TVM 8pm prime time news : the high political content in local news

Abstract

The aim of my dissertation is to analyse the content of local 8pm news on Television Malta (TVM), which according to the Broadcasting Authority's surveys, has the largest audience share for prime time news. Various quarters consider TVM' s news to have a high content of stories, which cover or are supplied by political parties, trade unions, constituted bodies, non-governmental organisations and others. TVM is perceived to contain a high dose of political content; to lack initiative and to pay little attention to a number of salient journalistic disciplines such as the principle of presenting both sides of the coin of a story in the same bulletin. Its content is often repetitive. The dissertation aims to identify the afore-mentioned and other factors in TVM's 8.00pm prime time news. Apart from quantifying factors such as diary stories, press releases, speeches and counter-statements, the study will also come up with a content analysis. The dissertation draws on both theoretical and empirical writings in pursuing the aims of the study. This has been done, by monitoring TVM's 8pm news for the whole month of October 2001. The recordings are being submitted together with the dissertation. To complete this work, the thesis includes an interview with the head of news of TVM. The theme of the dissertation is deemed to be highly relevant given the never-ending controversies on TVM' s 8pm prime time news. One also hopes to make pertinent suggestions that will enhance the local news content of Malta's state owned television station.