UNIT 4 NEWSROOM SETUP:

ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Structure
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Learning Outcomes
4.3 News Production in a News Channel
4.4 Assignment/Input Desks
4.4.1 Overseeing Reporters
4.4.2 Arranging Visuals
4.4.3 Arranging Phone-in Interviews
4.4.4 Monitoring Other Channels
4.4.5 Story Planning
4.4.6 Forward Planning

4.5 Output Desk

4.5.1 Preparing the Rundown
4.5.2 Executing the Rundown
4.5.3 Getting Stories on Air
4.5.4 Information on Screen
4.5.5 Tickers

4.6 Script Desk

4.7 How a Newsroom Functions
4.8 TV Newsroom Vocabulary
4.9 Let Us Sum Up
4.10 Further Readings
4.11 Check Your Progress: Possible Answers

4.1 INTRODUCTION
In the previous unit you have read that newsroom is a place where presentation/
production of news takes final shape. In newspapers, all pre-printing jobs like
editing, giving heading to a news story, deciding its place and page of appearance
and page making etc. are done in a newsroom and when pages are released;
work of the Newsroom is over. However, television is a different ball game
- here production of the news bulletin is more complex. It is hi-tech, it includes
different sections of the news channel, things keep changing till the last moment
and even during the telecast of the bulletin, so it becomes an ongoing process.
To be a good or competent newsroom person, one needs to be conversant
with modern information and telecast technologies. Though there are some
differences in the technologies being used at different channels, more or less,
the same basics are followed everywhere, so if you learn these basics, you
can begin work in any channel with ease and pick it up in a short time. 47
News Concepts
4.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES
After going through this unit, you should be able to:
discuss the functioning of a television newsroom;
describe the production process of a news programme;
analyse the functioning of various desks in a television newsroom; and
use the vocabulary of a television newsroom.

4.3 NEWS PRODUCTION IN A NEWS CHANNEL

To understand the functioning of a newsroom, it’s imperative to first take a
look at the production process of news bulletins or a news programme in a
news channel. Let us have a glimpse.
We have already stated that newsroom setups are not similar in all the channels,
and there also differences in the nomenclature of desks and personnel. For
example, in some channels, the people who are in-charge of news bulletins are
called Producers, whereas in some other channels they are called Output
Editors. In the same manner what is termed the Assignment Desk in some
channels, in the other channels, it is known as the Input Desk.
As in any news media, there are two branches for the production of news
in a channel. First is the news gathering and second is to make the raw news
presentable for the viewers. Newsroom comes into the picture in the second
stage. When a reporter has done his/her job of news gathering, which here
means shooting of the story, the work goes forward.
First the reporter comes back to the newsroom and writes his/her script. These
days it is done on computer, which is connected to all computers of the office
through local area network (LANs). In fact, these days, computers are connected
through wide area networks (WANs) as well, so the senior officials of the news
channels also remain connected to the office systems from anywhere.
After the script is written, it goes to the script desk, where it is checked by
a senior person. When the script is cleared, reporter takes it and goes for the
voice over and video editing. Video editing is a technical process. In every
channel now, reporters are required to edit their stories themselves. A video
editor, who is a technical person, checks the edited story before it is published
for telecast. As the story is published, the reporter hands it over to the production/
output desk.
Production/output desk can then include that story in a Rundown; in some
channels it is also known as a Run Order. A Rundown or a Run Order is
a sequence of Headlines and stories, which are to be played.
Then, the Production/output person goes to the PCR (production control room)
with the Rundown. From there, the final telecast takes place which is entirely
a technical process executed by engineers and other technological experts.
However, a newsroom person or a journalist always remains there, because,
s/he understands the News, and it is his/her responsibility to keep the bulletin
or the programme in order. If there is breaking news, only a journalist can
48 decide how to go into it, how long to stay on that news, what is the need
of the coverage, i.e., whether any live interview or graphics are needed, it is News Room Set-up and
Functions: Electronic Media
s/he who feeds the latest information regarding that news to the anchor. Actually
it is the news producer / output editor, who editorially or you can say, content-
wise controls the show.
Here we mentioned three main functions of the newsroom- Scripting, making
rundowns and executing the rundowns. But there are other functions as well
which are performed by senior journalists. These are mainly related to
conceptualisation, planning and execution. In any channel, the news takes shape
from here. It is at this level, that the policies are formulated and the whole
newsroom gets its guidance.
As we now understand the main functions of a newsroom, we are in position
to know its structure, for the simple reason that the structures are made to
perform the functions and achieve the targets.
Electronic media Newsrooms mainly consist of three desks. These are:
Assignment or Input desk, Output desk and Script desk. These desks are
additional to the sitting arrangements of reporters/ bureaus, as well as other
journalists/functionaries of the channel.
Check Your Progress 1
Note: 1) Use the space below for you answers.
2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this unit.
1. What qualities does a person need to be effective in a TV newsroom?
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2. What are the three main desks in a newsroom?
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4.4 ASSIGNMENT/INPUT DESKS

