Basic TV Reporting, 2nd Edition

Assignment Planning

The second part of the planners’ task is to assemble the list of story possibles into a suitable form for discussion at senior editorial level. These meetings are usually held at weekly or monthly intervals, the aim being to give programme editors sufficient time in which to evaluate everything being suggested. Some items are quickly discarded, others referred back for further invetigation before a decision is reached. For those that get the go-ahead, logistical problems may be considered briefly — perhaps the need for special travel arrangements, satellite bookings, co-operation with other departments or organisations — before detailed planning gets under way.

As a reporter you might not be involved at this early stage. ...