Analysis of the Characteristics and Optimization Measures of Television News Collection and Editing in the Context of Converged Media

Zhu Ruiping
(Juxian Converged Media Center, Rizhao, Shandong, 276500)

Abstract

[Objective] This study aims to promote the development of television news and improve the quality of news collection and editing. [Method] Using literature analysis and theoretical research methods, the study conducts an in-depth exploration of television news collection and editing within the context of converged media. [Results] The research finds that current television news collection and editing work suffers from insufficient conceptual innovation, difficulty in controlling content similarity, and an urgent need for methodological innovation. Consequently, measures such as innovating collection and editing concepts, diversifying news content from multiple perspectives, and innovating methods across various dimensions are proposed and implemented. [Conclusion] These measures have largely broken through the limitations of traditional news collection and editing, further expanding professional thinking and providing a reference for future research.

Keywords: Converged media; Collection and editing channels; Content editing; Remote collection and editing; Information integration

Preamble

Researching television news collection and editing in the context of converged media is a vital component of responding to new developmental trends and improving professional standards. In recent years, the accelerated speed of information dissemination in the converged media era has presented television news with significant challenges. Television news collection and editing primarily revolve around the gathering of information and its targeted processing based on the specific requirements of television broadcasting to ensure smooth reporting.

News collection and editing are directly related to news broadcasting, information dissemination, and subsequent social impact. Therefore, it is essential to intensify research into these processes. Based on the diverse reading needs of different audiences in the converged media landscape, practitioners must actively innovate their methods. By aligning with the characteristics of television news and objectively addressing the challenges of the new environment, professionals can enrich content and reform working formats to find more effective strategies for optimization.

1. Analysis of the Characteristics of Television News Collection and Editing under Converged Media

News collection and editing serve as the fundamental prerequisite for news formation and reporting. These tasks take various forms, such as on-site interviews and field investigations. The quality of this work determines the authenticity and timeliness of news content, which in turn affects the social impact of the broadcast. In a converged media environment, the increase in dissemination channels and the speed of information flow have diversified audience demands. To innovate working models and improve quality, it is necessary to clearly understand the characteristics of modern television news collection and editing to define the direction for optimization.

1.1 Diversification of Subjects in News Collection and Editing

Television news aims to acquire valuable information through collection and editing for timely reporting. Because television news covers complex fields and events are rarely limited to a single dimension, the subjects of interviews have become increasingly diverse. When news events occur, converged media provides audiences with multiple platforms and channels for following information; audiences then select content based on the nature and direction of the event.

During this process, news workers must collect and process information accurately and promptly to meet audience demands. When facing different subjects, practitioners need to skillfully handle points of focus and express the diverse demands of individuals from the perspective of the general public, thereby fulfilling the social role of news. Given the complexity introduced by diverse individual needs and dissemination channels, acknowledging the diversification of subjects is essential for effective news operations.

1.2 Diversification of Collection and Editing Channels

In traditional models, television news collection was primarily limited to hotlines, site visits, or letters from the audience. However, with the advent of the converged media era, traditional channels have been supplemented by a wide array of internet-based platforms, such as social media and short-video platforms. This diversification has a dual impact. On one hand, it makes news collection more convenient and information acquisition more timely, creating favorable conditions for the work. On the other hand, it leads to a surge in redundant information, significantly increasing the workload for information extraction and integration while adding challenges to the classification and editing of news data.

1.3 High Efficiency in Information Collection and Editing

Television news collection and editing under converged media are characterized by high efficiency. By integrating various media technologies, the time between the occurrence of an event and its processing has been significantly shortened. Capturing the initiative in information dissemination through rapid reporting not only improves efficiency but also enhances the value of the news. The use of live broadcasting, in particular, minimizes intermediate processing time, allowing collection and broadcasting to occur almost simultaneously. For example, on June 22, 2024, CCTV News used live broadcasting to connect with reporters in Jinping County, Yunnan, to cover the mass emergence of butterflies in the Red River Butterfly Valley. By showing the spectacle of millions of butterflies in real-time without intermediate processing, the team completed the collection, editing, and broadcasting process with maximum efficiency.

2. Current Deficiencies in Television News Collection and Editing

2.1 Insufficient Innovation in Collection and Editing Concepts

High-quality development in the converged media era requires the innovation of news concepts. While television news is increasingly integrating with new media, traditional concepts remain deeply rooted. The complexity of the work and the friction between traditional television media and new media mindsets mean that some operations still follow outdated models. Specifically, an over-reliance on "media-centric" approaches rather than "audience-centric" ones prevents news from resonating emotionally with the public. Furthermore, a lack of deep integration means that while the volume of information has increased, the methods for mining and identifying the value of that information have not been updated in time, leading to a lack of distinctive content and weak dissemination power.

