Info-tainment

In countries where the news is not officially controlled, it is likely to be provided by commercial organizations who depend on advertising. The news has to attract viewers and maintain its audience ratings. I suspect that some stories get air-time just because there happen to be exciting pictures to show. In Britain, we have the tabloid newspapers which millions of people read simply for entertainment, without even expecting to get any important information from them. I think this is why politicians’ speeches nowadays have to include a “sound bite” the small segment that seems to give a powerful message. There is progressively less room for historical background, or statistics, which are harder to present as a sensational story. The arrival of CNN, the 24-hour all-news channel, has not increased the amount of real news reporting because the format of the channel is designed so that people who want to get the headlines will not have to wait long. It tends to concentrate on the main story and repeat it.

Alternative reporters

There is an argument that with spreading access to the internet and cheap technology for recording sound and images we will all be able to find exactly the information we want. People around the world will be able to publish their own eye-witness accounts and compete with the established news-gatherers on something like equal terms.

I think this is true, up to a point. But what it will mean also is that we’ll be subjected to a still greater amount of nonsense and lies. Any web log may contain the scoop of the year, or equally, a fabricated story that you will never be able to check.

Have you ever wished you were better informed?

Maybe the time has come to do something about it, and I don’t just mean changing your choice of TV channel or newspaper. In a world where everyone wants you to listen to their version, you only have two choices: switch off altogether or start looking for sources you can trust. The investigative journalist of the future is everyone who wants to know the truth.

Audio script 2

Olivier, a French university student, talks about learning English and the difficulties he has.

«I started learning English about ten years ago and I think I’ve learned quite a lot. I can talk about quite a few subjects and I can understand quite well when people talk to me in English. At university I mostly learn business words. I think it’s important because I won’t learn these words anywhere else. It’s not by meeting other young people that I will learn business words. Although it’s true that I do learn them too by reading on my own.

I would really like to become fluent and I don’t like having to look for my words. Maybe one day I could think in English! Why not! I’m interested in grammar but it’s not my priority. It’s not the most important thing, I think the most important thing for me is to be understood well and to have good vocabulary. Many words for explaining many things. If you can say what you want to say it’s the important point.

My biggest problem is I don’t know enough words. I often repeat the same words. I find it difficult if I’m talking to someone about a subject that I don’t know. I just don’t have the words I need to explain what I want to say. It’s very frustrating and I very quickly don’t know what to say. If we’re talking about music or something like that then it’s no problem. My teacher tells me I need to expand my vocabulary range.

When I am writing letters I have lots of vocabulary. I find… I have learnt the correct expressions for application letters or CVs so I find them easy now. To improve my vocabulary I try to read a lot too. Sometimes I read English magazines about music because I love listening to English music and American music. I also read British newspapers but because I take the time to read I find it easier than speaking.

Another problem I have is remembering words. Sometimes I hear a word I don’t understand and ask the person, the person who said it, to tell it to me again. The problem is about five minutes later I have already forgotten the word. But… I… Well I don’t know what to do about this problem. Maybe I don’t listen well enough. I’m maybe concentrating on understanding the main point of the conversation that I forget the, you know, individual words. I think you need to hear words lots of different times to really remember new ones.

In the future I would like to speak more fluently and to know lots of vocabulary on many different subjects. I have started making my own dictionary and so now when I hear a new word I write it down and try to use it very soon after. I hope this is going to help me improve my English vocabulary. I’m certainly motivated to learn more words»

Audio script 3

Paolo is talking to his teacher about some techniques to help him assess his progress in learning English.

Teacher: Paulo, you’ve been trying out some self-assessment techniques. How have things been working out?

Paulo: Good, I think. It’s been useful.

Teacher: The first thing you decided to do was the learner diary.

Paulo: Yes. At the end of each day I write everything down in my diary. I write what we do in class. Then I write about my feelings: If I enjoy activities or find them boring. This part was difficult for me.

Teacher: Why?

Paulo: I felt unable to write anything negative. Everything was «good» at first.

Teacher: But nobody needs to read your diary, Paulo. You can write anything.

