Codes and

Conventions of
Radio News.
A GUIDE TO THE STYLES AND MORALS ASSOCIATED WITH
RADIO NEWS.

Georgia Scannell
| CMPGEORGIASCANNELL.WEEBLY.COM

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CONTENTS:

2. Bulletins
3. Headlines
3. News Program
4. Copy-Only
5. Copy with Audio Clips
5. Voicers
5. Wraps
6. Live Crosses
6. Two Way
7. Related to Audience
8. Public Service
9. Commercial
9. Community
10. Small Scale
10. Local
12. Regional
13. National
13. Internet
14. Handling of Stories involving Minors
15. Contempt of Court
16. Libel, Slander and Defamation
16. Coverage of Elections
17. Official Secrets Act
18. OFCOM
19. BBC Editorial Guidelines
20. Serious and Sensationalist stories and Public Interest or Invasion of Privacy
21. Story Priority
21. Immediacy
22. Follow up Stories
22. Availability of Audio
23. Human Interest
23. Public Interest
24. Satellite and Cable
25. Bibliography

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BULLETINS:

Short in length and concise in terms of the content, a bulletin details the most imperative stories of the
day1. They will not be detailed accounts, merely giving the audience a summary of the news. Typically,
it will last between two and three minutes2. Despite their simplistic appearance, they do need to be
structured in an appropriate manner.
A violent bank
robbery, has left all
but two customers
dead in Central
London
Three teenagers aged
between 17 and 19
have gone missing
whilst camping.
A 53 year old man has found
200,000 worth of Iron Age
coins in his back garden.
Charlie Sheen has entered Rehab.

Primarily, a hierarchy of sorts

must be used to dictate what is
placed where; the more
important the information, the
earlier it will be read out3. This
ensures that listeners who do
not have the time to hear the
entirety of the broadcast are
aware of the most relevant
headlines. For example, we
would expect the violent
robbery of a bank, resulting in
mass fatalities, to precede a
Charlie Sheen entering a
rehabilitation clinic.

The Radio 4 transcript4 clearly

demonstrates the perfect
Figure 1: The above diagram is designed to show the order the stories may be
read out, note how this is not in the style of a bulletin.
format for a bulletin: The
journalist does not go into
extensive detail; they weave the essential, key points into a brief paragraph. The section regarding the
stock exchange does not use topic-specific jargon to confuse the listener, nor does it refer to previous
reports:
The American technical stock exchange, Nasdaq, has launched a takeover bid for the London Stock
Exchange. Nasdaq is trying to challenge the dominance of its main rival, the New York Stock
Exchange. 4
The repetition of the company name NASDAQ and the locations America, London and New York help
solidify comprehension and memorisation of the subject; in the main article, and in future reading, we
will be able to call upon this knowledge.
Should the bulletin be longer than the standard timing, audio clips (or segments of) can be used5 as a
means of combating the potential monotony of the broadcasters voice, and keep the audience intrigued;
this alteration to the format of the reading attracts our attention as these can come those present at the
time of the event, a source or a reporter on location. In the aforementioned script 4, we see a good use
of this:
Audio insert NAME: NHS BUCKMAN
IN WORDS: Patients want...

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OUT WORDS: ...care for patients.
DURATION: 0'09''
Note how it does not exceed nine seconds, hence the sound bite does not detract from the unbiased
nature of the copy only story. It does, however, expose us to alternate views, broadening our own
opinions.

HEADLINES:

Opening news programmes on both the radio and television, headlines act as introductory statements
which very briefly summarise the content within the show 6. Each story will possess its own.
To be effective, it should sell the article by informing us as to what it is about, yet intriguing us enough
to continue listening 7. Alliterative phrasing, although more common in a written medium, can be used
as a method of making the title memorable. By using powerful vocabulary, and pathos, the information
can draw us in as we can feel angered/scared/saddened/joyous; if there is a chance that something could
affect the individual, or has happened to a local/British/prominent citizen we are also more likely to
want to know further details regarding the topic.
The following examples 8 show this:

Salmond and Darling in heated debate

The use of the word heated suggests that this was not a standard back and forth debate, with two
people half-heartedly arguing their point. Instead, we imagine it to be the politicians passionately
conveying their beliefs, frustrated when the opposition counteracts or ignores their point.

James Foley's letter home published

Having been held hostage by ISIS, James Foley became a prominent figure in displaying how ruthless
the organisation was. With the nation following his plight, the world was sickened when he was
executed. Aware that his family had no contact with him in the last months of his life, and were
distraught by his murder, saying he had sent a letter home reiterates his courage and persistence at not
only survival, but re-assuring his relations. Additionally, home reminds us that he was in a foreign
country, thousands of miles from those he loved, and where he was safest.

NEWS PROGRAM:
Scheduled for regular broadcast-i.e. every hour-a news program reports current events 9. Consisting
of a plethora of stories, the content may be dependent on whether the channel is national or local (see
later chapters).
Ordinarily, there will be one anchor, with live crosses, audio clips, as live recordings and on location
journalists diversifying the content 10. In terms of BBC Radio 2, Moira Stewarts 11 most prominent
role on the Breakfast show is that of the newsreader with the said media being included where relevant.
Again referencing BBC Radio Four, their 13th April morning program contained a multitude of these
elements which aided it in not only conforming to our preconceptions of the news, but retained our
interest, for example:

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From 30 seconds: Hilary Clinton is planning a Tour of Key American States: Here the
anchor tells us how Ms Clinton has announced that she is standing for the role of President
for the second time. The headline is followed by an audio clip of a family friend discussing
what distinguishes her from the competition 12.

This format is typical for a story-inevitably they will all contain varying techniques so as not to be seen
as repetitive, or appear as though it a continuation of the previous article.
When a longer news broadcast is required-be it for the entertainment of the audience, or as a
recap/analysis of a situation-several minutes may be put aside per story as a means of debating the topic
or exploring it in depth. Available on the BBC Radio Four website, examples of this are present, i.e. the
high-profile firing of General Stanley McChrystal 13.
Channels such as LBC are dedicated to

COPY-ONLY:

Based on the type of news, live crosses/interviews are not always appropriate. In this case, a copy-only
story will be used. Consisting of the anchor simply reading from a script detailing the occurrence, this
can be used if a situation is breaking and there is no one available to question on location, or if there
are no appropriate attendees at the scene, at the present.
Equally, if the article is of comparatively minor importance, for example, a Cat being rescued from a
tree after two days it may adopt this form. Talking to those involved, in whatever capacity, is time
consuming and can prove detrimental to the story, if it is mundane or dull.
The following example highlights this theory:

From 3 minutes and 52 seconds: An individual has been arrested under suspicion of
conspiring to murder a Syrian born man. We simply learn that his body was found in a car
in Wembley, having been shot 12.

