This document provides an overview of radio news reporting. It discusses key features of radio news like its immediacy and the need for imagination from listeners. It also outlines different types of radio news programs and formats, including headline news casts, minor/major news bulletins, news magazines, and panel discussions. The document details the structure of radio news bulletins and provides guidance on language and style for radio news reporting, emphasizing simplicity, brevity, and clarity. It offers tips for writing news features and current affairs programs.

1. Radio News
Dr Ankuran Dutta
Head, Dept of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University
Managing Trustee, Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust

2. This lecture is dedicated to
Dr Anamika Ray

3. Features of Radio News
´ It is immediate. Radio gives speedy and comprehensive
coverage to news.
´ Radio news is conversational.
´ Radio is an aural medium and so radio news needs
imagination by the listener.
´ Radio uses the inverted pyramid style of news writing.
´ Radio news always has a background to make it complete.
´ Radio news compares and contrast issues to show it as
unusual or different.
´ It is necessary to interpret the story for the listener.
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]

4. Types of Radio News
´Headline News
Cast
´Minor News
Bulletins
´Major News
Bulletins
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]
´ Other formats
´ News Magazine
´ Panel Discussion
´ News Reels
´ News Flash
´ Voice Report
´ Illustrated Voice Report
´ News Interview
´ Actuality
´ Remote Feeds
´ Audience Opinion

5. Current Affairs Programmes
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]
Types
-Radio Features and
documentaries
-Current Affair
Programmes

6. Radio News Bulletin Structure
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]
Headlines
Body of the Bulletin
Mid Break
Repeat Headlines

7. Language and Style for Radio News
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]
´ Be natural and use vocabulary/words you know the meaning of
´ Avoid being dull, avoid using bureaucratic language
´ Give your copy a sense of immediacy
´ Use simple, short, declarative sentences
´ Avoid sound clashes
´ Check out your punctuation
´ Abbreviation
´ Do not include ages
´ Numbers
´ Downplay unconfirmed facts or unknown information
´ Avoid “he/she” ambiguity
´ Use proper format
´ Provide pronunciation guides
´ Write a good introduction or cue

8. Writing for News Feature
´ Step 1
´ Identify the USP of the feature story
´ Step 2
´ Remember radio is all about ‘sound’.
´ Step 3
´ Interview people with the good soundbites in mind.
´ Step 4
´ Let the feature story tell itself.
´ Step 5
´ It is essential to craft the feature story to build curiosity.
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]

9. Writing for Current Affairs Programmes
´ The script is a very simple one.
´ Usually the following points are covered in the script:
´ The introduction, normally containing the significance of the topic which will be discussed
´ An introduction of the experts who will take part in the discussion.
´ A general outline of the aspects of the topic which will be discussed
´ The possible questions which will be put to the experts
´ A brief summary.
© ARMT 2015-2019 [CC-BY-SA]