5B012E - Deadline Days: Live Sports Reporting 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B012E
Module Title: Deadline Days: Live Sports Reporting
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Julie Kissick
Module Team: Delme Parfitt
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100439 - broadcast journalism 100440 - digital media 100442 - journalism 100445 - multimedia journalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 25 25 25 25

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are: 

  • To develop advanced skills in live reporting, production, and presentation across digital and television platforms. 

  • To build students’ ability to make editorial and ethical decisions under deadline pressure through collaborative newsroom practice. 

  • To foster critical reflection on teamwork, professional standards, and performance in live broadcast and digital production settings. 

Content Summary

This newsroom-style module immerses students in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of live sports reporting across mobile, digital, and television platforms. Students will learn how to plan, produce, and deliver real-time coverage that meets professional editorial and technical standards. Working collaboratively in simulated and real-world newsroom and field roles, they will produce a range of outputs including live blogs, on-camera reports, and short bulletin segments. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, fairness, and ethical responsibility when reporting live, while also developing the teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills required in deadline-driven production. The module mirrors real newsroom workflows, helping students understand how field and studio roles combine to deliver compelling live sport content. It prepares students for professional environments by deepening their technical expertise, editorial judgement, and reflective awareness under pressure — essential attributes for success in contemporary sports broadcasting and journalism. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 56
Guided Study 10.5
Summative Assessment 60
Independent Study and self-directed learning 173.5
Total Hours Selected 116

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Produce multi-platform live sports reporting that meets professional editorial and technical standards
LO2 Reflect critically on teamwork, decision-making, and professional performance under deadline pressure.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 A portfolio including a live blog/social coverage, on-camera package or bulletin, and supporting materials (scripts, cue sheets, etc.). Equivalent to 2,000–2,500 words. Provides an authentic assessment experience, requiring students to plan, execute, and deliver live sports coverage that mirrors real-world newsroom pressures. It aligns with the Framework’s emphasis on?constructive alignment and?authentic learning, allowing students to showcase applied skills in live reporting, teamwork, and editorial decision-making. 0 2500 70 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Individual Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 10-minute oral reflection (approx. 1,000 words equivalent). Reinforces reflective and critical thinking through an oral presentation that analyses teamwork, ethics, and performance under pressure. This supports feedforward learning, giving students the tools to evaluate and improve their professional practice in subsequent modules 10 N/A 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1
Individual Presentation (Synchronous Onsite)

Reading List

Week 1 – Live Newsroom Workflows 

Essential Reading 

  • Boyd, A. (2018) Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News. Routledge. 

  • Andrews, P. (2019) Sports Journalism: The State of Play. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Sky Sports (2023) Live Reporting Handbook. 

  • Podcast: BBC Sport Editors – “Managing live coverage under pressure.” 

 

Week 2 – Writing and Presenting for Live Platforms 

Essential Reading 

  • Harcup, T. (2022) Journalism: Principles and Practice. Routledge. (Ch. 6: Writing live). 

  • Ward, M. (2018) Broadcast Journalism: Multimedia Storytelling. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • BBC Academy: Writing to Time and Live Presentation Skills. 

  • Guardian Masterclasses: Digital Live Blogging Essentials. 

Week 3 – Mobile and Social Reporting Tools 

Essential Reading 

  • Briggs, M. (2019) Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing. CQ Press. 

  • Westlund, O. & Quinn, S. (2018) Mobile Journalism and Mobile Media. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • NCTJ (2024) Mobile Journalism Skills Toolkit. 

  • Reuters Institute (2023) The Rise of Live Social Reporting. 

Week 4 – Interviewing and On-Camera Performance 

Essential Reading 

  • Lawrence, G. (2020) The Sports Writing Handbook. Bloomsbury. 

  • Boyd, A. (2018) Broadcast Journalism (Ch. 9: Interviewing techniques). 

Supplementary Reading 

  • LinkedIn Learning: On-Camera Confidence for Broadcasters. 

  • SJA (2023) Best Interview Practices in Sport. 

 

Week 5 – Ethics, Law, and Real-Time Reporting 

Essential Reading 

  • Duncan, M. (2023) Essential Media Law for Journalists. Routledge. 

  • Keeble, R. (2021) Journalism Ethics and Regulation. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • IPSO: Guidance for Live and Social Reporting. 

  • Ofcom (2022) Accuracy, Fairness and Harm in Broadcast Journalism. 

Week 6 – Reflection and Peer Review 

Essential Reading 

  • Harcup, T. (2022) Journalism: Principles and Practice (Ch. 12: Reflection). 

  • NCTJ (2023) Performance Review for Journalists. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • LinkedIn Learning: Reflective Practice for Creatives. 

  • Podcast: The Media Show – Debriefing after Live Broadcasts.