The Rewards of Being a Radio Presenter

Lecture 5 was a sound lecture, in the form of interview with Richard Fidler and Steve Austin. It was fascinating listening to these two highly successful journalist’s perspectives on their own medium, and I realised the differing skills and techniques required between journalistic mediums. Richard Fidler described the way his background in television was of little use to him when he moved to radio, as there was a whole new set of skills to learn. He described radio as a much more intimate medium than television, as you make the listeners feel included in the conversations, not as though they are simply observing. Fidler’s show, Conversations, features up to hour long interviews with varying, somewhat unknown people of interest. 
He stressed the importance of his own personal interest in order to keep the interview authentic. To me, a job such as this would be an amazing, humanizing experience, connecting so closely with people as they relive some of their most life changing moments and ideas. 


I remember hearing this interview with Lyn Beazley on the radio recently, and found it fascinating.
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisbane/conversations/201204/r920829_9560247.mp3


I found both men's stories highly interesting, Fidler having started his career in television and moved to radio, and Austin having relentlessly searched for a job for five years before having any success. 
Despite being the oldest news medium, neither expressed any fear that radio was dying, unlike newspapers and other old medias. Overall, I now have a new respect for radio and those that present it. I understand the extensive and specialized skills required for radio alone and appreciate the challenges but also rewards for those who work in the area.