Basic TV Reporting, 2nd Edition

A Friend in the Audience

Try not to think of the audience in millions or thousands. That is far too terrifying a prospect. It will help your confidence to find a more realistic model. If the ‘man in the street’ is too abstract a concept, aim what you do at someone you know: a friend or family member, sitting at home on their own. Forget the camera. Instead, try to imagine you are telling your story to them alone. Try to gauge their reaction to what you are saying and how you are saying it.

Be logical

Remember that whatever you do, ‘your’ viewer sees it only once–and not always under the best conditions and with full concentration. Research suggests that audience comprehension of television news programmes is often very poor, even within the ...