Understanding Broadcast Journalism

Understanding Broadcast Journalism presents an insightful exploration of broadcast journalism today; its characteristics, motivations, methods and paradigms. The authors balance discussions of industry practice with critical examinations of content, across television, radio and associated multiplatform journalism. They highlight key issues including ownership and shifting regulatory environments, the revolutionary role of user-generated-content and digital convergence, and coverage of global issues by rolling news services.

Chapters include:

• a brief history of broadcasting;

• an overview of recent commercial challenges in the news industry and the impact on television news;

• current trends in the running of local radio stations, with particular focus on the rise of ‘hubbing’;

• the ethics of broadcast journalism;

• the significance of international broadcasters including the BBC, CNN and Al-Jazeera.

The book identifies how the dissemination of broadcast journalism is evolving, whilst also arguing for the continued resilience of this industry now and in the future, making the case that journalistic storytelling remains at its most effective in broadcast environments. Professional journalists and students of media studies and journalism will find this a timely and thought-provoking intervention, which will help to inform their professional practice and research.