Ch. 19 Radio and Television

Radio and television news needs to be straight forward. Writing must be clear and concise.

I don't have much to say about radio and tv writing/stories, but I can comment on the industry.

The text said that a half hour news cast contains only 22 minutes of news, roughly only half of the front page of print news. I feel a large population of the American people get most of their news from national television broadcasts. If broadcasts are only have time for a small hand full of stories, the public is ill informed. I don't think the people that get their news from tv are inclined to follow up on stories via newspapers.

The topic of agenda setting comes to mind as well. I always have a problem with the idea of top stories. Who says the 4 or 5 stories covered on tv are the most relevant? TV and radio confine the viewer to, in my mind, censored news. Who is to blame, the news station.. the financial supports... the public?

I think that radio is the most objective news source, solely because the radio usually only provides for short updates... making it difficult to find space/time for opinionated interjections.

I think radio script writing should be studied early on in journalism curriculum, because radio stresses the idea of getting to the facts. I have a difficult time determining what is relevant to a story when writing for print. Radio writing would help discern the facts from fillers.

Clinton Gets an Instant Chance to Wield a New Weapon

The NY Times reported that Hillary Clinton launched a website for the sole purpose of disputing news reports her campaign finds offensive. The story cites how Hillary reportedly did not tip a waitress after dining in Iowa.

WHO CARES!?!?!?!

Why are papers even printing that Hillary did not leave a tip (although it was later proven that Hillary did leave a $100 tip for a $157 meal)? Why does the media fuel empty politics?

Politicians need to attack policy not personality.

It is ridiculous that Hillary needs to create a site to disprove news allegations. This might be one of the only times I sympathize with Hillary. However, Hillary should be the better woman and ignore these cheap attacks at her campaign.