What do you think is the number one priority if you want to be a radio jock or a radio newsman? Got it – your voice.
It may seem obvious that a radio man’s (read woman’s) voice is his most important asset. At the National Broadcasting School, it’s my job to see loads of graduates who want to train to be radio presenters and radio journalists and let me tell you, you’d be astonished how many aspirants just don’t get it.
Own a dodgy voice and you’re going to find it hard making the grade – unless you have the mountainous confidence and talent of the brilliant Jonathan Ross. Conversely, own a great voice and the world is your lobster!
Now, let me be clear. I’m not talking about accents – regional accents are big pluses in most radio stations these days. RP, formally ‘Received Pronunciation’, is just not fashionable. No – I’m talking about the ability of radio jocks and journos alike to ‘sell’ stories to listeners by being clear, and by talking at an attractive pitch and at an accessible speed.
Now, here’s a truism. Radio’s about sound! So, the sound Read the rest of this entry »

The advent of the Net and the web in the early and mid-1990s has turned commercial as well as non-commercial radio, including its “content”, as a source of growing impatience among listeners who have to wait around for programmes they might care about.

I remember way back in 1986/87 during my youth service days in Radio Nigeria2, 45 Martins Street, Lagos, how the medium was extremely powerful. We were the only FM radio station in Lagos and the best in the country. It was therefore a wonderful experience for me as my name was mentioned almost daily on air! Listening to radio was simply a must for me.

But today, the question is “do I still listen to radio?” The truth is I do not deliberately listen to radio because of any particular programme- I just tune in because of music. I actually belong to the old school so you can guess what kind of music I listen to. But primarily, I listen to news and I am also a very stubborn loyalist- one radio station and one television station always!

However, I cannot say I am particularly happy with the commercials I hear and watch on Read the rest of this entry »

Doesn’t it seem like hurricane season lasts longer and does more damage every year? Summertime heat waves and winter ice storms appear more severe than ever?

Natural and man-made catastrophes, can result in emergencies and power outages that last a few hours, a few days or, in the most severe cases, a week or longer. This can cost your business thousands of dollars.

Emergency and public safety organizations like police and fire departments, medical teams and college campus security depend on commercial two way radios. Your business can also turn to commercial two way radios in natural disasters and other emergencies. Two way radios are an economical resource in emergency situations that can possible save your business money!

Why Two Way Radios Are an Excellent Way to Maintain Communication & Keep Your Business Operating During an Emergency.

1. Two way radios do not rely on cell towers like cell phones do. They operate radio to radio independently from any other system. If the power to a cell tower goes out, or the tower is knocked down, you lose cell phone service. Be prepared and use 2 way radios to avoid overloaded cell phone Read the rest of this entry »