Radio ga-ga
In india, FM channels want radio jockeys, who are funny, vibrant and have the ability to handle frivolous shows and fluffy interviews. Shows are generally limited to music, and offer little scope for those who want to be involved in more information-oriented areas. Moreover, working for All India Radio, with its strict standards of Hindi and news-based broadcasts, is not everyone’s cup of tea either. So, do radio aspirants have a third option?
Today, with Indian community radio stations mushrooming across the world, and international media companies introducing an increasing number of Asian broadcasts, Indian students looking to get into radio, can consider going global. The work involved is quite the same as Indian stations – reporting and presenting – but the content and subjects covered are much more diverse and exciting. In addition, it is an excellent passport to a career abroad, while offering a comfortable home-like atmosphere. For example, Deutsche Welle’s Hindi team comprises mostly Indians, who dress traditionally, and converse in their native tongues.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
When working with Indian broadcasters abroad, you can opt to be an outdoor correspondent and report on events and exhibitions, and conduct on-spot interviews. Alternatively, you can also fill in as a presenter and work in the studio. “Unlike TV reporters, who carry a camera and a mike, radio reporters move around with a sound system and a mike; that’s all!” declares Vinit Mehta, who works as an outdoor correspondent for Lotus FM, based in Johannesburg.
It is also possible to start your own radio station after gaining sufficient experience in a country. For example, Kaloo Badshah was a radio presenter in Leeds, since the early 90s. After a few years, he decided to further his passion for music and his dedication to the community by establishing his own radio station called Radio Hum FM. Today, the station broadcasts Indian music of various genres, as well as interviews with popular Indian actors.
You can also choose whether you want to work with a non-profit community radio station like MastRadio, a bigger community radio station with sponsors and advertising like Radio Hum, or with an international broadcaster like BBC or Deutsche Welle.
Working in India itself is also an option if the radio station has
correspondents reporting from various locations. For example, Mehta works for a South African radio station from India. “The station is called Lotus FM, and it is based in Johannesburg. The station caters to Indians in South Africa. As a correspondent, I have to report the ongoing elections. I phone in my reports, and they record it in South Africa. They don’t have a branch as such here,” he explains. Discussing his job, he says, “The best part about working on the field is the amount of freedom, learning and newness that it involves. I would love to be an outdoor reporter with a station like the BBC.”
Most international broadcasters prefer to have correspondents at various locations. As Grahame Lucas, Head of South Asia Division at Deutsche Welle says, “The shows are produced entirely at our Broadcasting Centre and the headquarters of DW-Radio and DWOnline in Bonn, Germany’s former capital. Deutsche Welle’s Hindi Service can rely on a network of correspondents, not only in India, but all over the world, for the latest on-the-spot reporting of current affairs.”
With community radio stations that have relatively lower budgets, this is generally not an option. However with increasing globalisation, the cost of having a network the world over has decreased tremendously, so that even smaller stations are venturing into collaborations. “Our shows are primarily produced in New York, and we have recently started collaborating with Indian media services,” says Raj Yadav,
Programme Director of the US-based Mast Radio. “I would like to compare our programmes with those coming from India, and the result is that Indian programmes have failed,” avers Pritam Chaggar, Director of Asian Star Community Radio, Berkshire
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
Sudha Ravishankar, who has been a freelancer for All India Radio in the past, and is a radio lecturer at K C College, Mumbai, enumerates the basic skills required, saying, “Excellent ad libbing, knowledge of current affairs, an easy conversation style, and a ear for music are absolute musts. In the globalised world, an understanding of the local language, and more importantly, being alive to culturally sensitive issues and the need to be culturally tolerant of the country, where you are based, are key issues to be addressed.” She also points out a very important aspect one needs to consider when going abroad to work. “A working knowledge of the media laws of that country will help the presenter ensure he does not make mistakes.” For example, certain terms are considered insulting in certain countries, while they may be commonplace in India.
Interns can start without any particular qualification. A passion for radio and a flair for talking and reporting is all that is needed. “There are no particular qualifications required. Lotus needed someone who was interested in the topic and good at talking. You need to have a loud and clear voice, and also have a good sense of time. For example, I have to say whatever I need to within 30 seconds. You cannot exceed that time,” says Mehta.
