A sound case for news

摘要

"A picture is worth a thousand words, so we have been told many times." It's a phrase almost tailored-made to justify the dominance of vision over audio and in television it works fine for drama and even documentary. Some wordsmiths agree, observing that often in TV dramas there are too many words spoken, explaining every inner thought rather than letting situation, character and performance convey meaning and emotion. Even in news and current affairs the images can deliver the full impact of a story. Michael Buerk's commentary for his reporting of the Ethiopian famine was sparse, letting Mohammed Amin's pictures convey the enormity of the situation. The atmospheres recorded by soundman Zack Njuguna were also crucial in emphasising the plight of those struck by the disaster; the flies buzzing, punctuated by pitiful crying and wailing, moved those fortunate enough to be in the west more than any amount of ranting by Bob Geldof. Such a universally understood story is rare and so the majority of news coverage needs to be accompanied by background facts and actuality, delivered by a reporter, and views and explanations from interviewees involved in events. That means sound, as do the noises that add impact and drama to a breaking story: gunshots, explosions, sirens, the chanting of demonstrators, the rumble of tanks and the scream of attacking aircraft.