FINAL PROJECT: BROADCAST JOURNALISM IN ACTION

Instructions

For your final project, you have the opportunity to showcase your journalism skills by creating a multimedia news product. You can choose from ONE (1) of the following three options:

Option 1: Newsworthy Podcast

Create a 25-minute podcast on a newsworthy topic of your choice, approved by your teacher. You'll need to research the topic, conduct interviews (if applicable), and present the information in an engaging audio format. Your podcast should include:

• An introduction to the topic and its significance

• In-depth exploration of the topic, including interviews and expert commentary

• Your analysis and insights on the topic

• Conclusion and closing thoughts

Option 2: Radio Newscast

Produce a 10-minute radio newscast that covers various news stories and events happening in your high school. Your newscast should include:

• An opening sequence with a brief overview of the top stories

• Three to five news stories, each lasting 1–2 minutes

• Interviews with relevant individuals (e.g., students, faculty, administrators)

• A weather report or a sports update segment

• A closing sequence 

Example(s)

Option 3: Television News Package

Create a 7-minute television news broadcast that can be presented as a package, VO/SOT (voice-over/sound-on-tape), or VO (voice-over). Your news package should focus on a single news story or event (or 1-3)  and include:

• An attention-grabbing introduction to the story

• Interviews with key individuals involved in the story

• Relevant visuals or B-roll footage

• Your analysis and insights on the story

• A conclusion or a call-to-action for the audience

Regardless of the option you choose, your project should demonstrate your ability to gather information, conduct research, interview subjects, and present the news in a professional and engaging manner.

Each option should:

• Choose an appropriate topic.

• Should be visually and audibly appealing (i.e. you use lots of visuals, colors, and sound effects to make your news story interesting)

• Include work from all students and not be one-sided.

• Follow best journalistic practices as discussed in class. 

• Be uploaded to Google Classroom as an audio ( M4A, MP3 or WAV file) / video (MP4, MOV, or AVI file). 

You may work individually or in groups of up to three (3) students. Students may also opt to present an op-ed instead of news but the topic must be approved by the teacher. 

The final project is due on (TBA).  This will count as your final exam for the year. 

Grading Rubric

7 - Professional Quality: The news product demonstrates exceptional journalism skills, exhibiting a mastery of research, interviewing, and storytelling techniques. The content is thoroughly researched, well-structured, and engaging, with a clear understanding of the topic's significance. Interviews and expert commentary are seamlessly integrated, providing valuable insights. The presentation is visually/audibly appealing, with high-quality visuals/audio and effective use of multimedia elements. The product adheres to the highest journalistic standards and is of a quality that could be professionally published or broadcasted.

6 - Excellent: The news product exhibits a high level of journalistic skill, with thorough research, compelling interviews, and a well-crafted narrative. The topic is explored in-depth, and the significance is clearly conveyed. The presentation is visually/audibly appealing, with appropriate use of multimedia elements. The product demonstrates a strong grasp of journalistic practices and presents the information in an engaging and professional manner.

5 - Satisfactory: The news product demonstrates solid journalism skills, with good research, relevant interviews, and a clear structure. The topic is adequately explored, and the presentation is visually/audibly appealing. While there may be minor areas for improvement, the product adheres to journalistic practices and effectively conveys the intended message.

4 - Basic: The news product meets the basic requirements of the assignment, with sufficient research and interviews. The topic is covered, but the depth of exploration may be limited. The presentation is visually/audibly adequate, but the use of multimedia elements could be improved. The product generally follows journalistic practices, but there may be some minor lapses or areas that could be strengthened.

3 - Needs Improvement: The news product lacks depth in research or falls short in adequately exploring the chosen topic. Interviews or expert commentary may be limited or missing. The presentation may be visually/audibly unappealing or lacking in the effective use of multimedia elements. The product shows an understanding of journalistic practices but fails to fully adhere to them, resulting in a product that needs significant improvement.

2 - Poor: The news product demonstrates a lack of research or a superficial understanding of the chosen topic. Interviews and expert commentary are either missing or inadequate. The presentation is visually/audibly unappealing and lacks the effective use of multimedia elements. The product shows little adherence to journalistic practices, and the overall quality is poor.

1 - Very Poor: The news product is incomplete or shows a clear lack of effort. Research is minimal or non-existent, and there is an absence of interviews or expert commentary. The presentation is visually/audibly unacceptable, and multimedia elements are either missing or poorly executed. The product fails to adhere to journalistic practices, and the overall quality is unacceptable.

0 - Incomplete: No work was submitted for the assignment.