Introduction

Of all the journalists and technicians involved in the production of television news and news-related programmes throughout the world, it is safe to say few if any arouse more interest, envy and controversy than the ‘Talent’ — those whose good fortune it is to appear before the public as on-screen presenters or reporters. Ask almost any aspiring young broadcast journalist for the ‘ideal’ career, and ten to one he or she will reel off an impressive list of names of those whose exploits they have followed keenly through their reporting from the world‘s trouble-spots, and whom they would dearly love to emulate given the opportunity. For no matter how strongly it is argued that power and responsibility reside largely with desk-bound producers and editors, it is difficult to persuade the young not to be dazzled by the glamour of appearing on television in front of millions. The urge to share the same ‘front seat on history’ international television reporters take as a normal part of their everyday working lives continues to draw the young and ambitious like a powerful drug.

None but the faint-hearted will be deterred by the increased physical risks involved in some areas of modern-day reporting — that, sadly, has become news in its own right — but what most will not be in a position to appreciate is how broadcast journalism has been undergoing a revolution which makes ‘reporting’ for television a vastly more complex occupation than before. New technology has made ‘multi-skilling’ an economic proposition for a growing number of news organisations, with journalists encouraged to reach modest standards of competence in picture editing and, more controversially, perhaps, operation of the camera on location. ‘Bi-media’ working, requiring the ability to apply television and radio skills, has its own obvious attractions for employers operating in both spheres. Taken with a changed broadcasting environment in which permanent staff jobs are at a premium, the journalist asking the questions is as likely to have a technical background as an editorial one, the term ‘reporter’ — in its currently recognised form — may well need to be redefined before long.

Until that happens most young aspirants will at least acknowledge that the road to their desired goal is likely to be a difficult one, although few may stop to consider whether they are physically or mentally equipped for the role. All the rest want to know is the price they have to pay for success and how to get to the front of the queue jostling at the foot of the ladder.

The first thing they need to be told is that many of the most successful television reporters have served an apprenticeship behind the scenes or in print or radio journalism before getting their chance to appear in front of the camera. And while some news organisations are prepared to risk taking on reporters who have no experience or training, others insist that potential on-screen talent comes through strictly defined routes which make allowance for careful grooming and instruction along the way.

Not all beginners can expect to have that professional education, or indeed exposure to the better college courses which mix the practicalities with the theory. For those, hundreds of questions remain about style, technique and presentation.

This book aims to give them some of the answers.