ABSTRACT
This project was
centered on computerized news editing system. The current process of news
editing is being operated manually and due to this procedure numerous problem
are been encountered. A design was taken too computerized the manual process in
order to check this problem. The problems were identified after series of
interviews and examination of documents after which analysis was made and a
computerized procedure recommended. This project will also suggest how to
successfully implement the computerized procedure and to overcome the obstacle
that would hinder the successful implementation of the system. The new system
was designed using visual basic 6.0 language. This language was chosen because
of its easy syntax and features for developing windows based applications.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Preliminaries
Editing is the process of selecting and
preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information.
The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and
other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct,
consistent, accurate and complete work. The editing process often begins with
the author's idea for the work itself, continuing as a collaboration between
the author and the editor as the work is created. As such, editing can involve
creative skills, human relations and a precise set of methods.
According
to the Oxford English Dictionary, editor come from the Latin phrase “e ditus’’
which means “to put forward’’.
Therefore, News Editing is the process of preparing language, News, for
presentation to the audience, through correction, condensation, organization
and other modification. A person, who
edits, especially professionally or as a hobby, is called an editor. News
editing is the journalism craft that involves news processing and packaging. It
is a crucial part of the editorial process in which editors convert news
reports and illustrations into packaged information. News editing gives
direction and meaning to the mass of text and art provided by reporters,
photojournalists and graphic artists.
News editing involves selecting copy
for publication, editing selected copy, designing news pages for newspapers,
magazines, websites, etc. News editing is an outstanding part of the editorial
process because it is the stage that prepares the sole newspaper product (i.e.,
information) for the consumer (Itule, 2007). News editing involves reviewing text written
on topical issues, and identifying errors related to the use of language in
general or adherence to specific style guide (Frienf, 2000). This activity ensures that News is of
good quality. In large media houses, experienced function writers are dedicated
to the News editing function.
There are various editorial positions in
publishing. Typically, one finds editorial assistants reporting to the senior-level
editorial staff and directors who report to senior executive editors. Senior
executive editors are responsible for developing a product for its final
release. The smaller the publication, the more these roles overlap.
The
top editor at many publications may be known as the chief editor, executive
editor, or simply the editor. A frequent and highly regarded contributor to a
magazine may acquire the title of editor-at- large or contributing editor.
Mid-level newspaper editors often manage or help to manage sections, such as
business, sports and features. In U.S. newspapers, the level below the top
editor is usually the managing editor.
In
a news organization, editing plays a vital role. News reports written in a
hurry by reporters have to be checked and improved by a team of editors. These
copies are checked for grammar, syntax, facts, figures and sense. Editing is
tailoring news items or a news story to the required shape and size using the
right kind of expressions and symbols. A copy is edited to highlight the ‘news
sense’ in a story and to bring uniformity of language and style in an issue of
a newspaper. Editors look out for certain news values in a copy like proximity,
timeliness, prominence, consequence and human interest while selecting a news
item for publication. A news item is selected keeping in view its interest to a
large number of readers and its impact on them.
1.2 Background of the study
Unity
FM is a cosmopolitan community/rural based broadcast outfit located at Amike
Aba, Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State just a few kilometres away
from Government House Abakaliki. This frontline station is the proud home of 62
enthusiastic/vibrant staff, seasoned, versatile and motivated who are versed in
robust programming in English, Igbo, Pidgin, as well as in Ehugbo and Abakaliki
dialects.
Audience
research rates the station as the vocal, unbiased watchdog of the society, its
people, values and events. More importantly it is the guardian/depository and
beacon of professional broadcast ethics and standards as captured in the motto,
vision and mission of FRCN its parent body.
Its
platform of music, news and programmes are carefully tailored to meet the needs
of its teeming listeners men, women and children located in the nine states it
signal covers.
Unity
FM is a tested and veritable launch pad, a quick-growth platform for businesses
because goods and services naturally enjoy massive exposure on this dual
personality of a radio station; state-based yet truly national both in outlook
and output. That is why many people believe it offers a wide and ready window,
gateway to the awareness of national issues/discourses, national figures and
critical policy directions even as they unfold.