The most important facts

go first.
The supporting
facts follow.
Any additional
details go next.
Other information
that contributes to
the story.

Figure 2: The inverted pyramid demonstrates how a news script should

be written.

In terms of the above, adding audio

could detract from the article; this is a
tragic event, and we do not need the
emotion to be pushed onto us. At the
same time, it shows how even in
Britain tensions from Syria are causing
conflict and bloodshed. Likewise,
considering the circumstances, the
Police etc. would most likely be unable
to share any more than what has
already been told.
Transferable to any story, but
especially relevant here, the inverted
pyramid demonstrates how a copy
script article should be constructed 14.

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COPY WITH AUDIO CLIPS:

Audio clips can be implemented. A sound bite can be virtually any pre-recorded material, inclusive of
interviews and material taped by bystanders. They are most commonly taped on location 93. These are
often repeated throughout the day, and across affiliated stations, i.e. one recording may be used on BBC
Radio One, Two, Four, Five and Six.
When these are relevant to the news, and come from directly related sources, audio clips can
significantly enhance the quality, impact and subsequent reception of the show. To elaborate, a segment
of Person A discussing how, despite his most desperate attempts, could not save his neighbour from his
burning house would be far more emotional than Person B describing how he drove past and briefly
saw the flames and the struggle.
The clip below demonstrates how hearing a personal tale can reassess how we perceive a situation, and
in turn, how we view those involved.

From 46 Seconds: A man talks about the challenges of living with Russias financial
sanctions. He says how he is willing to live with depravation but will not be humiliated or
forced to do what he does not want to 12.

This epitomises the resilience of those in negative predicaments and how they are willing to sacrifice
everything to exercise their beliefs. Hearing it first-hand brings home that these are real people and are
in a truly horrific scenario.

VOICERS:

Lasting for less than a minute, a Voicer is a short script that the journalist will write and proceed to read
in their own voice 20. With the ability to be either live or pre-recorded, the reporter must add in the cues
for the anchor to introduce the information. It must not repeat what the studio presenter has already
said, but give the listener added depth and key points that elaborate the issue.
Should they be at the scene, the script should be more personal; there should be an evident
differentiation between this being broadcasted from the news building, and out of the studio. As such,
the surroundings may play a role in this; if a war correspondent is in Syria, with guns being fired in the
background, we realise that this is real, and there is a sense of danger associated with it.

WRAPS:

To create smooth transitions between stories and additional items such audio clips, the speaker must
draw conclusion15 to the current thread. It is imperative that the reader does not force the ending;
although it must be concise and informative, it is essential the story comes to a natural close16.
Certain phrases have the ability to finalise a topic and introduce another in an efficient and clear manner.
The most prominent of these is and in other news. We can infer that this is due to its flexibility as a
sentence; regardless of the intensity of a report, this proves to be a gentle way of moving onto less
sensitive matters. Contrary to this, it can be said in such a way that creates a build up to a story and
enhances the humorous side to it. Intonation, and elocution are integral to this. For example:

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And in other news, a man has been

reunited with his pet bird after it
returned after migrating to Africa

The anchor is not limited to this, however. Respective of what tone the article requires, Meanwhile
in/at and Also in todays news are commonly used, whilst slight pauses and links to another speakers
speciality can be made17.

LIVE CROSSES:

Arguably over used, live crosses are when the studio reporter will open a link to an on-location
journalist18 who will discuss the circumstances in greater depth. They may also conduct interviews with
witnesses, emergency services etc.
They offer us a unique insight into what it would have been like to be at the scene of the event, as well
as being a method of garnering sympathy for a cause.
An example portrays this perfectly:

From 37 minutes: A live cross is featured; they discuss the implementation of a ceasefire to
the Ukraine conflict. The conversation details the publics perceptions on the war and how
they are differing to when it initially began, the more complex issues and the stipulation
involved with creating a treaty 12.

When a cross is featured in a conversational method, the audience is able to comprehend it in a more
complete way as it is a style that they are familiar with; we talk like this every day and are therefore
able to associate with it.

TWO-WAY:

Principally the same as a live cross, a two way interview will be recorded for future use. As the title
suggests, the discussion will be between two individuals, either both in the studio or one in the studio
and one on location19.
This can prove to be highly useful when popular or top stories are being repeated throughout the day;
instead of having to replicate the earlier recording, the audio can be played where appropriate.
Once more referencing the BBC Radio Four show12, and from 12 minutes and 30 seconds in, the
presenter states that he spoke to his fellow reporter, earlier in the day, in regards to Hilary Clintons
presidential campaign.

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This is beneficial in the sense that audiences throughout the day are able to derive the same information
from the interview, and will not necessarily have to tune in to the morning news to listen to the feature.
Similarly, it combats the differing time zones of Britain and American; to have a live session at this
time of the morning could generate problems.
Equally, this is the lead up to Ms Clintons visit; to conduct this later in the day could result in the
journalist discussing the aftermath, as opposed to the anticipation, concerns and excitement.

