Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Flashcards

A network compliance officer asks whether captions must include background music descriptions. What is the correct answer under FCC guidelines?

Answer: Non-speech audio that is essential to understanding the program, such as significant music, should be described in captions

FCC guidelines require that non-speech audio essential to program comprehension, including significant music cues, be conveyed in captions.

When working with a new broadcast client for the first time, what should the captioner clarify upfront regarding caption format?

Answer: Preferred caption style, line length, speaker ID conventions, and any show-specific terminology

Establishing caption style, format, and terminology expectations at the start of a client relationship prevents miscommunication and ensures consistent quality.

A producer sends last-minute script changes via text message 3 minutes before airtime. What is the captioner's best response?

Answer: Quickly update the custom dictionary with new names or terms and acknowledge receipt to the producer

Even with limited time, rapidly updating the dictionary with critical new terms and confirming receipt to the producer maximizes preparedness.

What does 'verbatim captioning' mean in the context of broadcast captioning professional standards?

Answer: Transcribing the speaker's exact words including false starts and filler words when possible

Verbatim captioning means capturing the speaker's actual words as closely as possible, including false starts, without paraphrasing or editorializing.

A station requests that the captioner also caption a Spanish-language segment during a bilingual broadcast. The captioner is not bilingual. What is the correct action?

Answer: Inform the client immediately and arrange for a qualified bilingual captioner or interpreter to handle that segment

Captioners must work within their competency and promptly communicate limitations to clients so appropriate resources can be arranged.

A broadcast network wants to assess whether their captioning provider is meeting FCC quality standards. Which FCC quality benchmark should they specifically reference?

Answer: The FCC's four caption quality standards: accuracy, synchrony, completeness, and placement

The FCC defines caption quality using four standards — accuracy, synchrony, completeness, and placement — which form the basis for evaluating provider compliance.

A sports network asks the captioner to omit profanity spoken by athletes caught on a hot mic. What should the captioner do?

Answer: Follow the network's explicit editorial policy on profanity, established in the pre-show agreement

Editorial decisions about profanity should be governed by the client's established policy, agreed upon before the broadcast, not made unilaterally by the captioner.