More
than half a decade since its inception, the station and its hardworking staff
have won several awards and recognition; this speaks volume and underlines the
fact that Unity FM 101.5 is miles ahead.
With
a network of dedicated ‘friends’ and advert agents all across Ebonyi State who
informally rise to the occasion as anonymous reporters, the station is able to
be first to air breaking news.
In
the editing process, each newspaper has its own set of rules that are enforced.
These rules are contained in a small book called the stylebook. The copy editor
handling a news copy also has to write the headline for it, using limited words
within the allotted space. Similarly, layout editors have to allot space for
photographs, maps, charts and graphs to go along with the news items. The
language of photo captions, maps, graphs and charts are different from the
language used in the text and headline and have to be mastered. A copy editor
has to be well-versed in editing symbols to correct the copy, besides, he
should be capable of rewriting a poorly written story if it is of interest to
the readers.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
News editing as it regards to the
journalism profession is characterized by numerous problems. The problems that
characterized the existing system are actually responsible for the fall in the quality
of news production and presentation. The problems with the existing system
include:
1. Reviewing of reports submitted by
reports on the field, Identification of errors in the reports, this includes:
grammatical errors, spelling errors, punctuation errors,
2. Condensation of reports into
meaningful and concise piece, organization of the reports in an orderly manner
for presentation to the audience and other modifications.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study (project) is to
design a new system that will surpass the existing manual system of news
editing in the following areas; Reviewing of reports, Detection of errors,
Correction of errors and Summarization of reports. Furthermore this study will
aim at automating the entire process of news editing system that will further
enhance News editing in terms of Quality, Timeliness, Accuracy, Relevance,
Importance and correctness.
1.4 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study will cover
all the activities and processes that are involved in News Editing from the
submission of news reports to the final News editing process. These will
further lead to the design and implementation of a blue print for the
automation of news editing system (existing system).
1.5 Significance of the Study
Like other studies or projects carried out on various issues
in different fields of human endeavor, globally, the purpose of this study is
as follows: This study will try to find out modern and up to date ways of
reviewing reports that are far better than the existing method, To seek a way
of editing News that will take less time when compared to the former or
traditional method, existing system, This study will try to discover methods of
improving the quality of edited piece of news done by the editor and to uncover
an easier way of correcting the errors commonly found in reports from the field
directly.
1.6 Limitations of
the Study
The
study was limited by several factors of which some posed serious constraints
towards the development of the project. One of the major drawbacks was time
because there was not enough time for the research. There were also drawbacks
due to financial incapacitation. This is among other frustrations such as
inability to procure research materials due to distance. It was difficult to
source most of the important information needed for this work.
1.7 Definitions of Terms
Automation – The use of machines or computers
to do work that was previously done by people.
News - information about something or an event that has
happened recently.
Editing - The process of preparing a piece
of writing by correcting the mistakes, making improvements.
Editor - A person who edits a news gathered
by the field correspondents.
Reporter: A person
who collects and reports news.
Correspondent: A person who reports news from a particular
country or on a particular subject for a newspaper or a television or radio
station.
SOFTWARE: A
set of programs written to carry out some tasks in the computer. Also, it’s a
logical related program that works together to control hardware components.
PROCESS: This
is the management or transformation of data into useful information.
DESIGN: The
act or process of deciding how something will look or work.
DOCUMENTATION:
material that provides official information or evidence or that serves as
record, written specification and information that describes the product.
SYSTEM: A
system can be said to be a set of computer components, i.e. an assembly of
computer hardware and the peripherals functioning together.
MANAGEMENT:
Management is a human action, including design, to facilitate the production of
useful outcomes from a system.
News
is information about current events.
News is provided through many different media: word
of mouth, printing,
postal systems,
broadcasting,
electronic communication,
and also on the testimony of observers and witnesses
to events. It is also used as a platform to manufacture opinion for the
population.
Editing
is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information. The editing process can
involve correction, condensation, organization, and many other modifications
performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and
complete work. (Mamishev, et al, 2009).