News and Current Affairs: Past Questions
In the exam for unit 2735 you will answer two questions in two hours. As it is the synoptic paper, you should refer to the key concept areas of:
- Media forms and conventions
- Media representations
- Media institutions
- Media audiences
Note: This topic used to focus on radio and TV news, whereas it now focuses on news and current affairs broadcasting.
June 2003
To what extent is the news on radio and/or television produced to satisfy a specific audience?
June 2004
What factors determine the style and content of radio and/or televsion news?
June 2005
To what extent is television and/or radio news under pressure to ‘dumb down’?
June 2006
How far does news on television and/or radio give a true and accurate reflection of society?
June 2007
Discuss the factors likely to cause certain events and issues to be selected for news and/or current affairs programmes.
or
How do programme makers and schedulers tackle the perception that news and current affairs programmes are unlikely to attract large audiences?
January 2008
“News, in whatever form, must be reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality“. (Ofcom Code of Practice for Broadcasters.) To what extent do you agree that broadcast news and/or current affairs programmes are impartial?
or
Discuss the view that news and/or current affairs programmes should be broadcast at peak viewing and listening times regardless of audience ratings.