2.2 Difficulty in Controlling Content Similarity

As media convergence deepens, the proliferation of dissemination channels has increased the phenomenon of content similarity. When news events occur, different media outlets "race against the clock" to process information using advanced technology. However, this often leads to a lack of in-depth mining, unoriginal topic selection, and incomplete conceptual frameworks. This "herd" approach to reporting exacerbates content homogeneity. Additionally, the focus on short videos and images for the sake of speed often comes at the expense of professional analysis and audience experience, further contributing to the problem of excessive similarity.

2.3 Urgent Need for Methodological Innovation

Traditional methods, such as field investigations and on-site interviews, ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness but suffer from low efficiency and poor timeliness in a converged media context. Compared to new technologies, traditional methods are at a disadvantage regarding the breadth of information acquisition. Although converged media has introduced new technologies, many practitioners still rely primarily on traditional methods, using artificial intelligence and data technology only as auxiliary tools. This failure to truly expand the collection space or address the shortage of timely data prevents the realization of ideal innovation results.

3. Optimization Measures for Television News Collection and Editing

3.1 Seizing Opportunities to Innovate Collection and Editing Concepts

To capitalize on the opportunities provided by converged media, television news must intensify its conceptual innovation. Practitioners must recognize the urgency of change driven by shifting dissemination channels and audience needs. With the rapid expansion of the internet, audiences value not only the authenticity of news but also the reading experience and the value of the information. Therefore, news collection must break free from traditional constraints and find points of resonance with the audience.

3.1.1 Coordinating Media-Audience Relations and Balancing Content

Innovation should focus on the actual needs of the audience, prioritizing information services that solve problems or answer questions. This approach builds trust and emotional resonance. For instance, in December 2024, Tianyan News reported on educational resource integration in Shiqian County. During collection, staff focused on hardware and software configurations, teacher recruitment, and resource layout—topics of high concern to the public. By highlighting the progress of school construction and the addition of new student placements, the report addressed audience concerns directly, enhancing the "affinity" and effectiveness of the news.

3.1.2 Deepening the "Convergence" Mindset

Practitioners must develop a "convergence" mindset, flexibly handling news from different channels and integrating them into the television platform. This involves verifying and merging information at multiple levels to create a comprehensive and accurate foundation. By analyzing the dissemination characteristics of different media from the audience's perspective, news workers can better align their content with public demand, making the reporting more valuable and insightful.

3.2 Controlling Content Similarity through Multi-Perspective Innovation

The diversity of audience needs—ranging from those seeking concise updates to those desiring in-depth professional analysis—requires news collection to adopt multiple perspectives. By integrating diverse audience requirements into the content processing stage, practitioners can enhance the value of reports and effectively control similarity. Utilizing the technical advantages of converged media, news content should incorporate realistic elements and focus on common life experiences to bridge the distance between the media and the public.

In practice, television news should reflect hot-button issues such as health, food safety, and public education. Content should also move away from monotonous formats by incorporating interesting or humorous elements. For example, weather reports can use personification and humor to engage audiences, while traffic updates can use lighthearted metaphors to ease the frustration of commuters. Such creative processing not only delivers information but also creates a relaxed atmosphere and reduces content redundancy.

Furthermore, innovation can be achieved by linking "front-stage" reporting with "back-stage" investigation. While a reporter delivers a live update, others can conduct simultaneous background investigations. This multi-dimensional approach was exemplified by Northeast News Network in its 2024 coverage of a traditional Chinese medicine market. By combining live broadcasts, expert guidance, and interactive riddles, the team integrated citizen, expert, and journalistic perspectives, effectively avoiding content similarity.

3.3 Skillful Application of New Media Technologies

To innovate methods, practitioners should first integrate remote collection and online editing technologies. For example, during the National Games, various broadcasting stations used 5G and virtual green-screen technology to collect and present information remotely, saving resources while maintaining high quality. Secondly, the use of cloud platforms and data analysis allows for the capture and extraction of massive amounts of information, helping practitioners explore the essence of news events. Integrating traditional field visits with database information ensures that news content is both verified and deep. For instance, during the opening of Shenyang Metro Line 4, reporters combined real-time footage with technical data from engineers to provide a comprehensive report on the safety and stability of the new line.

Conclusion

Through the analysis of television news collection and editing in the context of converged media, this study has provided a more accurate positioning for the field. The converged media era presents both new requirements and favorable conditions for innovation. News workers must recognize current limitations, innovate their concepts and methods, and broaden their perspectives to enrich the internal substance of news, thereby improving the overall standard of television news collection and editing.

References

(Omitted for brevity, following the original list [1] through [15])