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Radio News Is More Than Meets The Ear, Requires Intricate Work
It s 12 o’clock. You are driving to
lunch, listening to the radio. The
noon news comes on:
‘‘From the 1540 newsroom, good
afternoon, this is the midday
report... Two men were killed this
morning when a motorcyle collided
with a truck at the intersection of
McKinney and Elmers Drive in
Carroll-Town. Terry Smith, 28, of
Cartersville was hurled off his
bike, and was pronounced dead on
the scene. After striking the
motorcycle, the truck driver lost
control of his vehicle and ran over
a jogger. Eighteen-year-old Jimmy
Peterson of Villa Rica, Georgia,
was rushed to St. Claire’s Hospital,
where he died of a collapsed lung.
The truck driver, John Brown, 58,
of Carroll-Town, suffered minor
injuries.”
This has been today’s local lead
story, the mo6t dramatic event in
town. The newscaster goes on to
tell about last night’s city council
meeting and features a brief in
terview with the mayor about the
new water-main project. This is
followed up by a progress report on
the construction of the new high
school cafeteria and some
highlights about last night’s college
play. College and high school
sports are next, along with a
promotion for tomorrow’s blood
drive. Then comes state news
covering the latest legislative
action, a major fire and an Atlanta
bankrobbery. The locally produced
midday report closes with the
latest weather up-date. National
news is next.
You, the casual listener, are
unaware that the local newscast
has lasted exactly five minutes as
it smoothly blends into the NBC
network feed from New York. You
may not have noticed that the local
news was sponsored by “Dollar
and Deliver” hardware store, and
that the whole news broadcast,
including the national and in
ternational feeds, was interrupted
by five commercials: two by
How to Face Valentine's Day Without a Honey,
.Do Not Listen to Radio, Avoid Crowded Restaurants
What did you do on Valentine’s
Day? If you spent the day with a
llfcver, stuffing in Stouffer’s and-or
exchanging cards of adoration,
then this article will probably be of
no interest to you. On the other
hand, if Valentine’s Day found you
on the sidelines of love or tem
porarily celibate, you may want to
read on.
Many times a T.C. (temporarily
celibate) will suffer from the post-
Valentine blues, which last
anywhere from a day to several
weeks and may trigger feelings of
instability, disillusionment,and
insecurities that continue to haunt
the heart and mind for months
afterward.
Sadly enough, half of February is
geared toward the arrival of the
14th, especially the week before
Valentine's Day. If you turned on
the TV, F.T.D. was urging you to
send a lover’s bouquet. Walk into a
store and everything is done up in
red and white, overpowering
customers with lace and
chocolates.
Newspapers hold ‘couple of the
year’ contests, and stuffed animals
with sewn-on red hearts abound.
But the celibates or T.C.’s are only
observers, neglected and denied.
Using a few preventive
Spring Weather In February
Just . week .go, swwr ud .leet hit the am cwshig
everyone to get out the heavy coat*, scarves and boots or
wantto head for the mountains to go aiding. Seven days inter,
sponsor Dollar and Deliver —one
after the introduction of the local
news, another right before the
weather report —and three by
national advertisers Coca-Cola,
Colgate and Timex during the NBC
news feed.
The total newscast lasted 10
minutes, and you could have bet
your stop watch that it did not go
more than five seconds overtime.
You, the listener, rarely know just
how much work, detail and plan
ning goes into a newscast. But
there is more to radio news than
meets the ear.
Meanwhile, at station WANT in
Carroll-Town, they have learned
that the local truck driver who had
apparently caused the death of two
men earlier today suffered a heart
attack and died. This is “hot
news”; it was obtained via a phone
call to the hospital. However, the
information will not be released in
the next news up-date which is due
at 12:30 p.m. The reason for this
delay is that authorities must be
allowed sufficient time to notify the
relatives of the deceased. It would
be brutally negligent to shock Mrs.
Brown to tears by a sudden,
unexpected broadcast of her
husband’s death.
This is an exception to radio’s
policy of quick pace and im
mediacy in news coverage. The
primary directive in radio news is
the more immediate the news, and
the faster it gets out, the better!