RELATED TO AUDIENCE:
Both Example obtained from 2.
Radio One has a target audience of adolescents from approximately thirteen to 25 years of age. This is
primarily due to the content of the show being current pop music, and features including practical jokes
and occasionally risqu games. This is furthered by the more colloquial stylisation of the language
which enables the casual listener to comprehend what is being said, for example the reporter uses the
phrase skipping classes as opposed to claiming that they are playing truant or failing to attend
lessons. Had they have used worded it in this manner, the relaxed and approachable format of the show
would have been lost, and their attempts to engage youths in the news will have been futile for that
article. Likewise, Newsbeat suggests that these are manageable segments which potentially
uninterested listeners would be able to digest in between songs. Short, snappy sentences are strung into
paragraphs to create a bulletin that is concise and to-the-point; over complication and meaningless
details are avoided. This is effective in the sense that the audience is not bombarded with information
that may not be relevant and could skew their grasp on the topic, i.e. Tony Blair's thanked British
troops in Afghanistan for the courage they've shown fighting the Taliban. He spent an hour and a
half talking to soldiers at the main British camp in Helmand province.
Note how there is little elaboration on the side of the reporter. They have summarised the issue in two
sentences, and have not littered the piece with further, and potentially confusing, material.
Radio Five Live, on the other hand, is seemingly more appealing to older generations who are interested
in the occurrences of the modern world, in terms of sports entertainment and elaborations on the key
headlines of the day/week. This is the result of the programming be dedicated to sporting events and
commentary of matches and races etc. In addition, there is a heavy emphasis on the news, and the
discussion of current affairs. The notion that this is directed at adults who are interested in the subject
matter of the station is reiterated through the heightened formality of the language used; although it
does not appear to have been taken from the pages of The Guardian, it is spoken in a way which could
provoke an intelligent and responsive debate or meaningful conversation with the presenters/guests and
those listening. Complex sentences and lack of unnecessary connectives means the script reads in a
sophisticated and mature way, permitting extra detail to be conveyed. This is a good method of
describing the issue in such a way that a larger proportion of the issue is covered, in what remains a
relatively short article, e.g. Tony Blair has said remarkable progress is being made in Afghanistan and Britain is committed to supporting the country. He was talking after meeting the Afghan
President, Hamid Karzai, in the capital, Kabul. At a news conference, Mr Blair said the people of
Afghanistan deserved to live in a proper democratic state.
Unlike the Radio One example, this details the extent of the effort of our Armed Forces and what
advancements are being made. Names of people are included, and repeated, to secure our knowledge
of who is involved with this story, and what their roles are.

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PUBLIC SERVICE

Consisting of five broadcasters, Public Service Radio receive advantages such as the licence fee, certain
access to the section of the
airwaves they require for
broadcasting and a higher
position on electronic television
guides 21.
As such, it is financed by the
public. Consequently, it is not
state
owned,
hence
political/commercial
interference
is
strictly
prohibited 22. In addition, it is a
non-profit organisation that
endeavours
to
inform,
enlighten and entertain 23
Figure 3: Receiving a large portion of the license fee, this shows just how much of
this is spent on Radio services a month.

The BBC specifically states

that it follows six public
purposes, dictated by the Royal Charter and Agreement. These are as follows 24:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Sustaining citizenship and civil society.

Promoting education and learning.
Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence.
Representing the UK, its nations, its regions and communities.
Bringing the UK to the world and the world to the UK.
Delivering to the public the benefit of emerging communications technologies and
services.

Resultant of these factors is a series of stations that are centred on the people of the country-the news
will be unbiased and reflective of every possible angle.
Once again using BBC Radio Four 25, we are able to tell that this is a Public Service Radio for several
reasons. Most notably, they do not fabricate, add or take away details whereas Heart FM may
sensationalise certain aspects to engage the listeners and create interest.
For example, the former will provide every perspective in regards to the upcoming election as it must
cater for every demographic-we all pay the license fee. The latter, on the other hand, may prefer the
Conservatives, hence focusing on the stories that they are involved and in making them appear to be
better than the oppositions.

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COMMERCIAL:

Funded by advertisements and sponsorships throughout its broadcast, a commercial radio station will
be owned by one of three groups-Bauer, UTV or Global-and mostly present to a local or regional
audience 26.
Surveys have suggested that this format proves popular with listeners as 91% of stations broadcast two
bulletins an hour during breakfast 27. This tells us that these are for the casual listener; people who want
to stay informed whilst music is played and short breaks notify us of events, shops and businesses in
surrounding areas. On Heart FM 28, it not only advertises its own services, such as Heart Bingo, but
also British Gas-a company that is relevant to all of us.
We are able to tell that this is a commercial station based on its format. There is significantly more
talking, or banter between the presenters; this is designed to be humorous and relatable; again on
Heart 28, Stephen Mulhern and Emma Willis have been paired together, with the script designed to
make them seem like a quirky, funny and relatable duo. Likewise, competitions are run with the Sunday
19th April show having an Apple Watch 28. They describe the features of the object by having the female
anchor appear confused as to what the item does, with her counterpart describing its functionality.
This substantially differs from Radio Two, for example. As this is not a public service station, they do
not have to cater for the masses, or provide a completely unbiased viewpoint. Based on the music being
played-from KC and the Sunshine Band to Ed Sheeran-we can infer that Hearts 28 target audience is
middle aged women, perhaps those who balance a job with the school run and looking after the children.
This is as they like to be reminded of their youths and the songs that provided the soundtrack to their
younger years at the same time as remaining in touch with the more harmless songs of the modern era,
perhaps as a means of staying in touch with their offspring.
Radio Two, on the other hand, has an even more diverse collection of songs, pleasing every generation,
instead of a specific group. Likewise, it does not offer prizes with the grandeur of Hearts; an MP3 player
with a bonus of a digital radio is available for the winner with a CD wallet for the runner up 29. Likewise,
it shows no favouritism in regards to politics and news and so on.
In terms of the news, the former began with a story detailing how a man was stabbed to death. This
suggests that Heart orders their news in a way which leads with the most shocking, and not the most
relevant. This could be as a means of keeping the listeners engaged, and tuned in; if they hear the article
on this station first they may return as a means of being informed of the updates. By introducing the
news with a tale which could alarm the public, they will want to know any developments, and outcomes.
Our morbid curiosity means that we want to be aware of the most horrific happenings, not necessarily
the most important, such as the upcoming election. At the same time, if something has happened within
in a respected, suburban community those listening will feel the need to know whether or not this is
similar, or near, to where they live.

COMMUNITY:
Often covering a small geographic area with a coverage radius of five kilometres 30, a community
radio station must demonstrate how it will cover the needs of the specified target audience 31.
Consequently, they can be for an ethnic group, or those who are in the same circumstances and so on.

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Resultant of this, the news featured will be relevant to the listeners; if it is a High Wycombe based
gaming station, stories should be appropriate for competitions, meets etc. around this area, and not for
those in Bournemouth or Scotland. Thanks to this, we are able to tell that it is a community station;
Magic FM or BBC Radio One would not feature details about Billy Macintosh winning the annual Call
of Duty: Black Ops Zombie Mega Event, or how there are talks of a new game store.
Bursaries and funding can be gifted to stations, in some circumstances 32, whilst in others it is up to the
participants to raise money through promotional activities 33, i.e. a small fair or fun day. Due to this, the
quality and finesse will not be equal to a larger broadcaster as the equipment will not be to the same
standard and they will have had significantly less experience.
BFBS Radio is a good example of this 34. Having operated nearly constantly for many years, it most
prominently informs service men and women of news and changes where they are based, and where
they are from. Despite covering a larger area, it still conforms in the sense that it is targeted at those
who are in the same profession, or closely related to one who is.
Ultimately, they deliver bulletins which are appealing to the audience, so relevant to their position and
surroundings. As this is designed for those in the military, and the dependents, the mood will be light
and happy to distract from the negative elements of their position, unlike the LBC Radio channel where
many heavy topics are discussed. This is extremely different to a station such as BBC Radio Four,
where the emphasis is on delivering sports information and news at a consistent level, with very little
localised, or personal, content. The news will be basic, when compared to a national radio, say.

