NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 1 of 7
Title
Gather and record information and plan news stories for publication
and broadcast
Level
5
Purpose
Credits
25
This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in
an off-job situation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: define news
and explain how information for news is gathered and selected
for publication and broadcast; demonstrate knowledge of
compilation of news contacts’ lists and compile a news
contacts’ list in accordance with the relevant industry text; plan
news stories for publication and broadcast; demonstrate
knowledge of news media interviewing skills and plan and
conduct interviews for news stories in accordance with the
relevant industry text; file information for news stories for future
reference; and research a newsworthy person and compile a
dossier.
Classification
Journalism > Journalism Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 117, Write shorthand at 80 words per minute (wpm) and
transcribe to produce required information
Explanatory notes
1
All evidence requirements must be in accordance with the minimum standards for
professional journalism, found in the current editions of: Statement of Principles
(Wellington: New Zealand Press Council, 2006) available at
http://www.presscouncil.org.nz/principles.php – for print journalism; the Codes of the
New Zealand Radio Code of Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand
Broadcasting Standards Authority, 2008) available at http://bsa.govt.nz/radio-code/.
These standards encompass – the Radio Code, the Free-to-Air Television Code, the
Pay Television Code.
2
Industry texts include:
– Burrows, John, A Journalist's Guide to the Law (Wellington: New Zealand
Journalists Training Organisation, 5th ed, 2006);
– Price, Steven, Media Minefield: A Journalist’s Guide to Media Regulation in New
Zealand (Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 2007);
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 2 of 7
– Tully, Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism
(Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008).
3
Relevant legislation may include:
Broadcasting Act 1989;
Copyright Act 1994;
Defamation Act 1992;
Electoral Act 1993;
Harassment Act 1997;
Human Rights Act 1993;
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990;
Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (Section 173, sub-section k);
Privacy Act 1993;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
Terrorism Suppression Act 2002;
Trespass Act 1980;
Victims' Rights Act 2002;
Evidence Act 2006.
Relevant laws and legal conventions may include:
Court Newspaper Rule;
Law of breach of confidence;
Rules on reporting Parliament;
Tort of breach of privacy;
Tort of defamation;
Tort of trespass;
Evidence Act 2006.
4
Assessment
Evidence is required for the finding and compiling of information for a minimum of 20
news stories of publishable standard on a range of topics, including – two stories
each from three of the following four platforms – print, radio, internet, television.
Each story must include at least one face-to-face, telephone, email, or social media
interview.
Evidence is required that the student has produced and followed a plan for each
news story. The plan will have been approved by the appropriate person within the
training establishment.
5
Definitions
graphics refer to but are not limited to – illustration, photograph, line drawing, table,
graph, cartoon, general artwork, infographic, video;
house style refers to the conventions used when writing text for print, radio,
television, and internet;
minimum standards for professional journalism refers to the conventions under which
the media operate and may include but are not limited to – stories of publishable
standard, meet agreed deadlines and length and are legally, ethically and culturally
sound;
a news cycle refers to the period in which a news outlet gathers news;
news rounds may refer to general news reporting or relate to a sector of special
interest in the community within which a news organisation will expect journalists to
find news;
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 3 of 7
news story refers to a timely and succinct account of unfolding events of public
interest;
newsworthiness refers to events of sufficient interest or importance to the public to
warrant reporting in the media;
a newsworthy person refers to anyone whose status, knowledge, activities,
statements, or involvement in a news event means they are topical;
notes refer to material recorded via shorthand, longhand, and voice recorder, in
accordance with minimum standards for professional journalism. In the compiling of
the information for the required 20 stories, the notes must display evidence of a
steady progression of shorthand use, to the minimum requirement of 80wpm;
platforms refer to the delivery modes of radio, print, internet, and television;
plan refers to the main purpose of the proposed story and contains the who, why,
what, where, and when elements of the story;
publishable standard refers to the standard required by news media outlets for them
to consider publishing the material. It will meet standards described in the industry
texts and may include but is not limited to – news cycles; news rounds; breaking
news; newsworthy person; newsworthiness; notes; platforms; reliability, validity and
usefulness; news values; introductions (impact, succinctness); structure (appropriate
for story type and platform, arranged logically); grammar; spelling; punctuation;
house style; word selection (jargon and clichés avoided); attribution (mix of direct
and indirect quotes including paraphrasing); understanding (issues in context, key
questions answered); editorial requirements; balance; fairness; language used in
news media publications and broadcasting;
reliability, validity, and usefulness, when referring to a news source, mean that the
bona fides of the person, organisation or reference are established as a credible,
knowledgeable, accurate, and authoritative source.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Define news and explain how information for news is gathered and selected for publication
and broadcast.
