10 Commandments of Conducting a TV Debate or Interview

10 Things that Can Help You Become a Great News Debate Anchor

There are a few holy rules and a few guidelines that a responsible TV debate anchor should adhere to. It should seamlessly blend some moral and ethical obligations and creative impulses. A few of such guidelines are as follows:

• Prepare:

  Do your homework. As a presenter, you must be well informed about the discussion topics, debate, or interview participants when they are having a debate on television. It helps to avoid potentially awkward moments where you are left guessing for references. List all the issues that must be covered in the discussion and ensure that you touch upon every one of them. Observe good orators and their habits and try to teach them how to conduct a debate for an impactful delivery. Studying semiotics for good rhetorical communication is also always a good idea.

• Give everybody a fair chance:

  Every participant deserves fair bandwidth to express and articulate his/her opinions and feelings. It becomes your prerogative to keep it unbiased and let everybody speak. Learn how to tactfully interrupt and start conversations to keep the proceedings entertaining and informative. Whether it's a debate on television or another format, a good debate anchor ensures a balanced and engaging discussion.

• Ensure balance and decency:

  These situations can get especially tricky in the case of political debates and discussions. Avoid topics that can insinuate and create a stressful or tense environment. You have to handle such situations with tact and diplomacy.

• Ensure that your unbiased and neutral:

  When learning how to anchor a talk show, mastering neutrality is one of the most essential points you MUST follow. It is crucial for a TV debate, and understanding how to conduct a debate, not to let your personal opinions, biases, and leanings affect the proceedings. You have to anchor a debate on television neutrally. You must lay down facts and not give any hints or directions to the audience.

• Know when to listen and when to interrupt:

  Listen well to your guests. Be a good communicator. You should also be prompt and know how and when to stop a speaker if he/she is extending their time slot or digressing, being offensive or beating around the bush.

• Take the reins:

  Always know you are the ‘Sutradhaar’. Ensure that the proceedings always stay in your control. Achieve a balance of listening and speaking. As it is rightly said, you are the debate anchor of the show. A good sense of humour goes a long way in such endeavours.

• Viewers always come first:

  Make it a point to address only those issues which make for good, sensible viewing. Do not let anything obstruct this ultimate goal. Do not let personal agendas pollute the intent of the discussion.

• Technically sound:

  Ensuring technical perfection is the key to smooth proceedings. Use the best and most compatible devices possible to guarantee a glitch-free show. For telephone interviews, use landlines instead of mobile phones and always have contingency plans if you rely on telephonic, electronic, or mechanical devices and the internet.

• Respect privacy and personal space:

  Your guests are humans with emotions. Always respect their space even with factors like your body language and tone. Creating controversies is NOT your job. The participants have a right to privacy and you should respect it.

• Connect:

  Try and connect with the speakers. If there is an audience connect with them too. Be comfortable in your own skin and don’t put on any gimmick. A good connect with the participants lays down the foundation for fruitful communication.

Remember all these factors to be an effective TV debate anchor. Good hosts can go on to become a force to reckon with in a sociopolitical scenario. You can wield the power to catalyse positive change in society. It is indeed a powerful and coveted position, and with the right choices, you will get there!

However, it all starts with providing oneself with the necessary education. A thorough degree in broadcast journalism may prepare you for a variety of professions in digital and television journalism, including that of a TV debate anchor. Learning how to anchor a talk show is essential if you're interested in moderating and steering intelligent conversations. Check out Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism's full journalism degree course, now available at its Pune location! Whether you want to lead a debate on television or host a compelling tv debate, Seamedu is the place to hone your talents.