There is no specific format for radio news writing. It varies by radio stations. Generally, scripts are prepared in all caps and lines are double spaced. The scripts should have descriptions on sound cuts, speaker, kind of the cut like wrap, voice, actuality, length etc. Nowadays, radio news writing style is akin to normal conversational method. It is better write the radio news as though telling the story to a friend. But, the vocabulary should be formal though the style is conversational. A good news writer use words economically. Using as few words as possible to convey message effectively will save time of the listener and make the text more attractive. However, economy of words should not compromise clarity, accuracy and objectivity.
Which tense is more suitable for radio news writing? Being a commentary on the world events, present tense is more appropriate to use. Brief sentences in present tense will help the news readers and presenters deliver the content easily. It is difficult for the audience to comprehend the long, run-on complex sentences.
Clarity and flow are the two main characteristics a radio news script should have. The flow in writing may not help the anchor in delivery. So, conversational flow shall be the objective. To ensure this, after preparation of the script, the writer should read the story loud many times. If found any kind of difficulty, then word or structure can be changed to ensure flow. Giving pronunciation guide by inserting marks of pronunciation and pause in the script itself will help the presenter deliver the news with nice flow. In radio script, we should use dashes for acronyms that are spelled out. BBC is to be written as B-B-C. However, in the case of acronyms which are used as such like UNICEF, AIDS, no need to use dash. A good news writer never banks on clichés and groans as they are void of meaning. Moreover, the listeners may be distracted from the news by using cliché.
Repetition is waste of time and will breed contempt among the audience. Do not repeat the facts already mentioned in the sound cuts used. However, hints given in lead shall serve as an introduction to what the listeners can expect in the entire news.
Following the print media reporting pattern, many writers are inclined to include the ages of individuals involved in crimes and other similar stories when they write radio news. But unless there is something highly relevant and remarkable about the individual’s age (i.e. an 10-year-old mother), it should be omitted. One exception is in the case of the description of a suspect sought by police. In this instance, the person’s age is vital to a citizen’s ability to identify the individual.
The duty of the news reader is to read the script of a bulleting prepared by the news team, normally led by the news editor. Now, in most stations, news readers and news editors are same. The fundamental quality required for a news reader is to possess steady voice but not shrill or jarring. He should be fluent in reading with perfect diction, pronunciation, pace, pauses and pitch. Audience should enjoy the reader’s confidence, which comes with a good understanding of the news content included in the bulletin. For that, the reader should have adequate knowledge of the current affairs. Reader should basically be a journalist, a jack of all, and in any emergent situation, he should remain in control and be able to read even unrehearsed, handwritten news items flawlessly. Unlike other programmes, news is presented in a formal way, with focus on the matter of fact and with objective style where emotions have no place. A successful news reader inspires the listeners and keep them with the radio. His delivery should exude credibility and objectivity.
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