RADIO listeners have for a long time been bored by news items reading; “Government has condemned comments attributed to an article which appeared in a NAMED TABLOID.”
Much as the whole idea of concealing a particular publication in which such comments could have been published is meant to avoid litigation, it is a cliché.
Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili who is also Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili recently addressed the media condemning The Post newspaper for publishing what he said was a leaked Government secret document.
At that press briefing, Mr Kambwili displayed a copy of that particular Post newspaper edition which had and edition number, author and publication, his picture was also shown on television.
Radio listeners wonder why some radio stations could not go ahead to state that the minister was actually responding to an article published in the Post newspaper, a copy he was holding in his hands.
A cliché’, is defined as an OVER USED PHRASE, in this case, there are expressions that have been used on radio for a long time, news writers need to avoid.
RADIO ONE
Uwatwala pa bwingi, tonaula, (He who shares problems is helped) a bemba radio presentation on ZNBC Radio One is hosted by Mapalo Chibale from Kitwe studios and Mukuka Phiri from Lusaka every Sunday morning at 06:00 hours.
This is a live phone- in programme which centres around social problems posed and discussed by listeners who need help from other listeners.
Two regular callers whose contributions, though quite appreciative, take most of the time than others, they are Reverend Mambwe from Luanshya’s Mpatamatu Township and Bana Waitumika from Kitwe.
SUPER SPORT
Super Sport Southern Africa marketing manager, Marlon Kananda shared a radio designed advert meant as an interlude during the football matches covered by Super Sport on radio.
It is a fine production radio listeners will appreciate on air whose lyrics; “Bola yapa Zed yakakana, the trials, the tribulations, the goals, the glory, they drive each player, each team to reach out for victory to give their very best.
Super Sport brings you all the Sinjonjo celebrations and the boostele jive, Catch all the exciting actions and one on one with your stars, feel the Chimwela, feel the excitement, feel true Zambian football, all hearts beat for Zambian bola yatu. Bola yapa Zed, only on Super Sport your world of Champion.”
There is also a jingle for radio with the unmistakable voice of JK radio listeners will love.
Radio Icengelo’s soccer commentator Amos Lombe believes gingles spice up live commentaries.
“The idea of such jingles is very good in taking Zambian football to greater heights, such innovations are needed.  Soccer commentaries need to be more entertaining in order to attract listenership,” he said.
ICENGELO
Valentine Mukuka was on air one Sunday at 21:00 hours a fortnight ago when he exceptionally dropped reggae beats in succession with less talking on Kitwe’s Radio Icengelo.
The fact is that listeners are more interested in music than talk, of course presenters can chip in to give information about the songs and artistes behind it.
RCV
Listening to Radio Christian Voice (RCV) a fortnight ago, one listener phoned to simply advise presenters that they ought to be discussing topics of religious nature since they are a Christian radio station.
To state it as he said, “It is important for you guys to be discussing issues relevant to Christianity.”
The caller got it wrong by failing to connect every topic and issues affecting humanity to Christianity, as financial matters, moral issues, health and sport can be linked to Christianity, therefore, qualify for radio forum.
CHIMWEMWE 91:7 FM
We found it grossly unprofessional for a presenter who abruptly disrupted a song midway, only to play an advert on Ndola’s Radio Chimwemwe last week.
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While the word of God is appropriate to be preached on radio, especially that Radio Chimwemwe is a Christian radio station, the idea of someone preaching with an interpreter sounds rather cacophonic.
PHOENIX
Lennon Nshinde’s ‘Lunch Time Drive’ was transmitted from Durban in South Africa last Monday, courtesy of East Coast Radio.
MOTHERS DAY
When almost all radio stations dedicated last Sunday to mothers by playing and running programmes of motherly nature, one radio station on the Copperbelt was off tune.
TIPS
In radio broadcasting, the listener must get the message immediately and clearly. W e can help him to do this by re-stating in another way what we have already told him.
A simple example: Water for children should be boiled. It should be heated over the fire until it is bubbling and steaming.’
By following these simple rules all radio writing can be made more effective. They apply equally to all kinds of radio scripts.
Narration and dialogue
Narrative and dialogue are the two ways we have to tell a story, whether it is a story of fact or a story of imagination. The narrative is a monologue-one person talking-while dialogue involves two people or more.
The narrative is a much used device in radio. In the opinion of some writers the narrative is radio’s highest art form.
The narrative may be the simple linking speeches in a magazine programme or it may sustain a whole drama.
Good narration can be compared with oratory although the style is more personal and intimate. At its best, it is a form of heightened prose and has about it an element of drama.
At its worst, it is a stodgy mass of words used because the writer has run out of better ideas for handling his subject.
Narrative should be used sparingly if it is to be effective. Too much narrative, uninterrupted by action or other sounds and voices, makes a documentary sound dull. If it is over-used in drama it holds up the action of the play.
In dialogue, a story is told through the conversation of people. It must tell us all we need to know-something about the characters and personalities of the people of the dialogue, what they are doing and where they are.
It is very like everyday speech but with the irrelevances removed. Dialogue writing is never speech making-we don’t make speeches to one another in everyday conversation.
The lines given to the actors to speak are generally short and the speeches are frequently interrupted by other actors in the play.
Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com   0955115777