Week Four: Looking at different interactive radio approaches and tools

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Week 4 of our discussions. This is our last week. We trust you are enjoying the discussions and learning from what is being shared. If you have missed out on previous topics, you can still go back and share your views and experiences.

This week we are looking at different interactive radio approaches and tools and responding to the questions you submitted. Subject specialists will contribute from time to time to the discussions.

The combination of several media approaches and tools has been proven to multiply the impact of communication campaigns. Interactive radio gives ordinary people a chance to participate in conversations that matter to them. If you want to make programs that matter, be a part of making people’s voices heard. If you want to attract more audience and more revenue, make your interactive shows even better. The question is, how can we achieve this? Radio on its own is just a channel. If listeners have no means of interacting with the radio program, it becomes just like a lecture. There is a saying that goes: “Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will remember, involve me and I will understand”. Interactive radio is about involving the listeners.

There are many ways you can involve your listeners. A call-in show is one way to interact directly with your audience, but as some of you pointed out it can be stressful for a host to manage if someone calls all the time, or someone won’t stop talking. You can read the following document to learn more about how to do an effective call-in show
102-09 How to create an effective call-in program.docx (75.7 KB)

Take a look at this interesting write up by FRI on how it uses Facebook and Twitter for Barza Wire (wire.farmradio.fm) Social media tips for broadcasters.doc (190 KB)
The document is also available in the useful resources folder. It provides practical tips on how to engage with your audience using facebook and twitter.

To contribute in this week’s discussion, this is what you have to do:

1.   What interactive radio approaches and tools are you willing to try out?
   

2.   What could hinder active listener participation if you start using these approaches?
   

Click on reply to make your contribution.

Enjoy your week!

[rockfm]

Most of us feels comfortable with people around us, at least we happen to meet or know them before, so by saying this we have to get to know them by doing ground work, visiting, concert performing, flyers, running audience survey in the field. Therefore when you run a campaign on air they feel the sense of belonging to the program and feel free to interact.

[obolo]

I am a user of the social media platform. During my program, I activate my program’s Facebook fan page, WhatsApp group, Twitter handle and IMO. I make sure I read almost all responses and apologize for the ones I’m not able to read but always make it a point to reply.

One interactive tool I would actively be including is recording people’s responses to a topic I will be treating and playing it on air.

I have neglected this for a while since I am the producer/presenter and the fact that I have some other engagements too.

Following the discussions we have had these few weeks, I have wholly accepted that there can never be programs without audiences but there can never be effective programs without audiences participation.

Thank you for this insightful and educative platform.

[smawerere]

Thank you for week three Team.

These are my responses to Week Four Questions.
1.The interactive approaches & tools I would use in interactive radio are the followig:-

Talking to people especially the target audience (those in the radius of our radio) to encourage them to listen to the programmes. In this, I will give them the radio frequencies & time that the programmes go on air. The tool I will use here too is the radio itself to promote the station & the programmes. Also physical reach out to them.

The second approach I will use is to engage as many listners as I can to have diverse voices in the programme so that more people will be attracted to the programmes that i do. In this, more women voices will be used as well as men & youth especially for my farming programme. The tools I will use here are interviews & recordings of the interviews & responses of them that I will continue using in the programmes.

I will also continue using the telephone to have interactive programmes. I will ensure that i manage the phone by making the callers stick to the topic without deviating. I will manage this kind of programme by giving a topic or issue to follow. This has to be clear to them & they will abide.
I will also engage experts to give information that will attract listeners to the programme to interact with the expert as they learn.

2.What could hinder active listener if I start using these approaches & tools are the following:-
Lack of financial resources to reach out to the listners or to the vulnerable groups to enable them participate in the programmes.

When I stop doing the programmes for which I intend to use the approaches & tools I mentioned above. This may come about when I am promoted to other positions for instance.

When some people refuse to take part in the programmes for which I intend to improve upon. There are those who can refuse for reasons or being difficult. For example a certain Member if Parliament (M.P) who is supporting girls in his constituencies though empowerment & skills of making sanitary tawels. He the (MP) has always refused to come to studio to share about this. The girls are not accessible to due to long distance and M.P conceals information about the project. So is a hindering factor too.

