Thursday, 29 September 2016

Digital News: Writing For News Workshop


WRITING FOR NEWS WORKSHOP

As part of a Digital News workshop, we have been tasked with writing a news bulletin, based on a given press release. Ida and I were given a press release from RSPCA, that talks about a circus that have rebranded themselves as an 'educational evening'. RSPCA are campaigning for a ban to be put in place that prevents circuses from using wild animals.

KEY FACTS-

- DEFRA statistics from 2010 show that 94% of 10,500 favoured a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.
- RSPCA are focusing and working on getting a complete ban on the use of any wild animals in circuses.
- Scottish Government have submitted plans to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
- DEFRA: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs say they have a manifesto commitment to enforce the ban.
- In the meantime, strict licensing systems and inspection regulations are in place to ensure the welfare of any wild circus animals.
- One circus is misleading it's audiences by rebranding themselves as an 'Educational evening'. Animal lovers arrive expecting to see the animals being helped, not forced to perform circus acts.

SCRIPT:

 PRE-TITLES INTRO

"Six years after the conservative party promised to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, the government have yet to act. Tonight we have an exclusive report, that exposes the traveling circuses that continue to abuse wild animals for entertainment; and we look at the loopholes they use to get away with it."

Opening Titles

 INTRO

 "This week, the Scottish Government submitted their plans to ban the use of wild animals in circus performances, which raises questions as to why the Conservative government are yet to act on their manifesto promises to put a ban in place by 2015. With the public interest in the welfare of the animals increasing, we went undercover to investigate travelling circuses. This report does contain some distressing images"

REPORT CONTENTS
- Secretly filmed videos of animals being abused in circuses.
- Interviews with representatives for the RSPCA, and the National Centre For Circus Arts
- Information about current Government policies, and the loopholes the circuses use to avoid responsibility.

OUTRO

We asked the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for an interview, they declined, but issued this statement:

We have a manifesto commitment to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. We will deliver this ban as soon as parliamentary time allows. 

 In the meantime, we have a strict licensing system in place to ensure the welfare of any wild animals in circuses. This includes both announced and unannounced inspections, care plans for every animal, regular veterinary inspections and a retirement plan for each animal.

 We will keep you updated as this story develops. This has been The Wire News, brought to you by Apple. Goodnight, and remember 'Think Different'.

GROUP FEEDBACK

 Ida and I read our script back to the group, and this was the feedback we received:

- The intro was a bit long winded and this meant the audience began to tune out quite quick.
- The quote should have been part of the report, not the outro. Don't add in new information during the outro.
- The structure was good.
- Everything that needed to be said, was said. We just need to think more about shortening it down.

0 comments:

Post a Comment