Presenting out of mistakes

Any presenter of a live programme should be able to handle an urgent correction or a breakdown at a moment’s notice. How they react can make the difference between the programme looking professional, or as if it was made by a bunch of amateurs.

Correcting editorial errors

If an editorial mistake has been made in a VT, ideally the presenter will make an Immediate correction. This reduces offence and legal liability. There are far too many possibilities to go through here, and it really affects programme editors more than directors. You need to know who is making the correction, and be clear they know which camera to use.

Each country has different publication legislation. Again, while this is an issue primarily for the programme editor, if anyone notices an editorial or legal mistake they should speak up.

Beating yourself up

The wording used on standard apologies varies from country to country, but the best reaction is short, polite and confident. You must acknowledge you have a problem, but please don’t go on and on about it.

Staying with poor quality sound or pictures

if you have decided to stay on poor quality tape, then some acknowledgement that it was not up to professional standard should be made, otherwise it looks like you are happy to accept a low standard of television. Again the apology should be brief.

Slowing the studio down

Often if something goes horribly wrong the control room needs a while to sort itself out. One of the vital skills in a presenter is to fill time. This is fairly easy when you have more than one presenter in the studio, but if they’re on their own it’s a little harder. Most magazine show presenters can talk about what will be coming up in the next few segments. News readers should always have a copy of the headlines with them. Sports presenters can normally talk for a couple of hours without any difficulty. Shutting them up can be challenging.

© Sean Preston/GMTV Magazine

The glamour of television as few viewers see it – working in tiny studios is common, particularly around centres of government, where television companies want to be able to do instant live injects without paying exhorbiiant rent.

Presenters in these studios are often journalists who make regular contributions to programmes. Do not expect them to cope with the quantity of talkback or instant recovery that a full-time presenter should be able to handle.