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone,

As promised, we will from time to time provide responses to the questions or learning areas you submitted from Week 2. A number of subject specialists have responded to the questions and we will share here.

@smawerere asked the following question:

Learning list of interactive approaches and tools

Then about hosting an interactive show or programme…it seems things are changing whereby i see the host giving opinions, suggesting answers and also trying to sound like he/she is like one of the participants…what roles can the host, interviewer play in such a programme?

Our experts responded like this:

it sounds like the host is trying to do too much-- each person in the program has a distinct role to play, and should not overstep their bounds. This will confuse the listener if the host is doing too many things. The host could give an opinion (his/her own or introduce a recorded voice message of someone’s opinion) and the interviewer (person #2) could bounce off this and either agree or disagree and say why. What you want to convey to the listener is a dialogue, like a conversation. The host could then ask listeners how they feel, and have them call in, or throw pre-prepared, recorded opinions, for example. If you don’t have a participant in the studio, such as an expert or government official, this can also be pre-recorded and thrown with a cue. Just make sure the host isn’t pretending to be three different people-- listeners will lose confidence in that person if he/she is trying to fulfill too many roles at the same time. (Laura Angela Bagnetto, RFI English Africa service)

Basically, the role of host is serve as a link between listeners and the resource person(s) being interviewed, For interactive radio programme, the interviewer goes beyond asking questions for answers. S/he facilitates conversation at large to make the programme more interactive with greater number of listeners. For example it will be the responsibility of a host in an interactive programme to invite other listeners or experts for comments on an issue by leaving them on the Uliza platform or elsewhere in order to continue with the conversation. (Kumah Drah, Training and Standards Coordinator, Ghana, Farm Radio International)

The role of the host should be figured out and explained clearly. Neutral interviewer? Provocateur? Is the person a journalist or a pundit? As a guest, I would want to know what to expect when I walk into a studio or have a mic thrust in my face. My rule always was: No surprises. Pretending to be a ‘mainstream’ journalist and then launching into opinions is a violation of an important trust. (Richard Perry, Media and Communications Officer Coady International Institute)

As the host of a program that aims to inform listeners on issues that are of importance to them it is useful to spend some time thinking about intros and extros to the different segments of your radio program. You play an important role in summarizing the information shared during interviews, panels, etc. Think about the overall objective of your episode, what are you hoping your listeners will walk away with, how can you ensure that what has been shared during interviews will stay with listeners? By doing a summary of what the interview gave as information you help reinforce the information and messages shared. (Sylvie Harrison, Radio Craft Development Team Lead, Farm Radio International)

The role of the host is to serve the needs of the listener. Sometimes that means the host should mention on air a few different opinions she has heard, and then ask listeners to respond about one of those opinions. (Doug Ward, Chair, Farm Radio International)

This week is all about interactive radio tools, we are looking forward to hearing from you:

1.   What interactive radio approaches and tools are you willing to try out?
   

2.   What could hinder active listener participation if you start using these approaches?
   

@Augustine @Alu @Ajonobia @Adebisi_Adetunji @Bashir_Amin @Cokey @cisemalawi @Ephraim @EMMANANUELJM @Emmanuel_Kwame_Asior @Felio @Gladys_Phiri @Gift @hpmafaranga @hassanmugabe @ismeesha2006 @Isma_ila_Dan-Muhamma @ikenna1 @jovie @Josephine_Mdenyo @jtesfaye @krizo @kochieng90 @Lawal @Monica @Mugwisagye @Naiponoi_Lepapa @Percy

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone,

Let’s take a look at the next question:

@kochieng90 wrote:

Learning list of interactive approaches and tools

I’m Kevin, a radio presenter cum programme producer. 1. How can I keep my audience glued n interested in my show if if I have for example one topic to talk about in a series of 30-minute radio programmes!?

