Is Television News a “Window on the world”?

Let’s start with the opening sequences. The opening sequences often have multiple imagery that imply that you are watching the news as it happens, such as the “Ticking clocks”. To show that the news is worldwide, they also often use iconography that represents places from different countries, such as big Ben, the tajmahal, and similar other things. The same effect can be done by showing the globe, which is done in several intros such as the BBC news intro. The intro, and at parts the set itself also end up having a glass like design, further representing the fact it should be a “Window on the world”

However, the sets does have some issues with displaying this imagery in my opinion. The reason for this is that at times, or at least on some intros of the news, you end up seeing the equipment in the background, seeming like there is more work being done in the background than just showing us what is there, also adding the realism of the news broadcast a bit.

The presenters (Also known as Studio news readers) often have to be non-biased in their opinion while on screen. The reason for this is because of the “Impartiality laws”, which I will explain in a bit. Though, it does end up further strengthening its claim as the “Window on the world” There are also field reporters, which give us a view of the event where It is, most of the time at least. When they are on the field two things often occur, they are often seen interviewing people on the scene, and there is a link to the studio, so they have a method of doing live recordings, which is mainly for major events, such as bombings, Major global events, and several other aspects. There is also another thing that also is done by the studio news readers. They have a specific mode of addressing to viewers. They often are seen facing the camera at eye level, as if talking to them directly, this is to enhance the realism, and make it seem like they are talking to the viewer (you)

There are a few rules that have to be maintained in news reporting. There are seven main Laws, and two key regulatory bodies. The Laws (Which I have taken from the Btec Media blog, more due to fact the following being facts) are the impartiality laws, which says “ITV news will show due impartiality” the BBC Royal charter which says “The corporation shall refrain from expressing its vies on matters of public concern”, The Official secrets act, which prevents broadcast or publication of material deemed to be detrimental to the security of the nation.

Then there is the Prevention of terrorism act, which prevents the broadcast of material likely to promote terrorist organizations or causes, The Libel laws which prevent the publication or broadcast of any unfounded accusations, the sub-judicy laws, which prevent publication or broad cast of anything to do with ongoing court cases which may influence the jury, and the D notices, in which defense notices may be issued by a committee consisting of members of the ministry of defense, the military and the media, where the government think that to publish or broadcast information will be detrimental to British defense interests.

The Regulatory bodies are Ofcom, which regulate terrestrial TV, so channels like ITV, C4, and C5 as well as cable and satellite channels, some parts of the BBC and radio, while the other is the BBC trust, which is the main regulatory body for the BBC, though it’s not really independent.

The news selection process is a bit strange, considering if id doesn’t hit any one of several key points, it is thrown into the “Dust bin of history”, These key points can include stuff such as “How often does this event happen?”, “How it affects people” and “Are elite people affected (VIPs)”. This process is essentially made by using “Galtung and Ruge’s study of news values” Which still holds true today. These news values end up making a minor bias, since they really priorities stuff that don’t affect the general area, if its local news, the exact opposite occurs if it’s global.

The process of making a news story can be considered long, since it takes a day to really set it up. The process often starts from around 10 am, and finishes just before 10pm, so that any last minute changes can occur if needed if a breaking story occurs. During the day, they start off with a time table for the news broadcast, including what camera angles, what clips, and so forth to use. All these end up making it seem realistic, though that can be put under subjectivity, considering mistakes can happen on air that make it seem like you are watching a blooper reel of a TV show.

All these points end up showing that the creation of a news report is not really a “window” to the world, since everything is modified to show us what they want us to see. Nothing more than that. It doesn’t really change much about it though, since it is just following something we have seen over and over again, only when they do something that seems off, we only notice the realism break, and even then, it’s only temporary, meaning there is not much we can do to change it. The news is still accurate, so why change it?

Now, there are also alternative methods of getting news. By using Social media networks such as face book, twitter and several other things, it is possible for News teams to get news faster, and cheaper. It also allows for them to get send out people quickly to clarify these events, since I doubt that the limited amount of characters from twitter would help much. It does however help relay people’s reactions to the public from events such as the Boston marathon bombing and also any other key events. These feats are made easier due to upgraded technology. Both, ranging from better handheld recording equipment to smart phones ended up helping record major events and spreading the word about these events. This does end up showing a more realistic feel, since it can show it as if you were recording it yourself, or even if you are there. You can visualise the voices from the “text speak” from those who were there, helping keep the “Window of the world” objective the news attempts to keep.