As the name suggests, the responsibility of this desk is to arrange and give
input to the channel. In practical terms, it means feeding the channel with news
items and information, which can be produced and presented to the viewers.
This desk consists of many input editors, who work under the guidance of their
in-charge and have many functions to perform. Let us look at the job of
assignment/ input desk.

4.4.1 Overseeing Reporters

The reporters of the channel come under the assignment/ input desk. From there,
they get their work assigned. They have to report to this desk. The reporters
are expected to keep the assignment/input desk informed about the status of
their stories. If they come to know about any new information or breaking news,
they first pass it to the assignment/ input desk. It is this desk, which decides 49
News Concepts what to do about that information, how much importance it is to be given, and
how it is going to be played up.
This is the desk which is responsible for whatever news and information you
watch on a channel. So, input editors keep an eye on whatever is happening
in the world. They continuously keep track of the news agencies, other news
channels and news web sites. They are expected to flash all the information
that they think would be useful for a channel and the journalists there.

4.4.2 Arranging Visuals

TV being a visual media, visuals are of prime importance there. Every news
channel wants to be the first to air the visuals. They also want to air the best
visuals available. You can get an idea of this race only by being in a TV
newsroom. It is the duty of the assignment/input team to fulfil this need of the
channel and they keep pressurising reporters on the spot, to send the visuals
as soon as possible. As the visuals are uplinked, they immediately inform the
output team and as the visuals arrive they give all the related details to them.

In addition to channel’s own sources, the assignment/input team have to

continuously track the agencies, like APTN, REUTERS and ANI. Most of the
channels subscribe to the services of these agencies and are dependent on these
agencies for the visuals of the events and the developments happening in the
foreign countries.

The assignment/input desk is also expected to keep an eye on the foreign

broadcasters, so that they are aware of the events taking place in the areas
or countries of interest of the viewers of that particular channel. By overseeing
these channels, they also get an idea of the visuals that might be available in
due course to their channel.

4.4.3 Arranging Phone-in interviews

When news breaks in, generally the information first comes through phones.
If the news is big, then the channels try to stay on it for many hours. It takes
time to show the visuals or bytes of the eye witnesses or authorities, due to
a simple reason that the reporters or the technical infrastructure can’t be present
everywhere. As they try to reach there as soon as possible, the channel has
to give the latest information to its viewers. So, here come in phone-in interviews.
These interviews are called Phonos in newsroom parlance.

The assignment/input team first lines-up all their reporters, who can give any
piece or type of information or perspective regarding the development. A
competent assignment/input team keeps an updated phone directory of important
persons from every walk of life, so that they can be approached for information
or their perspective in case that a big event or a development occurs in their
field. The aim is to keep the viewers engaged, so that they don’t switch over
to any other channel. Continuing with the latest and new information, new
elements, and new perspectives, the newsroom tries to achieve their aim. And
providing all these NEW information is the duty of the assignment/input desk.

Phonos are not required only in the case of breaking news. During normal
coverage also, Phonos are required to get updates or for getting reactions of
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the concerned parties or persons. It is the assignment/ input team that arranges News Room Set-up and
Functions: Electronic Media
these.

