When I teach university students and newsrooms how to write for broadcast news (radio and television) we discuss the importance of simplifying numbers.
(This image above is a good example of simplifying and rounding off numbers – the words at the top are what the reporter actually said.)
Simply and ’round off’ numbers for several reasons.
- Numbers take time to say – 493 – four hund-red and nine-ty three – al-most five hund-red Every syllable counts.
- More importantly, it’s harder for a listener to ‘hold numbers’ in their heads. Too many numbers can ‘overwhelm’ the listener or viewer.
Also, try to have less numbers in your report/package.
The above image from a TV report is a good example in my professional opinion as it provides both the ‘easy approximate number’ and the ‘detailed actual number’ in the graphic.
The eye takes in information much faster than the ear. Often, when print journalists move into broadcast, they need to change their style in how they express numbers. They often include too many numbers in their reports.
These days, multi-media journalism requires a combination of both print and broadcast skills. So, just remember when it comes to expressing numbers, simplify, approximate, round up or down.
In the case of numbers, ‘near enough is not just good enough’ – it’s a best practice in broadcast writing and presenting.
Bard of Breaking News (Breaking Bard) 