Radio Discussion

Radio Discussion
Format-Discussion
 At its simplest, there will be two speakers representing opposing views

together with an impartial chairman. The producer may, of course, decide
that such an arrangement would not do justice to the subject, that it is not as
clear-cut as the bidirectional discussion will allow and it might there
Meaning
 A discussion is a conversation between two or more people on a specific

topic. On a radio program, discussions include a program host and guests or
experts on the topic being discussed. Listeners may also be involved in the
discussion if the program has a call-in portion for questions and comments
Elements of Discussion
 Four elements drive the shape of a discussion: the radio host, the topic, the
program's goals, the listeners or callers.
The Radio Host

 The host serves as a facilitator. Whether interviewing program guests in the
studio or over the telephone or taking calls from listeners, the host is
responsible for managing the discussion.
Topic
Discussion topics will be influenced by the program's focus.
 If the show covers a broad theme, such as current affairs, ideas can be
drawn from many different sources, including political affairs; international,
regional or local developments; scientific breakthroughs and new books.
 If the program deals with a more specific subject, such as business or

finance, topics will be influenced by major news on this subject. Angles
related to current events can also be used as discussion topics. For example,
a program about finance might include a discussion about the financial
impact on the community of a newly-built highway.
 Listeners are often the best sources of story ideas.
 Feedback from the audience can generate new topics for the show
Goals
 Goals are influenced by the program's overall focus as well as the specific
topics for a given program. Typical goals include:
 Encouraging expression. Allowing listeners to be heard and voice their

opinions. For example, a public affairs talk show might solicit feedback
from the community on a proposed tax bill.
 Providing information. Offering in-depth exploration of or insight into a

current issue. For example, a magazine show focused on health might invite
experts to participate in a discussion on sex education in schools.
 Giving instruction. Presenting advice on a specific topic. For example, a
financial talk show might offer guidance on investing or invite experts to
give an overview of a new business regulation.
Discussion-Listners/Caller
 Callers will influence the flow of the discussion with their comments and
questions. The host needs to keep callers focused on the topic at hand.
 Having screeners answer the phone lines frees the host to focus on the
current discussion. Screeners need to have a good understanding of the
overall program goals as well as the current program topic. Often, program
producers will fill this role.
Tips for Discussion-Preparation
 The subject must be researched and the essential background information

gathered and checked. Appropriate reference material may be found in
libraries, files of newspaper cuttings, on the Internet and in the radio
station’s own newsroom. The chairman/Host must have the facts to hand and
have a note of the views already expressed so as to have a complete
understanding of the points of controversy. A basic ‘plot’ of the discussion
is then prepared, outlining the main areas to be covered. This is in no sense a
script; it is a reminder of the essential issues in case they should get
sidetracked in the debate.
Advice to contributors
 The producer wants a well-informed, lively discussion and may therefore

have to help contributors to give of their best. Some advice to the newcomer
may be needed. For example, suggest that a contributor needs to crystallize
and hold on to the two or three most important points to put over – but not to
come with a prepared list of things to say. Also, that the listener is likely to
identify more readily with reasoned argument, based on a capacity to
appreciate both sides of a case, than with dogma and bigotry.
Contributor nerves
 Nervousness is an emotional reaction to an unusual situation and as such it is
inevitable. Indeed, it is desirable in that it causes the adrenalin to flow and
improves concentration – with experience it is possible to use such ‘red
light’ tensions constructively. On the other hand, if the contributor is too
relaxed he or she may appear to be blasé about the subject and the listener
may react against this approach.
Starting the programme
 The host should have everyone’s name, and his or her designation, written
down so as to be clearly visible – it is amazing how easy it is for one’s mind
to go blank, even when you know someone well. The introductions are then
made, making sure that all their voices are heard as early as possible in the
programme. During the discussion continue to establish the names, at least
for the first two ‘rounds’ of conversation, and again at intervals throughout.
It is essential that the start of the programme is factual in content and
positive in presentation
Speaker control
 In the rather special conditions of a studio discussion, some people become

highly talkative, believing that they have failed unless they have put their
whole case in the first five minutes. On the other hand, there are the
nervously diffident. It is not possible to make a poor speaker appear brilliant,
but there is an important difference between someone with poor delivery and
someone with little to say. The chairman must draw out the former and curb
the latter
Subject control
 it’s important to remain reasonably flexible and if one particular aspect is

proving especially interesting, the chair may decide to depart from the
original outline. Questions in the Host mind should be:
 Time gone – time to go.
 How long has this person had?

 Is it irrelevant?
 Is it boring?
 Is it incomprehensible?
 Next question.
 Who next?
 Above all, the chairman/Host
Technical control
 The chairman has to watch for, and correct, alterations in the balance of
voices that was obtained before the programme began. This may be due to a
speaker moving back, turning ‘off-mic’ to someone at the side, or leaning in
too close. There may be wide variations in individual voice levels as the
participants get annoyed, excited, discomfited or subdued. It’s also
necessary to be aware of any extraneous noise such as paper rustle, jingling
bracelets, matches being struck or fingers tapping the table. Nonverbal
signals should suffice to prevent them becoming too intrusive.
Ending the programme
 If the discussion has gone well, the listener will already have recognized the
main points being made and the arguments that support them. If a summary
is required, it is often better to invite each speaker to have a ‘last word’.
Alternatively, the chairman may put a key question to the group which
points the subject forward to the next step – ‘Finally, what do you think
should happen now?’ This should be timed to allow for sufficient answering
discussion. Many a good programme is spoiled by an untidy ending.
Programs that use Discussions
 News programs sometimes use discussions when there are phone-ins from
listeners.
 Magazine programs use discussions to supplement feature stories. These
discussions can take the form of interaction with guests, calls from listeners
or questions from live audiences.
 Talk shows use discussions as the main format for the show.
a. Discussions might be between the program host and guests on the program,
b. Between the program host and listeners who call in
c. Between guests and listeners or among all of them

Radio Discussion

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Radio Discussion

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Radio Discussion

 At its simplest, there will be two speakers representing opposing views

 A discussion is a conversation between two or more people on a specific

The Radio Host

Discussion topics will be influenced by the program's focus.

 If the program deals with a more specific subject, such as business or

 Listeners are often the best sources of story ideas.

 Encouraging expression. Allowing listeners to be heard and voice their

 Providing information. Offering in-depth exploration of or insight into a

Tips for Discussion-Preparation

 The subject must be researched and the essential background information

 The producer wants a well-informed, lively discussion and may therefore

Starting the programme

 In the rather special conditions of a studio discussion, some people become

 it’s important to remain reasonably flexible and if one particular aspect is

 Time gone – time to go.

 How long has this person had?

 Above all, the chairman/Host

Ending the programme

Programs that use Discussions

b. Between the program host and listeners who call in

c. Between guests and listeners or among all of them

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