Our experts have responded:

By using different formats in delivering the contents. For instance, your topic is on ‘Storage of fresh sweet potatoes’ to be consumed in the dry season. Have a 7-10 minutes of storytelling interview from a woman who can share the struggle she had in feeding her family when food was scarce, how she learned about the storage technique, what was the push for her to attempt the technique, what was the trouble, conflict and risk as she was trying it, what changes happened. Can you get a song related to nutrition or food security? Have 3 minutes for it. Talk about the procedure for storing the sweet potato (materials, cost related, advantage). Involve an extension officer or someone who can give you the content.

You can also include vox pop- asking people if they know the storage technique and whether they have used it.

Phone-in segment can also add value in your program - let listeners share their opinion. (Susuma Susuma, Radio and Training Officer, Tanzania, Farm Radio International)

Mind your intonation/voice variations. How do you speak on radio? If the topic is humorous are you up to it? Do you engage both males and females in your show? Do you provide a platform for people to speak to each other and their voices to be heard? Are you using the language that is understood by your audience? We confuse our audience when we use a mixture of languages or use a lot of technical/scientific words. Avoid these errors then your program will be interesting always. (Pascal Mweruka, Radio and Training Officer, Uganda, Farm Radio International)

It is important to introduce the programme or issue in a way that listeners will find useful or relevant. Make your programme problem solving. This way the solutions could be appealing to more listeners. (Kumah Drah, Training and Standards Coordinator, FRI, Ghana)

Making a program interesting can take many forms. If the topics you discuss are relevant and timely to your target audience that is the best first step. Your delivery of the topic will also make a difference. Smile when speaking, listeners will hear the difference. Be curious about the topic. You may not be a farmer or live in a rural area but your target audience does. If you read about and become genuinely interested in the topics you are presenting listeners will know the difference. Have fun when it is appropriate, get your audience involved in creating songs and poems or spend some time creating interesting memory aids. These short entertaining formats are far from insignificant. They are memorable and encourage listeners to stay tuned. (Sylvie Harrison, Radio Craft Development Team Lead, Farm Radio International)

The best way to keep it interesting is to start with an emotional question, not a cold rational one. I.e. Not “how can farmers increase production?” But how can farmers like Millie use her land better to keep her kids healthy all year long?" (Doug Ward, Chair, Farm Radio International)

Please note that the discussion is still open, you can still share which interactive radio tools and approaches you would like to try and what are the projected barriers to effective use of those tools.

If you have a question, you are still allowed to ask, our subject specialists will respond.

Cheers

[krizo]

For me to have a very good interactive radio programme, I wish to try using VOX POP style or tool. This tool is about randomly sampling the opinion of varied range of people on a subject matter. Such matter could either be serious or of human interest. The responses of the different range of people interviewed will be broadcast as response to one particular question asked to many people separately. For example, in a radio programme titled “IMAGINATION”, I can decide in one of the episodes to employ the VOX POP style tool to produce the programme. I will then design my question like “Imagine that you are walking the streets today and you see GOD, what that one thing you will ask HIM to do for you?”. I will ensure that I ask same question to everybody in same manner without tampering with the question. My range of interviewees may include, a commercial motorcycle operator popularly called “Okada” in Nigeria, market woman, a teacher, a taxi driver, an officer worker, a civil servant, a bus conductor, a young adult say a student in the secondary school etc. It is very obvious that they will respond differently in their answers to same question as maybe determined by their status: religious affiliations, economic status, educational background, culture, age, sex, etc. This tool makes for interactivity because the interviewer is on location with the respondents in their own comfort zones. VOX POP a Latin word for Vox populi is a very common interactive radio technique . It brings to bear on a radio programme various voices and encourages collective participation.

The only challenges to VOX POP tool or style or technique in radio production is that it is not instantaneous. Though this can be faulted, because the live radio phone-in programmes an employ also VOX POP using GSM or Wired Telephones, Social Media Handles or any other technology that encourages instant question and answer on interactive basis. The old VOX POP tools allowed for only recorded collections of respondents answers to the question. Another challenge to VOX POP is the inequality of respondents concerns to same issue or issues raised in the question. This will make for uncoordinated responses to same question. A question like " How does the government policy on fertilizer distribution policy affect farmers?". The way women farmers will respond will vary from how male farmers will respond. The way maize farmer will respond is different to how cassava farmer will respond.

