Granada's Head of News gives TV tips

By UKJournalism

Students from the Department were given tips on how to succeed in TV when Granadaís Head of News returned to the place where he started out in journalism.

A graduate of the Departmentís Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, Richard Frediani was keen to pass on his knowledge and give advice to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying TV Journalism.

"Itís a great job," he beamed. "In no other job would I have been paid to go to the 2002 World Cup and watch David Beckham playing in Japanís fantastic Sapporo Dome, or have the chance to go to Iraq for a month during the war in 2003 and experience all that went on."

Importance of pictures

After advising the students not to overdo graphics in their packages, Richard spoke about the importance of pictures in news: "In TV news, good reporters let pictures tell the story. Some of the best packages Iíve ever seen have as few words as possible."

Upon being asked about the availability of jobs in TV News, Richard said: "The Most difficult thing in the industry is getting your foot in the door, and so just by doing a course here at Preston, you have all got your feet in the door already. Opportunities are always out there for people who want to work hard."

And opportunities have certainly opened up for Richard! Since completing his course at Preston in 1990, he has progressed from reporter then news editor at local station Red Rose Radio (now Rock fm), to reporter and producer at ITN in London for ten years, before landing his new role in August 2004 as Head of News at Granada TV.

Challenge

And he is looking forward to getting his hands dirty in regional news: "There is more of a challenge in regional news than national news, because youíve got to dig out local stories unlike the national news, who have the whole country to choose from.

"Regional news is more about engaging the audience. It is treated more like a news magazine show, with a mix of stories to try to appeal to everyone watching."

One of the first things on Richardís agenda as Head of News at Granada is to change the studio layout. "At the moment the presenters sit square on to the screen and guests seem miles away from the presenters," he said.

"The new studio will have a curved bench around a low table to let more of the presentersí body language to come across and allow more interaction with guests. It will also give us a better variety of shots."

More info:
Masters in Broadcast Journalism > 
Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism >
BA (Hons) Journalism >

Related stories from UKJournalism:
Granada TV's Croney meets the students >

See also:
ITV Granada News website >

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