Media: Radio
In former times, information was circulated by sounds such as bell ringing accompanied by shouts or announcements by those referred to as town criers. Members of a community could also gather at a central place or the village square to listen to gossip and updates, watch performances and sports, and enjoy other forms of entertainment. Today, information, education and entertainment have been brought into our private homes since the invention of radio, television and, most recently, the internet.
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WHAT MAKES THE RADIO SPECIAL? It is affordable- you can buy different types depending on what you have to spend. It is accessible to almost everybody. For example, you do not have to sit down and focus on the radio; you can be washing your clothes, cooking or driving a car and yet be listening to it. You can even carry it anywhere!
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HOW WAS RADIO INVENTED?
The radio was invented when electromagnetic waves were discovered. This electromagnetic or radio waves transmit music, announcement or other production through the medium of air.
Those who invented the radio did not imagine that it would become the giant mass media for entertainment that it later became. Radio transmitions used to be made from ship to ship, as diplomatic communication, and between armies most of the time during wars. Now, the radio is a source of entertainment and information. In Nigeria, the radio was introduced as far back as 1933 by the British colonial government and linked to the British broadcasting corporation (BBC). Later, we had the Nigerian broadcasting corporation (NBC).
Now, we have many radio stations, most of which are privately owned.
WHAT DO YOU GAIN BY LISTENING TO THE RADIO?
Some of is will prefer to listen to music, but the radio educates its listeners through drama, quiz programmes and awareness programs on issues such as AIDS, corruption and recipe for success.
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PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Who are the people involved in the production of programmes?
- RADIO PRODUCERS: These people perform many duties: they create programmes, do research and even write commercials (adverts) that will be broadcast during the programme
- ANNOUNCERS/TALK SHOW HOSTS: They are the people whose voices we hear on the radio. They provide information, make announcement and interview guest. Some of them read the news. We admire many of them because of their communication skills and sense of humour
- OPERATORS: Radio operators manage electronic items and operate the equipment used to transmit programmes.
- TECHNICIANS: They are in charge of setting up equipment and regulating transmission. If necessary, they adjust audio volume and monitor the quality of sounds of the transmission.
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