tic sense was used for news documentation during the war years of 1939 and 1945 when broadcast television hid from the Germans. A trip to the local Odeon was the only way to watch news during this period. Unfortunately this example domonstrates an area of potential manipulation. Knowledge of events available to us now, indicates how powerful a tool of propaganda all three of these mediums are. The fundamental difference with film and a key ‘closeness’ between radio and television, past and present, is that they can both be broadcast live, film cannot. It can film live events (documentary) but not broadcast them live. Despite the visual splendour of film and the cinematic experience, this is something it cannot do. Filmed news because of this will also have relevant ‘hindsight’, something which live radio and television broadcasts lack. Although quality news film and film documentary can be found in selected cinemas holding certain genre-seasons like the ICA. Radio and television informs us of the here and now, yet the choice of medium used to relay this information affects its impact and depth of response from the audience. The news on the hour, every hour, with the BBC World Service and current affairs programs on BBC Radio 4 is, at times followed by a discussion, a phone-in, this is audience interaction. Audience participation does not happen in television this way. Television (if the channel is conscious to it ) is more than likely to have a specific program which would deal with the public response - BBC 1’s Question Time for example. The shear mechanics and fiscal implications of the three medium also differ. Keeping with the topic of news, the Kosovo war, like any war, demonstrates this. The Journalist, the cameramen, the technical staff, all are in the war. This requires not only bottle, but costs; crew wages, expenses, insurance, live satellite links. This is all costs...
