Television news program concept, form and practice

Author: Lü Zhengbiao / Wang Jia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This book discusses the development history of Chinese television news programs and their current forms, citing numerous facts to analyze the commonalities and individualities of television news programs. It even examines and introduces the concepts and practices of American television news. From these writings, we can very clearly see the authors' inclination: our television news should attempt a new form of expression, breaking down the boundaries and defenses between media and audiences, allowing the dissemination and reception of news to involve role identification and emotional interaction with joy. The authors place great emphasis on the role of audiences in television news. They also focus on the concept of "people at home." For example, when discussing the viewing habits of evening television news, the authors state that the viewing state they identify is a "free, casual, relaxed, and leisurely 'home' state," which determines that television programs can only be a form of entertainment. All program creators must understand: television audiences are comfortably lounging on their living room sofas at home or leaning against their beds to watch TV. In such an environment and mindset, who would be willing to have a 'family moral education teacher' stand in their living room or bedroom to lecture them? A rigid, condescending communication attitude would appear ridiculous and out of place in such an environment."
Additionally, the authors mention that evening television is often watched by families together. This requires television programming to be designed for families rather than individuals. It should strive to be suitable for all ages and highlight the shared family experience of television programs. In this era where audiences use remote controls to vote, starting from the audience and considering their needs, scientifically arranging programs should become the basic understanding and cognition of media professionals toward television audiences. All communication design and goals should take this cognition as a premise and begin with such an understanding. This is the strongest message I received from the authors' tone in this book. The book's features are: it avoids empty talk, giving equal weight to facts and data. Its viewpoints are clear, and its analyses and conclusions are thorough. A good book should be like a sandwich—well-structured, rich in content, and uniquely flavorful.