BMA0J301 – News Production 1
Module code
BMA0J301
Module title
News Production 1
Prescription
This module develops students' writing and reporting skills across a range of topical hard news print areas. Students are encouraged to write articles at a level suitable for external publication. Students develop sub-editing skills and learn new research proficiencies.
Programmes
- BM9601
NZQA Level
Level 7
NZQA Credits
15
Delivery method
- Web-Based
Learning hours
- Total learning hours
- 150
Resources required
- Learning Outcomes
- 2.1 Understand the values, strategies and methodologies which inform current professional practice in journalism and the media
- compare, analyse and evaluate selected texts identifying issues relevant to a specific contemporary practice
- analyse a selection of current works and identify the specific methods used in their production
- compare significant changes in research methods of practice and production strategies for production relevant to a specific contemporary practice in a specific media context over a specific timeframe
- develop and implement a strategy for the production of work which explicitly applies the contextual analysis of values from journalism and media
- evaluate self practice using normative criteria derived from a current domain
- plan and implement a conventional presentation of own works
- develop critical synergies between representative texts, examples of work and self practice
2.2 Understand a production process which integrates cognitive, practical and technical skills
- discuss, identify and evaluate the issues in hard news stories
- research, analyse and incorporate data in writing to a brief
- utilise a production process that demonstrates the self-reflective development and refinement of ideas
- show evidence of drawing together and applying skills and knowledge acquired in previous and concurrent courses to selected stories
write news stories
2.3 Develop an understanding of a reporter's tasks
- analyse and transform raw data in a brief to satisfy Western understanding of news
- analyse and transform raw data to meet demographic and market expectations described in a theoretical brief
- integrate technical and research skills to define and analyse the news selection
- identify, analyse and resolve legal pitfalls in news writing
- write to a daily newspaper publication standard
- critically consider, discuss and document current news events
2.4 Develop an understanding of a sub-editor's tasks
- analyse the role of the sub-editor as gatekeeper in the communication process
- edit and proofread copy to a style guide
- write headlines and captions
- select, analyse and justify the use of images and infographics to complement selected news stories
2.5 Develop knowledge of research methodologies relevant to journalism
- evaluate relevance of researched information to project brief
- research specialised and complex sites of raw data for journalism
- analyse, transform and evaluate abstract data and ideas to meet story brief
- evaluate and analyse interview material to meet a story brief
- plan and execute an information search
- execute a search of print sources
2.6 Develop an understanding of basic mathematics in journalism
- analyse and evaluate the role of opinion polls in journalism
- identify the main statistical issues involved in reporting opinion polls
- develop and refine a news story from a financial report
- develop and refine a news story using official statistics
- develop and refine a news story from an opinion poll
2.7 Undertake self-evaluation within the context of professional practice
- consider and reflect upon the relationship between an adopted process and the final product
- continuously self-evaluate critiques for ongoing formative assessment
- critically consider, discuss and document self-performances for regular graded assessment
- participate in, and facilitate, group and class critiques
2.8 Comprehend the process of graded assessment
- actively participate in class and group critiques and presentations
- consider and reflect upon the relationship between the information gathering process and the final product for normative evaluation
- participate in summative assessment - Content
- 3.1 Reporting tasks
Papers and electronic media
Hard news stories
Breaking stories
Legal pitfalls: defamation, sub judice, name suppression, identification of minors/victims of trauma
News story plans
News storyfFile
Graphics
Captions
3.2 Sub-editing skills
Sub-editing techniques
Proofreading
Style guide
Graphic images
3.3 Report research in journalism
Internet search engines, media sites, government and other institutions' sites.
Relevant legislation, offices and resources: Official Information Act, Privacy Act, Companies Office, Land Information NZ, Valuation NZ, electoral rolls, autocheck, credit houses.
3.4 Report mathematics in journalism
Opinion polls
Company annual reports
Government and institutional statistical press releases
3.5 Research a newsworthy person
Search Engines
Company Reports
Speeches
Media
3.6 Communicating with a range of cultures
Content of interest to a Mori audience
New Zealand cultural identities
Content from at least one other culture
Modes of address appropriate to the audience - Teaching and Learning Strategy
- Lecturer prescribes industry or professional focus in project brief.
Students negotiate criteria.
Lecturer monitors students' progress through the time management of individual projects.
Students contribute to research of course content.
Students research briefs to extend and individualise projects.
Students identify problems with their process and adopt strategies to address those problems.
Lecturer prescribes issues, students identify specific questions in relation to those issues.
Students initiate times for critiques.
Students participate in formal assessed presentations of their work.
Students contribute to the delivery of course content.
Students negotiate and define criteria and procedures for graded assessment.
Graded assessment performed by self, peers and tutor.
