ZeePedia

CURRENT AFFAIRS:Talk Shows, Discussions, Seminars, Live Shows

<< CLASSIFICATION OF PROGRAMS:NEWS, Language, Sensationalizing
OUTDOOR BROADCASTING I:VIP Movement, Suddenly Assigned Events >>
img
Introduction to Broadcasting ­ MCM 411
VU
LESSON 03
CURRENT AFFAIRS
As the title suggests matters of day to day life featuring in different broadcasts are placed in
the category of current affairs. As no channel can survive without broadcasting news, there is
also no escape from making programs of current affairs. So wide is the scope of current affairs
programs that we need to put them in a classified manner.
Talk Shows
Generally an expert is called to speak 7-8 minutes on a subject of current interest. This is
followed by a talk between him and an anchorperson. Such programs usually last for 25-30
minutes with the main purpose of giving a detailed view of an issue which has surfaced
recently in one way or the other. Or a new dimension assumed by an old issue, may also be
the topic for the talk in these shows.
Discussions
More than one person are invited to take part in a discussion on the pattern of round-table
conference in which every participant is given equal weight and right to speak from his/her
individual point of view. The compere plays the role of conducting the program. A lot of training
is required to compere such programs as in these programs every body wants to talk more
and loud. At times it is not manageable to continue the discussion, especially if it is a political
issue, or regional matter in which strong arguments exist on both sides of the line-of- opinion.
The role of compere here is to cool down the matters and take the program to a logical
conclusion so that listeners should benefit more, rather than feeling a bad taste in the mouth at
the close of the program. Some time some compere tend to take side with one opinion and
then with others only to generate a heated debate, and in their wisdom, making the program
interesting and lively. As far it does not cause a heart burning to any interest-group, or any ill-
will, there is no harm in doing so. But generally such an approach is not encouraged; an
anchorperson should stay as neutral in a discussion as possible.
Interviews
Interviews are the live-wire for current affairs for any broadcasting house. Every expert in his
or her area of operation is not imparting information all the time which is in the interest of
common people. Some time the people with high opinion on matters of common interest are
so busy with their routine life that they do not get time and space to share their expertise with
the people. Broadcasting houses get hold of these people and with the help of an interviewer,
who is usually very well acquainted with the subject, hold an exclusive question-answer
session called, an interview, with them.
Since interviews, is a huge area, it is divided into sub-categories:
Single Person Interviews: Here an expert is asked questions by one person to cover
the issue as much as possible.
Panel Interviews: This category refers to an interview conducted by more than one
person. For instance three people interview the Prime Minister. Panel interviews are held for a
person holding a top slot where he or she is performing multiple tasks. Experts in the panel
ask questions in which they can easily talk, to make common people understand the
intricacies of the issue in a rather simple fashion.
7
img
Introduction to Broadcasting ­ MCM 411
VU
Interviews may be about a personality. You interview many literary people to know more
about the person of Ghalib or Faiz. A politician, a sportsperson or a philanthropist may be the
focus for this category of interviews.
Interviews may be about a situation. You collect information by interviewing scores of people
about the havoc caused by an earthquake, a fire in a building, a storm or a crime.
And lastly, interviews may be about a topic like health. You question a number of doctors
about an epidemic, which has recently hit a town.
Seminars
A very favorite category in current affairs is arranging seminars for the purposes of
broadcasting. Here a sizeable audience is invited with an expert presiding over the session.
One or two speakers first make their presentation on a topic of current interest in any arena of
life varying from religion, economics, sports, childcare to cinema-world. Their speeches follow
questions from audience (on controversial matters it is difficult to control audience as well as
speakers). The chairperson is however, there to keep matters in control. The questions
session is followed by remarks and observation of the presiding person who generally
summarize the topic and announces conclusion of the sitting.
Live Shows
Usually arranged for the purpose of entertainment, but it is not a text book rule. These shows
may be on any topic - to honor your national hockey team which has won a world
championship; for the artist from neighboring country who have come to participate in some
fund-raising campaign, or to show how balloting process is going on the day general elections
for the National Assembly are held. These shows generally generate more interest and involve
more people into a discussion. The script for such shows is usually written in a lighter mood,
enabling people to participate with more freedom and without the fear of being very formal
when the microphone is pointed towards them.
