Module:

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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Module Title
Module Code	(ITS: CM146)
Faculty		School
NFQ level		Credit Rating

Description

To introduce the skills, techniques and procedures of radio news and current affairs journalism

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate awareness of radio news content and techniques, and critically evaluate various broadcasts
2. Write clear, accurate, fluent English (or Irish) suitable for radio news stories
3. Operate recording equipment to report news and interviews to a professional standard
4. Conduct effective interviews, select appropriate excerpts, and edit on computer
5. Identify and apply legal and ethical standards specific to radio news, showing a knowledge of the concepts of objectivity, impartiality, fairness, decency, privacy, libel, and contempt.
6. Research topics which can be turned into radio news and current affairs stories
7. Learn to operate digital editing software for radio items.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Weekly lectures
Laboratory	11	Practical workshops
Assignment Completion	35	Weekly technical and editorial projects
Independent Study	35	Regular critical listening
Independent Study	22	Required reading
Total Workload: 125

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Research, write, record and edit a radio news report of 2'00" duration	40%	Week 7
Assignment	Research, write, record and edit a radio news report of 3'30" duration	60%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Radio as a medium and the role of News

Writing for radio news.
Writing for the ear. House style.

Story building
Recording sound

Interviewing
Conducting interviews for news and current affairs

Presentation styles & news values
Recording your voice & news imperatives

Editing
Learning how to edit broadcast material

Current affairs
The differences between news and current affairs

Law
Legal issues in broadcasting

Researching current affairs
Find stories, briefing for interviews

NewsDay operations
How to put a bulletin together

Broadcasting standards
Objectivity, impartiality, fairness.

Winning news stories
News stories that win prizes

Indicative Reading List

Books:

BBC: 0, BBC News Style Guide,
RTE: 0, Broadcasting Guidelines for RTE Personnel,
Gail Phillips,Mia Lindgren: 2013, Australian Broadcast Journalism, Third Edition, 333, OUP Australia & New Zealand, Sydney, NSW, 384, 0195578171
Barbara Alysen: 2012, The Electronic Reporter, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 283, 1742233171

Articles:

0: Additional readings will be suggested in class,

Other Resources

Website: BBC, BBC College of Journalism (available from DCU only), http://bbcjournalism.oup.com/