How to Produce a Radio Magazine

A radio magazine program features a variety of topics and forms but it can also focus on a specific topic for a particular type of audience...

 A radio magazine program features a variety of topics and formats. However, while the term may imply a mixture, this does not necessarily mean that a radio magazine may contain a mixture of topics, but can also focus on a particular topic or area. 

A radio magazine is often designed to cater to a specific audience. It is usually aired as a regular series, daily, weekly or several times a week. Lots of developmental programs have a magazine format.

Types of Magazine Programs:

. Variety Magazine - this is a type that deals with unrelated topics. For example a 30 minute program may tackle topics such as nutrition, environmental protection, farming techniques or child care.

. News Magazine - this is a type that contains news items organized in different forms such as interviews, feature, trivia, dramatization, etc. 

. Special Audience Magazine - this caters to a specific group of audiences such as farmers, fishermen, college students or mothers in reproductive age.

. Subject Magazine - this concerns topics about a specific subject matter. For instance, a health magazine may deal with preventing cardiovascular disease, malnutrition among children, etc.

An effective magazine program makes use of a wide range of applicable forms. Hence, a single radio magazine may contain the following:

. News - which can be presented as reports or updates

. Musical number - which can be performed by a local talent or may come music sources such as CDs, tapes or records.

. Feature story - a type of non-fiction writing about news or an interesting topic.

. Interviews - this can be done with an expert on specific subjects or people on the street to know their opinions.

. Short dramatization of information - this form can make complicated subjects or information more easier to understand by the layman.

. Practical tips and trivia - this is another form of content that can make content or information easier to grasp.

. Audience participation - is always recommended to catch the attention of the target audience and make them part of the radio program. This can be done by encouraging phone calls, letters or even studio guests. In other words, the more attention you can bring into the radio magazine program, the better.

The most effective way to produce a radio magazine program is by listening first to other radio programs and then start doing it. When you listen to a radio program, observe and evaluate its characteristics, what you like and what you find tedious, you start having an idea on the best way to engage your target audience, which is the most important thing to focus on. 

As a conclusion, a radio magazine program can be a mixture of topics or forms or may deal with a specific area. A radio magazine program usually caters to a particular audience and is done in a regular basis. An effective radio magazine program must also include surprise features that can capture the attention of the target audience. This is because a predictable content can easily bore listeners.

Reference

. Ongkiko, Ila Virginia C. & Flor, Alexander G. (2003). Introduction to Development Communication. University of the Philippines Open University.