CURRENT AFFAIRS – FROM RADIO TO TV:Seminars, Interviews

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

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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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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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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