BM27223 – Local Government

Module code

BM27223

Module title

Local Government

Prescription

This unit standard is for student journalists who are required to write news stories from local government proceedings for publication and broadcast. People credited with this unit standard will be able to write news stories from local government activities for publication and broadcast

Programmes

BM0901

NZQA Level

Level 5

NZQA Credits

Delivery method

Web-Based

Learning hours

Directed hours: 25
Self directed hours: 25
Total learning hours: 50

Resources required

Content: Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand local government system, and explain how relevant legislation and standing orders apply to journalists reporting local government activities in accordance with the industry texts.

Evidence requirements

1.1 Local government structures and procedures are identified and explained. The explanation includes identifying how the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, and standing orders, apply to the rights and responsibilities of journalists who report local government meetings and activities.

Range - Local government structures and procedures may include but are not limited to - community boards, district councils, regional councils, city councils, council committees;
evidence is required for a minimum of three local government structures and procedures.

1.2 Roles within local government are identified and the purpose of each is described.

Range - Local government roles may include but are not limited to - mayor, elected representatives, chief executive, departmental managers; evidence is required for a minimum of three local government roles.

1.3 Local government language is identified and explained.

Range - Local government language may include but is not limited to - jargon; technical terms; the way in which agenda items, reports to councillors and staff, annual plans and newsletters to ratepayers are written; evidence is required for a minimum of three examples of local government language.

1.4 Local government activities and issues arising from those activities are identified and explained in terms of newsworthiness.

Range - May include but is not limited to - meetings, operations, media releases, annual plans, budgets, annual reports, speeches, media conferences, personal contacts (which may include - mayor, chief executive, elected representatives, line managers, staff, ratepayers and business groups); evidence is required for five activities and one issue arising from each of those activities.

Outcome 2

Identify newsworthy local government activities and write news stories.

Range - Evidence is required for the writing of a minimum of four stories about local government activities - two stories covering council meetings and two stories covering council operations.

Evidence requirements

2.1 Research of local government activities leads to the identification of newsworthy stories in accordance with the industry texts.

Range - News opportunities arising from council meetings and operations may include but are not limited to - council and committee meetings, community board meetings, agendas, budgets, annual plans, outcomes of decisions, impacts on the community, details of submissions from the community, complaints, appeals, activities of lobby groups; information from local government documents and officials, documents from community groups or individuals, impacts on the community, notes.

2.2 News stories from council meetings and operations are written in accordance with the publishable standard.

2.3 News stories are corrected in accordance with the publishable standard and filed following training establishment practices.
Learning and Teaching Resource: Teaching and Learning Resources:

Course workbook
Listed specific texts/library books
Internet references
Manuals/standards documents
Regulations

A full set of resources will be issued for this module including printed course work and assessment materials. Additionally students will be encouraged to use the library and other resources that can be accessed at Wintec.
Learning Outcomes: This unit standard is for student journalists who are required to write news stories from local government proceedings for publication and broadcast.

People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand local government system, and explain how relevant legislation and standing orders apply to journalists reporting local government activities in accordance with the industry texts; and identify newsworthy local government activities and write news stories