Beyond the challenges, VOX POP as an interactive radio programme making tool is as old as radio programme and has remained an effective method of bringing variety voice of people into a radio especially for development purpose.

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello @krizo

Indeed, vox pops have been used for a very long time and still remain effective. A radio program with vox pops is way better than just a program with only the presenter talking. It is the easiest tool to use. Radio stations these days have field recorders, people also have smart phones that they can use to record responses. There are also systems one can use where listeners can call in and leave a voice message. This for sure shows there is no excuse for not having different voices and opinions in your program.

As you have mentioned that vox pops are not instant:

The only challenges to VOX POP tool or style or technique in radio production is that it is not instantaneous.

Yes this is true, I would like to share this.

One radio station here in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape region - when they started, they were poorly resourced but what worked to their advantage was that they were situated right in the community they served. I was so surprised one day when I visited the station to find out that listeners actually walk to the station to contribute to the programs. There was a number of people who came in to give their opinions on the topic that was being discussed. The challenge with that is some may go on and on but it seemed the producer was good at making sure people know what to do, one opinion per person. There was also another group of people waiting for the ‘shout out’ time. That to me was a great memory and realization that a community radio needs to be accessible to its community. That also made their programming interactive even though those who were able to participate were listeners living closer to the station.

With regard to the second challenge raised:

Another challenge to VOX POP is the inequality of respondents concerns to same issue or issues raised in the question. This will make for uncoordinated responses to same question.

Vox pops for me are still better and easily managed. The trick is in asking only one clear question that will allow the respondent share an opinion. The producer can still edit the responses to fall within your topic.

Thank you for your contribution

[Mark]

Thank you very much smawerere. I really appreciate your deliberate effort to include women in your radio program. That is very important since I have seen broadcasters who do not bother to check the interactivity of women with their radio program.

I have a question for you please. You mentioned that you will ensure that your callers stick to the issue under discussion without deviating. Could you please throw more light on how you have been able to achieve that in the past? I have noticed that many broadcasters have a challenge with this since one does not want to appear rude to a caller/interviewee by telling them that they have either made their point and should move to another issue or that they have simply deviated.

I wish to learn more on this, please.

Thank you

[Josephine_Mdenyo]

Hi team,
I would really like to incorporate vox pop in my farming programme .Especially to get women voices. The challenge i am likely to face is distance as the target audience is far away from the station.I have to travel kilometers or send a reporter to record the voices on a raised idea or issue.For this reason i keep on using phone ins to get different views although i will miss out on those who will have wished to speak but have no means.
Learning everyday from you.Thank you team.

[wengo]

Hello Busi,

I would like to make my program very interesting and informative so as to attract sponsorship that will last. In addition, is there a way I can make my program popular in the country?

[jovie]

A number of approaches and tools can be used
i will explain soon.

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

@jovie

We are still waiting and looking forward to the approaches and tools as you promise

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone,

We are still looking at the learning areas posted from Week 2.

@obolo had this question:

Learning list of interactive approaches and tools

I would like to know how I can involve my listeners who do not have access to the internet and telephone.

This is what the subject specialists had to say:

-Whenever possible, do a visit to their farms and record their voices (experience and opinions).
-Broadcast on radio asking listeners to write their opinions on paper and send it to you via fellow villagers travelling by bus/vehicle (this applies to areas where there is regular transport between where the letter writers live and the town where your station is) (Susuma Susuma, Radio and Training Officer, Tanzania, Farm Radio International)

You can always ask people to use the old fashioned mail. In Ethiopia, before mobile phone penetration in rural areas was high, the BBC asked listeners to mail in their questions, comments and content ideas for a weekly program about teenage sexual health. Every week they received hundreds of handwritten letters. Everyone received a reply – an autographed postcard with a picture of the producers and presenters and a message of thanks. (David Mowbray, Senior Consultant, Strategic Opportunities, Communications, Training and Standards, Farm Radio International)

