News phrases

It does irritate me when certain words or phrases are use by journalists. Surely they could buy a Thesaurus or use a different phrase. Some examples:

Such was the force...
Truly historic

What I can tell you is...
Yes, well...
Back to you in the studio.
Good Morning, yes...
The details are sketchy

"swings into action"
"Tributes are being paid" (overused when someone dies)
"devastating blow"
"controversy"
"has hit out at allegations"
"remains to be seen" (used at the end of a package they don't quite know how to finish)

(At the end of a report) - "[Insert Correspondent name],[Insert News Agency],[Insert Location]"
"Live at the scene is our correspondent..."
"What will be [Insert entiity]'s reaction to all this?"
"No, sorry, I'm afriad we've lost that feed - we'll try to bring that report to you again later."
"We can now return to [Insert entity]..."

And finally...

MoD's Guide to presenting the News...

We have some breaking news reaching us here at Sky News, we're receiving reports of _______. Well joining us here in the studio is _______, whats your reaction to that? But you're not answering the question...

More still to come including... Still no sign of weapons of mass destruction...

We'll have more on that story at the top of the hour. From me and the rest of the team, goodbye!

Provided you memorize all the above, you can make presenting the news look simple!

"Er, um, ah"
"Let's just update you on the news you can see at the bottom of your screen:" *proceeds to read entire strap out*
"Coming up in the next hour/Still to come this hour..."
Reporter: "It's bad for the passengers." Newsreader: "So I suppose it's bad for the passengers?" Reporter: "well yes it is bad for the passengers..."
"and I suppose..."
"Final thought from you for this hour if you would please..." (© Kay Burley)
"as you can see.." (often used during Sky News Newswall presentations)

here is a good one...

"That's all form me but i will be back a little later with todays top stories, but for now, it is time to join oru news teams throughout the United Kingdom."
Hue Edwards

Close knit community
Reacted angrily
Bedside vigil
Was found to be dead on arrival
shocked and saddened
found in a pool of blood
working around the clock
Officers remained tight lipped

oh god...I could go on....but where would we hacks be without those lovely cliches!

Good thread!

On regional news in particular:

Traffic ground to a halt...
Police are appealing for witnesses...
A court heard today that...
There were growing calls today for...
Health bosses in the region...
There are warnings today of...
A local Council has angered residents by...

cue *amusing* banter with weather presenter.

Yawn.

the one that annoys me the most is:

"...and [reporter name] was in court.."

it makes them sound like the reporter is the criminal. Although, the quality of some of Phillipa Thomas' reports are actually criminal.

*They thought it could never happen..*

Both HTVs love that one.