SMALL-SCALE:

Appealing to an even more specific demographic than a community station, small-scale radio stations
are incredibly focused in who they broadcast to.
Unlike a community station that is presented to everyone who is interested in the same acts/jobs/hobbies
etc. this is only relevant to those immediately involved with the content, for example a college broadcast
would only be students and staff, as it does not affect those in the wider vicinity.
As a way of promoting the induction of these in schools, numerous businesses aim to make the process
affordable and efficient 35. This makes it unique in the sense that there is no formal training and those
involved are likely to not be familiar with the equipment.
The news on these stations would most commonly be reflective of what has been happening around the
school/university etc. As such scores from both sports and academic competitions would be read, as
well as any announcements such as inset days. Dependent on the style of the show, stories relating to
the wider world could be presented, although this is far more likely where the listeners are more mature.

LOCAL:

Marlow FM 36. (97.5) epitomises the ideal local radio station. Whilst it presents global reports, it also
explores those relevant to the area. The website claims to give you all the local info you may need,
suggesting that this is the perfect method to stay informed of news where one lives. What separates this
from Heart FM, say, is the travel data will be appropriate for Marlow, and the zones surrounding it,
instead of the traffic issues in Central London; it is a personalised experience for the listener.

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It is imperative, however, that the reporters have knowledge of the town 37; residents will be offended
should landmarks, businesses or neighbouring villages/hamlets be pronounced incorrectly. Likewise,
alienating it from a station such as BBC Radio One, where the information is often sensationalised and
written for impact, local news will recognise that ordinary lives are interesting 38, and one need not be
a celebrity or world renowned chef to gain recognition for their accomplishments.
With a sharp incline of the amount of digitalised media through platforms such as Facebook and
Twitter, and the easily accessible websites of the Radio News Giants, the local journalists are being
forced to adapt and maintain the
publics
strong
interest
in
39
geographically defined articles ; in
the modern age, constituents want
information relating to where they
live to be transparent and honest.
According
to
the
Guardian
newspaper, research has discovered
that 80% of us spend at least half
our time and money within just five
miles of home and we have a
growing appetite for local news and
information to help us navigate our
Figure 4: Although it may seem as though the Local News is a dying trade,
lives locally 40. From this we are
studies suggest otherwise.
able to infer that although major
companies such as the BBC remain
at the forefront of the medium, small independent versions are the most desirable for audiences.
Unlike a community station, this will be available to all of those in reach of the transmission, as opposed
to one demographic; everyone will be able to benefit from the content.

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REGIONAL:

Viewed by four fifths of adults once a day 41,

Regional television news is one of the central
methods we consume information relevant to the
wider areas where we live. In terms of the radio,
many of us listen without a full comprehension
that we are doing so as it will have much the same
content as a mainstream station (BBC One,
Magic etc.) but with more localised news. It will,
however, cover a larger area than
community/local radio.
OFCOM does have specific regulation for
regionalised programming 42:
1. Deal with subject matter of specific
interest to the region and of less interest
elsewhere (e.g. regional events, concerns and
interests).
And
2. Be clearly set within the region and/or
feature people known to be residents of, or
who have close connections with, the region.
Figure 5: This map 43 illustrates the differing regions within
the media sector.

In an elaboration of the
above, it would be
meaningless to residents of
Meridian to listen to
a
guest discuss how his farm
in Yorkshire is expanding.
Within the map shown,
there are sub-divisions for
a radio station to broadcast
from, such as in counties.
This
heightens
how
specific the news is;
although it remains broader
than a local channel, it still
contains suitable and
important
information
related to where the
audience lives.

Figure 6: An example of a regional news broadcast.

which would be more suitable on a local radio station.

Ultimately, it will discuss

the key events in an area
like the county 44, whilst
omitting smaller details

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On a somewhat heavy note, the lead story is how reports of rape have increased by approximately 52%
in the Thames Valley Area44; note how it is within the boundaries of Berkshire, hence in keeping with
the regional news theme.

NATIONAL:

Radio 2 is an example of a national radio station. Because of this, it is transmitted across the entirety of
Great Britain, and will detail the stories that are most important to the mass population.
Although the bulletins and the expanded article will be read out at regular intervals 45, some channels
will have programmes dedicated to the investigation and understanding of countrywide issues, as well
as those further afield. The Jeremy Vine Show 46, and LBC are good instances of this.
Expanding upon the former, a plethora of topics are confronted such as migrants drowning, the Lord
Janner case, DIY dentistry and registering to vote47, along with the announcement and recapping of the
headlines.
As can be seen, what is being covered is applicable wherever one is based; the impending election is
essential regardless of where we call home. As such, the eventual outcome benefits-or hinders-us all.
Similarly, the case of Lord Janner evokes a range of negative emotions, angering us-the public.
Consequently, those affected by his supposed crimes span the entire country, and not a single county.
Equally, based upon his status as a politician and public figure we are automatically more interested
and concerned based on the fact that he could use his power as a weapon, so to speak.

INTERNET:

Streaming radio services is becoming an integral element to the listening patterns of the modern day
consumer; it is no longer limited to occasional listening 48.

Figure 7: This demonstrates the most common methods of listening to online radio
stations 48.

From this, we can infer

that the general public
likes
to
remain
knowledgeable
in
regards to what is
occurring-be it locally or
nationally
etc.-even
when we are going about
our
daily
lives.
Likewise, the diagram
displays the scope of the
platforms available to
tune in, conveying just
how important websites
are in expanding our
radio habits.

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An addition advantage of this medium is the flexibility it gifts us with; if, for whatever reason, we wish
to discover the news from another section of globe, this is possible with the introduction of the internet
as we do not have to rely on frequencies and extensive distances to ruin our experiences 49. Based on
this, the content of the
news
will
vary
dependent of what
category it falls into.
For example, a teacher
may choose to listen to
BBC Radio Four 50 on
their
laptop
at
lunchtime to hear the
unbiased and balanced
national
broadcast,
Figure 8: The format of BBC Radio Four's online player, as seen on a computer.
whereas a mother
going about daily
errands may choose to listen to a commercial station such as Heart on their mobile, over their network
data, as a means of learning the key stories in a less rigid and detailed manner.

