News programmes on Polish and foreign television (comparative analysis)

Maciej Mrozowski

English version of the article

This article presents the results of content analysis of news programmes broadcasted between 30.06-13.07.08 on four foreign (BBC One, TF 1, France 2, ZDF) and four Polish (TVP1, TVP2, TVN, Polsat) TV channels. The analysis includes programme setting (studio, newscaster, credits), the information theme structure and the news structure. The various elements were categorized in a such a way as to distinguish the most apparent similarities and difference between the Polish and foreign programmes. The features which make Polish news unlike Western are: greater focus on infotainment in the setting and during the programme, dominant political theme over information on society, economy or culture, a more extensive news structure and building narration based on witness accounts rather than reporters'. It can be said that these differences arise from journalists' take on reality rather than reality itself.

KEYWORDS

News programmes, public media, content analysis, information theme structure, news structure