Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for discussion forums
- Prepare lines of questioning based on thorough analysis of research undertaken by production personnel
- Where appropriate, discuss forum topics in advance with key participants to identify directions in which on-air discussion might go
- If necessary, undertake further research to cover additional angles revealed in preliminary discussions with key participants
- Ensure that participants are briefed about laws and regulations that may have an impact on what they say on air
- In consultation with production personnel, identify where key participants will be seated in discussion forums that involve audience participation
- Rehearse or role-play discussions with production personnel to identify gaps in preparation and refine proposed line of questioning accordingly
- Conduct discussion forums
- If appropriate, do a warm-up session to prepare an audience prior to the start of a discussion forum
- Introduce topic and follow a line of questioning that allows differing opinions to be aired in a way that stimulates constructive debate among participants
- Chair the discussion in the planned direction, but at the same time, ask questions that allow participants freedom to express their views
- Identify additional lines of questioning by listening carefully to participants' comments and follow-through with questions that demonstrate thorough understanding of the topic under discussion
- Resolve conflicts that arise between participants in a way that moves the discussion forward while acknowledging the validity of differing viewpoints and paying due respect to the public profile of individual participants
- Adopt an interview style that elicits the best possible response from participants
- Respond to cues from production personnel without disrupting the flow of discussion
- Link audio and visual material as required
- Wrap up discussions by summarising key points succinctly and clearly, and thanking participants for their contribution
- Evaluate discussion forums