I have been working in the broadcasting world for almost 2 long decades now.
Back then, I learned from the traditional media like that of TV, Radio, Newspaper and Magazines on different types of news, entertainment and many more.
The profound use of the internet dictates people from this era to shift from the traditional to new media.
But why is this happening?
The power of the world wide web, plus the advancement of technology like the use of our personal mobile phones will give us access remotely in any parts of the world, away from our homes.
I remember, when I was part of CNN Philippines' rightsizing...I noticed that most of the job offerings were from the digital or online related work.
The realization that there's a huge market to sell the news for example has a higher demand now.
TNN, The Return!
It was on the 6th of September 2020, Sunday...surprisingly I received messages from one social media platform and another one from my personal mobile number.
It was just a plain greeting. But honestly speaking, I was reluctant to receive a message from the person whom I previously have had worked before.
Looking back, I was hired in January with the same company. But back then, I assumed a post of a writer/content specialist.
The very first time I worked with a digital online news portal that uses at the beginning two social media platforms...Facebook and YouTube.
But as of today, it also tapped more social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and has its own website now that recently monitizing now.
A 6 days in a week job, which requires me to stay from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.
The duty requires writing news from different genres using two different language Filipino/English.
Additional task was working on your own graphics layout using canva.
But before the very month of January 2020 ends, I along with 7-8 employees were asked to vacate the post.
I was told that some investors backed out.
I was then thinking that because it was a job that I found so fast, (a common friend referral), I just accepted the very fact, that it will also end the same way.
OVERWHELMED WITH THE TASKS
On the 7th of September, I gave TNN my commitment for the offered job.
Specifically, I will be working as News Writer/ News Presenter.
Writing is something I wasn't born yesterday.
But, performing the task that is outside my comfort zone as 'News Presenter,' was really a tough call for me.
THE FIRST WEEK
I started working from TNN short for "Tony News Network," on the 10th of September.
At the time, I proposed for the following stories one was from Pres. Duterte's call to look for the most affordable vaccine to cure COVID-19.
And another story was about Growling Tiger Coach Aldin Ayo's resignation that was brought about by the 'bubble training' controversy in Sorsogon. But angled on the indefinite suspension sanctioned by the UAAP.
The agreement here was from Mondays thru Thursdays...one voice-over story and one story that has on-cam intro and extro spiels.
The report must run at least 3 to 5 minutes.
And during Friday, I am required to do a news recap that has national, international, sports, police, showbiz, and feature stories to name a few.
Anything that made a headline prior to the recapping.
Looking at the requirements of the job, the procedure on working on all of these are just the same with broadcast TV where the elements present also posses the audio-visual elements.
But the major twist is that it uses the internet or the online news portal.
PROBLEMS/TRIALS/SOLUTIONS
Since the set up is a "Work from Home" (WFH), major adjustments was done to commit with a new found job.
I have a pretty small home and looking for a place where I can do the spiel was a great challenge for me at the very beginning.
I remember, I tried going to one of my sibling's home to look for a place where I can record my spiel. But it never worked out.
I went back home, and pushed myself exploring possible ways on how I can pull this thing through.
I even bothered my family, my wife and my eldest who personally pushed for the record button of my cellphone and hold the laptop to help me read for the spiel.
We also had a hard time on achieving the aesthetic side of taping the newscast.
At home, we only used our regular bulb as lighting source.
We do not even have a microphone to enhance the audio of the spiel.
And there was so much that appears on the background like seeing the fridge, the dining table, the curtain and other appliances which we had a hard time, hiding.
I even stayed longer in the morning for recording the spiel.
Aside from the fact that I spent 4 to 5 hours on weaving all the stories together to establish a newscast that will run for 9-15 minutes.
The very first week, I think I was able to empty all the stored energy I kept during the quarantine period of having no work at home.
MORE CHALLENGES
Sometimes choosing the best story for the day is a never ending challenge.
Why?
Because more than the information you'll be getting from the internet through different social media platforms sources, one must consideration is the availability of the audio-visual elements.
Comparable to the traditional form of media like that of Television, an online digital news platform also offers these two important elements to achieve the effective way of story-telling.
Like for example, I previously had a story about the 75th UN General Assembly and that I angled the story on President Donald Trump's speech on giving penalty to China who spreads the Coronavirus pandemic.
Any writer would need a proof of sound byte from this very issue to support the writing.
The recording source of like for example the Facebook link has to be found.
More than that, listening through a recorded event for the sound byte is also the very hard part of putting all the story together.
Like I for one, had a hard time looking for the time code. Working on a cellphone is even more harder than using one's personal computer.
Like previewing the video to move forward and backward. Using one's finger will move you further or go back at the very beginning.
