the software before. In order to refresh my mind on the software, I will spend some time on InDesign. Also I will look at professional documents that have previously been created on the software. This will give me an insight into the different approaches and layouts.

When submitting my work I must:

  • Have a body full of experimental studies, tradition design tests and digital design tests
  • A final document, with all supporting research materials
  • Evaluation document

Breakdown of Brief

For this assignment, I have been asked to find a news worthy story and create a VT package that lasts around 1 minute 40 seconds long. The story could be on anything as long as it’s new and accessible. We have to take on the role as a video journalist meaning that we have to do the following tasks

  1. Find,
  2. Gain access,
  3. capture footage,
  4.  Interview,
  5. conduct piece to cameras or voice overs,
  6. edit it all into a package,
  7. Get it done on deadline.

 I also have to consider sound quality, angles, picture quality to produce a high quality product. In order for this task to be a success we have to gain permission to film and make sure that more footage is captured then what will actually be used. By doing this allows options when editing the piece together. As a journalist this is as important as this is a skill that is transferable in real working life within this industry.

Overview of First Sound Session

In my very first session with Steven, we were introduced to sound and what is expected of us by the end of the semester. We was given an overview of the assignment and what we are going to be doing over the other upcoming sessions. We were told that we had to create a pod cast that lasts around 8 minutes long. It must follow conventional codes and conventions of a professional pod cast. The pod cast will have a jingle, over view of content, a chosen subject of choice, interviews and sign off. As soon as we were told this information my creative juices started to flow I came up with three different possible topics that I could tackle but one stood out among the rest. We were asked to start putting ideas onto paper and start looking at existing podcasts that exist. This will help us to gain a much more in-depth understanding about the task given to us.

CATS – Milestone in History (BBC Radio Broadcasting)

In semester 1 we had a session based around the milestones in media and what we were required to do for the task. Each student had to pick an event in history that was a massive milestone in media and what impacts it had on journalism. Then had to produce a presentation of the chosen topic and present. To do this task huge amounts of research was required as the presentation had to be 10 minutes long.

For this task, I have decided that the topic I will focus on will be the BBC radio broadcasting milestone. This is because it had a massive impact on the media but in particular the effects it had on journalism.

I have conducted research to gain a better knowledge of the subject, underneath these are some of the weblink and sources used to gain information for the presentation

Also when it comes to presenting, I am not the best so as a contingency plan I will create cue cards which will be of help when presenting. key start points will be used to help me remember where I am at when presenting. Also a script will be produced so I can revise what I am going to say and try to retain the key information.

My cue cards – On the back will have key bullet points for discussions 

Screen Shot 2015-12-12 at 15.14.51

My script

Hi my name is Chelsea sparke and today I have chosen to talk about the BBC History in radio broadcasting. This is because I feel it has had a massive impact on society and how news is given to its audiences.

Firstly, there are so many different types of radio broadcasting, from commercial, to public, satellite and so many more.

What is radio broadcasting?

Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless communication, over radio waves. This is deliberate done to reach a wide audience.  Informing them on topics and to give out latest information, like if any accidents have happened in the local area

Commercial broadcasting,

Commercial broadcasting is privately owned, this style of broadcasting uses advertising to fund there broadcasting operations for a profit. Commercial broadcasting on the other hand is TV funded by paid advertisements and contain advertisements during the TV or radio times.

Public broadcasting

Public broadcasting is TV, Radio, etc. funded by an official or governments, with No paid advertisements.

Satellite radio

Satellite radio is broadcast via a communications satellite that gives it a wider broadcast range. Satellite radio has a variety of broadcasting channels that air commercial-free music.

As we take a look at the background of the BBC radio broadcasting history we see massive developments and milestones which allowed radio to become what it is today.

In, 1922: 14 Nov: BBC start daily broadcasting on 2LO. The BBC was funded by radio set manufacturers.

And in 1967: On 30th September, BBC radio reorganisation launched Radio 1,2,3 and 4. Next came 1973: Birth of commercial radio

1988: Radio 1 launched on FM
1988: First commercial station ‘splits‘ frequencies (broadcasting different stations on FM and AM

1992: Launch of RAJAR, a body jointly funded by commercial radio and the BBC, giving industry-approved listening figures for all subscribing UK radio services

The BBC is funded by the publics who have TV licenses, the BBC uses the income of the licence fees to pay for its TV, Radio and online services. Also includes the additional costs, which include; digital imagery, investments in new technology, running costs and the collection of the licence fees.

Each household pay a average annual cost of a colour television licence = £145.50. However for a black and white television it is cheaper as annually it is about £49

  • Per month each household pay around £2.08 on the different radio stations-
    • This include BBC radio 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 BBC local radio

Political and social impacts

Defamation of character

Broke Laws

Social issues that have been issues in radio representation of gender, age, ethics, copy right infringements, taste indecency

Example – In radio there have been lots of instances were taste indecency has occurred :-

On BBC Radio 2 there was a very serious intendant that took place on Saturday 18th October. A series of voice messages was left by comedians, Russell Brand and and TV presenter Jonathan Ross, on the episode, Brand and Ross called Andrew Sachs as a guest to interview on-air, when he failed to answer the phone, they are heard leaving a series of lewd messages on his answering machine, including comments about Brand’s relationship with Sachs’s granddaughter, Georgina Baillie

Because of this they were sacked and was taken off air. Only recently been allowed back.

Another example Case Study (Australian radio DJ’s) prank call to hospital Kate Middleton was staying in.