But one point must be borne in the mind about these shows- it is at the same time a test of
nerves for the producer for any person can say any thing in any manner which a broadcasting
house cannot afford to air! Say Bravo to producers who take up the challenge of doing a live
show.
8
Table of Contents:
  1. BROADCASTING:Historical Facts about Radio, Wireless and Radio
  2. CLASSIFICATION OF PROGRAMS:NEWS, Language, Sensationalizing
  3. CURRENT AFFAIRS:Talk Shows, Discussions, Seminars, Live Shows
  4. OUTDOOR BROADCASTING I:VIP Movement, Suddenly Assigned Events
  5. OUTDOOR BROADCASTING II:Pakistan Day March Past, General Elections
  6. CURTAIN RAISER:Political, Financial, Sports, Academics
  7. RADIO FEATURE:Personality Features, Features on Events
  8. MUSICAL PROGRAMS:Classical Music, Light and Film Music, Folk Music
  9. RADIO DOCUMENTARY:Narrative, Dramatized, Imagination, Close to places
  10. DISC JOCKEY:Women in Focus, Daily/ Weekly Division, Making Titles
  11. VOICE IN BROADCASTING:Speech, Accent, Loudness, Stress
  12. NOISE:Physical, Medium itself, Problem at sender’s end, Semantics
  13. STUDIO:Drama Studio, Studios for Talk Shows/ Discussions, Music Studios,
  14. RADIO DRAMA I:Stage Dramas, Early Radio Dramas, Ethics, Classification
  15. RADIO DRAMA II:Selection of director, The Playwrights, Script, Voices
  16. ADVERTISEMENT – INCOME GENERATION:Similarities, More Analysis
  17. ADVERTISERS’ APPROACH:Dramatized, Dialogue based, News
  18. FM – A NEW GENERATION IN BROADCASTING:Low Cost, The Difference
  19. MICROPHONE TO TRANSMITTER:Amplifiers, Modulator, Transmitter
  20. WRITING SCRIPT FOR RADIO BROADCAST:NEWS Script, Interviews
  21. INTERACTIVE BROADCASTING:On-line, E-mails, Interview, Views in News
  22. REVISION:CURRENT AFFAIRS, RADIO FEATURE, MUSICAL PROGRAMS
  23. HISTORY OF TELEVISION:Early History, The Black & White Images, Color Television
  24. PAKISTAN TELEVISION (PTV):The Excitement, Timing, Live Broadcast
  25. BROADCASTING LAWS:Laws in the 19th century, Press Council of Pakistan
  26. REPLICAS OF RADIO BROADCAST:The Staff, News Reading, Programming
  27. NEW SCRIPT WRITING AND DIRECTION TECHNIQUES:TV Script
  28. SETS:Permanent Sets, Hot & Cover Sets, Special Sets, Economical
  29. CAMERA SHOTS – THE VISUAL LANGUAGE:Angle Shots, Movement shots
  30. LIGHTS IN VISUAL BROADCASTING:Light Temperature, Light and Distance
  31. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR:NEWS and Interviews, Dramas and Music
  32. BROADCASTING AND MEDIA IMPERIALISM:The truth in the debate
  33. ENVIRONMENT OF TV BROADCAST:Optical Illusions, POV, Depth of Field
  34. BUDGET:First Part, Second Part, Third Part, The Sponsors
  35. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF DIFFERENT RADIO AND TV FORMATS:TV NEWS
  36. CURRENT AFFAIRS – FROM RADIO TO TV:Seminars, Interviews
  37. PRE-PRODUCTION:Brain Storming, Scripting a new program, Approval
  38. PRODUCTION & POST-PRODUCTION:Booking Shifts, Rehearsals
  39. TV ADVERTISEMENTS – MONEY WITH ENTERTAINMENT:Early Phase, Getting Spots
  40. ENIGMA OF MORE CHANNELS:The Investment, Fresh Ideas, Closure of channels
  41. ANCHORPERSON:Appearance and Confidence, Job Opportunities
  42. COMPARISON BETWEEN RADIO AND TV BROADCAST:The Difference, Script
  43. TERRESTRIAL TO SATELLITE TO CABLE TV:Cable Network, CD Channels
  44. CAREER IN BROADCASTING:Production, Direction, Lighting Director, Script Writer
  45. REVISION (LESSON 23 TO 44):Broadcasting Laws, PEMRA, Budget