Children’s news team ‘a bunch of pickpockets’

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 18

Children’s news team ‘a bunch of pickpockets’

Rodney Bryant says his “Video Dispatch" team is a "bunch of pick pockety.”j The programme for youngsters, originating from TVNZ, Christchurch, draws its material from a wide variety of I The first programme begins on Two at 5 this evening, and before it goes to air, “The Video Dispatch” team will have watched hours of news footage from the 6.30 and ‘lEye Witness” News, regional programmes, satellite feeds from overseas and specialist current jaffairs packages, as well as “Behind the News,” its A.B.C. cousin across the Tasman. I All this is in the interests of its target audiences of 10 to olds. I Bryant says he is determined that when young people view “The Vi'deo Dispatch” they are watching the best and most appropriate news itfems and backgrounders j the team can provide. j ' Bryant, the sub-editor/ reporter, Robyn Nuthall, ‘the director, lan 'Cumming, and the production jassistant, Mary McKeich, ihave become experienced "pick-pockets” of national . and international hews stories. Every issue is considered although Bryant makes the point that ]‘The Video Dispatch” wants jto say something positive about them. I I

For example this evening’s edition includes a story about an English teen-ager dying of cancer. It appealed to “The Video Dispatch” because the boy decided to do something worth while with his life. He wrote a pop song and a book about how reluctant people are to discuss terminal illness. The book has now been adapted for television by the 8.8. C. “Our stories try to highlight achievement or achievers," Bryant says. The programme is packaged in two halves. The first half includes a review of the week's news, a headline service of the latest stories and a pick of the best news items from overseas via satellite. The second half contains national and international backgrounders of events, and stories of special interest for chil ; dren. ;