Unlike newspapers, radio offers
instant news. There is not enough
time to go into great detail and
elaborate, as is done in print news
which usually comes out once or
twice a day only. It would be
inappropriate for radio to dwell on
news that happened a day or two
ago. The newspaper already does
that, and does it more thoroughly
than radio can. The major ad
vantage radio has over print news
is that it gets the information out
faster. Hence, radio news is con
stantly being up-dated. The “now
measures can greatly increase the
T.C.’s chances for survival. If you
are still suffering, or expect you
might be a T.C. next year, the
following suggestions might be
helpful to you.
Probably the greatest ordeal that
T.C.’s encounter are friends,
overcome with love’s frivolity. It is
better to stay away from the
lovestruck for as long as one can.
Keep in mind that, although they
may be friends, because they have
lovers and because it was Valen
tine’s Day, they are probably not
responsible for their actions. In
fact, they may begin babbling
incessantly about love and unin
tentionally suggest that there is
something wrong with one who
didn’t totally enjoy Valentine’s
Day.
Asa result, the T.C. may ex
perience a number of emotional
traumas such as insecurities about
their singlehood (“What’s wrong
with me that I can’t even get a
Valentine’s card”) to feelings of
worthlessness, (“Gee, if I’m not in
love, then I must not be living
right”) and even the extreme
("Maybe I should go out looking for
someone”).
But the T.V. must not be swayed.
He-she must keep remembering
that 1) lovers do not make living
it was like mid April. Students were out In shorts and T
shirts, playing Frisbee and tennis, as West Georgia ex
periences a little bit of all seasons in February.
element” dominates the
newscaster’s day.
Having lost many listeners to
TV, radio news departments are
trying hard to keep their remaining
audience interested. The listener
must not only be informed, he must
also be “grabbed,” even en
tertained. Since radio news often
comes on every half hour, it would
not do “to play the old record over
and over again,” so to speak. The
presentation must remain in
teresting and have impact. Even if
nothing new happened during the
past six hours, the newscast must
sound fresh and newsy.
To this effect, news items are
often re-written between
newscasts, offering different
angles of the same story. Asa rule,
however, the local angle is
featured, since it is assumed that
this is where the immediate in
terest of the listener lies.
A special copy writing style “for
the ear” has been developed to
facilitate the spoken news report.
The story must be kept short and to
the point. It should be easy to read,
easy to understand, and clear cut,
not cluttered with distracting
detail which might confuse the
listener.
To ensure that the gist of the
story does not escape the listener,
it is never presented right off-the
bat, as is customary in print news,
but eased into by a delayed or
"soft" lead, which prepares the
listener for what’s coming up.
Such a lead often takes the form
of an attribution, for example,
“According to a spokesman from
the Merchants’ Association...,” or
it is a general statement of what
the story is about, leaving out
names and specific details. This is
intended to give the listener enough
time to focus his attention and
“tune into” the story.
Many radio copywriters follow
this classic formula of former CBS
news director Paul White: “Tell
’em what you’re going to tell ’em,
anymore valuable and 2) that as
with most painful experiences,
time has a way of softening a
crisis. You won’t have to think
about the 14th for another 350 days.
Aside from coping with lovesick
friends (and this one’s going to
hurt) the T.C. should really try not
to listen to the radio at all around
the 14th.
Throughout the day, D.J.’s will
be chatting about the golden
arrows of love and hearing a
sticky-sweet “Happy Valentine’s
Day”is not something a T.C. needs
to be subjected to when rising.
Also, aside from all the spoken
connotations of love, the format is
going to be dripping with I love
you’s, need you’s, and can’t live
without you’s.
No, the radio is not a wise choice
for listening entertainment around
the 14th. Instead, listen to all those
albums you have not been playing
for awhile.
Classical is 0.K., but beware of
Debussey’s “Clare des Lune” or
other suggestive orchestrations.
You’re always safe with good old
rock n’ roll. And of course, you’ve
no worries at all if you’re into new
wave or punk rock. Their views on
love are quite risque, even for the
celibate.
If you toy with the idea of dining
tell ’em, then tell ’em that you have
told them.” This format provides
for a recap at the end of the story
for the benefit of “slow” listeners.
