I grew up on NPR. Morning Edition on the way to school, All Things Considered on the way back home. I remember Saturday evenings listening to Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion and Sunday afternoons with Wait Wait Don’t Tell me. There is a special place in my heart for radio, especially journalism radio. I see radio as a special medium of art that is unique in its accessibility and potential for education.
Journalistic radio is important for public education because it is the best way to learn while going about your day. Unlike books or videos, radio is not obtrusive to walking through town to driving to do the store. For those busy autodidacts out there, podcasts such as Planet Money and 99% Invisible are a fantastic way to remain informed and knowledgeable about a broad variety of topics.
Here on KRLX we are mostly a music station. But there are a few shows that work this informative angle. It is entirely understandable that we have more music shows, as journalistic ones involve a lot more work. Nonetheless, here is some advice on how to run these kinds of shows:
1) Preparation: This is the most important. For a good show a script isn’t required, but an outline is. I usually keep a document with 4 or 5 links to news articles and essays about the topic I want to talk about.
2) Voice: It’s important to sound confident in what you are saying. Sometimes it can be hard to keep talking, but it’s important not to have dead air. I promise you that you sound much more knowledgeable than you may feel. Nonetheless, a great solution for dead air is my third point:
3) Partner: Find a friend! It’s a lot more fun and a lot easier if you have a buddy to bounce ideas off of and to fill dead air.
4) Have fun! Find something you’re passionate about and I promise your show will turn out great.