As one of the VSP participants, it's been an honour to have the opportunity to visit the national television and radio broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on June 14, 2018. It is thoughful that the company has to provide Canada's official boardcasting services in bilingual(English and French) to television and radio audiences.
While entering their office, I wonder how empty it is, as there is only a few people working in the office. It turns out because of the different working hours the broadcasters have. Even though their workplace is not so spacious, they well-ultilise every inch of the office. In order to provide radio and television services to the public twenty-four-seven, Their six different time zone stations in Canada are scheduled to in-charge the broadcadting services to whole country in different timeslots. Vancouver office usaually takes in-charge of broadcasting duty after 8pm Toronto time everyday. There are two crews working in the Vancouver office daily by 2 shift duties from every afternoon to midnight and midnight to morning.That's why only few staff are working in office after 10 a.m.
After the explanation from one of the staff, I realise that being a television broadcaster is more complicated than I thought, especially for a news reporter. The boardcaster should always keep his/er alertness mode and quick response on time controlling and sudden interruption from breaking news. It is not easy to control well of their speed and make adjustments when time-keeper say whether it is light (ahead of schedule) or heavy (behind schedule). The techique on their reporting skills on pace and tone are very critical element to a boardcaster. Even though it seems stressful to be a television broadcaster, I understand a success boardcasting programme will be impossible without the help of the crews in the control room. The team facilitates the television broadcaster by timekeeping, operating the cameras, making a story line and handling technical problems etc...
Without a teamwork, nothing will be happened.
I believe having the ability to improvise, maintain a neutral position and prepare beforehand are also two of the most crucial skills to be a radio broadcaster. The radio broadcaster has to understand the whole issue so as to maintain the discussion with the guest by throwing out some good arguable questions. In the process of understanding the topic, it is unavoidable to take stances. However, the radio broadcaster must maintain neutral while having the discussion with the guest on air, he/ she must not add any personal feeling into the discussion, but to listen to the opinions from the guest.
Through this company visit, not only I could understand how the television and radio broadcasting corporate runs and the work of the television & radio broadcasters but also get to know some fun facts. For example, it is being a radio broadcaster does not need the ability to avoid any coughs or other human reflexive sounds as there is a button for muting sounds. That is why I think that this field trip to the Candian Broadcasting Corporation is indeed a remarkable experience.
Comments