Radio news has to be delivered in
a clear, confident and pleasant
manner. A Midwestern accent is
usually preferred. The voice should
be in the medium or lower range,
rather than high-pitched, and the
delivery must have proper in
flection. Monotone is to be avoided,
as few persons wish to fall asleep
while listening to the news. The
announcer’s style should be a
combination of official and easy
going. Hectic delivery and over
dramatization are undesirable, as
this tends to detract from the
newscast’s authenticity.
One staple item which
dramatically enhances a newscast
is the so-called “actuality." An
actuality is a taped excerpt of an
interview or a statement by an
authority, pertaining to the story.
This technique is frequently used to
highlight the lead story.
Due to time limitations, ac
tualities have to be as brief and to
the-point as possible. They often
require considerable editing in the
production studio, and pains must
be taken not to alter the speaker’s
meaning, as his or her statements
are broadcast in an abbreviated
form.
To ensure that no
misrepresentations occur, ac
tualities are generally presented in
“wraparound” fashion: the an
nouncer explains the cir
cumstances of the actuality, plays
the actuality, and then summarizes
the interview or statement of which
the actuality is representative.
In the case of a sudden, dramatic
event, such as a fire, a traffic
accident, or a bank robbery, the
radio reporter hurries to the scene
to get a first-hand impression and
to pick up any details he can obtain
from the authorities and eyewit
nesses. He then hastily composes a
story about the event, rushes to the
out, take heed. Lovers do come out
at night for intimate candlelight
dinners, though usually their time
is spent in melting gazes and fused
embraces. This would make eating
anguishing for the T.C., especially
if there are lovers in every corner.
However, the experience can be
less painful if you either gulp your
food in order to get out faster, wear
very dark shades and see only
shadows, or eat at home.
Eating at home is the best
preventive measure, and if you’re
the type who does not like to eat
alone, invite a fellow celibate over.
Sharing time with other T.C.’s is
always a safe move. Being in the
company of other singles is good
for one’s morale.
As others exchange their views
and lifestyles, the old feelings of
pride in the ability to get along by
oneself come back. And it is
uplifting to remember how nice
total independence can really be.
Finally, if you’ve tried staying
optimistic but just can’t extinguish
those yearings for old flames,
pick up the phone and give your
old lovers a call. After all, even
those who have chosen celibacy
over involvement cannot dodge all
those piercing arrows that Cupid
aimed so accurately. And many
won’t even try.
Draft Forum
Continued from page 1
Other comments during the
question and answer session in
cluded this by Poindexter:
“Afghanistan is a wasteland full of
people and goats, and I don’t know
which is more intelligent.” Later
he apologized for that statement.
A student raised the question of
killing another human, using the
“Thou shall not Kill” com
mandment from the Bible.
Poindexter said that he felt it
was just “to kill to prevent a
killing.”
The overall feeling from students
could be expressed as favorable
toward registration, but not as
acceptable for the draft, unless
absolutely necessary.
However, one panelist said, “The
time to have the draft is when there
is no war. The greatest possibility
of war comes when one party
weakens themselves to the point
that the other can take them
easily.”
THE WEST GEORGIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980
closest phone (which may be as
near as his car, or as far as the next
gas station), and calls the report in
to his station.
Such eyewitness-type reports are
technically known as “voice
alities.” Depending on the im
portance of the story, the voice
ality may be broadcast like, as it is
called in, or phone-recorded for
release as a news flash, in
terrupting regular programming.
Special news-flashes or bulletins
are always issued in cases of
emergency; for example, when a
tornado approaches, in the case of
chemical spillage which could
cause massive poisoning or ex
plosions, during earthquakes, and
in other situations which may call
for emergency action and special
caution. Usually, however, severe
thunderstorm and flood warnings,
major road blocks and traffic
accidents are the subject of news
flashes or bulletins.
Another aspect of radio news is
the news feed issued by the
national networks: ABC
(American Broadcasting Cos.),
NBC (National Broadcasting Cos.),
and CBS (Columbia Broadcasting
System.) These feeds offer the
latest state, national and in
ternational news, and are
broadcast nationally at regular
intervals throughout the day.
Many radio news departments
avail themselves of this convenient
hot-line service and incorporate
the feed into their news program.
