| Topic Name: |
Question for Anchors |
| Message Name: |
Speaking as an anchor : |
| Date Posted: |
06/08/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
...working in a shop where producers don't change over every day -- but I've been working with our producers for years. They know my style and the style of my co-anchor and usually write according to our personality. They know us that well.
Because of that, they know what we will, or won't read. There's usually very little that has to be changed. As for intern's/new writer's/reporter's copy, sure I'll change it to fit my style, tighten copy, clarify meaning -- IF it's needed. If I do a major overhaul, I'll usually try to explain to the writer WHY I did it. Don't want them to think I'm a jerk just wanting to exert some imaginary power. Usually they're really receptive to what I have to say.
And for the record, it was drummed into my head early in my career that the buck (and the blame) stops with the anchor. I'm the final gate-keeper and if something is wrong in copy -- it's my fault for letting it slip by. (I know that's a heavy handed way to look at it, but that's how it was drummed into my head) |
| Message: |
Please watch the typos. If you read aloud what you've just written you'll probably catch them.
Please can the sentence fragments. Write complete sentences. Place correct punctuation after the last word so we know the sentence has ended. Quit using three dots or dashes! This is not Morse code.
It's not an option to devalue human life by the words you select. Example: "Only two children on the bus were hurt." Aren't two lives as valuable as twenty? That kind of copy makes viewers hate anchors.
Show respect. For example: Write copy about "police" not "cops." Whether it's "pigs" or "cops" that kind of disrespectful copy makes viewers hate anchors.
Don't editorialize and don't try hard to be cutsie or clever, especially with stories that involve death or near death situations. It's bad taste.
Anchors should always pre read copy. Sometimes we can't. When we do we should make spelling and syntax corrections. We should also correct facts. Style changes are alright as long as we're not changing wording that's there to coinside with video or a graphic. There are no stupid questions. Ask the producer even if he/she laughs at you behind your back. Remember, getting it right for the viewers is your only concern. You shouldn't give a damn what some here- today-gone-tomorrow producer thinks about you.
Write for the ear. Keep it short, and clear. And don't read anything that you don't feel comfortable saying.
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