4.4.4 Monitoring Other Channels

The assignment/input desk is required to continuously monitor the other channels,
which are its competitors. After all, there is a cut-throat competition to attract
more and more viewers. News channels are vying for snatching viewers of the
other channels. So the most important thing is to know, which channel is showing
what, and in what manner. Based on this information and its analysis, channels
prepare their strategy. Generally, the assignment/input desk keeps flashing
headlines of other channels every hour on an intra-mail system of the organisation.
They also tell the whole team, if some other channel has any exclusive story
or extra information/input regarding a running story.

4.4.5 Story Planning

Story planning is a major responsibility of the assignment/input desk. They have
to assess the different angles of a story, what elements are required to present
the full picture, from where these elements will come, and which reporter is
best suited to do that story. After assessing all these aspects, the story is assigned
to a reporter; s/he is given a detailed guideline to proceed with, and is also
told the deadline. Then the assignment/input desk informs the newsroom about
the Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) of the story. It is duty of the assignment/
input desk to follow and make reporters follow the timetable. Sometimes, a
single story needs input from many places. For example, if a story is being
done on a controversy regarding an advertisement featuring a cricketer, it might
be the case that the player at that time may be in Bangalore and the ad company
officials are in Mumbai. Naturally, the bytes will have to be taken in those cities.
In addition, it may be imperative to give voice of the fans of the player. These
have to be brought from different places. Coordinating and collecting all these
inputs and handing it over to the story packaging team are the responsibilities
of the assignment/input desk.

4.4.6 Forward Planning

Forward planning implies planning for the near future. Many dates fall in the
coming weeks or month, which may be important for news coverage. For
example, festivals, birthdays of celebrities, elections, sports tournaments, and
release of big budget/ multi-starrer films. It comes under forward planning to
prepare a calendar of these events and suggest how the channel should cover
it. Providing background material of each and every such event is also the job
of the assignment/input desk. The day, every channel will play up the event,
your channel should not lack in any aspect or look dull. The assignment/input
desk also has to shoulder this responsibility.

From above discussion you would have understood that the assignment/input
desk of the newsroom is very important. It is the provider of the information,
story and perspectives. How other parts of the newsroom perform is totally
dependent on the assignment/input desk. In fact, their roles begin after this desk
has done its job.

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News Concepts Check Your Progress 2
Note: 1) Use the space below for you answers.
2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this unit.
1. List some of the activities undertaken by the assignment desk.
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2. Why is it important for a news channel to monitor other channels?
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4.5 OUTPUT DESK

The Assignment/input desk gives raw material and the Output cooks it up as
‘digestible food’ for the news hungry audience. To keep the audience engaged,
the ‘food’ should be tasty enough. It’s the duty of the Output desk to ensure
that the raw information is produced in a presentable format, in the shortest
possible time frame and put on air.
Output persons have many functions to perform. One should always keep it
in mind that the job at the output desk is half journalistic and half technical.
If you aspire to work at the output desk, then you must be conversant with
modern information and telecast technologies and computer savvy. You must
have the knowledge of video editing, news publishing in technological terms,
making published stories ready for telecast and all technological nuances of
telecast that come across when a news bulletin or a news programme is being
aired. You must be aware of the vocabulary of all these processes.
Nowadays, all output persons are expected to (in fact in many channels required
to) know video editing. As visuals and bytes arrive, the output team has to
edit it in a way that it is available for telecast within minutes. Sometimes when
reporters are not present in the office, output persons have to make the full
story themselves, so that they fulfil the duty of a reporter as well. Thus the
job of output person is like an all-rounder who performs different functions at
different times.
Let us now have a look at the main functions of the output desk:

4.5.1 Preparing the Rundown

This may be considered as the foremost job of the output team. In some channels,
a Rundown is called as a Run Order. It’s the order or the sequence in which
the news is planned to be aired. Before every bulletin/programme, an output
editor is assigned to make the rundown. S/he prepares it as per the directions
of the news editor/executive producer. Generally, a set pattern is followed while
making rundowns but nowadays, breaking patterns are in vogue. For example,
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earlier, headlines had to be the first item in a news bulletin. But now, to present
a surprise element to the viewers, channels sometimes begin the bulletin with News Room Set-up and
Functions: Electronic Media
impressive visuals or interesting bytes. In conventional terms, these things are
called teasers, and now often, teasers are becoming the first thing in a news
bulletin.
The pattern of a Rundown is given below –
Headline
Anchor Link giving a glimpse of what is special or interesting in his/her
kitty.
News stories
Discussion with guest or reporter (if it is planned)
Teaser before going for a commercial break
Commercial break
Come back
Headlines (optional)
News stories
End of the bulletin.
News bulletins or programmes may be of half an hour or an hour’s duration.
This pattern continues if the bulletin or the programme is of an extended duration.