HANDLING OF STORIES INVOLVING MINORS:

Inevitably, stories do emerge that involve children in some capacity, be they victims or perpetrators of
a crime. As can be expected safeguards must be implemented in order to protect them, their family,
peers and community from abuse, judgement and (potential) defamation of character.
According to the BBC Editorial Guidelines 51, section 18.9.2, In Youth Court proceedings, there is an
automatic ban on anything which might lead to the identification of a witness, defendant or other party
in those proceedings who is under 18. This will include the prohibition of names, addresses, schools
or pictures. This is due, in part, to the individual not having the capability to comprehend the severity
of the situation-Dr Eileen Vizard, a child psychologist with the NSPCC, believes that they do not have
the capacity to participate fully and fairly in a criminal trial52. This suggests that the minors implicated
in hearings struggle to cope with the pressures that are automatically present with being trialled-i.e.
being questioned, listening to/giving evidence and so on-without having to face the attentions of the
public, be it sympathetic or negative. Additionally, the same section goes onto state that In other courts,
there is no automatic restriction but the court can make an order preventing identification of a child
involved in the proceedings.
The reasoning for the above is justified under section six of the Press Complaints Commissions 53
Editors Code of Practice. Should the minor be named, it would be impossible for them to undertake in
normal behaviours due to the number of enquiring reporters and curious citizens. This is aside from the
individual becoming increasingly anxious and unnerved with the constant presence of strangers and
onlookers:
i.
ii.

iii.

Young people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary
intrusion.
A child under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own
or another childs welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult
consents.
Pupils must not be approached or photographed at school without the permission of the
school authorities.

P a g e | 15
iv.

v.

Minors must not be paid for material involving childrens welfare, nor parents or
guardians for material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's
interest.
Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole
justification for publishing details of a childs private life.

(This is available from the Press Complaints Commission, found at 53)

From approximately 10 minutes and forty seconds on the BBC Radio Four News 54, we are told of a 14
year old boy from Blackburn who has been arrested in regards to conspiring to instigate acts of
terrorism. At no point is his name mentioned, or where he is educated-we are only informed of the town
in which he lives, and his age. This makes him virtually unidentifiable when we consider how many
people fit this profile. Whilst we remain informed of this key issue, the privacy of those effected is not
infringed upon. However, the Jigsaw effect may manifest 55-when different media outlets report
differing versions, and details, the pieces can be pushed together leading to the identification of the
minor.

CONTEMPT OF COURT:

Protecting those involved with an active court case, The Contempt of Court legislation prevents jurors
from being influenced in regards to whether or not the defendant is guilty or innocent. Equally, it ensures
that a fair trial is not prejudiced for, or against, the accused 56.
As soon as proceedings are underway, anything that may impede the course of the trial will be treated
as being in contempt of the court. The following details when most cases are deemed as being active 56:
i.

On the arrest of a suspect

ii.

When an arrest warrant is issued

iii.

On the issue of a summons (in Scotland a complaint) or indictment. This may be well
before a person in charged

iv.

When a person is charged.

When appropriate, and coinciding with Section 4 (2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 57 the courts
obtain the power to indefinitely postpone court reporting if they deem it to be substantially influencing
this, pending or other imminent trials 57.
Revealing the identity of an individual who is protected by the courts also breaches this branch of the
law 58. Be it a newspaper breaking the terms of a super injunction or releasing the name of a minor, both
are prosecutable.
High Profile cases of super injunctions being infringed upon include that of the footballer Ryan Giggs.
The Telegraph reports how a journalist on a widely-viewed BBC programme could be charged with
contempt of court 59.
Prior to the Jury reaching its verdict in regards to the Dr Harold Shipman case, the presenter of the
Preston based Rock FM, Mark Kaye, complained about the high cost of the trial 60 before noting that
he was innocent until proven guilty as sin. His colleague, Judith Vause, accompanied with chants of
guilty, guilty. Both narrowly escaped a prison sentence 61. Due to the pair being high-profile
individuals, this has the possibility to sway the publics perception of the defendants as when people of
interest speak, we listen.

P a g e | 16

LIBEL, SLANDER AND DEFAMATION:

DEFAMATION: What constitutes as being defamation is any written or spoken text that 62:
i.
May discredit the person
ii.
May lower the persons reputation amongst others.
iii.
May cause the person or business to be avoided by others
iv.
May cause the person or business to be subject to hatred, violence or ridicule.

(The above can be found at 62).

In abbreviated terms, it is damage to ones reputation, with a person being liable for the defamation of
another 63.

LIBEL: Is a form defamation which is presented in the written form. Likewise, it can be a
pictorial or visual representation 63.
SLANDER: Is another denomination of defamation. As opposed to previously, this appears in
an oral form, meaning this is more likely to occur in a Television/Radio program. It is the verbal
spreading of false statements 63.

There is a very present risk of defaming an individual/organisation by repeating questionable comments

made or published previously by other establishments 64, i.e. quoting a defamatory magazine article in
a radio broadcast.
As such, there are numerous methods of publishing content of this description for it to be in breach of
this law 64:
i.

Via newspapers or other printed media

ii.

Broadcasting on radio and TV

iii.

On the web - including online forums, social media and micro-blogging sites

iv.

By email.

(The above are available at 64)

An example could be as follows: by claiming an actress looked dishevelled is not defamatory as it is an
opinion, they are merely saying that she appeared this way-libellous/slanderous information must be
expressed as a factual statement 65. If a reporter, say, claimed she was drunk and dishevelled, and she
was not intoxicated this would be in breach of the legislation as it is being declarative.

COVERAGE OF ELECTIONS:

Coinciding with rule 6.2 and section six of the OFCOM Elections and Referendums regulations,
broadcasters must give due weight to the coverage of major parties during the election period.
Broadcasters must also consider giving appropriate coverage to other parties and independent
candidates with significant views and perspectives 66. (Again according to OFCOM, the major
parties are defined as: the Conservative Party; the Labour Party; and the Liberal Democrats 67).

