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