2.5.2 Executing the Rundown

It is the duty of Output Editor (OE) / producer to execute the rundown and
for doing this s/he has to go to the PCR (production control room). The OE/
Producer works there with a team of technical persons. The OE/Producer is
expected to be present in the PCR much before the actual telecast begins. The
person has to line-up the OBs and PHONOS. If the anchor is doing continuous
bulletins and cannot find time to go through the Rundown, s/he has to tell the
anchor the whole plan of the bulletin.
While the bulletin is in the progress, the OE/Producer is the point person and
is answerable for all content related matters. Thus it is a job of responsibility
and a job of journalistic as well as technical competence. In case of breaking
news, skills of the whole team of a news channel are tested, but it’s a special
test for the OE/Producer. S/he has to take decisions then and there and has
to feed the anchor with the latest information and also direct the PCR team
to go where, how and to whom. S/he has to coordinate with reporters, keep
a track on coming visuals and bytes and get them played according to importance
and novelty.
The job of making and executing rundowns is given to capable and experienced
people. On a news heavy day or during the breaking news situations, they are
assisted by other people at the output desk as well.

2.5.3 Getting Stories on Air

As discussed above, the input desk arranges stories and raw materials and hands
it over to the output desk. Now it is the duty of the output team to put it 53
News Concepts on air. The edited or prepared stories could be included in the rundown at
once, as they are ready for telecast. The output team is expected to know
about the full content, the visual sequence and the bytes details etc. of the story,
therefore they first have to watch it. If they feel that story is lacking somewhere
they ask the input desk to get that corrected by the concerned reporters. In
case the story has come from out station or the reporter is not available, this
has to be done by the output team itself. Working in a television news channel
is a very fast affair. The reporters are expected to write scripts and edit their
stories themselves, but sometimes they have to remain in the field for long time,
as they have to cover minute to minute detail of a developing story. Obviously
they can’t return to the office just for filing their story. In those cases, they
give information regarding the story on phone and explain the visual and bytes
details to the input desk. Then the input desk tries to get that story by some
other reporter, but if there is a shortage of human resource at that front, then
the output desk has to do that job.
2.5.4 Information on Screen
When you are watching news, you see many written information on the TV
screen. In that information you will find the gist of the story, the name and
the designation of the person whose bytes have been used in the story, the
information about the location, which means the place where the incident has
taken place or the place where the concerned person has given the bytes. In
TV news parlance, this information is called a SUPER. Putting supers is also
the output team’s responsibility. Thus command on the language is necessary
to work at the output desk. Whatever you write, it goes on air, appears at
the TV screen and is seen by the viewers. So, there is no scope for any mistake
and you have to be foolproof.
In western countries, the trend of the cluttered screen is decreasing, but in India
it is on the rise. Here TV news channels are cluttering their screen with more
and more information. It is believed that some studies have reinforced this thinking
that cluttered screens are helpful in keeping viewers remain at the channel. Even
though watching visuals being covered by text information can be agonising for
the enlightened viewers, the channel officials think otherwise.
Anyway, supers are a very important part of a news story, and writing these
has its own demand. Having command on the language is not enough; you must
be innovative as well. Supers are written in a very limited number of words.
There is a limit to accommodate the numbers of letters on the screen. You
are asked to write ‘catchy’ supers, i.e., such words which will appeal to the
viewers and which leave them amused. Their aim is to create curiosity; keep
the viewers occupied, and tell the story in such a manner that it synchronises
with the visuals and the theme of the story.

Activity 1
Watch a news channel of your choice. Identify some catchy supers and
analyse whether they synchronise with the visuals and the theme of the
story.