This is where timing becomes very
BL JH jw N _IB ■
Energy Forums Planned
For Public Information
By SCOTT MARTIN
Energy and the Way We Live
A National Issues Forum has
begun to educate and listen to
citizens about their views on
energy. It consists of a series of
town meetings held throughout
America where townspeople can
hear guest speakers and ask
questions. This nationwide
program is being held in 450
locations in all parts of the country.
There are nine locations programs
in Georgia. There are two in
Carrollton.
The first of these two programs
is a series of six seminars held in
and sponsored by the West Georgia
Regional Library in Carrollton.
Two have already been held. The
other four are on Feb. 21 and 27
and March 6 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.
The Regional Library is located on
the corner of Rome and Spring
Streets.
The other program is a series of
three forums with people from the
Public Service Commission, the
Solar Coalition, and Congress. The
first forum is on Thursday Feb. 28,
1980, the guest speaker will be the
chairman of the Georgia Public
Service Commission, Bobby
Pafford. His subject is “Is There
An Energy Crisis?” He will begin
speaking at 7:30, followed at eight
by a panel discussion moderated
by Dr. Chester Gibson, coordinator
of Speech and Drama. The
panelists are: Dr. Robert Claxton,
Coordinator of Environmental
Studies; Dr. Floyd Hoskins,
Assistant Professor of History; and
Mr. Wesley Johnson, Division
Energy Services Manager,
Georgia Power Company. At 8:45
there will be a question and answer
period.
The second panel is on Thursday,
March 27, 1960, entitled “Energy
and Changing Lifestyles.” The
President of the Georgia Solar
Coalition, Mrs. Betty Terry, will
crucial. If the local newscaster is
careless and goes overtime, he will
tap the precisely timed network
feed too late, cut out the feed cast’s
identification tag, and probably
will butcher the national lead
story.
Finally, the radio news depart
ment has to consider the com
mercial compromise. Since most
newscasts are sponsored by local
businesses which finance certain
portions of the cast, their "tag”
and commercials must be featured
in the newscast. This further
shortens the already brief time
span allotted to radio news. In
addition to that setback, news
items which reflect unfavorably on
a particular sponsor, are often
censured or suppressed. Many
small radio stations depend on
sponsor-financing to such a large
degree that they cannot afford to
alienate their “benefactors.”
It's time now for another edition of
WANT news: "According to a spokes
woman from St. Claire's hospital, the
truck driver who fatally injured two
men in a traffic accident this morning
is dead. Fifty-four-year-old John
Brown of Carroll-Town died of a
heart attack two hours ago."
The information is safe now.
Authorities have had time to notify
the relatives of the deceased, while
you, the listener, have learned a lot
about the complex operations of
radio news. Now you know that
there is indeed more to a newscast
than meets the ear!
speak at seven p.m. A panel
discussion will follow at 7:30 with
Dr. Richard Folk, Director of
Research Services, as Moderator.
The panelists are: Associate
Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Joel
Auble; Superintendent of
Carrollton City Schools, Dr. H.M.
Fulbright; and Associate
Professor of Physical Education
and Recreation, Dr. David Dugan.
The audience will ask questions at
8:15.
Forum 111 will begin at 7:00,
Tuesday, April 8, 1980 Dr. Newt
Gingrich will speak on the subject
of “Energy-Future Options and
Hard Choices.” Dr. Gingrich is the
Sixth Congressional District
Representative. He will be
followed at 7:30 by a panel
moderated by Dr. Donald Wagner,
Assistant Professor of Political
Science. This forum’s panelists
are: Dr. Donald Wells, Chairman
of the Department of Political
Science; Mr. Thomas Sav,
Assistant Professor of Economics,
and Dr. Eric Eslinger, Associate
Professor of Geology. The
Congressmen and specialists will
take questions at 8:15.
There are also other programs
available to any interested person.
Dr. B.E. Powell can be contacted
at 834-1375, the Physics Depart
ment, about an Environment
Simulator. Also, on videotape,
there is a demonstration debate on
mandatory energy conservation.
The tape is available for schools
and civic organizations. Contact
Dr. Chester Gibson at 834-1244.
The National Endowment for the
Humanities, the U.S. Department
of Energy, the Charles Stewart
Mott Foundation, and other private
contributors are providing support
for the forums. Supporting WGC’s
program are the League erf Women
Voters, the American Association
of University Professors, and the
Committee for Humanities in
Georgia.
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