P a g e | 17
This is effectively saying that news reports must contain equal, fair and clear news regarding all of the
major contenders. This enables the public to not only stay informed, but eliminate blatant bias; for
example, a radio station would not be permitted to use stories only relating to Labour, or the Liberal
Democrats.
The initial legislation 66 goes on to state the following:
6.4 Discussion and analysis of election and referendum issues must finish when the poll
opens. (This refers to the opening of actual polling stations. This rule does not apply to
any poll conducted entirely by post.)
6.5 Broadcasters may not publish the results of any opinion poll on polling day itself until
the election or referendum poll closes. (For European Parliamentary elections, this
applies until all polls throughout the European Union have closed.)
Heavily relating to the radio, this informs us that as soon as the country is allowed to place their vote,
running features which examine the issues associated with the election and those involved is strictly
prohibited.
TalkSport was fined 20,000 in 2008 proceeding one of their presenters directly encouraging the
audience to vote of Boris Johnson is the upcoming London Mayoral elections 68. This is unacceptable
conduct as it is an explicit violation of his power of influence; when he says something, his fans are
going to take notice, and often allow it to form the basis of their own decisions. Likewise, on a publicly
available radio station, it is not appropriate to air ones own opinions as the shows must cater for a mass
demographic; although it does not have to be as unbiased as the BBC, it must still show no obvious
favour to one party/candidate or another. Additionally, the company acknowledged he was guilty of a
gross error of judgement69.

OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT:

Journalists-inclusive of those working for radio news-must adhere to the Official Secrets Act and the
handling of Official Information, or any information, document or article which a Crown servant or
a Government contractor has, or has had, in his or her possession by virtue of his or her position as
such 70.
As such, it is classed as a crime for any Government contractor, Crown Servant or member of the public
to disclose any Official Information they have, or have had relating to the following sectors 70, if lawful
authorisation has not been granted:

Security and Intelligence

Defence
International relations
Foreign Confidences
Information which might lead to the commission of crime
The special investigation powers under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and
the Security Service Act 1989

(The above sectors can be found at 70)

To be considered damaging, and hence illegal, the information must conform to the below criteria 71:
a) It causes damage to the work of, or of any part of, the security and intelligence services;
And/or
b) It is of information or a document or other article which is such that its unauthorised
disclosure would be likely to cause such damage or which falls within a class or description

P a g e | 18
of information, documents or articles the unauthorised disclosure of which would be likely
to have that effect.
What this is essentially saying is that if what has been disclosed can impair or inhibit the work of the
Security/Intelligence Services or is information that has not been cleared for the public to be aware offor a number of reasons including ongoing investigations, foreign expeditions and so on-then the
perpetrator is breach of the legislation.
There is substantial justification for the implementation of the Official Secrets Act; if certain items are
leaked, not only could the integrity and safety of certain Governmental bodies be placed under threat,
so too could the entire country 72, i.e. if a minister shared details relating to the strategy to be taken in
an attack on enemy forces in a hostile war situation, the United Kingdoms safety would be at an
elevated risk 72.

OFCOM:
OFCOM is the regulatory body for the UK communications industries 73. There central, legal duties
are outlined on the Who are OFCOM website74:

(Ensuring) The UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including

high-speed services such as broadband;
A wide range of high-quality television and radio programmes are provided, appealing to
a range of tastes and interests;
Television and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations;
People who watch television and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or
offensive material;
People are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes, and
from having their privacy invaded and
The radio spectrum (the airwaves used by everyone from taxi firms and boat owners, to
mobile-phone companies and broadcasters) is used in the most effective way.
This is effectively saying that they ensure that the United Kingdom has the broadest range of
communication methods available, such as high-speed broadband and mobile phone signal. Likewise,
they strive to provide the country with a plethora of programmes which are not only accessible but
appealing. Similarly, they help give the consumer choice by allowing multiple companies to offer the
noted services.
Recently, BBC Radio One was found to be breaching rule 1.14 of Section One: Protecting the undereighteens of the OFCOM Broadcasting Code 75 by playing an uncensored session version of the Foo
Fighters song Something From Nothing at approximately 7:55am 76. This was acknowledged as being
an unintentional error, and an apology was issued within ten minutes, claiming that "We must apologise
for the swear words that went out in that Foo Fighters live track, so apologies if any offence was taken
during that 76. Although commending the company for their swift response and the introduction of
preventative measures to minimise the chances of this situation recurring, OFCOM continued to claim
that the BBC was most definitely in breach.
Based upon the speed of the apology issued, we can infer that the BBC does most certainly care about
the opinions and reactions of their audience 77; they did not dismiss the claims and continue as normal,
they attempted to rectify the problem as soon as possible. Equally, this may be an act of selfpreservation; in an attempt to evade as high a fine or further action, which could damage their

P a g e | 19
credibility. The means implemented to stop this from happening again prove that they see this as being
an inconvenience to not only the consumer, but the business itself; attaining negative press or significant
profit losses through incidents of this nature are not desirable in the slightest.

BBC EDITORIAL GUIDELINES:

The BBC claim that audiences are at the heart of everything (we) do 78. As such, they have created
the Editorial Guidelines as a means of conveying how they balance freedom of expression with
responsibilities 78. Several of the core values have been included below:

1.2.1: TRUST: They claim this is the foundation 79 of the BBC, and that they are
independent, impartial and honest 79. This reinforces that not only are they required to present
the news in an unbiased way, it suggests that they want to; they wish to be seen as role models
within the industry, setting the bar for quality and integrity. Should the BBC lose the majority
of the trust of the public, they will also lose custom and listeners/viewers, prompting serious
questions regarding the feasibility of their channels.
1.2.2: TRUTH AND ACCURACY: Here, they stress that seek to establish the truth of what
has happened and are committed to achieving due accuracy in all our output 79. This means
that instead of assuming the details of an event and hastily broadcasting snippets of news which
have been strung together, they investigate the situation and give us the full picture, so that we
are reliably, and accurately, informed and updated of the initial story, and the subsequent
developments. By presenting information is this manner, we understand that they are a reliable
agency, and turn to them first when in need of answers.
1.2.3: IMPARTIALITY/1.2.4: EDITORIAL INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE:
These two sections tell us how the BBC ensures that they apply due impartiality to all our
subject matter and will reflect a breadth and diversity of opinion 79 as well as being
independent of outside interests and arrangements that could undermine our editorial integrity
79
. This is again telling us that they remain unbiased, and do not allow themselves to be
influenced by external agencies, hence remaining to be controlled by the public, for the public.
This is a central element for the BBC; should we feel that they are becoming more sympathetic
to one cause/party/individual etc. they would be breaching their own regulations.