Visits and mail are important in this situation. Also, phone outs. Have a community meeting. That is better than a phone-in show! (Doug Ward, Chair, Farm Radio International)

For poor resource areas that do not have access to ICTs, our experts shared the following suggestions:

Do a community visit…if you can’t afford the cost try to get their opinion through post or delivered by bus. Posting here can be a challenge as most rural areas don’t have such service. But people can still be travelling between the rural areas and town. So establish a system where you can collect letters from the bus office. (Susuma Susuma, Radio and Training Officer, Tanzania, Farm Radio International)

You can still use mobile phones to put callers on the air live and with two phones you can still do beep2vote polls. While there is no software to keep track and you have to note missed calls by hand (and eliminate duplicates) you can still gather good feedback from the audience. (David Mowbray, Senior Consultant, Strategic Opportunities, Communications, Training and Standards, Farm Radio International)

Visiting the communities help. Also the host needs to research, research, research. If you can bring up a reference of small comment that relates to a specific community that goes a long way to establishing a connection. (Jill Dempsey/Metro Morning/CBC Radio Toronto)

As part of an interactive radio program you could set up a phone line for listeners to call in and either vote on a topic or be part of a phone-in program to share opinions or ask questions. Unfortunately, this often means that most of the callers who will participate are only men. For a variety of reasons women usually have less access to phones and credits. In order to get a balance of views and questions from both men and women some stations have organized a dedicated line just for women. This way, when they are taking calls for questions or opinions they can alternate from one line to the next. The women’s line should only used by women and so it will require that you filter out the men who try that line. Politely tell them that they need to call the other number to be heard and perhaps even suggest that they encourage the women in their lives to call in and join the conversation. (Sylvie Harrison, Radio Craft Development Team Lead, Farm Radio International)

Remember that the simple cell phone is the fundamental ICT. phone out on one and put the phone to your mic to get the response to air. (Doug Ward, Chair, Farm Radio International)

Even the most basic mobiles can send texts. Encourage listeners to use WhatsApp or any other free texting service to send messages to the station. And then make sure they are read and dealt with on air! (Douglas Rushton, veteran print and broadcast journalist)

Cheers

[obolo]

Thanks very much. I have been enlightened by this discourse. I salute all the stakeholders for making this platform possible.

[Fantsh]

Thank you for the discussions

[Netsanet]

I want to try out the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) tool to enhance interaction with the audience in the programs we produce. This ICT tool is helping us to participate the audience consistently. The voice polls and weekly questions are prompting the audience to actively participate in the programs. We collect the answers and feedback of the audience through IVR and incorporate in the contents of every week’s episode. It maintains the interaction between the broadcasters and the listeners regularly. Of course, we need to update ourselves on the effective utilization of ICT in this regard. We also have to present the instructions clearly for the listeners so as to make them keep motivated to participate. I always give attention to assure the diversity of the voice that are going to be aired. The more the voices are representative, the better the audiences feel heard.

[smawerere]

Dear Mark, indeed it is a challenge controlling anyone that calls in a show. No wonder u may not know what the person is going to say on air! For me I reduced call in programmes especially the Farming ones reason I try as much as possible to have my voices recorded & packaged in a programme. I normally receive calls only in listeners favorite programmes. But I host experts in farming programme & farmers to interact with other farmers/ listeners on given topics. Since we have learned in this e-discussion that one of the ways to make a good interactive programme is by the use of telephone. So I have to use phone as one of the ways. In the past I have been cutting off callers who just call & contribute different things. This is what I meant by deviating. I also tell them on air that they have to stick to the topic being discussed & majority of them comply though for farmers program I have been doing mostly pre- recorded. I am happy that our moderators have sent us reach resources on how to manage callers. Please read with me the resources on this that Busi sent & we get to know more. Cheers.

[smawerere]

Thank you Busi & the experts in particular for responding to some of our questions & issues we raised when Busi asked us to ask. Thank you. Am learning quite a lot.