CBC Archives

Review a brief clip from a recent national news broadcast with the students. Identify the key components of a broadcast news presentation. Ask: What makes live reporting effective or ineffective? How does it differ from newspaper reporting? Record their responses on the board or chart paper.

In small groups, students will review the topic The Halifax Explosion on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Groups will take notes on the information they need to produce a three-minute live broadcast from the scene of the Halifax Explosion. They will decide the elements to feature and organize the reporting, making sure all group members have a clearly defined role to play. Groups can use the download sheet Group Broadcast to organize their roles. All stories will be broadcast to the class and videotaped if materials are available.

Groups may use correspondents, live interviews, or other elements recorded on the board. Allow groups time for at least one rehearsal before going “live to air.”

Have groups broadcast to their classmates. Following the broadcasts, discuss with students the ethics and limits of reporting about disasters and tragedies. Ask:

Should there be any restriction on images or impact?

Can live reporting be too difficult for an audience to view? Can it be too confusing?

Should reporters and an audience view, observe, and analyze people in the midst of a disaster?

Following the discussion, replay group videotapes. Students can analyze and critique their work in light of their discussion about reporting about disasters and tragedies.