Paulo: Well, a few days ago I had an awful class. It was hot, I was tired, the grammar was difficult. I wrote exactly what I thought in my diary.

Teacher: And did you reflect on this?

Paulo: Yes.

Teacher: And?

Paulo: The same thing happened a few times. I realised that it usually happened in the reading classes. One of my problems was «time». I felt rushed.

Teacher: So what are your conclusions?

Paulo: I spoke to the teacher about it. He thought I needed to practise my reading skills to try to read faster. I don’t read much at all. So I think he had a point.

Teacher: Have you done anything about this?

Paulo: I've started reading the newspaper every morning. I time myself and see how quickly I can get the information. It works.

Teacher: Have you noticed a difference in class?

Paulo: I’ve got a reading class today. I’ll tell you later!

Teacher and Paulo (laugh):

Teacher: And the “progress cards”. Have you been using them?

Paulo: Yes, they’re great.

Teacher: Good. Why?

Paulo: They don’t take up too much time. And,

Teacher: Yes?

Paulo: They work. I prepared one yesterday before my Speaking class. The teacher helped me. I wrote three things in the first column; Listen and understand a news programme, listen and understand a list of ten numbers and write a dictation with less than five mistakes.

Teacher: How did it go?

Paulo (laughing): Well, I ticked all three things in my column before the class. I was convinced I could do it. I’m good at listening. After the class, I had to tick number one and number three and put a cross by number two.

Teacher: The numbers?

Paulo: Yes, I got four wrong! But the cards worked.

Teacher: Yes?

Paulo: Well, I was surprised about the numbers. I'd expected to have three ticks. I wasn’t happy about the cross. I asked the teacher how I could improve things and he had an idea.

Teacher: Yes?

Paulo: To listen to the business news on the radio. They talk about numbers a lot. I listen and write down the numbers. It’s useful.

Teacher: So the cards helped you to identify a weak point.

Paulo: Exactly. A weak point that won’t exist soon!

Teacher: You sound determined!

Paulo: I am!

Teacher: What about the recordings? Have you taped yourself speaking?

Paulo: Now that was embarrassing – (fade out).

Audio script 4

Listen to a public relations executive talking about her studies and job.

When I was at university I did a business course that covered advertising, marketing, sales and public relations. I’m really glad I did this particular course as, although it was vast, it gave me an overview of business in general and the different careers in communications.

While I was studying I realised that I was most interested in Public Relations and so I joined a couple of associations so I could start networking before leaving university. Through one of the organisations I joined I was able to meet lots of experienced professionals who gave me advice on getting into the industry. I was also offered an internship in my final year. This meant I could build up my portfolio even before I’d finished studying.

I think that it’s extremely important, especially today when there are so many people wanting to work in PR, to do an internship to a) get a foot in the door and b) have more on your c.v. than simply your studies. You have to show willing and prove that you’re an enthusiastic, ambitious person who wants to succeed. It was hard studying and working at the same time but at least it prepared me for the deadlines and long hours you’re expected to put in with a PR job.

My internship also meant that I built up a list of contacts in the media and PR industry itself. Both areas were very important in helping me get my first job as an Account Coordinator with a corporate public relations agency. I had to write and proofread flyers, keep track of media databases and other admin type stuff. It wasn’t the most exciting of jobs but at least it gave me a better insight into PR and helped me decide what I wanted to do after. I didn’t have much journalism experience either before working for this company so I learnt that as I went along.

After about nine months, when I felt ready to tackle something a bit meatier, I applied for a job, still within the same company, with more responsibility. I became an Account Executive and very quickly felt at home in my new job. That was about two years ago. I’ve much more contact with our clients and I play a large role in developing public relations strategies. I still do a lot of writing with press releases but I’m also more involved in organising special events like press conferences.

I love what I do because I get to meet loads of different, interesting people every day. You have to be quite outgoing and able to communicate easily which I guess is more of a talent than a skill. If I had to start again I’d choose to do a journalism option at university as employers like you to have a journalism background. Otherwise, getting an internship was the best thing I’ve ever done and I’d do it again, no problem.