2.5.5 Tickers
Whenever you watch a news channel, you see that the top headline stories
are running in a written text form at the bottom of the screen. These are called
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Tickers. Putting tickers is also a job of the output team. Generally in news News Room Set-up and
Functions: Electronic Media
channels, one person is specially assigned for this duty. His/her job is to keep
information continuously updated. As we saw in the case of supers, this is also
a specialised job. A person of deep news sense, having command on the
language, and capable of writing correctly in hurried situations as well, is given
this responsibility.
Tickers are considered very important as many viewers go to a news channel
just to scan the main news of the day or of that hour, and they get it from
the tickers. As the tickers are running continuously, one does not need to follow
the clock and hit the channel at the beginning of the hour. Secondly, tickers
give an idea of the priorities of the selection of news in a particular channel.
It attracts viewers of a particular taste, and it may distract other viewers if
they find information running at the bottom of the screen intriguing. For example,
if a channel runs a horoscope forecast in the ticker, then many viewers who
take news seriously, may shift to some other channel. Similarly, if there is only
serious news on the ticker, then the viewers of who prefer lighter news may
shift to other ‘location’.
Thus tickers are written according to the channel’s policy. There are some simple
rules for it. You have to put the information here in a very simple and
communicative language. If you can create magic with the language without
compromising on simplicity, then that is highly appreciated. Tickers are also used
as programme promos. You must have seen that channels give information about
their forthcoming programmes in tickers, with the objective to inspire people
to watch those programmes at the scheduled time.
From above analysis you would have understood that working at the output
desk is full of responsibilities. If you want to get a job at output desk, you
must have a sound news sense, technical competence and you should be a
good team person. In addition, you must know video editing, have command
on the language and patience to handle the breaking news situations, because
at that moment things are very fluid and decisions have to be taken quick and
fast.
Check Your Progress 3
Note: 1) Use the space below for you answers.
2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this unit.
1. What qualities are required for an Output person?
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2. What is the main function of the output desk?
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News Concepts
4.6 SCRIPT DESK
In television, apart from the visual element, the act of listening also plays an
important role. Therefore, if camera person is an integral part of TV news
presentation, so is the script writer.
Script Desk consists of senior and highly experienced persons as writing a script
is a job of responsibility. Only those persons are considered for writing scripts,
who have indepth knowledge about social, political, economic, and legal issues
as well as have excellent command on the language.
In news channels, in normal situations, reporters write their scripts themselves.
After that they go to the script desk to get their scripts checked. Outstation
reporters send their scripts through mail, then they inform it to the input desk,
and the input desk asks the script desk to check the script. The script editor
goes through all the facts written in the scripts carefully. If s/he has doubt
anywhere, s/he asks for clarification from the reporter. Only after being fully
satisfied, s/he clears the script. It is also expected from the script editor that
s/he will do necessary corrections in the language of the script and make it
more simple and catchy.
At times, script editors have to write the full script when the story is being
prepared on desk only. A news channel telecasts many special programmes of
half an hour’s duration and scripting of these programmes is done on the desk.
The script person goes through all the visuals and bytes available, and writes
the script for the planned programme.
These days, stories of short duration are in vogue and in some television channels,
scripts for news stories are written in not more than 90 words which is a
challenging task. Moreover, since scripts are written to the pictures; visuals get
priority over the words. In fact, it is said that the words are written according
to the available pictures - to explain and match the visuals. They should enhance
the impact and the effectiveness of the pictures.
A script editor is required to learn these qualities to fulfil the specific demands
of a news channel. They have to develop a visual sense and for the NEWS
part of the story, the information is also significant which comes from reading.
If you wish to work as script writer; you must develop the habit of reading
a serious newspaper thoroughly on a regular basis and develop a visual sense.

