The Camera Sets the Dress Code
A news desk can make a studio look like a formal office, but the shot is carefully limited: the camera frames the anchor from the chest up, and the desk hides the rest. That means the visible part of the outfit does most of the work. A jacket, shirt, or tie can create the polished look viewers expect while the clothing below the frame matters less.
Comfort Has Limits
That freedom can be practical during a long broadcast. If the anchor is seated and the camera stays tight, casual trousers, shorts, or slippers may never appear on screen. But the outfit still has to suit the production: an anchor may stand to introduce a segment, move between camera positions, or appear in a wider shot. The crew also needs to avoid accidentally revealing what the framing usually conceals.
So the contrast is not necessarily between a formal broadcast and a careless one. It is a small production compromise: dress for what the audience can see, while staying ready for the camera to show more.
