On air: Students make their radio debut
Students are making their voices heard through the radio waves, with the audio documentaries of journalism students being broadcast on ABC Radio Newcastle.
As their major assessment task for Radio and Podcasting, students were asked to make a factual audio story. Each story had to be exactly 3 minutes long, focus on some aspect of the Hunter region, and include at least one interview, and their own narration.
The stories cover a range of topics from the closure of BHP, Newcastle’s live music scene, the University of Newcastle’s blood donation drive, the mystery of the Crangan Bay Big Prawn’s missing head, and the legacy of the Star Hotel.
The students worked closely with Nathanael Little, an experienced radio and podcasting producer, to bring their stories to life. They were taught how to record interviews and sound effects, write and structure an audio story (‘writing for the ear’), and edit and mix audio.
Ben Clifford, who produced an audio documentary on the aftermath of the Sygna storm, said he found this experience both challenging and highly rewarding.
The project introduced me to a new world of sound design and narrative journalism. Throughout the process, I developed a wide range of skills, from interviewing and narrating to recording sound effects and sourcing archival audio. Bringing all these elements together was a hands-on experience that taught me the intricate art of audio storytelling. It was eye-opening to realise just how much work goes into producing a podcast, and I now have a deeper appreciation for the creative and technical aspects of the medium.
For Ben, this is a step towards realising his career aspirations and his work is leaving its mark on the local community.
To be able to say that my work has been selected for broadcast by the national broadcaster is absolutely insane! Working for the ABC has always been a long-term goal of mine, and having the opportunity to get my work in front of them is incredible. After my story aired, a member of the public even texted in to say it resonated with them – how cool is that?! It's a fantastic addition to my portfolio and a great way to showcase my skills as a journalist.
The partnership with ABC Radio Newcastle was initiated by lecturer and course coordinator, Dr Jeannine Baker.
According to Dr Baker, it is rare for students’ work to be heard by a wider audience.
Having student work air on the national broadcaster is a thrilling outcome, and showcases the high quality, industry-standard work being produced by Media and Communication students.
This project was a key opportunity for students to develop skills and connections that they can carry into their future careers across the media and communications industry.
Monday 14 October, students’ three-minute audio documentaries were broadcast daily on Paul Culliver’s Drive program. The stories will continue to air weekdays at 3.20pm over the next two weeks.
Tune in to ABC Radio Newcastle to hear the students’ stories.
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