REPORTING THE NEWS!!!!

Professional news reporting is a primary means of educating and informing the people of Anguilla and putting to rest much of the miss information the island is accustomed to. It is true that in today’s rapid expansion in information and technology, upcoming generations are very actively engaged in the universal phenomenon of advancing technology. News on Anguilla has not innovated to any serious level of advancement even though we are probably out numbering the rest of the region in ownership of radio stations. It is tempting to go back, way back to the analogy that Anguillians take pleasure in copying their neighbors interests just because they can accumulate a little more debt to their credit. This is a new age and the mouth piece of broadcasting has an imperative impact on the human mind, their decisions and their advancement, that also goes to TV broadcasting and reporting as well. Our radio stations are a compilation of broadcast waves all doing the same things and saying the same things at different times of the day in a very simple competitive context. They all think alike, act alike.

What we have in our news and information gathering in Anguilla is the most insignificant dissemination and diffusion of any narrative to improve the audio or visual anecdote to upgrade the intelligence and practical understanding of what is indeed reality on the island. Our news broadcasts are actually, the reading of a well written and expressed essay which does not compel the attention of the audience unless it has to do with a bit of information that is already out there in some distorted form and their interest is to clear it up and hear whether the melee is true or not. It is time we elevate from that level of news broadcasting on Anguilla with an objective other than being purely political.

For those in the dissemination of information, and in the news business, here are some facts on reporting the news; there are two terminologies to news broadcasting which are defined as Hard news, Soft news. Hard news reports on important events require a direct lead, summarizing what happened, satisfying the immediate or urgent curiosity or your listeners, then elaborating on details and perhaps raising speculation on the overall significance of the event. Stories that aren’t quite as urgent or important can be approached differently; which is termed soft news. Soft news however requires what is called a delayed lead, which sets up the story in a way that has the listener in suspense wanting to find out what else the reporter has to say. The news must be reported in a factual objective manner. People want factual information. There are other kinds of news gathering to give content to better news reporting; there is opinion reporting and reviews. News reports often profile important peoples and things, trade and special interests articles also make interesting news editions.

Hard news is further described as, straightforward reporting of current events or situations, and usually begins with a concise summation of the event or situation, then expands coverage to include significant details. It quotes from people connected to the situation or event. Hard news item provides no more than the five elements essential to objective articles, with little or no amplification. You utilize the five Ws: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY. Who; is the subject of your reporting! Lean, straightforward reporting gives clarity to the story and leaves the listener convinced. WHAT; represents the event initiated by the subject or in which the subject participates. WHEN and WHERE; supply more information regarding the event. WHY; may explain either the significance of the event or the motive of the subject. Listeners need the information by all five essential elements to fully appreciate the information they’re being given. If we are to assist the public with what’s a true story that are factual and spell bounding, the reporter must go and get the news, make contact with the story, and for the benefit of informing and educating the people “REPORT THE NEWS.”

What is amazing is that since this government took office there has been an abundance of news that has gone unreported, and therefore everything remains basically speculation and here say in the minds of the people. It is all left to the discretion of whom ever to offer up some details they want to. The basic guidelines and principles of news gathering and reporting are not applied and there is a serious lack of factual information to convince people of what is really happening on the island. The continuous conflict between the governor and the Chief Minister has gone unreported too long, now the conspiracy on one side or the other is broadening. Reporters need to go and get the news from those who are the news makers, get interactive and report the story for the benefit of educating the people and feeding them facts. When the Governor gives his story, there will be aspects he will refuse to go in, but the reporter has to get as close to the facts as possible. Then most certainly who ever the opponent is, will be glad to rebut and tell their side of the story, and the people will judge for themselves. With this current Visa waiver issue, there should be a distinct profile on the Minister and a factual report on the scandal. The facts, the logic, the story and the answers, all lie in professionally and accurately REPORTING THE NEWS!!!!!!!

By: Elliot J. Harrigan