4.7 HOW A NEWSROOM FUNCTIONS

On a normal day, when there is no breaking news or it is not a big news
day like elections, newsroom functions in a set pattern. Every morning, there
is phone conferencing with all the bureaus, reporters, and input desk persons.
Executive Editors and other bosses or in-charges of different departments also
take part in it. In this very meeting, the agenda of the day begins to take shape.
Bureaus and reporters inform what they have to offer that day - if they have
some special story or information, what events or developments are going to
or are expected to happen in their area. Decisions are then taken which
development or event or news has to be given how much importance.
Accordingly, a plan of coverage is chalked out and guidelines given to the
reporters.
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After this meeting, the input desk follows up and implements the decisions and News Room Set-up and
Functions: Electronic Media
keeps the office informed about the progress regarding the stories. Meanwhile,
whatever information is received, the input desk keeps forwarding to the output
desk and the output as per its news sense, the policy of the channel and the
orders from the bosses, keeps putting that information on air. This sequence
breaks only when there is breaking news. During breaking news situation, a
new style of working comes into operation. In a professional news channel,
a special breaking news drill is organised occasionally to keep the staff prepared.
In this situation, only that news and the information relating to it go on air.

4.8 TV NEWSROOM VOCABULARY

A TV newsroom has its own vocabulary and when you enter a television
newsroom, you will come across many terms and expressions that you may
find interesting. For the convenience of the personnel working there, many words
are used in their cut-short versions. Some words are of technical nature and
you can understand their meaning or implication only if you understand the
technological functions related to them. Here we shall try to explain some
commonly used terms in a TV newsroom.
Package: A package is a full story. In a news channel, the input comes in
a fragmented form. Sometimes the visuals, bytes and the information come from
different sources and places. Including all of them in a single story is called
making a package. The package should give a full picture of the story; it is
developed in a sequence. First, the script should tell the viewers that what is
the news. Then it also gives the true context of the development, so that the
viewers are able to understand why this is important and how this news should
be perceived. The visuals and bytes are arranged in a package in a logical
manner. In some channels packages are called VTs. VT is the abbreviation of
Visual Text.
Anchor Link: These are the sentences an anchor reads or speaks to introduce
the package. After every story, the anchor comes on the screen and links another
story with introducing it in a manner that may look logical and interesting. So
these sentences are called the anchor link. Anchors are expected to write their
links themselves, but often an output editor has to do this job because the anchors
are in a hurry or they may not be aware of the full content of the story.
VO: VO or Voice Over is a recorded voice which is used in packages or
VTs. A person, who has a clearance for doing VOs from the authorities, records
the text of script in the video editing system. Then the video editor puts it in
the package in such a manner that the voice, visuals and bytes create a sequence.
Phono: A Phono is a short form of a phone-in interview. You would have
seen anchors taking information or reactions through these interviews during news
bulletins. Phono becomes a useful instrument, especially in breaking news
situations. There are no hard and fast rules for doing a Phono, but it is desirable
that Phonos are kept short and focused on extracting information; otherwise
viewers may get bored and switch over to another channel.
OB: OB is the short version of Outdoor Broadcasting. All news channels have
Outdoor Broadcasting Vans. These vans move around according to the needs
of broadcasting and are capable of getting things telecast from the outdoor
location. OBs are stationed at the places of happenings. A reporter keeps giving 57
News Concepts updates from there, regarding a development. OBs are also used for discussions.
In this era of numerous news channels, sometimes you will find scarcity of VIP
guests. When a VIP refuses to come to the studio of the channel, an OB is
sent to a convenient place for joining the discussion.
Disco: This term is frequently used in the news channels. But don’t get confused
- there are no Discotheques in the news channels. In fact, a Discussion is called
a disco which may be on very serious topics like war, poverty etc.
MCR: MCR is the abbreviation for the Master Control Room. This is the
room from where all air ways are monitored and controlled. If some feed is
coming from outside or something is being sent from the channel, all traffic takes
place from the MCR. The MCR sends telecast signals to the satellite, controls
the OBs, and receives feeds from the visual news agencies.
Feed: All inputs coming to the channel are called Feed. Mainly channels need
visuals and bytes. When a channel’s MCR is in process of receiving, and
recording these in its own system, these are known as Feed.
PCR: PCR is an abbreviation for Production Control Room. PCR is the place
from where the telecast process is directed and controlled. PCR remains linked
to the studio where anchor sits. PCR also remains linked to the MCR, it keeps
asking OBs for links, feeds and air signals according to the needs of the bulletin.
From there, the anchor is given instructions and the latest information.
Story Dump: Story Dump is a term used for the stories that have come in
edited form from the other centres of the channel. Publishing these stories in
the channel’s system is called dumping the story. A dumped story is ready for
telecast.
Ingest: Ingesting is the process of bringing deleted or lapsed stories/feeds again
into the system. Sometimes channels need old stories or bytes to re-run. For
this, they have to go to the archives and find those feeds. After getting those
from the archive, they INGEST them in to the system and get those published
again.

