Factual Programming - Theory

After looking at a study which was conducted by OFCOM, it was clear that factual programming/documentaries are the 3rd highest viewed on TV/ Video on Demand and online services such as BBC Iplayer. Although, this category is one of the most viewed in the UK, a whole series of problems are generated in the pre production stages. These problems can include accuracy problems, such as getting facts and statistics wrong.

Accuracy

The term accuracy in factual programming means that any facts or figures presented to the audience are of quality, precision and are correct. Any non fictional programs such as documentaries or even news broadcasts have to be extremely well researched and investigated. This means not taking the first facts that may be presented to you and actually going out and talking to specialists in the area you are reporting on, extensive research which could include reading books or looking over the internet.. not just a quick look at a Wikipedia page.

Accurate facts and figures are extremely important if you want to become a well respected broadcaster. If the information you are giving out is false or biased, audiences could be mislead and in some cases, false information can lead to the producer being sued over false allegations.

It is also important that accuracy must come before speed. Meaning no matter how long it takes to build a news piece, documentary of other factual programme the detail and the facts make the story.

Balance

Balance is looking at a situation or topic from both sides of the argument. This way both sides get a fair representation which the audience  decide which is the side for them. Both sides of the argument should be accurate and fair otherwise problems referenced previously could occur. One of the main reasons there is balance in factual, is to stop glorification. This means targeting one area and will often not focus on the other topic.

For example, a factual programme exploring the area could explore all the negative places in the surrounding area, which could put off tourists and audiences. As they are only seeing the harmful and highly negative side without exploring the good in the town. By doing this you are making the audience believe what you're telling them, as there are no counter arguments against your view, which may be biased.

By segregating a show with a biased opinion, the relevant facts get taken out of the mix and the programme will be lacking in quality. The audience will then notice this and brand the programme as favouring one thing other another.This can easily be avoided by remaining neutral and not including an opinion on a topic, unless its a member of the public doing a vox pop or an expert being interviewed. Most factual programmes will have conclusions which will sum up both sides neatly at the end. Some shows may end on the side they think is right, although there should be plenty of information throughout that applies to both sides of the subject area.

Objectivity

Objectivity is a judgement based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices to certain topics. Which in general means: "Striving (as far as possible or practicable) to reduce or eliminate biases, prejudices, or subjective". Which is generally done by supplying the audience with true facts in a balanced manner. Other wise they would be failing into subjective territory (making judgement on opinions and impressions.) This concept is generally applied to subjects where audiences don't have to think much about the topic area; instead they are being taught something interesting. Whereas subjective pieces will get the audience thinking, as the opinions provided will be looking past the facts. Objective factual programmes still look at things form both sides but stick to facts rather than opinions. Leaving the audience to form their own opinion on the subject rather than making an opinion of others judgements.

Objectivity can easily be seen in the News. As the reporter has to be unbiased and show a story from a fair point of view as there job is to inform the audience with facts. Take this news story for example:

When the reporters are presenting a news piece they leave the opinions to those involved in the story rather than themselves. This is so they have no bias or subjecting over the matter which allows the audience to make their own choice. As you cannot force an opinion in the news, otherwise you are misleading the audience. Instead reporters will offer facts and statistics alongside the interviews/vox pops. If we look at the frame 3:03, on screen is the cost of a single flat-rate payment which is a fact from the department for work and pensions as so stated in the bottom left of the screen. This already helps face any problems when gathering a presenting the facts. As if you have an objective programme and your telling made up facts, it is again misleading the audience. Facts also have to be correct as we saw in the accuracy section earlier on. So by having the source on screen the audience can see that what the News is telling them is credible. Facts are also interlined within the reporters with every fact being linked to a credible source. In this case certain facts come from independent economists and the institute of fiscal studies.

Subjectivity

Subjectivity is the complete opposite of objectivity; instead of making judgement based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices to certain topics. subjectivity is making judgements based on personal feelings and opinions. The main difference is that subjectivity focus on the thoughts of people rather than the facts. Instead of allowing the audience to make their own decision, a subjective factual programme will use a controversial topic to persuade and form an opinion rather than presenting the truth through facts which an audience can adapt into their own opinion. This means programmes will be biased as you can present the topic in any way you want. This is why the news stays objective in order to avoid controversy.

The important thing to remember about subjectivity is that you must state that its only your opinion otherwise viewers sense biased implications; which can have a knock on effect of what the audience take away and whether they tune into the programme again. As opinions are not necessarily a bad thing, although if there is no context or balance then thoughts become one minded. There has been many instances where factual programmes have offered a biased/subjective point of view. One documentary that is subjective is a documentary film that uses mix of found footage and shot footage, "Fahrenheit 9/11" by Michael Moore explores the ex president George W Bush and his involvement in the War on Terror:

Throughout the documentary Moore uses a voice over alongside the footage to a allude to various scenarios developed by  Moore. Of which he presented them in a way which caused controversy as his opinions and feelings caused mass dispute over the accuracy of his ideas. As he states that the American media encouraged the 2003 invasion of Iraq; although he didn't supply any accurate or factual evidence when speaking in his voice over. Other events allude by Moore includes the idea that friends and allies of George W Bush work with Fox News to rig the election in his name and suggested there was several cases of election fraud with one state involved being Florida. 

Because Moore so often makes statements that have no factual back up, the audience becomes very aware and start to question the bias of what Moore is doing. Which is what lead to the complaints that the accuracy in the documentary was lacking. It also shows that without the view of both sides and objectivity the credibility starts to slowly decrease, moving away the audience. If any thing without the hard facts and credibility of the sources it turns more into a conspiracy story.

Opinion

 

Throughout the essay I have been exploring how the other various concepts can lead to opinion having a biased and unbalanced view on a subject area. Because I have already looked at this area in detail, this section will include a summary of my findings, whilst also using older examples.

An opinion is someones view point on a certain topic.A persons opinion can be based on fact or on anything they may of come across. A passive audience is one that takes media and uses it to create their own opinion. This often means a persons opinion might favor one side of a story other another. Which means producers have to get a wide range of opinions included into the news/factual programme in order to keep a balanced and unbiased view point. As the viewer should be able to see both sides and then decided for themselves where they stand. This is why news reporters will stick to the facts and allow the general public, who have no background with the case, to offer their opinions on the news story through a vox pop.

Bias

Bias is a personal motive where you favour one side of an argument over another. For example when a parent may defend the actions of their child at school because of the way they see the child at home. They see it from the perspective that no matter what their child is perfect in every way; ignoring that facts over personal opinions. Although it is common for the newspaper industry to favour political parties, for instance the Sun supports Conservatives, factual programmes should try their best to avoid using bias in there products. As by being biased in a documentary/programmes can cause audience backlash which could also create a great deal of hassle for the channel and the broadcaster. For instance, the BBC has a role in being impartial but doesn't always stick to it; which also has the effects of offence and mass debate. 

Like ITV the BBC also had this graph during the live broadcast, yet it was done by 20 voters in the studio. Which was biased. Because they the audience are being mislead into thinking that its the general public who have no motives are rating the show, when in fact a bias audience is doing so. "Professor Colin Davis, of Bristol University, said the worms can produce as much as a 30 per cent swing in voting intentions." -The Express online.  Which not only shows the dangerous sides bias can have over the production of factual programming; but that by simple slip ups in the production of factual programming serious consequences can often arise.

Factual Theory