These, combined with the other rules outlined at 79 and 80 describe the lengths to which the BBC will
go to as a means of protecting the viewer, as much as themselves. There have been instances of them
disregarding these codes, however. In 2010, executives claimed that BBC Radio One was in breach of
the editorial guidelines by giving undue prominence 81to the Harry Potter movies in their eponymously
named day designed to celebrate the franchise and the release of the new film. They added that they
failed to minimise product reference in output designed to appeal to children 81.
This is contrary to their statements about being independent of outside interests, whilst showing a lack
of diversity of opinion; although a popular series, not everybody is a fan of Harry Potter, and for a
network designed to cater for the entirety of the nation this is not what we, as consumers, would expect.
To clarify, there is nothing wrong about promoting a range of products, but to continually reference
one throughout the day to the extent of this, is a violation. Ultimately, we listen to the BBC with the
understanding that we are going to be exposed to a plethora of content and with the emphasis being
placed on one subject, this is not happening.

P a g e | 20

SERIOUS AND SENSATIONALIST STORIES and PUBLIC

INTEREST OR INVASION OF PRIVACY:
Regardless of the genre of story-be it crime, science, technology etc.-sensationalism is designed to
arouse strong emotional reactions in listeners/viewers/readers 82. Consequently, we can deem a
broadcast to be sensationalised if it exaggerates the situation in such a way that it evokes feelings of
disproportionate/uncalled for fear, grief, happiness and so on.
Impossibly common amongst Tabloids 83, this is a perfect method of drawing the reader due to what it
conjures up inside of the consumer. Although featured in a newspaper, the following article epitomises
this. Entitled How your pet could give you a deadly illness 84, this immediately resonates with the
audience of the Daily Mail. Pets are common additions to many families, be they hamsters or dogs, and
never have we pondered the prospect that they could harm us in the sense of giving us a lethal disease.
Instinctively, we want to know how to protect ourselves and our loved ones; this, on the surface, is a
very real and very present issue in our households. It is only as we read on that we are assured that
Doctors are not warning people of the dangers of pets 84 and that it is not the animal that is hazardous.
The more we read, the more we are put at is as we are told of ways to protect ourselves; even though
this is only vital for those with immunodeficiency and the like. It was the headline that drew us in,
ensuring that we took in the whole scenario, and stayed to the end as a means of educating ourselves as
to protecting those we care for from the risks of mans best friend.
By partaking in a class debate, we were able to discuss whether or not Journalists are correct in detailing
every aspect of prominent figures life, and if the methods they use are appropriate. Initiating the
process, one of my peers commented on how it was to be expected that celebrities (?) would have
their existences scrutinized. This was counteracted by another claiming that they are still due their
privacy. Having been assigned a place on the Public Interest team (with the opposition being Invasion
of Privacy), I had to adjust my own personal beliefs.
In a sense, photographing or reporting on a famous individual is a way of proving that they are still
human; they need not be seen as being perfect continually, nor must they always be seen as a beautiful
person, both physically and in terms of their behaviorisms. It reaffirms that they can have bad days
and interests/families outside of a film set, for example. At the end of the day, they have the same
biological/genetic makeup as ourselves meaning that, no matter how questionable it may seem, they are
the same species as us.
The means of attaining the information prompted an interesting conversation. My team stated that
examining the contents of a phone or the like is no different to taking a compromising or unflattering
photograph and publishing it the next day. The other side did not agree with this in the slightest,
claiming that certain boundaries should not be crossed, with this being one of them. They added that
that although being recognizable will result in news being investigated, a mobile/e-mail account etc. is
a personal communicative device, which we have no right to.
As a nation-or a globe-we crave stories which feature scandal and sensationalism, no matter how terrible
we know they will be. The job of the reporter, or photographer, is to deliver this information to us. I
feel that as a direct consequence of this, the more unscrupulous of these will go to extreme lengths as
they do not care for the audience but the notoriety and fame it will bring them. As such, they do not see
what they are doing as being unlawful or inappropriate. Moreover, and most importantly, it is there
occupation to cater to what we want.
Both sides did agree in regards to one topic; the hacking of the murdered schoolgirls phone. In the
period before Millie Dowlers body was discovered, interceptions to her phone led investigating officers

P a g e | 21
to believe that she was alive. She was not. The entire group agreed that this was an example of gross
misuse of the powers that journalists have; the activity of the mobile meant that her family, and the
nation, were given hope where there was none. Equally, she did not have the ability to sue or take legal
action; she did not have the ability to make them stop.

STORY PRIORITY:

The importance of a story-or how early its headline, for example, is mentioned-is dictated by the
audience. For example, the older generation-i.e. those who listen to Radio Four-may have a direct
interest in a change to the base lending rate 85 regarding mortgages in The Bank of England, whereas
the younger audience of Radio One may not as they would most likely still occupy the residences of
their parents/guardians; it is not them who must maintain repayments. Should it be placed in a context
which links it to the cost of borrowing going up 85, then the more youthful listener may desire further
details as they can see it as being in direct relation to themselves; in order to pay for fees associated
with University, credit card bills and other expenses encountered as a young adult this is of real concernit is difficult enough to pay for the base loan, let alone high, added interest.
The following Radio Five Live example 86 begins its broadcast with stories relating the election,
referencing the major parties 67, and more specifically the reduction of taxes. This is more relevant to
the listeners of this station as the younger audience of school children listening to Radio One, say, are
not in the position to need to concern themselves with this issue; as of yet the minors will not be paying
the fees discussed in the story. It is so high up the hierarchy of articles as it effects the whole of the
country, as opposed to one geographical area.
Leading on from this, we are told of how police in Belfast have launched a murder enquiry86 after a
man was found murdered. This has been placed second as this is more localised content that is, however,
suitable for the whole country; gruesome cases, such as this, inevitably peak our interest; we want to
know the motive, the details, the circumstances. Likewise, we wish to be made aware as to any leads,
or follow ups. Had this been an Irish radio station specifically targeted at inhabitants of the city, this
would have likely been the lead story as it directly involve them.
Ultimately, the more appealing the story is to the listener, the more likely they are to continue listening;
it is no good reading a story about an Antique Table found in an abandoned garage on Capital FM and
how Justin Bieber has shaved his head bald on Radio Four.

