Organization & Structure of Oral Statements & Evidence in Reporting
Organization and Structure of the Report of Oral Statements and Evidence
General Approach
The foundation of news reporting relies on auditory elements within the oral presentations of witnesses, actors, and experts. Beyond spoken words, natural visual expressiveness is key, linking voice with gestures and facial expressions. The most informative phrases are selected, respecting the speaker’s overall message. Journalistic interpretation can influence the portrayal of statements. Instead of a purely chronological approach, emphasis is placed on impactful statements, contrasting them with earlier or later remarks. The temporal order may be disregarded if deemed less significant.
When dealing with less structured statements, such as press conferences, two organizational trends emerge:
- Summarizing and highlighting key phrases in their original order.
- Selecting and prioritizing information based on relevance. This demands more effort.
Both methods aim for overall coherence. However, the arrangement of sentences often deviates from the original discourse. Instead of summarizing core ideas, the focus shifts to selecting the most impactful phrases for headlines. This can sometimes distort the reality being reported, potentially leading to misinterpretations and debate among media outlets.
Process Management
Video recordings facilitate the processing of oral statements, particularly in settings like conferences where individuals provide testimonies. Statements are evaluated for their informational value. The selection process can decontextualize the original statement, prioritizing relevance, the speaker’s prominence, and potential political, social, or economic impact.
Except in special circumstances, questions are typically omitted, assuming clarification within the introductory context. However, the introduction doesn’t encompass the entirety of the statement; rather, it establishes the presence of key individuals involved. The inclusion of actors, witnesses, and experts on screen not only humanizes the information but also lends credibility. Direct witness accounts further enhance the quality of reporting. In cases requiring anonymity, techniques like camera distortion, backlighting, or facial obscuring can be employed. However, information verification remains crucial.
The presence of actors and witnesses can create a hierarchy of information, shaping the news narrative. This often conforms to the traditional inverted pyramid structure. While no single system prevails, the journalist’s approach influences the final presentation. Voiceovers may summarize claims while visuals depict the environment and context. Statements can be linked using visual effects like curtains or transitions, minimizing direct journalist intervention. For clarity, labels, phrases, or short sentences serve as anchors.
The structure of a news report differs from the speaker’s logical and rational discourse. Television news prioritizes the visual impact of images.
Hometown or Origin
Oral discourse often stems from multiple sources, with isolated statements, interviews, press conferences, speeches, lectures, and rallies being the most common.
1 Declarations
- Impressions of Protagonists: Personal accounts from individuals involved, often subjective.
- Testimony from Bystanders and Observers: Accounts from those not directly involved.
- Consultation with Experts and Specialists: Explanations and insights from professionals.
- Summary of Unexpected Statements: Brief statements made by individuals in response to unexpected events.
2 Press Conference Information
The synthesis of a press conference depends on its complexity and relevance. Television typically broadcasts the most compelling moments. Journalists’ questions are often excluded, except for those posed by the broadcasting channel’s reporter. The camera focuses on the speaker, occasionally panning to capture the environment. Responses are typically pre-selected, except during live broadcasts.
3 Information Speeches, Lectures, and Rallies
These events present complex news scenarios, requiring condensation of lengthy speeches into concise segments. Journalists utilize voiceovers to summarize key contributions and select the most relevant phrases. Reports typically range from 90 seconds to a few minutes, with individual cuts lasting 20 to 30 seconds.
Treatment Modalities for Audiovisual
Introducing quotes and statements involves various techniques:
- Direct Style: Quotes presented verbatim, conveying the speaker’s characteristics and nuances. This offers greater impact and informational value.
- Indirect Speech: Quotes paraphrased by the reporter, often through voiceovers. This involves tense adjustments and stylistic modifications, translating the speaker’s words into the reporter’s narrative.
- Combined Direct and Indirect Speech: A blend of verbatim quotes and paraphrased summaries, offering a balanced approach.