Conventions of radio news bulletins

Conventions of radio news bulletins

 Key Terms:

·        Convention- features/things we expect to hear/see- extened bulletin.

·        Jingle- short piece of music that introduces the bulletin.

·        Intro-Newsreader’s introduction. Involves a greeting, time check and newsreader’s name.

·        Copy story- most basic type of news story. Three of four simple sentences. Read by newsreader. No audio played.

·        Cue- introduction to a story, will hear additional audio to further explain story. Two simple sentences. One ‘in-line’ to introduce the audio…

·        …and clip- sometimes called ‘cut’. V15-20 second piece of audio taken from an interview.

·        … and voicer- sometimes called and Voicepiece (VP) 30-40 seconds long. Recorded by another journalist; provides more detail- often used for more complicated stories. E.g. court reporting. 

·        …and vox pop- Short for ‘Vox populi’- Latin for ‘voice of the people’ 15-20 second piece of audio featuring approx. 4 or 5 different voices. Gives opinion of ‘people on the street’

·        …and two-way. Used in longer bulletins, often used for live stories. Sometimes done in studio or ‘on location’

·        … and wrap. Combination of clip and voicer; Reporter reads a voicer but embedded within is a clip of someone related to the story. Can be several clips embedded within. Usually lasts 40-50 seconds.

·        O.B. Stands for ‘outside broadcast’ Some radios have an OB truck- satellite link which allows them to bradcast live from an event/scene. Is usually live, mobile phone technology is making it easier to record O.B. and emailing it back to studio. Great for setting the scene.

·        Back-anno, short for ‘back announcement’ Used after a longer piece of audio.

·        Stab (sting) Very short version of the jingle. Used to separate parts of the bulletin. Some stations have different Stabs.

·        Bed- Music no lyrics plays under the newsreader talking. Often used for sports news. Tends to be used on radio stations with a younger target audience.

·        S.O.C. Standard Out Cue. The bit at the end of the bulletin! Might ‘signpost’ to audience to check your website or to tell them when the next bulletin is.