I love learning from books. Authors, who are also subject matter experts, spend years carefully formulating ideas and curating examples of practical and applicable knowledge into pages for our learning pleasure. Luckily for us, in the fast-paced and dynamic field of broadcast journalism, there is no shortage of terrific writers, videographers, and storytellers.
For some folks, books are a slog. They are too long, too dense, and too passive in their educational design. This blog post will explore the best books and resources available for individuals aspiring to make a mark in broadcast journalism and for teachers looking for curricula to bring into their classrooms.
Learning about a reporter’s on-air presence or how to dig into investigative reporting, aspiring broadcasting journalists need to be well-versed in various aspects of the profession to build a successful career.
Books to Learn About Broadcast Journalism
- “Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News” by Andrew Boyd:
Regarded as a foundational text, Andrew Boyd’s “Broadcast Journalism” provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques and practices essential to radio and television news reporting. The book covers everything from scriptwriting and interviewing to production and ethics, making it an ideal resource for both students and professionals looking to hone their skills.
This handbook serves as a practical guide for anyone pursuing a career in broadcasting journalism. It covers a wide range of topics, including news gathering, interviewing techniques, and the legal and ethical considerations specific to broadcast journalism. The book also includes insights from industry professionals, providing real-world perspectives to enhance the learning experience.
For those interested in audio journalism, “Sound Reporting” by Jonathan Kern, a veteran NPR editor, offers a deep dive into the world of audio storytelling. From crafting compelling narratives to using sound effectively, this book is an excellent resource for broadcasting journalists looking to excel in radio and podcasting.
While not specifically focused on broadcasting, “The Elements of Journalism” is a seminal work that explores the principles and values that underpin responsible journalism. Understanding these core elements is crucial for broadcasting journalists who aim to deliver accurate, fair, and ethical news coverage.
Media to Learn About Broadcast Journalism
How can we teach and learn about media without using it in our curricula? This sentiment is particularly true for students who grew up entrenched in video and interactive content. We recommend the following content.
This Masterclass.com series with esteemed investigative journalist Bob Woodward cannot be missed. Famously, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein helped expose the corruption of the Nixon presidency during the Watergate scandel. He won two Pulitzer Prizes and wrote nineteen best-selling book. Now, the legendary journalist is teaching his first-ever online class for anyone who wants to find the truth. Learn to investigate a story, interview sources, and understand how the news is written. This course is told in more than four hours of videos with Woodward and students from universities with prestigious journalism programs.
In this unique online course, students complete nine lessons and 100 interactive challenges, learning how to identify newsworthy stories, understand how to capture viewers’ attention using interview techniques, engaging b-roll, purposeful stand-ups, and a concise reporter’s track to tie it all together when building the story. Teachers can sign up for a free trial.
StoryMaker is a free learning platform developed by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs to build the next generation of media creators. The StoryMaker platform provides projects, lesson plans, storytelling resources and tutorials just teachers. StoryMaker is a powerful learning platform developed by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs to build the next generation of media creators.
Conclusion
Aspiring broadcasting journalists need a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of media in the second decade 21st century. The books and media mentioned in this blog post cover a variety of topics, from the technical aspects of broadcasting to the ethical considerations that guide responsible journalism. By incorporating these resources into their reading list, aspiring broadcast journalists can gain a well-rounded understanding of the profession and develop the expertise needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism.
