Factual Programming Codes and Conventions

News

• Television, Newspapers and the Internet update us with local and international news.
• Constantly updating the audience with important and valid information 24/7.

Actuality Footage

• Used in all types of media, especially news.
• Footage used as evidence and visual reference.
• To make subject clearer and more understanding for audience.

Studio Newsreaders

• Always seen in an office.
• Typically open show or subject.
• Often seen communicating with field reporters.
• Normally seen sat behind desk, reading from paper.
• Can sometimes be up to 3 newsreaders in the studio.

Report Structure

• This is when the most important updates and information will be spoken about.
• Where main reports will be prioritised.
• Keeping audience updated 24/7.

Field Reporters

• This is a reporter at a location of the report, or related to the report.
• Typically linked on screen with the studio newsreader.
• Always explain why and what has happened in that location.
• Known to have live opinions or witnesses to talk about content of the report.

Links to Studio

• This is when multiple TV stations link, in order to gain more information on a report.
• Typically have a witness or someone with opinion/explanation.

Experts and Witnesses

• Witnesses often only share their side of the story, sometimes being bias
• Experts are often used to give balanced opinions, to avoid being bias.
• Both used to give observations and experiences.

Mode of Address to Viewer

• This is when the TV channel/programme adapts to the target audience/type of show.
• Is used to make clear on type on gender/content.

Interviewing

• Asking the interviewee questions relevant to a popular subject/topic.
• To collect further/deeper information and get a better understanding for the subject/topic.
• Most interviewees are the centre of topic/witness/strongly opinionated or and expert.

Conclusion
There are a variety of codes and conventions of factual programming, however they are all as important as each other and all need to be taken into consideration when creating a factual programme.