How to write radio news scripts
How many of you listen to the radio? What stations do you listen to▪ Why
When do you listen to the radio▪ Why
How does the Radio compare to other media ▪ when it comes to news
Radio is Ubiquitous You can listen to it anywhere▪ When you can’t get online▪ When you can’t see T.V.▪ Radio can be there
Radio reports ▪ Often provide many people with breaking news
When developing radio news stories Good quality audio▪ Is very important
Background noises▪ Add to sense of mood and place
Audio Ingredients of radio news▪ Voices of reporters▪ Natural sounds from scenes/events▪ Eyewitness sound bites
High Energy News Radio news ▪ Is highly condensed information▪ Short, rapid fire stories▪ High story count
▪ Usually starts a radio program▪ Is on a cycle▪ That repeats on the station throughout the day
Technology & terminology▪ Can vary from station to station▪ You should be flexible and willing to adapt▪ (1st Paragraph Pg 87)
Two basic kinds of radio news stories▪ Reader/Actualities▪ Story content read by on air person
▪ Wraps▪ On air person reads opening▪ Followed by voiced report from reporter
Most radio news stories are VERY short 30 seconds or less▪ Written with the bare minimum
Be clear and concise▪ Ideas should be succinct▪ Sound bites should be tight▪ What’s necessary for the story
Elements/directions to include▪ Beginning▪ Title (With# if multiple versions)▪ Air Date▪ Talent▪ Clip #▪ Kill
▪ Middle▪ Clip #▪ Outcue▪ Runs Length of bite
Life in the Biz▪ Long hours, Constant deadlines
Challenges▪ Writing short▪ Tougher than writing long▪ Just the facts
(important ones)
Radio news writers need to remember▪ 1. Write in the present or future tense▪ 2. Write with a sense of urgency or the event itself
▪ 3. Choose the sound bite with the most “Zing”▪ The shorter the bite the better
The LEAD▪ A good lead can make a radio story▪ It’s what gets the listener’s attention▪ Think carefully about the words and sounds at the beginning
Example Breaking news radio strategy▪ Hostage situation▪ Radio reporter finds house across the street▪ Looks up home phone # in directory
▪ Calls home to see if someone can describe the scene▪ Broadcasts comments/description over the air
Radio station personnel Large stations▪ Lots of different roles
Small stations▪ Few people wear many
hats
Commercial Radio reporters Have to create a lot of copy Are usually on a tight deadline May write 4-5 different stories a day▪ In multiple versions
Need to write fast ▪ & develop a variety of leads
Will often multitask
There are many formats For delivering radio news▪ NPR▪ News/Talk▪ Local All News Radio
Be adaptable Remember the strength of radio is
portability