After listening to the way some radio presenters do their act in Kenyan FM radio stations, I decided to compile some dos and don’ts that may help any prospective radio presenters as well as those already in the field become good radio presenters.
There are various things that should be embraced and some avoided at all costs to make a good radio presenter. Let’s take a look at some of them.
I’ll be using examples from the Kenyan radio stations that has been manifested with the rise of FM radio stations (that also broadcast their shows on the internet)
If you’ve been listening to the way local radio presenters try ‘hard’ to make their shows ‘interesting’ definitely you’ve noticed where they go wrong and never seem to stop.
Some talk too much about sex – almost in all their shows, till listeners wonder whether there aren’t any other topics worthy talking about. Imagine talking about sex five days in a week – at least two hours a day, often in a way that disintegrates what’s considered morally upright? And then they end up showing youngsters the wrong path to success (though some may end up defending themselves that an eighteen year old knows what’s best for him/her, underestimating the fact that even children are avid listeners to their shows). I think telling people to go and drink and party come Friday and all weekend is not right. A youngster trusting what an adult says may end up picking up the habit of drinking, and even stretch it too far. Don’t you presenters know that most of the listeners trust whatever you say? Joking on serious issues doesn’t make one a good radio presenter either. Use jokes wisely.
And who likes listening to a radio presenter who ends up using more than a third of a show’s duration talking about themselves – Talking about the drama surrounding their lives, their mother, sister, brother, angry dog and the green designer dress they bought, things that in them lack sense. Yes, a radio presenter can talk about him/herself but in a way that’s appealing to the listeners – touching on experiences they too undergo.
Now I want the radio presenters to give me an ear (if they wish). As a radio presenter you should steer away from bias. I think most of us are familiar with presenters saying: ‘ODM is bad’, ‘PNU is bad’, ‘this tribe should be taught a lesson’ not realizing what a grave mistake they are making. The listeners trusting such words arm themselves, kill innocent citizens while the presenters laugh in the studio.
Lines like: ‘…it has to be like this’, ‘it must be done this way’, and ‘I know how to deal with that ’should be used cautiously. As a radio presenter, only your opinions will suffice. Instead use ‘I think it should be…’, ‘what if…?’, ‘Do you think it’s right to do/deal with it this way?’, and ‘what do you think…?’
Use language appropriately. Avoid too much slang – the type that takes off your head the professional hat. Try hard to adhere to rules of grammar. Speak English properly. Be natural. Be real – that’ll show to the listeners how much you cherish them. Try your level best to fluently bond with the listeners. Trying hard to adhere to rules of grammar, phonetics and a spending some reasonable time practicing what you’re going to let out of your mouth will help in limiting the ‘pardon me’ and ‘I’m sorry’ phrases when you present news.
During phone-ins do you mind how you bond with your listeners? Some listeners can easily sense arrogance and rudeness even when you’re out of sight. Are you always detached from the listeners? Impolitely interrupt them when they are expressing their opinions on air? Or are you the kind that call listeners names and belittle them?
Kenyan FM stations through the radio presenters have immensely contributed towards sensitizing and enlightening citizens on critical issues affecting the society. Radio has played a big role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, constitutional and human rights issues. Thanks. But on the contrary, it’s undoubtedly easy to notice how some few radio personalities go against this worthy cause, misleading listeners. And worst of all, they are not even sorry for what they do.
So do you think media freedom should also be used to mislead listeners? According to you, what makes a good radio presenter?
