Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to assist in the routine operations involved in the production of a Defence news publication. It requires the analysis and interpretation of incoming material for newsworthiness and the distribution of the material for response from the relevant sectors within Defence.

The competency deals with the reporter's involvement in the day-to-day operation of a unit that has responsibility for the production of Defence publications, such as services newspapers, magazines and Internet sites. All reporters will be involved with this activity on a needs basis, however in the main the competency applies to junior reporters assisting a senior reporter or following direction from the editor or sub editor.

The reporter judges newsworthiness with limited supervision.

This competency is required by all Defence reporters.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

PUADEFPR301B Identify material suitable for publication within Defence

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Manage incoming material 

1.1 Incoming material  is collected and recorded

1.2 An assessment is made of the new material to determine its newsworthiness  and a recommendation is made to the editor

1.3 Material of potential value is classified and archived for future reference

2. Assist in managing daily operations 

2.1 Letters to the editor  are registered and forwarded to the relevant personnel for response

2.2 Production tasks  are completed as directed by supervisor

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• compose factual information into a story
• respond to readers' letters
• prioritise information for relevance and accuracy
• relate effectively with contributors
• use appropriate information technology and software

Required Knowledge 

• readers' and organisational interests
• what constitutes news and the types of stories used in Defence publications
• publishing deadlines
• when to check information
• security requirements, conditions on reporting sensitive issues, Defence issues, current affairs issues etc
• basic knowledge of desktop publishing packages
• standard production processes
• the standard operating procedures of relevant public affairs organisations which influence parent organisation
• ADF public affairs objectives and the characteristics of Defence public affairs organisations
• Defence News Editorial Board guidelines
• Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics
• relevant legislation

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to assess and make a fair and impartial judgement of the material's newsworthiness with full consideration of ADF public affairs objectives and communications ethics that are relevant to the audience and organisation.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated environments, with particular emphasis placed on the assessment of a variety of incoming material and recommendations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in an office and under operational conditions, or in a simulated environment. Simulation should re-create realistic office and operational scenarios in a wide range of situations that may be encountered by the Defence reporter and should cover all of the critical aspects of evidence.

Evidence should be gathered through questioning relating to underpinning knowledge and the submission of a variety of documented reports relating to the newsworthiness of incoming material.

Specific resources for assessment 

There are no special resource requirements for this unit.

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Incoming material may include 

Media releases

Promotional packages

Material on travel, finances, health, historical articles, photographs and cartoons

Any other information received by post, fax, hand delivery or email

Newsworthiness may include 

Information likely to appeal to readers because it is topical, different, unique or relevant to them

Letters to the editor may include 

Letters from readers and ADF staff

Production tasks may include 

Correspondence (memos, letters, email)

Establishing and maintaining catalogue and records

Maintaining computer files

Photocopying

Filing

Fax transmission

Answering telephone

Co-requisite Unit /s 

PUADEFEQ001B Work with equity and diversity