Online Journalism Blog

Audio journalism — Why is it important?

Audio can build a more textured, layered experience for the audience.

As a writer/reporter, you must make the audience feel a part of what you are covering. Show. Don’t tell.

Three characteristics of audio journalism that are also important:

1. Presence — On location, a reporter can literally bring readers to the story. The simple fact of being there boosts credibility and interest.
2. Emotions — Tone of voice, expressions, intonations and pauses — in the words of either the reporter or the sources–can enhance the message.
3. Atmosphere — Natural sound helps pull the listener in close. Weather sounds, crowd sounds, machine noises are all forms of natural sound in the particular setting.

How news organizations use audio:

• Reporter overview — Newspapers post quick, simple audio overviews that accompany reporters’ articles.
• Podcasts — Regular episodes on a selected subject help build an audience. They can be time-consuming and difficult to establish in the beginning.
• Audio slide shows — Photojournalists have discovered the power of adding audio to their images to help tell a richer, more enhancing story.
• Breaking news — A reporter can now file a quick audio report from anywhere by mobile phone to be published on the Web.

Getting started with audio:

Plan and prepare your voice contribution and the rest should come much easier.

• Interviews

1. Choose your location
2. Gather natural sound
3. Prepare your subject
4. Watch what you say
5. Try delayed recording
6. Mark the best spots

• Doing voice-overs:

1. Write a script
2. Warm up
3. Find operative words
4. Keep it conversational

To get started with audio journalism, you must get a digital recorder. Here are some tips on what type to choose at different price ranges:

Under $100:

• Olympus WS-400S

$150-$200

• H2 and H4 Handy recorder

$250-$500

• Olympus LS-10

Once this is all taken care of, the next thing to do is vodcasting.

Video + podcasting = vodcasting!