_*1. What kind of collaboration is necessary to make sure radio programs address gender issues and include women? Do you have any examples from your own work you can share?
We have collaborated and still is on areas of health, agriculture, micro finance, human rights, education, artisanship, entrepreneurships, technology (computer), tye & dye, etc. Collaborating with women groups or associations e.g Ministry of Women Affairs (government agency), Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, Zumuntan Mata, Market Women Association, Ceci Yara (an NGO for Children - fighting on Girl-Child Education, Rape on Minors etc), Anna & Hannatu Foundation (a Foundation for widows, Orphans and the Less Privileged), Salama Centre (a Human Rights Agency fighting against women, youth and minors).
In our programming, we have collaborated with the above organizations and or agencies in programs that reflects on gender issues. Programs like “Woman’s World” - we discussed issues on health - Covid-19, Cancer, Nutrition, Agribusiness and Agriculture Value Chain (Akara, Awara, Panke, Moimoi, Garri, Kunu), Women in Business, Women in Carpentry etc.
We equally had Women programs, anchored by women, that are done in English, Hausa and local languages e.g Mata Iyayen Gida (a Hausa Magazine Program), in Karam Jju, Anap Bajju, a Magazine program in Jju language of the Bajju people in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Our Community Radio Station has about 14 languages carrying out programs that their audiences listen to, where programs that addresses gender issues and those of women as well as anchored by women themselves alongside their male counterparts. This will certainly go in a long way to addressing gender issues properly.
_2. How can broadcasters prepare for an interview with someone with specific knowledge such as an extension officer, a researcher a gender specialist, the head of a farmers’ organization?
A broadcaster needs to have his or her equipments: recorder, battery fully charged, if possible a backup, jot down some of the lead questions you have for the person as regards the field or area the person’s specialization.
(a). Anticipate the questions you may ask: Your interview preparation needs to include put down what questions you may ask - the obvious “who, what, where, when and why” questions, plus the most difficult question you may ask. You may wish to start on a lighter note to allow the interviewee to relax and feel comfortable with you on the show. Start with any off-topic, off-the-wall or personal questions which may come up e.g. Did you watch the football match that took place so and so? etc
(b). Know your facts: It is important a broadcaster knows the facts about the issue picked for the interview. For instance, “shortage of fertilizer to farmers”. knowing these facts inspire confidence in the abilities to lead the questions as it should for the interviewee to provide necessary insights into the topic in question.
(c). Research your interviewee: There is no excuse nowadays for not reading/listening/watching whatever individual or organization you’re going to be interviewing. Research is key to at least know a bit about the individual and or organization and their modus operandi.
The bottom line of this key issues raised is to enable the broadcaster to facilitate a robust conversation thereby providing the listener a lead way to solutions or decisions making.
3. How can a subject matter specialist prepare for a radio interview?
Like the question above, the interviewee needs to anticipate some questions that will be require some answers e.g. who, what, where, when and why”.
There is need to know the media organizations and possibly to understand the pattern or nature of their programs. Like football teams or clubs, they study the pattern of their opponents, know their strong men and how to tackle them, so also a subject matter specialist needs to take interest to research on the organisation and possibly the lead interviewer on the show.
There is also need to know the facts about the organization one is representing in order to provide the right answers to the questions during the interview.
Needless to say that the interviewee needs to know the station’s name, the program’s name, the name of the host/interviewee, the station’s slogan, they need to interact physically or via mail, WhatsApp or on phone etc.
_*4. What are some examples of successful and challenging radio interviews (both live and pre-recorded) you’ve been a part of?
For an interview to be successful on radio, the interviewer must master the art or craft of interviewing guests as well as he or she must get a specialist that knows his onions in order to have an interesting conversation.
Conducting an interview is not a court of law but an avenue to provide answers that audience are asking questions about be it in a Magazine Program or Discussion segment etc.
The interviewee must be clear about any point he or she is butressing.
The interviewer must ensure the guest speaks directly into the microphone - although the needs to be properly guided on how a guest should sit and be audible enough in the cases where the studios doesn’t have boom mics.
The interview is not confrontational as it were but the facts provided as answers might lead to others questions for clarity which must be done within the context of getting an angle or value of satisfying the audience.
There should be civility when expressing some point and no use of any derogatory names in order to attract the interest of the audience.
Interview on air can be done with experts who knows what they know and can stand to address issues without any challenge, this even is not devoid of some errors as it may occur.
Although, pre-corded interviews are great in order to avoid some silent moment or the use of “mhmmm”, “arhhhh” by both the interviewee or interviewer. When such pre-recorded interviews are done, editing it to fit the time required in a Magazine Program is ensured and it also avoid frivolities.
There is no room for any editing while on live interview and this is tough for the station, but a disclaimer should be issued at the end of any live interview in order not to drag the radio station into issues of libel or going to court of law to slug it out in legal matters.