However, large broadcasters prefer to have candidates that are qualified in mass communication, preferably specialising in broadcast journalism. Knowledge of the local language, English and the Indian language that programmes are broadcast in are necessary. “The ideal candidate should have completed a university education, all the better if it is in mass communication. He or she should have some years experience in journalism, preferably in radio or internet journalism, ie, working for the leading Hindi papers or Hindi radio channels. Candidates must have very good command of Hindi. We also expect excellent knowledge of English as DW staff have to work in a very international environment. German skills are an advantage,” says Lucas.
A career in radio is extremely rewarding, as long as one is truly inspired to be in the field. “We constantly look out for new sounds, creative voice over artists, along with RJs, to promote the genre of music we cater to, mainly Hindi, Urdu, new age and world. In our basic requirements, passion for music is a must-have, along with creative thoughts and presentation skills,” says Yadav. Chaggar adds, “We train and re-train our presenters to suit the particular show and they must have good knowledge of at least one language, in addition to English, and must have good general knowledge. Of course, voice quality comes first.”
JOB JAMBOREE
If you want to land a job in the radio business, find a way of demonstrating the skills that radio channels look for, such as clarity in speech and a pleasing manner of talking, appropriate pace, crispness and ability to modulate. Mehta, who immediately caught the attention of Lois Moodley, Producer, Lotus FM, when she caught a live demonstration of his skills, relates, “I was engaged in my Free Hugs campaign last year, and Lotus FM had sent a crew to India. They wanted to conduct a live broadcast from India for their third anniversary. Lois saw me on NDTV and she wanted to meet me. However, I didn’t belong to any association so she couldn’t get through to me. Later, when I was on Marine Drive with a Free Hugs poster, I bumped into Lois and she took me to Hilton Towers, where we had a five-minute interview, after which she asked me to join.”
MONEY MATTERS
At radio stations owned by international media giants like BBC and Deutsche Welle, a job as a radio presenter or reporter can be extremely lucrative. As Lucas of DW Radio, discloses, “We offer a competitive package based on experience.”
“RJs can make around Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 per day, depending on their popularity and experience,” offers Mehta, adding, “I am not getting paid, but I don’t mind because its just five minutes of work everyday. Besides, I was sent to South Africa to report on the IPL, and Lotus bore all the expenses, which came to around Rs 60,000. So it’s an excellent opportunity.”
In the beginning, working at a smaller community station is a good idea for gaining experience, even if the remuneration is not very satisfactory. As Yadav says, “Our broadcast is primarily an experimental and non-profit entity thus far. Hence, we have passionate music lovers, who join us with the view to promote Hindustani music and enjoy the same.” With this experience in hand, one can then apply for jobs in bigger stations.
“There is however, one thing for sure: in the current economic situation, if you are a presenter in a community radio station, hold on to it! Do not bargain for a salary hike,” avers Ravishankar.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
A radio presenter or reporter can go on to become a producer of a show and eventually head several shows and become a department head. If you take up a job as an outdoor correspondent for a foreign station in India itself, it might become difficult to earn promotions. Working abroad, in the home ground of the radio station is the best and fastest method of moving ahead.
TRAINING TALK
It is possible for an aspirant to learn on the job training if the radio station is agreeable to such an arrangement. “We give everyone an opportunity to be part of the station, and also provide training in radio presenting, production and marketing,” says Badshah, Manager and owner of Radio Hum FM. However, international broadcasters generally look for more streamlined qualifications for advanced positions. INSTITUTE INDICATOR
Institutes offering one-year postgraduate degrees or diplomas in radio production, generally coupled with television: Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi International Institute of Mass Media, Delhi Centre for Research in Art of Film and Television, Delhi International Media Institute, Delhi R K C S Educational Society, Delhi Alternatively, one can opt to pursue a postgraduate course in broadcast journalism at: Hyderabad Central University Osmania University Syracuse University, New York National Broadcasting Academy, Delhi College of Media and Communication, Faridabad International School of Media and Entertainment Studies, Noida R K Films and Media Academy, Delhi Makhnalal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal
National Institute of Social Communication, Research and Training, Ghaziabad
University of Arts, London
The City University Of London
In addition, certain universities abroad like University of Huddersfield, University of Leeds, Nottingham Trent University and Thames Valley University in UK provide a graduation degree (BA) in radio or broadcast journalism.
content courtesy : education times , times of india – july 6th,2009
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