Transcribing also the interviews for the sound byte will also be asking you to devote more time.
But learning from this line of work, ask google for available transcription.
This will help you see clearly the points raised in a recorded assembly or meeting for instance and will save you more time.
Weaving the story is just one of the many elements present.
The audio element do not just limit the sound byte needed to tell a story.
A recorded voice-over is also another element missing here.
During the first week, I have been adjusting for the voice-over. Primarily because I think at some time, my voice was weak.
I remember I was once told having no breakfast for sending a voice-over that lack voice power.
Taking good care of your voice is a must too. Like getting enough sleep to restore the power to modulate and articulate the voice.
Like what I've learned recently, voicing is acting too.
You have to feel what you are voicing to express it properly.
Other problems encountered during voice-overs was some noise barriers coming from a neighbor listening on a radio, uncontrollable noises from outside.
Too bad, I do not have a noise-proof wall.
And even some noise purposely or accidentally made inside your home during the recording proper.
Every story has a required voice needed.
The recording of voice-over will depend on the story.
The key to achieve the close to perfect recording is to act it out.
And to hear your voice properly during the recording, use your hand to cover the other side of your ear.
I think I remember seeing this style, on one my former boss Korina Sanchez when I assisted her before during one of her voice recordings.
Eventhough, its a "Work From Home" set-up because of the pandemic...sometimes adding elements like a "Man-on-the-street, " interviews is one sure recipe to bring your story to another level.
Like for instance, when I submitted my very first story on Pres. Dutertes' suggestions to prioritized looking at a more affordable vaccine available in the market...thinking of incorporating sound bytes from the said MOTS will help the story-telling more powerful.
Meaning to say, from time to time during Mondays thru Fridays, you will see me going out and adding some of these elements including spiels to complete the selected story.
A very tough performing duty, thinking that there's a pandemic right now.
But always thinking of not forgetting about some health safety protocols during the coverage.
I have too because I value life, I even care and love my family. This big responsibility must start from me.
THE GREAT REWARD
Being a journalist requires responsibility.
For one, you have to inform and educate people. Being the very first to know the story.
You look for sources, you interview people.
Now, you became the bearer of the story.
Being the first to know is a great reward for every journalists.
Secondly, the byline or the people started to recognize you. This is where you build your credibility.
When more and more people starting to recognize you as the bearer of the news and the author itself, any wrong information you will tell or send them will result to you as less credible one.
As the saying goes, "great powers, comes great responsibility."
More than lookingbat yourself as the next door friendly neighborhood like spiderman, you are the bearer of the important information.
And lastly, the amazing power it posses that reaches anyone in just one click.
Today, more and more people are clamouring for the need to be inform.
Aside from an interesting story, any online news portal like TNN must know how to share any of these stories uniquely.
The job also requires you to think of the best way (an angle), you will tell the people your story.
Some maybe has a natural talent on this.
But for some, its still a quest to understand how you can be effective on this.
The bottomline is, get all the sources sides as hard as you can and your good to go!
STORIES PRESENTED FOR TONY NEWS NETWORK
From September 10 to 25, 2020 stories presented for Tony News Network reaches a total of 24 plus 2 News recap.
See lists below:
▶️Duterte Murang Bakuna
▶️Coach Ayo Indifinite Ban In UAAP
▶️Former GMA at ABS-CBN Newsmen Nasa Canadian TV na
▶️Bagong Distancing Protocol Pinatupad ng DOTr
▶️Lady Gaga Wins 1st Tricon at the VMAs
▶️Conor McGregor Attempted Sexual Assault
▶️Jeepney Protocol sa Pagbiyahe
▶️First Filipina Mayor in England
▶️Cascolan on Bawas Oras Duty sa mga Pulis
▶️Hashtag Cancel Korea
▶️Online Delivery Scam
▶️Naglalabang Nanay sa labas huli dahil walang Face Mask
▶️Fish kill sa Baseco dahil sa Dolomite?
▶️Hashtag Manila Bay Challenge
▶️Tagaytay is back to business
▶️Mayor Vico nakipagtunggali sa isang negosyante
▶️Pulis na pinatay sapul sa CCTV
▶️Julia buntis kay Gerald Totoo o Fake News
▶️Robredo to Duterte Hindi sapat ang pagtugon sa COVID-19?
▶️Soberano ipapagahasa dahil nagreklamo sa mabagal na internet service
▶️Trump parusahan ang China na nagkalat ng virus
▶️Walastik na Robot at Prototyped Flying Car, Ibinida sa Japan
▶️Archbishop Arguelles Kinontra ang Safety Health Protocols ng Gobyerno
▶️News Recap September 11, 2020
▶️News Recap September 18, 2020
To God Be the glory!
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