Media Writting Exam 1

How to format a radio script

Written for the ear, not the eye. Uses a two-column format with audio/SFX cues on the left and spoken copy on the right. Uses all-caps for technical directions, is timed to roughly 3 words per second, and uses short, conversational sentences meant to be read aloud.

Elements in writing a radio script

Slug/title and timing info, sound effects (SFX) cues, music cues, dialogue or narration copy, pacing/pause notes, and an out-cue or sign-off.

Rules for writing a radio script

Write for the ear, not the eye; use short, simple, conversational sentences; one idea per sentence; avoid complex clauses and hard-to-pronounce words; read the script aloud to check flow and timing.

What an audience is

The group of people who receive, listen to, watch, or are intended to receive a media message, often defined by shared traits such as demographics, interests, or listening/viewing habits.

Audience segmentation

Dividing a broad audience into smaller, more targeted groups by factors such as age, gender, interests, or geography so messages can be tailored more effectively.

Does the audience change over time?

Yes. Audiences evolve as tastes, technology, demographics, and available platforms change, so content and delivery methods must adapt.

What attracts an audience (fame, oddity, etc.)

Celebrity/fame, novelty or oddity, conflict, proximity, timeliness, and human interest can draw and hold audience attention.

Key needs for an audience (value, meeting the need, etc.)

Audiences seek content that provides value, such as information, entertainment, emotional connection, or a solution to a relevant problem.

How to stimulate the audience

Use compelling storytelling, emotional appeals, surprise, relevance, interactivity, and a clear call to action to keep listeners engaged.

Why is media coverage essential?

It shapes public perception, informs decision-making, holds institutions and public figures accountable, and gives visibility and legitimacy to issues, people, or organizations.

EPS Curve

A concept from your class lecture about audience/publicity growth. Check your lecture notes or PowerPoint for the exact model because it is specific to your course.

Copyright

A legal right giving creators exclusive control over the reproduction, distribution, performance, and use of their original works.

Defamation

A false statement of fact presented as true that harms a person's reputation. It includes libel (written/published) and slander (spoken).

Slander

Spoken defamation—a false oral statement that damages a person's reputation.

Privacy

The legal right of a person to be free from unwanted intrusion into their personal life, affairs, or information.

Truth as a defense

In a defamation case, proving that a statement is substantially true is an absolute defense, even if the statement is damaging.

Qualified privilege

Legal protection for statements made in good faith on matters of public interest, such as fair and accurate reports of official government proceedings, as long as there is no actual malice.

Actual Malice

The legal standard requiring proof that a statement was published knowing it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was true or false.

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

A landmark Supreme Court case establishing the actual malice standard. Public officials suing for defamation must prove the statement was made knowing it was false or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Fair Comment and Criticism

A defense protecting honest opinions and criticism on matters of public interest, such as reviews of books, restaurants, and performances.

Neutral Reportage

A defense that protects media outlets for accurately and neutrally reporting newsworthy allegations made by a responsible, identified source, even if the allegations later prove false.

Public official

A government employee or officeholder with substantial responsibility for public affairs. Must prove actual malice to win a defamation suit.

Public Figure

A person who has achieved general fame or notoriety, or who has voluntarily entered a public controversy. Must prove actual malice to win a defamation suit.

Limited Public Figure

A person who becomes a public figure only for a specific, narrow public controversy they voluntarily engaged in. Must prove actual malice only for statements about that controversy.

Private Individual

A person with no public role, office, or fame. Generally only needs to prove negligence, rather than actual malice, to win a defamation suit.

Prosser's four privacy torts

(1) Public disclosure of private facts, (2) false light, (3) intrusion upon seclusion, and (4) appropriation of name or likeness for commercial gain.

1st Amendment defense

Arguing that the speech or publication is constitutionally protected expression, which shields the publisher from liability.

Public Interest defense

Arguing that publishing certain information is justified because the public has a legitimate right or need to know it.

Interpretations of the First Amendment

Different legal theories for applying free speech protection: the balancing test, distinguishing protected speech from unprotected conduct, and the marketplace of ideas theory.

Intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED)

A tort requiring proof of extreme and outrageous conduct that intentionally or recklessly causes another person severe emotional harm.

Florida Publishing Co. v. Fletcher (1976)

Florida Supreme Court case holding that news media entering private property at the invitation of police or fire officials during a public emergency, without objection and according to common custom, were not liable for trespass.

Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988)

U.S. Supreme Court case holding that public figures cannot recover damages for IIED based on parody or satire unless they can also prove the parody contained a false statement of fact made with actual malice.

Hutchinson v. Proxmire (1979)

Supreme Court case holding that a senator's press releases and newsletters criticizing a federally funded researcher were not protected by the Speech or Debate Clause, and the researcher was a private figure who only had to prove negligence.

Cherry v. Des Moines Leader (1901)

Iowa Supreme Court case holding that a harshly critical theater review of the Cherry Sisters' vaudeville act was protected fair comment, giving critics wide latitude to judge public performances.

What constitutes consent?

A person's voluntary, informed agreement to allow their name, image, information, or likeness to be used or published.

Broadcast Licensing

The FCC-administered system requiring broadcasters to obtain a government license to operate on the public airwaves, tied to a duty to serve the public interest.

Who is threatened by free speech?

People or groups who could be harmed by exposure or criticism, including public officials, powerful institutions, and private individuals whose reputation, privacy, or safety could be affected.

Prior restraint

Government action that prevents speech or publication before it happens rather than punishing it afterward. It is generally presumed unconstitutional under the First Amendment except in extreme cases.

What is obscene? – Community standards

Content is legally obscene if it appeals to prurient interest, depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way under contemporary community standards, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

FCC v. Pacifica Foundation (1978)

The Supreme Court case known as the "seven dirty words" case. It upheld the FCC's authority to regulate indecent broadcast content during hours when children are likely to be in the audience because broadcast media is uniquely pervasive and accessible.