Machine Shorthand Reporter
Alternative Titles:
Court Reporter, Hansard Reporter, Real-Time Reporter (CART - Computer Assisted Real-Time), Stenocaptioner
Machine shorthand reporters record the spoken word in
parliament, courts of law and television using handwritten
shorthand, a stenotype shorthand machine, or sound equipment.
Machine shorthand reporters may perform the following
tasks:
- record proceedings using shorthand or a stenotype
machine
- use computer-aided transcription (CAT) which translates
the shorthand recorded by the stenotype machine onto a
computer screen
- operate and monitor sound equipment which records all
spoken words
- list the speakers in the court proceedings
- transcribe audio tapes onto computer
- edit the transcript for syntax and grammar
- read back portions of notes or replay tapes on request.
Handwritten shorthand has largely been replaced by the
stenotype machine.
All spoken words are recorded and checked either on paper
or computer. Machine shorthand reporters require a speed of
about 200 plus words per minute.
Sound recording involves three stages: first, monitors
record the proceedings using a sound recording (audio) system;
then audio typists transcribe the audio tape onto computers;
and finally transcript checkers edit the hard copy.
Audio typists need a minimum typing speed of 90 words per
minute.
Court and Hansard reporters work in teams and take turns in
reporting. Court reporters usually work regular hours, while
Hansard reporters work long, irregular hours. Reporters can
advance to senior positions that involve editorial and
administrative responsibilities. Stenocaptioners' work
involves shiftwork to cover television programming, usually
from the originating television station's premises. Real-Time
reporters' (CART) work involves attending different locations,
for example, a courtroom, university campus, boardroom or
conference. All kinds of machine shorthand work is conducted
under considerable pressure.
Machine shorthand reporters may specialise as a:
Court Reporter who records the proceedings at
various courts of law - the Family, Civil, Criminal,
Arbitration and Industrial Courts - or at Royal Commissions,
enquiries and public hearings.
Hansard Reporter who records the debates and daily
proceedings in the chambers of state and Federal parliaments,
and in their committees and ministerial conferences.
Stenocaptioner who records the spoken word,
environmental sounds (such as laughter) and song lyrics, for
television programming using a shorthand machine. The
translation (in captions) is projected onto the television
screen.
Realtime Reporter (Computer Assisted Real-Time) who
records the spoken word and environmental sounds (such as door
slams) for the Deaf and hearing impaired, usually in a meeting
or university lecture environment. These words are projected
onto a laptop or onto a larger screen via a data projector.
Real-Time is also used in the courts, Hansard and business
environments to provide instantaneous translation.
Required Skills - Machine Shorthand Reporter
- good hearing and concentration
- fast and accurate shorthand and/or keyboard skills
- able to work under pressure
- wide vocabulary, sound knowledge of spelling, grammar
and punctuation
- broad general knowledge, particularly in current affairs
and politics
- interested in parliament and courts and their procedures
- comfortable with new technology
- able to recognise and quickly identify environmental
sounds
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