4.9 LET US SUM UP

In this unit, we have tried to draw a picture of a newsroom in a TV news
channel where presentation/production of news takes final shape. In newspapers,
all pre-printing jobs like editing, giving heading to a news story, deciding its
place and page of appearance and page making is done. When pages are
released from there, the work of the newsroom is over.
However in television; production of news bulletins is more complex. Things
keep changing till the last moment and even during the telecast of the bulletin,
so it becomes an ongoing process.
TV news channels these days offer a promising career. Salaries are high and
people get opportunities to rise fast. But these are demanding jobs requiring
time and energy. Working in a newsroom sometimes seems stressful and even
mechanical. But this is the nature of this job and those who have the requisite
flair, enjoy the work even in most tiring situations. If you understand the true
potential and nuances of this medium, you can carve out a place for your self.
58 Understanding the working of a newsroom definitely helps in this endeavour.
 News Room Set-up and
4.10 FURTHER READINGS Functions: Electronic Media

Boyd, A., Stewart, P., & Alexander, R. (2008), Broadcast Journalism,

Amsterdam: Elsevier/Focal.
Cury, I. (2007), Directing and producing for television. Burlington, MA: Focal
Press.
Schultz, B. (2005), Broadcast news producing. Thousand Oaks [Calif.]: Sage
Publications.
Yorke, I., & Alexander, R. (2017), Television News, Abingdon, U.K.: Routledge.

4.11 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS: POSSIBLE

ANSWERS
Check Your Progress 1
1. To be a good or competent newsroom person, one needs to be conversant
in modern information and telecast technologies. Though there are some
differences in the technologies being used at different channels, more or
less, the same basics are followed everywhere, so if one learns these basics,
then he/she can begin work in any channel with ease and pick it up in
a short time.
2. Electronic media newsrooms mainly consist of three desks. These are:
Assignment/Input desk, Output desk and Script desk.
Check Your Progress 2
1. Some activities undertaken by the assignment desk are as follows:
It assigns work to reporters and decides what to do about that
information, how much importance it is to be given, and how it is
going to be played up.
This desk continuously keeps track of the news agencies, other news
channels and news web sites.
It follows up with the reporters to send the visuals as soon as possible.
As the visuals are uplinked, they immediately inform it to the output
team and as the visuals arrive they give all the related details to them.
The desk also arranges Phone-in interviews or Phonos.
Story planning in terms of giving different angles, what elements are
required to present the full picture, from where these elements will
come, and which reporter is best suited to do that story is a major
responsibility of the assignment/input desk.
Forward Planning to cover festivals, birthdays of celebrities, elections,
sports tournaments, and release of big budget/ multi-starrer films
enables the assignment/input desk to be ready to play up that event,
on that particular day
2. It is important for News channels to monitor other channels to know which
channel is showing what, and in what manner. Based on this information 59
News Concepts and its analysis, channels prepare their strategy for higher TRPs. The
assignment desk keeps flashing headlines of other channels every hour to
share with their team any exclusive story or extra information/input regarding
a running story.
Check Your Progress 3
1. The job of the output person is half journalistic and half technical. S/he
must be conversant with modern information and telecast technologies.
S/he must have the knowledge of video editing, news publishing in
technological terms, making published stories ready for telecast and all
technological nuances of telecast that come across when a news bulletin
or a news programme is being aired.
2. Preparing the Rundown may be considered as the foremost job of the
output team. It is the order or the sequence in which the news is planned
to be aired. Before every bulletin/programme, an output editor is assigned
to make the rundown who prepares it as per the directions of the news
editor/executive producer.

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