This workshop outline sets out the basics for creating a news package for radio. It’s been created for those starting out in radio journalism.
The workshop is presented in two formats, both using the same source material from Media Helping Media. The first is a two-hour workshop designed for those who are already familiar with the topic but who would like to deepen their understanding. The second is a four-hour, half-day workshop for those who are new to the topic. Trainers are invited to select the format that best meets the needs of those they are training.
This workshop outline is based exclusively on the Media Helping Media training article, Constructing a news package for radio, which provides practical guidance on creating compelling audio reports.
Workshop outline 1: Two-hour session
This fast-paced, two-hour session is designed for trainees who have a basic understanding of radio news production but wish to refine their skills in audio storytelling and narrative construction.
09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Finding the sound and the story’s core
- Identify the essential audio elements that enrich a radio report.
- Understand the importance of chronology (the sequence of events) in building a coherent story.
- Practise seeking multiple, diverse perspectives when dealing with contentious issues.
Presentation:
- Actuality as the lifeblood: Explain that actuality (recorded sound of events and voices) is vital for radio news, distinguishing it from print. Actuality enriches the script.
- Chronology: Outline the necessity of a clear narrative arc. Trainees must fully understand the ‘who, why, when, where, and how’ before starting to build the package.
- Perspectives and fairness: When dealing with contentious issues, stress the need to seek multiple perspectives and diverse voices. Explain that striving for fairness means presenting a tapestry of views, and never ignoring conflicting opinions.
Activity:
- Analyse an example package: Play a professionally produced radio news package (3 minutes). Trainees work in pairs to identify: 1) The main actuality clips used, 2) The story’s chronology (what happened first, second, etc.), and 3) The number of different perspectives presented.
- Brainstorming opposing views: The trainer gives a short, controversial story idea. Trainees list at least four different people or groups whose perspectives must be included to ensure impartiality and a rounded report.
Discussion:
- Group critique of the example package, focusing on which sounds (actuality and wild track—ambient/background sound) were most effective.
- Discuss the challenge of overcoming personal bias when selecting which perspectives to include in a package.
10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Weaving the audio narrative
- Master the technique of using the voice to connect and enhance audio clips.
- Learn how to select and edit clips for maximum impact and flow.
- Ensure the package addresses the ‘so what’ factor for the audience.
Presentation:
- Technique (Voice): Instruct trainees to imagine their voice going directly into the listener’s ear. They must use their voice expressively (varying pace, tone, and inflection) to be sympathetic to the story’s content.
- Putting it together (Scripting and editing): Explain that the script must bind the clips together logically. Trainees must use short, impactful clips from interviews and wild track. The focus should be on choosing clips that give opinion over clips that merely relay information.
- The ‘So what’ factor: Explain the crucial need to address the impact and relevance of the story. The package must clearly explain what happens next, why those steps are important, and what the implications are for the audience.
Activity:
- Scripting exercise: Provide a short transcript of an interview and a list of two relevant sound effects. Trainees must select two short clips (maximum 20 seconds each) and write the connecting commentary, ensuring the links are short and do not repeat the words the interviewee says.
- Checking for accuracy: The trainer briefly introduces the concept of editorial integrity. Trainees fact-check three key statements from their drafted script against provided background notes to ensure high standards of accuracy.
Discussion:
- Review the drafted scripts, focusing on the clarity of the voice links and the overall flow.
- Discuss how a package that answers ‘The so what factor’ helps the audience understand the ongoing relevance of the news.
Assignment
In pairs, select a local news story. Plan the structure for a two-minute radio news package, including: three main points, the names of potential interviewees to address those points, and a plan for at least two relevant wild track sounds to create atmosphere.
Materials needed for the workshop:
- Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
- Example interview transcripts.
- Research resources (internet or printouts).
- Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).
Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
- Performance in mock interviews and reflection.
Workshop outline 2: Four-hour session
This half-day session is for trainees who are new to radio news production and requires a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to constructing a radio package.
09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Foundational elements of radio news
- Define a radio news package and its essential components.
- Establish the correct sequence (chronology) for telling a news story.
- Understand the importance of sound (actuality) in radio storytelling.
Presentation:
- What is a radio package? Define a package as a news report combining a reporter’s voice, interview clips, and ambient sound.
- Chronology—The story’s backbone: Explain that a good package follows a clear narrative arc. The first step is to uncover the ‘who, why, when, where, and how’ of the story to establish a logical sequence of events for the listener.
- Actuality vs. narration: Explain that actuality is the recorded sound and voices that provide evidence and emotion. The narrator’s voice provides context and structure.
Activity:
- The ‘five Ws and H’ exercise: The trainer provides a headline and three brief facts about a recent event. Trainees work in small groups to fill in the missing information for the ‘who, what, when, where, why, and how’ of the story, discussing where they would need to conduct further research.
