Lecture 5: The Sound of Radio

I’ve always been a visual learner. So, I found it particularly difficult to understand every aspect of Lecture 5 of the JOUR1111 course. I listen to the radio every day, but for some reason when it came to having to understand and take notes on this sound lecture, I admit, I did struggle. 

The previous lecture was all about visuals and pictures in journalism; so, it was ironic that, the very next week, we were given no visuals at all. I found it hard to, take in what both interviewees were saying, while also attempting to visualize them. 

(RICHARD FIDLER)

Image sourced from: http://www.abc.net.au/local/img/podcasts/versions/conversations_600x600_20090928.png

 

The first interview featured Richard Fidler, an ABC radio presenter of the show ‘Conversations’. He explains how radio is a far more intimate medium than television and is not talked at you but instead comes from your head. Fidler says that it is important, as a radio interviewer, to let your interviewee talk and not prompt them too much. When asked about advice which he would give young journalists he said:

“Worldliness is good, read the paper, be open-minded, expose yourself to the thoughts and ideas of people who you don’t agree with.”

I thought this was quite interesting because, often we tend to ignore or immediately challenge the views of others if they are not the same as our own. However, his idea would allow for a greater understanding of opinions on different issues and this is definitely important in the field of journalism.     

(STEVE AUSTIN) 

Image sourced from: http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200703/r131605_4829926.jpg

 

We next heard from Steve Austin of ABC local radio Queensland. Austin offered valuable tips on interviewing and what you must know as an interviewer. He said that you must pursue what you want to find out and, if you’re not sitting directly with the person, empathise with them in order to gain their trust. He also explained how listening implies respect; similar to Fidler’s view that radio interviewers should not say much at all. Both agreed that where people choose to expose a story without realising, you should let them talk. Austin was asked what the components of a good radio story are. He replied:

“Being human and searching or exploring for the full gamut of human experience.”

This, I feel, is exactly how a journalist could learn most about their interviewee; by being open to listening and learning. After this week’s lecture, I learnt that often radio journalism is just as valuable as television journalism and offers just as much insight. It also got me thinking about the difference between TV interviews and radio interviews. Generally, radio interviews are played live on-air; therefore, interviewees would possibly be more likely to expose stories in a radio interview. They know that there is a smaller chance that their interview will be edited and their words manipulated or misread, unlike what can happen in TV interviews. 

So, is radio a diminishing form of journalism? Certainly not.