IMMEDIACY:

The immediacy of a broadcast emerges from the notion of the radio being able to cover news as it is
happening 87. According to Colin Denovan, formally of ABC Radio, immediacy of radio is still its
greatest attribute and the most effective way of spreading breaking news 88. He adds that the television
is too ponderous88. This tells us that the professionals who work within the industry believe that the
radio does not attempt to exaggerate stories to fantastical heights, or fill air time-ultimately, we are able
to infer that the goal is to share the news with as much detail as required, without going off on a tangent.
The BBC notes how time-references are integral to conveying how recent a story is. If the news is
breaking, they claim that it is important to say so 89. As such, phrases detailing the time passes should
be used, i.e. in the last few minutes or Police have just released

P a g e | 22

FOLLOW UP STORIES:

A follow up story is written in such a way that it leave the door open for the expansion of the information
once it has already been published or broadcast 90. The additional information can be in the form of
new facts, later developments, reactions or new issues which have been raised by the original event
90
. Similarly, as an issue gains prominence/relevance it can demand a more in depth review of the current
facts to help the audience comprehend the issue; this features the original facts as well as new ones.
In order to keep the consumer interested in a piece of news, it is imperative that the story is freshened
up 91. This is essential as if we are hearing the same, regurgitated story each day with no new leads, or
angles, we will lose our interest in the issue. Not only is there a risk of a case losing momentum and
slipping out of public interest, there is a chance that the radios custom could deviate elsewhere.
Follow ups are integral to the reporting of the news. Often, events cannot be adequately covered in one
article. Many of the occurrences develop over a longer time frame than just one evening, or over the
course of one arrest. Similarly, they frequently have implications and consequences that cant be
adequately covered 92.
Should a man murder his family at their home, we would have initial coverage of the situation as it is.
This would be the breaking news 92. The follow ups, however, could be analysis of him as a man, the
lead up to the massacre, the aftermath In addition to this, they will cover his trial and
conviction/acquittal, and so on. The goal of subsequent stories is to help the listener (in terms of the
radio) gain as much of a comprehension of a story as possible.

AVAILABILITY OF AUDIO CLIPS:

As has been discussed in previous chapters, audio clips add interest and create interest in a story.
Alternatively called actualities, these are sound clips that are recorded on location 93, and last for 10
to 20 seconds 93, or are snippets of pre-recorded interviews and the like.
By taking these from the site of the event, we are assured of the situation; we have definitive proof of
what occurred that we cannot argue with. Likewise, they prompt a change of pace that we would not
experience, was this copy only; suddenly, we are transported to the scene and can hear first-hand what
it is like to be there.
Proceeding the earthquake in Nepal, a London holidaymaker who was present, discusses the event from
one minute and 25 seconds into the report 94. He describes how it was like being on a boat, and how
he saw the six or seven hundred year old Mayan temple turn to rubble. By including this segment,
the station is appealing to the sympathetic nature that the majority of the population possesses, with the
exception of socio/psychopaths. By utilising emotive techniques that pull on the heartstrings of the
audience, so to speak, we can feel the plight of those involved, and feel moved to the extent that they
will continue listening to the channel just to be notified of updates, developments and, potentially, news
regarding the speaker in the sound bite.

P a g e | 23

HUMAN INTEREST:

Told in an emotional manner, human interest stories approach the news in a more personal way, with
less of the objectiveness of a standard article; this can be done by directly interviewing those affected
or focusing on individuals at the heart of a recent report 95. The ultimate goal is to create empathy
between the audience and the subject matter 96; we should be feeling for themwe should have an
intimate comprehension of their plight.
There are prominent approaches to writing a story of this nature:
1. SUCCESS: Describing what, when, why, where, and how 97 an issue has touched an
individual, or group of, in an optimistic way.
2. LEARNING: Discusses a persons response to challenges 97 that are usually detrimental
in nature. Additional features will mention how the problem was dealt with, the lessons
learnt and their current position.
Victoria Derbyshires Radio Five Live show features human interest stories as a standard programming.
One such example is that of Jageer Kaur, who speaks out about how she survived an honour attack
after having been brutalised and left partially blind 98-all in front of her two young children.
This inevitably horrifies us; we do not understand the depravity that some are capable of, hence leaving
us wondering just how she managed to escape such a scenario with her life. Likewise, we are not only
interested in the occurrence, but the aftermath; what is their position now, and how were they able to
move on?
Consequently, based on what has been heard, we feel as though we must take action against treatment
of this kind and put a stop to this form of abuse.

PUBLIC INTEREST:

Having briefly touched upon public interest in the debate, here we shall examine it slightly more depth.
The Press Complaints Commission Code of Practice states that stories in the public interest can include,
but not be limited to:
1.
i) Detecting or exposing crime or serious impropriety.
ii) Protecting public health and safety.
iii) Preventing the public from being misled by an action or statement of an individual or organisation.
2. There is a public interest in freedom of expression itself.
3. Whenever the public interest is invoked, the PCC will require editors to demonstrate fully that they
reasonably believed that publication, or journalistic activity undertaken with a view to publication,
would be in the public interest and how, and with whom, that was established at the time.
4. The PCC will consider the extent to which material is already in the public domain, or will become
so.
(The above can be found at 99).

P a g e | 24
This is saying that anything that affects the public, particularly in a negative way, is in their interest;
they have a right to know the details of a specific story, if they could be detrimentally impacted by it.
For example, a superbug infecting patients in several public hospitals in the London region would be
classed as Protecting public health and safety; it is informing us that there is a very real issue and
gives the public additional information to consider before checking themselves in.
There is some confusion to the definition of public interest, however, with some believing that
journalists should be permitted to break the law in attempt to pursue stories with a genuine public
interest 100. In the same article 100, we discover that the Director of Public Prosecutions states that if an
offence has been committed, they evaluate the situation to see if the benefit to the audience eliminates
the severity of a crime.
The approach discussed in the above article is inevitably highly controversial; many people feel that a
criminality must not be tolerated under any circumstances, regardless of the material attained; to some,
it would feel like handling dirty money. Others, however, take the opposite stance and claim that it is
a necessity for citizens of the country to be aware of anything and everything that involves them.

SATELLITE AND CABLE:

Using Direct Broadcasting Satellites (DBS), radio and television services can be delivered in this
manner 101. Satellites offer uninterrupted, near CD-quality102 radio stations by transmitting from
22,000 miles away-in space 102. As long as the weather is relatively clear-with minimal interruption
from clouds etc.-as long as you are present in the country of broadcast, the program should retain clarity
and the listener should not have to change the channel 103. Although American, Sirius and XM are
perhaps the most identifiable; as of yet the UK does not have a service of this kind 104.
Cable, on the other hand, utilises the coaxial cable as a means of allowing radio frequencies to be picked
up in the home 105. This is no longer a popular medium, with many people favouring the digital
counterparts-much like how cable television has slowly faded from use. The Government has, however,
stated that a digital switchover will occur when listeners to that form reach 50% 106. It is currently at
36%.

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