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Introduction
to Broadcasting MCM
411
VU
LESSON
36
CURRENT
AFFAIRS FROM RADIO TO
TV
We
will continue to mark
changes in concept, structure
and execution in the
programs as they
are
shifted from radio to TV.
The changes occur inevitably
with the change in medium as
we
have
already observed changes
when it changed from print
media to electronic media in
the
early
part of the last
century.
Almost
half a century ago radio
broadcast generated lot of
interest by undertaking matters
of
current
affairs, they seemed losing
ground with the radio
listening falling considerably
in
recent
years. But the advent of TV
seems to have revived the
interest with an altogether
new
look
of its current affairs
programs.
All
TV channels agree to the
notion that their viewers
have a peculiar involvement in
their
current
affairs programs mainly
featuring heated discussions on
social, political and
financial
matters
with red-hot faces of the
partakers simply adding to
the significance of the
issue.
Talk
Shows / Discussions
It
is amazing to watch the body
language of people taking
part in talk shows on the
mini
screen.
On radio if some one amongst
the participants nods head
in disagreement, the
listeners
would never be in a position to
feel it until the dissident
get a chance to speak. But
on
TV
if such a scene appears,
viewers are in great
position that a point has
not been endorsed
by
certain participants even if
they does not get a
chance to speak!
Since
the visual medium is very
strong and helps
communication to take place in
many ways,
aware
of this strength of the
medium, participants also
avoid dropping
unnecessary
observation.
This favors a great deal to
the anchorperson in conducting
the program.
Also
appearance of text pronouncing
names and designations or
brief account of the
subject
matter
during the course of
discussion which gives a new
dimension to talk shows as
the
viewers
can see again and
again what and who is
the person saying certain
things. This is
something
not possible on a radio
broadcast where an introduction of
the participants is
given
once
at the start. If you have
tuned in a little late, you
do not get till last
that who, the
person
was
making certain
observations.
Seminars
The
visual importance of the TV
broadcast is more realized in
current affairs programs
like
seminars
in which panelists have to
address a group of people
usually arranged inside a
big
studio.
The
type of people is visible to
viewers and the verbal
and non verbal behavior of
the people
addressing
the gathering also
communicates far more than
possible on a radio
seminar.
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Introduction
to Broadcasting MCM
411
VU
Sometime,
as a speaker is addressing the
audience, TV viewers can see
the facial expression
and
nodding of the head, or
applause which put the
viewers in far better
position to
understand
the proceedings as compared to a
similar transmission from
radio where only
voice
of the speaker is
available.
Interviews
TV
broadcast has already taken
a leap from the conventional
interviewing for electronic
media
by
using its visual medium
advantages where an interviewee
has no escape from cameras
to
hide
his/ her facial
expressions.
From
routine interviews, which
are essential part of the
current affairs, most TV
channels have
dared
shape the interviews as a
course of scrutiny and
accountability of people who in
any
manner
held a public office in the
past.
Some
do not show hesitation in
giving a similar treatment to
authorities holding public
office.
This
generates lot of interest as
people think that media is
up to its role to bring the
bigwigs to
question
on issues of public interest. On TV it is
very difficult for ordinary
people to hide their
feelings
as they pass some
observations or have to answer on
spending of public money.
The
close
shots of the face of the
person answering tells a lot
to even an ordinary viewer
that the
person
on the screen is speaking
the truth, or trying to hide
some facts.
Live
Telecast from Parliament
House
A
revolutionary development has
been brought by the TV
broadcast in its current
affairs part
by
showing proceedings of the
parliament live. Since
discussion in the parliament is a
public
property,
most countries and
governments have allowed the
media to take
parliamentary
proceedings
to common people. Nothing
has helped people watch
legislators doing an
all
important
job more than the TV
broadcast of these
proceedings.
In
Pakistan TV has also been
permitted to telecast live
part of the assembly
discussions.
Incredible
indeed it is to watch such
programs from your TV
lounge.
In
some countries court
proceedings on cases of public
interest is also allowed to
be
broadcast
on TV channels so that people
should believe in the
transparency of justice.
Live
Coverage of Mega
Events
Some
time crucial summit meetings
are held at different
regions of the world.
Managers of the
current
affairs program are always
alive to the need of
covering these events in
real time to
keep
people abreast with the
latest development. The real
time images from the
scene of the
meeting
leaves little doubt behind
about the truthfulness of
the proceedings.
World
witnessed, for example, when
Pakistan's president Pervez
Musharaff visited
India
(Agra)
to talk to Indian leaders on a
number of bilateral issues,
dozens of TV teams
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Introduction
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411
VU
representing
countries from almost all
the continents set up camps
to show live various
events
of
the meetings between leaders
of the two sides.
In
a similar fashion, TV channels
are free to get live
coverage of the meetings of
the United
Nations
( barring those few held in
camera), and many of its
sub organizations like the
World
trade
Organization etc.
Public
Meetings
Live
coverage of public meetings
was not allowed till
recent past in many parts of
the world.
But
the increasing pressure from
the TV broadcasting houses,
and in view of public
demand,
many
a countries has allowed live
broadcast of public
meetings.
News
conferences, sporting events
and occasional entertainment
shows are but some
other
areas
for the live TV broadcast
which fall in the category
of current affairs.
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