Television reporting and its rewards

By Rebecca Armstrong

One of the hardest skills for journalism students to master apart from how to interview and angle your stories is the art of clear news writing. To get a critical insight into the profession of journalism, Rebecca Armstrong, spoke to a veteran journalist at WIN Television in Wollongong.

Colin Duffy has been a journalist in Wollongong for 21 years with both Win Television and i98FM where he takes on different roles. He floats between field reporting for television and radio and acts as Chief of Staff and Director of News.

In approaching a story Duffy believes the first thing that must be done is "find out the main point". Background research is essential to ensure that a story is not repeated. In television Duffy says that footage is crucial to a successful story as it determines if the story will be covered and how much time is given.

The lead is the most important part of a news story. "You've got to find out what the main crux of the story is because it's got to be in the lead ... it has got to sell the whole story. The second part is the icing on the cake to tell you what it's all about."

On how to report a story Duffy says that being simple is most effective. "You've got to make your story entertaining, interesting and simple." This is because the audience reached by WIN Television is so extensive and varies so greatly in background, education and interests. "Your story is going to go out at night and be viewed from people at Mt Ousley that are businessmen to labourers at Dapto."

Duffy believes that a journalist can master the techniques of interviewing. He says a journalist must go into an interview with a plan but not follow it strictly but go with the flow. "Don't get stuck with questions because you might miss a whole new fresh angle on a story."

As to how he improves his craft he says: "At the time when we had Prime here ... you'd always watch your opposition to see how your story stacked up, if they had a better angle". The best way to learn to be a good journalist is on the job and by watching the people around you."

Duffy admires the technique and style of Mike Gibson because he is relaxed in how he presents his information to the audience. "You feel he's on the chair next to you." Duffy finds 'Gibbo' exemplary of an entertaining journalist "which is important as you don't want people to get bored half way through (your presentation)."

Reporting sensitive issues such as accidents and the death of children has its own challenges. "They're a nightmare," he says, " but it's news, it's a story so it's got to be covered." In dealing with such stories Duffy says that the way journalists should that families and friends of the victims are not hurt any more. "You wouldn't degrade the incident that involves the accident ...tackle it the best way you can with wording that is soft but still explains what happened."

Duffy started in journalism at age 17 with 2WL Radio. "To get into journalism a lot of the time you were given a gig as a cadet." Things were very different then, as journalism schools did not exist like today and all his training was on the job. Important skills then for journalists were "shorthand and typing" which are no longer seen as so important by media educators today.

As for the highlights of being a journalist Duffy says "the people you get to meet. Television takes you to places you would never dream of...I have rubbed shoulders with Prime Ministers, Premiers, the Royals."

Yet there are negatives to this profession such as ethical issues, which sometimes must be compromised to get a good story. On covering "depressing stories" Duffy often feels guilty about taking advantage of other people's tragedy. "As a parent I would hate to have someone there shoving a camera in my face if I had just lost one of my children."

As for journalism students such as myself, Duffy advises "be yourself, be relaxed, knuckle down, and look and listen to colleagues both working with you and against you."