Radio Career Description
When one considers a career in broadcasting, one tends to think of programme presenters and news broadcasters, while there are many colleagues who make it possible for them to present programmes, for example the sound engineer, the director, the researcher, the production secretary, the scriptwriter, the administrative officers, the journalists and many more. None can operate without the other since broadcasting is a team effort. Each person is in some way or another involved with the end product - the programme that is broadcasted.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
<>Radio Announcer
The career of the announcer is possibly one of the most interesting and colorful careers in the media world. Announcers are in daily contact with newsmakers such as artists, academics, sport stars, interesting characters, musicians, community leaders and other persons with whom or about whom they make programmes.
Depending upon their aptitude and area of specialization, radio announcers can conduct interviews, make documentary programmes, read the news, compile their own musical programmes, act as leaders of their own youth programmes, journal programmes, competitions, request or discussion programmes, perform dramas and provide commentary at outside broadcasts like sport meetings, shows, disasters or state funerals.
Announcers have to do considerable preparation and research daily to ensure that their programmes are acceptable, factually correct and interesting. They have to be prepared to travel in order to gather material and conduct interviews.
Operations Assistant
Operations assistants are responsible for the recording and broadcasting of sound and work in close collaboration with announcers, directors and commentators. They especially work with technical equipment such as
control desks, CD-players, tape machines and microphones.
Since it is not always possible to broadcast direct or "live", the operations section is also responsible for the recording of programmes on tape for later broadcasting.
The outside broadcasting section is responsible for all transmissions outside dle studio for example sport meetings, political meetings, concerts and church services. During such a direct broadcast, operations assistants are responsible for the control of the equipment, the sound and feeding thereof to the studio. The operations assistants also get the opportunity to specialise in musicals, dramas, outside productions or whatever may interest them.
Music Production
The activities of persons working in the musical department include the recording and editing of light and classical music programmes, the compilation of programmes with the help of music recordings, the general planning and implementation of musical broadcasts, liaison with visiting artists and directors from abroad and the organising of public and studio concerts. There is also a need for administrative personnel in this section.
Journalist
News services at a radio station usually make use of two groups of joumalists. The one group is responsible for the collection of news and the other group for the processing of news. Joumalists must continuously gather and process news and events for radio.
Radio offers opportunities in almost all aspects of joumalism. For the adventurous who li)<:es to be where things happen, there is a career as a joumalist who gathers news. These people usually work alone and work irregular hours. The joumaIist, who processes the news, works in a team in the newsroom.
Administration
There exist various career possibilities in administration for persons with or without professional qualifications. These include, amongst others, human resource officers, stock control officers, accounting officers, computer personnel, financial personnel, librarians, secretaries etc.
Where can I work?
You can work at the Broadcasting Corporation or any of the independent radio stations.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
If you have the necessary knowledge, experience and capital, you can start an independent radio station.
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