ABSTRACT
There are many different ways to present a news story for radio from the simple copy story to the full-blown documentary. Television and radio techniques differ because of the use of visuals, but in many respects are similar in the way they package information as news. This chapter explores the different treatments radio gives to news. What follows is a storyline that represents what could happen at two mythical
radio stations when a big news event happens. In practice of course it’s unlikely that a station would follow every single treatment (way of covering a story) that is outlined below. That’s because much depends on the station’s format (speech to music ratio) and target demographic (age and income profile), as well as other issues such as budget, equipment and staff availability. It is a quarter past twoonaquiet summer afternoon inGuildford, Surrey, England.
The only news worth reporting is that it is hot. The phone rings. Three hands grab for it but only the news editor’s practised reaction connects. Relief is at hand. News has broken. News editor Ian Hinds is grilling the caller with all the zeal of the Spanish Inquisition: ‘When did this happen? Just now?Howmany dead!? Are you sure?Where . . . ?
Outside Guildford station!!?’ Fuelled by adrenalin, the news machine leaps into life. A story that develops
quickly with new information coming in is known as breaking news, or a running story. Below are the various treatments that two fictitious radio stations might give to this equally fictitious – but feasible – story of a train crash at Guildford. One
