Exploring issues on air

CUAAIR501 Explore issues on air

This unit is about preparing and giving in-depth interviews and discussion forums on a wide range of topics on radio or television.

It applies to individuals who are the public face or voice for these productions and who are responsible for ensuring positive engagement of the participants and audience. On television, they are often presenting before live audiences, with audience members sometimes participants in discussions.

Individuals need to understand how the media can be used to explore issues and use a range of presentation and interview techniques to do so.

 

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed through:

 

Practical

You will be assessed in the workplace as a safe environment, demonstrating consistent performance of typical activities in creative arts industry environments. You will need access to:

  1. a facility capable of accommodating a discussion forum and audience
  2. audio or video equipment
  3. current information about laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting
  4. interaction with others.

You need to show that you have:

  1. Analysed and used research material effectively in preparing for interviews and discussion forums
  2. Prepared and help discussion forums covering a range of topics and involving a number of participants
  3. Demonstrated effective moderation, listening, questioning and non-verbal communication techniques in the forum or interview context
  4. Work collaboratively with production personnel to ensure forum or interview is conducted as planned
  5. Critically evaluated forums or interviews and documented your performance in conjunction with production personnel.

 

Interview/assignment questions

  1. List and describe different types of questions and give an example of when each might be used
  2. Describe a range of interview styles and when to use them
  3. Analyse and discuss dynamics of group discussions, including techniques for facilitating contributions from all participants
  4. Give examples that show how audio and visual materials can support discussions
  5. Identify and outline the laws, regulations and broadcasting codes of practice relevant to broadcasting.

Note: Your assessor may also ask you a variety of what if questions.

 

Detailed requirements

1. Prepare for discussion forums

  1. Prepare lines of questioning for forums. Base your questions on a thorough analysis of research done by your production personnel
  2. Discuss forum topics with key participants to identify directions in which on-air discussion might go, where appropriate, and any other angles. If necessary, do further research to cover those angles.
  3. Brief participants on relevant legislation and broadcasting codes of practice that might affect what they can say
  4. Identify where key participants will be seated (in consultation with production personnel)
  5. Rehearse or role-play discussions with production personnel to identify gaps in your preparation and refine the proposed line of questioning accordingly

 

2. Lead discussion forums

  1. Conduct a warm-up session with the audience before the forum starts, if appropriate
  2. Introduce the topic and follow a line of questioning that allows differing opinions to be aired. The way you do it should stimulates constructive debate among participants
  3. Chair discussion in your planned direction, but at the same time, ask questions that allow participants freedom to express their views
  4. Identify any extra lines of questioning by listening carefully to participants’ comments, and ask questions that show a thorough understanding of the topic under discussion
  5. Resolve conflicts that arise between participants. Do so in a way that moves the discussion forward while acknowledging the validity of differing viewpoints and pays due respect to the public profile of individual participants
  6. Adopt an interview style that elicits the best possible response from participants
  7. Respond to cues from production personnel without disrupting the flow of discussion
  8. Link audio and visual material as required
  9. Conclude discussions by summarising key points succinctly and clearly, and thanking participants for their contribution.

 

3. Evaluate discussion forums

  1. Participate in debriefing sessions with production personnel to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the forums and in-depth interviews
  2. Document the outcomes of debriefing sessions according to your organization’s procedures
  3. Reflect on your performance and note areas for improvement.