National Talking Newspapers and Magazines

lor="#00349a">

Good Practice for Talking Newspapers

Introduction
1. Management
2. Infrastructure
3. Editorial
4. Presentation
5. Reading
6. Recording
7. Copying
8. Packing and Posting
9. Returns
10. Reactions
11. Repairs
12. Health, Safety and Electricity
13. Public Relations
14. Finance
15. Development

4. Presentation

The presenter is the listeners' friend and guide - a fluent, natural and conversational style is the most acceptable. There are many points which also apply to reading. Usually the presenter doubles as a reader, and sometimes trebles as the producer as well!

Introduction
Certain information must be given by the presenter at the start of the recording. As the signature tune fades, the presenter should give the name of the talking newspaper, introduce him/herself with full name and give the full date of the issue, with a welcome included along the way. E.g. "This is the ABC talking Newspaper, and I'm Cyril Cassette welcoming you to this issue dated xth YYY 19xx".

To ensure immediacy, the issue date really should be that on which the listeners should receive the cassette by first class delivery, not the date on which the recording is made. Using the actual date of recording can make the tape sound out-of-date before anyone has heard it. The date of issue of the source newspaper, or even the all embracing 'weekending' are other options.

Contents trail
Without being verbose an attempt should be made to convince listeners that they have done the right thing in choosing to listen to this particular cassette and to encourage further listening by 'trailing' some of the later items. All other credits and notices should be elsewhere so that the introduction has maximum impact.

One listener
It is also important to try and maintain the closest possible contact with listeners by consciously avoiding the erection of any barriers. Two common failures are plurality and time identification. For example....
"A Merry Christmas to you all" is acceptable when facing a room full of people, but "I hope you have the Christmas you wish for" is more personal when an individual is listening alone.

Apparent immediacy
"Here this evening are..." is fine on radio but "With me this time are...." is the correct equivalent on a tape recording which can then be listened to with the same apparent immediacy as radio whatever the time of day. Try and avoid "Here in the studio this Thursday evening are...." which makes the tape sound out of date when played on a Saturday morning. "Here with me this time are...." does not have this drawback.

Full names
Continuity throughout the taped programme must be maintained and having introduced oneself right at the start, a full introduction of the next speaker(s) is essential before they begin. 'Full' is important. "With me this time are Jane, John and Pip" was in vogue on children's radio many years ago and was rightly abandoned. The style becomes totally ridiculous when it comes to "...this time, we have Jane, John and the other John". (In fact you can almost hear the "Nice Auntie Jane and nice Uncle John...", cringe, cringe!!) So first and surnames for each speaker everytime, which does listeners the courtesy of identifying real people in the same way as they are accustomed to from radio and if they are introduced at a function. 'Everytime' is important so that any first-time listeners are not excluded.

Monitoring
Throughout the recording the presenter must try and listen to the programme from the listener's end and pick-up and explain or re-record any mistakes, duplications or ambiguities whether they spring from the scripts read in the studio or from pre-recorded items sent in by a remote contributor or group.

Cue
If your TN uses pre-recorded inserts in its news tape then a cue sheet is vital to maintain correct continuity before and after the inserts. See sample in Appendix 4.

Side one and Side two
At the end of side one do not leave your listeners in any doubt about the need for action. "That's all on side one, but , when the music finishes, turn over the cassette and you'll find another (30) (45) minutes of news and features on side two including....." Use the opportunity to 'sell' side two contents. Similarly at the beginning of side two include some identification to facilitate reference by anyone who does not immediately continue with the programme. There are thousands of cassettes in circulation and so the talking newspaper's name, date and 'side two' at this point can save a frustrated listener spooling to the other end.

Similar announcements need to be made if you have the Sports News at the end of side 1 and beginning of side 2 so that non-sports listeners know they will not miss general news if they turn over at the beginning of the first Sports roundup. Do ensure both Sports Sections are of equal duration.

Farewell
Proper identification of the end of side two is essential and should include any credits e.g. for editing and sound mixing, because these credits should not clutter up the beginning of the programme. This is the place for reminders, such as 'do not forget to post your tapes back quickly', this week's lighting-up time, for house lights and curtains, and 'write, record or ring...if you want to send us a message.'

Used and unused material
After completing the programme any necessary items or notes, e.g. unused stories to be carried forward, forgotten messages and mistakes, must be left available for the next issue which may be scheduled for another presenter. All presenters and editors should be sent their own copies of each week's tape, by normal post of course! This way each person knows exactly what has been used from the paper, assuming that they have time to listen!. Throw away used material and tick off the record card to show which reminders were used. Then leave the studio clean and tidy and thank the team for coming in.

TNAUK Registered charity number: 293656