Evidence requirements
1.1
News is identified and explained in accordance with the relevant industry text.
Range
1.2
Methods of gathering information for news stories across the delivery platforms
are explained in accordance with the relevant industry text.
Range
1.3
factors include – proximity, currency, timeliness, relevance,
topicality, significance, conflict, achievement, utility, novelty,
human interest.
methods include – news cycles, prime time, deadlines, breaking
news.
The selection and prioritisation of news is explained in accordance with the
relevant industry text.
Outcome 2
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 4 of 7
Demonstrate knowledge of compilation of news contacts’ lists and compile a news
contacts’ list in accordance with the relevant industry text.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Information required for compilation of contacts’ lists is described.
2.2
Sources of information, and the methods for recording and keeping the
information secure and confidential, are explained.
Range
2.3
Contacts’ list is compiled and maintained with up to date information.
Range
2.4
methods include but are not limited to – notebook, electronic
organiser, newsroom contact list, mobile phone.
evidence is required for a minimum of 30 contacts.
The contacts’ list is filed in accordance with training establishment practices.
Outcome 3
Plan news stories for publication and broadcast.
Evidence requirements
3.1
News story ideas are identified in accordance with the factors listed in evidence
requirement 1.1 and news sources are evaluated in terms of reliability, validity,
and usefulness.
Range
3.2
Information is gathered and analysed, angles are identified, and the relevance
of information to be included is established.
Range
3.3
may include but is not limited to – record of interviews, researched
material, written reports, agenda items, decisions, statements,
announcements, media releases;
evidence is required for a minimum of three items of information.
Plans for the news stories are developed and approved.
Range
3.4
news sources may include but are not limited to – organisations,
individuals, news rounds, events, trends, reports, statements,
hearings, meetings, anniversaries, speeches, hui, media
conferences, media releases, public notices, advertisements;
evidence is required for a minimum of three news sources.
sources of information, resources, strategy, process, deadlines,
who, what, where, why, when.
Graphics that may be included with the news stories are determined.
Outcome 4
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 5 of 7
Demonstrate knowledge of news media interviewing skills and plan and conduct interviews
for news stories in accordance with the relevant industry text.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Key skills required for effective interpersonal communications for news media
interviewing are explained.
Range
balance, fairness, use of contacts, ability to persuade people to
talk, obtaining clarity and accuracy.
4.2
Use of various types of questions is explained.
4.3
Limitations of different interview types are explained in accordance with the
relevant industry text.
Range
4.4
types of interviews include – face to face, telephone, email, social
media;
identification of interviewee and interviewer, security of
communication, legal requirements.
Plans for the interviews are developed and approved.
Range
type of interview, interviewee, background information, cultural
considerations, angles, balance, completeness, length, deadline.
4.5
Interviews are arranged to meet the requirements of the approved plans.
4.6
Interviews are carried out.
Range
questioning and listening techniques elicit facts, clarify
understanding, explore surround issues, recognise need for further
questions, probe unexpected news angles;
interview kept on track;
information is sufficient for the story and sets issues in context.
Outcome 5
File information for news stories for future reference.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Information for news stories is filed and stored securely for future reference.
Range
information may include but is not limited to – direct quotations
taken from notes recorded verbatim, paraphrasing taken from
notes accurately reflecting content and meaning, notes and digital
recordings;
evidence is required for a minimum of three items of information.
Outcome 6
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 6 of 7
Research a newsworthy person and compile a dossier.
Evidence requirements
6.1
A newsworthy person is identified in accordance with the approved plan.
6.2
Relevant sources of publicly available information are selected.
sources may include but are not limited to – search engines,
databases, reference libraries, internet news filing sites, clippings
services, government and local government records, court
records, company reports, speeches, media, books, journals;
evidence is required for a minimum of three sources.
Range
6.3
Collation of a dossier on the newsworthy person is planned and approved.
dossier material may include but is not limited to – full name, title,
address, telephone contacts, occupation, age, birth details, marital
status, interests; organisation membership, offices held, public
statements;
evidence is required for a minimum of five items.
Range
6.4
Research on the newsworthy person is carried out in accordance with the
approved plan and information is gathered.
6.5
Researched material is collated in the form of a dossier.
Range
6.6
reference index of background material, contains copy of the
interview, bound.
References for selected sources are recorded.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 23106.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 July 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0002
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27218 version 1
Page 7 of 7
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Competenz info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the
content of this unit standard.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016