- Sound identification: Play various short clips of ambient sound (wild track) and interview sound. Trainees identify each and discuss how each clip could be used to enrich a fictional news story about a local event.
Discussion:
- Discuss why clarity and logical structure are especially important in radio, where the audience cannot rewind to check facts.
- Introduce the foundational importance of editorial ethics as a guiding principle in all aspects of newsgathering.
10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Interviewing, atmosphere, and voices
- Learn to find the right people to interview (good sources) and capture compelling audio (actuality).
- Develop the skill of sensing the scene to enhance descriptive writing.
- Ensure the package represents a variety of views (perspectives).
Presentation:
- Good people, good actuality: Highlight the need to find good interviewees who can offer opinions rather than just facts. Facts can be summarised by the reporter; opinions require the interviewee’s voice.
- Sensing—Painting with sound: Instruct trainees on the importance of recording wild track (ambient sound) and being descriptive. They must go beyond reporting facts and describe what they can see, hear, smell, and touch at the scene—but they must avoid explaining how they (the reporter) are feeling.
- Perspectives and accountability: Emphasise the need to seek out multiple perspectives and diverse voices to ensure the package is balanced. Discuss the ethical consideration of privacy when choosing to include voices, and the need to be sensitive regarding offence if reporting challenging news.
Activity:
- Mock scene description: Trainees close their eyes while the trainer plays a short clip of intense ambient sound (e.g., a bustling market, a busy protest). Trainees write down what they ‘see, hear, and feel’ (the emotion of the scene, not their own). They then swap and discuss how their partner’s notes could be used in a script to create atmosphere.
- Source mapping: For the story prompt from Session 1, trainees identify three sources they would interview and explain what perspective or opinion each source would bring to the story.
Discussion:
- Discuss how sound (including the voices of those involved) creates the emotional core of the story.
- Review the ethics of seeking opinions versus facts, and how to maintain detachment as a reporter.
11:00-11:15 – Break
11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Scripting and narrative flow
- Learn to structure a script that uses short, simple sentences suitable for the ear.
- Practise writing effective links between audio clips.
- Understand how to use the voice technique to deliver the script effectively.
Presentation:
- Script as the binder: The script provides context and connects the different audio elements. It must be written in short, simple sentences, using simple words to avoid confusion, especially since the audience cannot rewind.
- Editing for flow: Explain that when putting it together, clips must be short and impactful. Stress the key rule: avoid using the same words at the end of the reporter’s commentary as the interviewee says at the start of their clip.
- Technique (Vocal Delivery): Reiterate the need to use the voice expressively. Highlight that authenticity is important; the voice should reflect the genuine emotion of the story. The trainer models reading a script with poor variation versus good variation, including pausing for breath.
Activity:
- Drafting and critique: Provide trainees with three selected interview clips and one piece of wild track (written transcripts). Trainees individually draft a short script (narration) to bind these four elements into a cohesive 90-second package.
- Peer review and delivery: Trainees swap scripts and read their partner’s script aloud, focusing on pace and vocal tone. They provide feedback on clarity, grammar, and flow, ensuring the script meets the standard for accuracy and simplicity.
Discussion:
- Discuss the difference between writing for the eye (print) and writing for the ear (radio).
- Trainer leads a discussion on maintaining integrity by ensuring the script does not misrepresent or take interviewees’ words out of context during the editing process.
12:45–13:00 – Session 4: Review and application
- Review the entire process from story idea to final package.
- Ensure the story has relevance for the target audience.
Presentation:
- The ‘So what’ factor revisited: Every story must answer ‘Why should the listener care?’ Trainees must end the report with a fact, not a vague line, and highlight what’s likely to happen next (follow-up).
- Key takeaways: Summarise the core concepts: Chronology, Actuality, Perspectives, Technique, and The ‘So What’ factor.
Activity:
- Quick check quiz: A five-question quiz covering the main production rules (e.g., ‘Should you describe your own feelings?’ ‘Should you use opinion or information clips?’).
Discussion:
- Quickly review the upcoming assignment and answer any final questions about the process of constructing a full package.
Assignment
In pairs, select a local news story. Plan and fully script a two-minute radio news package. This must include: a clear chronology, three main points, the identification of relevant interviewees (perspectives), a description of all required actuality (wild track and clips), and a final paragraph that clearly explains the ‘so what’ factor.
Materials needed for the workshop:
- Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
- Example interview transcripts.
- Research resources (internet or printouts).
- Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).
Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
- Performance in mock interviews and reflection.
Summary
These two-hour and four-hour workshops provided foundational training in all the core principles required to produce a compelling radio news package. By focusing on chronology, actuality, multiple perspectives, and effective scripting, trainees are now equipped with the essential skills to begin crafting their own reports. The workshop’s content was exclusively sourced from the Media Helping Media training article, Constructing a news package for radio.
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