NZQA registered unit standard
27385 version 1
Page 1 of 6
Title
Prepare and write a news story for broadcast on television
Level
5
Purpose
Credits
5
This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in
an off-job situation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: plan the
production of a news story; set up and conduct interviews for a
news story; work to camera for a news story; obtain other
visual and sound material; write the script for a news story;
record voice-over for a news story; and work with the tape
editor to edit, package, and deliver recorded material, for
broadcast on television.
Classification
Journalism > Journalism Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 27218, Gather and record information and plan news
stories for publication and broadcast; and Unit 27219, Write a
variety of news stories for publication and broadcast.
Explanatory notes
1
All evidence requirements must be in accordance with the minimum standards for
professional journalism, found in the current editions of: Pay Television Code of
Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand Broadcasting Standards Authority,
2008) available at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/pay-tv-code/, and the Free-to-Air Television
Code of Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand Broadcasting Standards
Authority, 2009) available at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/free-to-air-tv-code/.
2
Industry text:
Tully Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism
(Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008).
3
Assessment
Evidence is required for one news story that includes three interviews for broadcast
on television.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
4
27385 version 1
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Definitions
actuality refers to video footage of scenes and action related to a news story;
breaking stories refers to stories that describes how news stories develop as more
facts and comment become available;
graphic refers to an illustration, photograph, line drawing, table, graph, cartoon,
general artwork, video;
house style refers to the conventions used when writing text for television;
interview bite refers to a short clip taken from an interview and used to support a
news story item;
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;
news cycle refers to the period in which a news outlet gathers news;
news round 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;
news story refers to a timely and succinct account of unfolding events of public
interest;
a newsworthy person refers to anyone whose status, knowledge, activities,
statements, or involvement in a news event means they are topical;
newsworthiness refers to events of sufficient interest or importance to the public to
warrant reporting in the media;
notes refers to material recorded through shorthand, longhand and voice recorder, in
accordance with minimum standards for professional journalism. In the compiling of
the information for the required stories the notes must display evidence of a steady
progression of shorthand use, to the minimum requirement of 80wpm;
overlay (also known as a reader voiceover) is the use of images over a voiced script;
plan refers to the main purpose of the proposed story and contains the who, why,
what, where, and when elements and the requirements relating to the gathering and
developing of the information necessary to meet the requirements of the structure of
the news 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;
storyboarded refers to a visual laying out of events as they are to be seen on the
television programme.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27385 version 1
Page 3 of 6
Plan the production of a news story for broadcast on television.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The plan includes identified news, news angles, and visuals that meet editorial
criteria for the programme.
1.2
The plan includes research which supports the production of a news story,
provides information to organise and conduct interviews, and is in accordance
with the guidelines in the industry text.
Range
1.3
Details for the production of a news story are confirmed with the tutor.
Range
1.4
may include but is not limited to – background information,
context, recorded material, cultural and protocol considerations,
interview talent, sources, authorised and other spokespeople,
location for filming, graphics.
details include but are not limited to – story angle, treatment,
duration, footage, resources, placement.
Story is outlined or storyboarded to ensure it meets broadcasting requirements
before shooting is commenced.
Outcome 2
Set up and conduct interviews for a news story for broadcast on television.
Range
evidence is required for three interviews.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Talent and crew are directed to produce interview footage for the news story.
Range
2.2
Microphone placement ensures quality of sound to be broadcast.
Range
2.3
may include but is not limited to – interview grabs, actuality, backcut questions, noddies, two shots, cutaways, background visuals.
clear diction, no unwanted sound.
Interviews are conducted in accordance with the industry text.
Outcome 3
Work to camera for a news story for broadcast on television.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Selection of venue for piece-to-camera meets production and story
requirements.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
Range
3.2
includes but is not limited to – responses to cues, relevant action
or activity, use of props relevant to the story, narrative flow, correct
pronunciation.
Content of narration meets editorial requirements for television broadcast.
Range
3.4
complements story line, structure within story, light and sound.
On-air presentation is smooth and fluent.
Range
3.3
27385 version 1
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accuracy, legal considerations, style.
Grooming and demeanour suit news item, location, programme and technical
requirements.
Range
style, colour and pattern of clothes, make-up, body language.
Outcome 4
Obtain other visual and sound material for a news story for broadcast on television.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Liaison with crew ensures visual and sound material that assists with conveying
the story is recorded.
4.2
The files or other footage selected assists with conveying the story.
Outcome 5
Write the script for a news story for broadcast on television in accordance with the
publishable standard.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Visual material is viewed and selected to construct a visual narrative.
Range
may include but is not limited to – interview bites, overlay, file
footage, graphics.
5.2
Optimum use is made of visuals and actuality to engage the viewers and tell the
story.
5.3
Language, structure, and content meet editorial, style, and audience
requirements for the programme.
Range
5.4
style, clarity of meaning, target audience.
News story is impartial, balanced and fair.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
absence of journalist's opinion, opinion and controversial content
clearly attributed, balance of viewpoints canvassed within time
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27385 version 1
Page 5 of 6
constraints, significance of news made clear without editorial
opinion.
5.5
News story is corrected and filed in accordance with training establishment
practices.
Outcome 6
Record voice-over for a news story for broadcast on television in accordance with the
publishable standard.
Evidence requirements
6.1
Delivery is clear, authoritative, in a style suitable to the news story and
audience.
Range
6.2
articulation, projection, modulation, pace, intonation, target
audience.
Recording of sound and vision meets technical requirements for broadcast
quality sound and visuals.
Outcome 7
Work with the tape editor to edit, package, and deliver recorded material for broadcast on
television.
Evidence requirements
7.1
Visual and sound material is sorted to assist speed of tape editing.
Range
7.2
Story is assembled with the assistance of the tape editor in accordance with the
publishable standard.
Range
7.3
style, treatment, deadline, duration, special effects possibilities.
Assembled story package meets production and editorial requirements for the
programme in accordance with the publishable standard.
Range
7.4
may include but is not limited to – material shotlist; time codes
match visuals; sound effects, visuals and relevant interview clips
noted; graphics sourced.
story line, balance, legal considerations, accuracy, grammar,
pronunciation.
Recorded material is delivered in the appropriate format at the required time in
accordance with the publishable standard.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
intro, cues, duration, outro, labelling.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27385 version 1
Page 6 of 6
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 23126.
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.
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