I think newsreaders need to come across as very professional, but relaxed and calm. They can't be wodden, we need a smile now and again. And at the end of a news programme, a bit of banter is good.
Not nit-picking or anything, but it's the third time you've said 'wodden' ...it's wooden
The balance between entertainment and news is a red herring. The major thing that people behind news programmes need to realise is that people are interested in politics - but not politicians.
Too much times TV news programmes, especially the BBC, devote their time to "Tony Blair did this today.." as opposed to something that's actually relevant to people. If Tony Blair is making a speech or leading a 'task force' - who gives a ****? If he's actually making a policy which WILL happen, and will affect viewers, make it relevant to them. Keep the politicians out of it as far as possible.
The other point is that news, especially local news on commercial television, shouldn't be squeamish about crime. It's what people are interested in. People want negative news - it's human nature, and it's not for us to change their minds.
And programmes shouldn't rely on tedious press releases (Reporting Scotland's obsession with whatever the Scottish Executive tells them), or tedious box-ticking (Reporting Scotland's obsession with covering every tedious part of the country, whether anything's happening or not).
Beyond that, the personality of presenters and the presentation overall adds the icing to the cake.
Sorry for posting a lot but i have to put my view forward.
The only way that news can be done properly is by having a middle aged person and a quarter aged lady and a teal blue set. Oh look meridian have already done it!!!!
I do agree with PCUK there. And the fact is that the content no matter what the subject is must be rich and truthful! If you don't really know what is happening in a particular story don't report on what sketchy details you have! =)
