Task 1A Re draft

Task 1 A

Educating Yorkshire

Educating Yorkshire Is a British documentary programme, broadcasted on channel 4. The documentary was based on students and staff lives of Thornhill Community Academy, a secondary school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. The school was known for its previously bad reputation and was amongst one of the worst performing schools in England, with a report from Ofsted in 2007 saying it was "below average".

The documentary was filmed with cameras that were put up around a school capturing all action. This is an observational documentary as it utilises the fly on the wall style presentation which captures all the action in the hallway, playground and classrooms. Over the seven weeks they collected 2,000 hours’ worth of footage on 64 cameras from 7am to 5pm each day.  They also had several handheld cameras and 22 radio microphones. 

During the docusoap different students are portrayed with different problems which are affecting their education. For example during one episode a troubled student who is known for his bad reputation is being recorded, showing the type of language and aggressive behaviour he uses towards other students. The episode also shows how the principle is overcoming the issues this student is facing by approaching him in a way of understanding. This could make the docusoap subjective as its viewpoint is based on personal feeling and opinions. 

When filming the producers would have needed to provide consent forms for students and teachers to be interviewed. If the consent forms were not provided it would have been a breach of privacy as rules must be applied in order to protect participants during the programme.

After each day of filming the Head teacher and the editor would have a meeting to talk openly about aspects which may concern him and the staff. These comments would have been taken into consideration for when the final cut was made.

During the episodes it was essential for the programme to be balanced and unbiased, this was applied throughout, for example the programme was biased with the way the school values were portrayed; showing that even though it may be one of the worst schools in England statistically, it is a good school in terms of the staff, education and the way that the pupils at the school are dealt with. The head teacher of the school is interviewed about the school and the grades that the school has achieved, this information must be accurate and factually correct.

During the programme there were scenes of school fights which were filmed, this was necessary for the documentary as it made it balanced by showing both sides of the story on how the fight started and who were involved.  This was essential as it allows the audience to see the teachers and students accountable for the fight and the reasons behind it.

President Trump: The Inauguration

BBC news were screening the live broadcasting of the inauguration on the new president of America; Donald Trump. A public ceremony was held on Friday, January 20, 2017, where the live broadcast showed the viewers the 45th President of the United States on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.  The live broadcast covered Trump’s speech which he delivered to the crowds as the President of the United States following his swearing-in ceremony. This inauguration was a representation of Trump and the reactions of the public during the ceremony, portraying the reality with the angry protesters at the same time.

The live broadcast was aired on BBC World Service, this provided live coverage of the inauguration from Washington DC from 4pm to 7pm. In order to film the inauguration filmmakers will need to negotiate, sign contracts and release forms, to grant them access, it was essential for the BBC to ask for permission before hand to film.

Donald Trump’s speech is not objective as he is speaking to his audience on his methods as to how to run the country. Trump is logically allowing his feelings to get involved by judging his country with prejudice and emotion. This however is subjective as it is a view and opinion based on his personal feelings towards his county.

During the filming there was footage of the protests that were happening whilst Trump addressed his speech, this made the news report unbiased and balanced as it gave us a sense of both sides of the political story to the audience without favouring one particular side. The protestors were however portrayed as violent as the coverage consisted of them looting stores and showing aggressive behaviour towards the police. This allowed the audience to acknowledge the fact that people are angry, and are not happy with Trump becoming president of the United States. On the other hand there were many supporters that came to watch Trump’s inauguration; this making the news broadcast balances.

Being Impartial during a news broadcast is essential, as the reporter must be adequate and appropriate to the output; taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectation.

Impartiality is important as the news cannot be constantly bias and have neglected relevant information. For example during Donald Trump’s inauguration it was impartial to see both sides of the story, this being the joyful crowd that listened to Trump’s speech and then the other crowd that protested “Not My President”. This news was impartial as it was not favouring one side or the other.

Donald Trump’s speech consisted of him speaking his opinion about the way the country should be, and what he will do as a president to help “rebuild the country”. Trump said “we’ve made other countries rich” this is just an opinion which is not the same as a fact, nevertheless it is a belief that does not have enough evidence to be classed as a fact.

Privacy is a major factor to consider in documentaries and news, the BBC must sign contracts and abide by the rules in order to protect participants. Permission to film in places such as Washington D.C. during Donald Trump’s inauguration are not usually open to the public as they are engaged in an activity where they have a low expectation of privacy.