The Australian radio DJ who made the prank call to the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated during her pregnancy has resigned. There were two radio Dj’s involved one pretending to be the queen and the other pretending to be prince Charles. The nurse that took the

Mel Greig accused radio station Southern Cross Austereo of failing to maintain a safe workplace, as the international furore that followed the royal hoax saw her vilified in media across the globe

Regulatory bodies – Ofcom, ASA

Radio broadcasters where took of air

Show video

Radio 1

  • The remit of radio 1 is to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. The demographic it has is 15-29 year olds. However they provide some programming for the younger minds (teenagers). They state they offer a range of new current music, supporting emerging artists. They are more prone to broadcast and help publicise those from the UK.

Radio 2

  • The remit of Radio 2 is to be a speech service also having mixtures of music aired, this has a broad demographic audience, appealing to all age groups over 35. this radio station states that it should be entertaining popular music programmes and speech-based content including news, current affairs, documentaries, religion, arts, comedy, readings and social action output.

Radio 3

  • The remit of Radio 3 is to offer cultural programming and a mixture of different styles of music this is done to engage and entertain its audience. Around its core proposition of classical music, its speech-based programming should inform and educate the audience about music and culture. Jazz, world music, drama, the arts and ideas and religious programming should feature in its output. The service should appeal to listeners of any age seeking to expand their cultural horizons through engagement with the world of music and the arts.

Radio 4

  • The remit of Radio 4 is to be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes. the package should appeal to listeners seeking intelligent programmes in many genres which inform, educate and entertain.

Final I thought this was a good topic to choose as, many things have changed over the years and it has influenced how society gets the data and to what has caused problems for the broadcasting industry.

Thank you for listening


The Brief for Writing for Purpose 1

In the first semester we were handed our module handbook, this outlined the tasks that were mandatory for the hand in for marking.

Within, this module I have to complete the tasks. My submission will include the following written pieces:

  • News Story 1: Research and present a 350-word news story for an identified publication. This should include text and image, headline and picture caption quotes.
  • News story 2: Attend an event or meeting and write a 350-word news story for an identified publication. This should include text and image, headline and picture caption quotes.
  • Piece of Online Journalism: style, content and use of multimedia appropriate to platform.  This may be HyperFruit or our own news platform. Wordcount: 350 words.
  • Reflective blog, with notes, research and reflections on the material coveredLinks to my work for this module need to be clearly signposted from your blog. The blog  will be used to reflect your personal journey through the module, including notes and initial drafts of material i produce.  It will also be used to demonstrate my blogging skills through production of blogs relating to the journalism industry.  My blog entries will also provide a body of research, news and opinions about the industry.
  • Minimum of three independently sourced articles posted onto Hyperfruit. These articles should be independent of newsdays and include at least one form of multimedia. Minimum wordcount: 200 words plus one piece of multimedia.

My Current Idea Development

News Story 1:

  • It will be a factual news story
  • this will include the following: text and image, headline and picture caption quotes.
  • The total word count for this is 350. 10% allowed either way
  • This will be based on a large amount of research

I have got an idea for this task which is to write a piece based around the unemployment rates for those with a disability. This will be done from a different angle to what has already been done before as, i will conduct relevant research, interviews, phone conversation. speaking to people who are affected, to get a more personal account. It needs to be spoken about as it is still a massive issue, with declines in the amount of disabled people in employment. I will be including all mandatory elements needed to make sure i complete the task correctly.

Before i start writing anything i will make sure it is suitable for the task by speaking to the relevant tutor.

Piece of online journalism:

  • It will be a piece of online journalism.
  • This will be a follow up/ new angle on topics at hand
  • It will include some of these: text, image, audio, slide show or video.
  • The piece should include quotes and interviews. (celebrities/friends/experts and others that may be useful)

I have got an idea for this task which is to write a follow up piece on the hate crimes people receive in conjunction to them having a disability and the benefit cuts for disabled people. I will include text, an image (tweets) and possibly a poll at the end. This gives the audience an interactive element, allowing a better user experience. Also hyperlinks on key words which will allow users to get lead onto a different webpage that is relevant to the word.


Deconstruction of the Assignment Brief

When given the assignment brief, it outlined the key mandatory elements for the task. The task requires me to develop and create information graphics, using elucidated examples where possible. The task asks me to investigate a topic of my choice. Highlighting key information and apply the skills I have gained to apply visual aids to help generate a larger viewership, also giving the audience more of an experience.

Mandatory elements of the assignment brief are:

  • To Explore brand information graphics, to gain more of an understanding (market research required)
  • To Investigate typography, how this works, what it means and how I could use this skill
  • To Investigate graphic elements, how this works, what it means and how I could use this skill
  • To experiment with graphic elements and typography
  • To Investigate and experimented with compositions and layout. This will enhance the skills and knowledge. Will help me also find a style that works for me.
  • To make sure that when practising my own work that it is appropriate. Making sure language and the theory side is accurate

When creating my own infographic designs, I will need to conduct and depicted multiple methods of research about the chosen topic. This could be that of, market, background, audience, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research. The research that I need to identify and look at will include:

  • history about the subject
  • brands and logos surrounding the subjects,
  • ideologies and views on the subject
  • audiences (physiographic’s and demographics)
  • and key data that might be important

For me as a aspiring journalist is is key for me to be able to develop my creative skills and to keep up with current trends of giving out data to an audience. By following the mandatory aspects of the brief will allow me to gain more understanding on how I can use data graphics, and designs to gain much more appeal for audiences.  When developing my skills I have to demonstrate what I have learned and make sure that the data is factually correct, the tones and connotations behind the subject and the ways I put the information across to the audience.

This is also a learning process; I’m not expecting everything I produce to be perfect, to make sure I don’t make the same mistakes twice I will highlight where I went wrong. This will allow me to understand what could have been done to make it of that high professional standards I aspire to achieve.