Radio Interview by Tom Maddocks

The lecture Radio Interview by Tom Maddocks is from the course Online Media Training. It contains the following chapters:

What is the difference between the questions you should ask beforehand if you are being asked to give a radio interview, as opposed to TV?

There are no differences
With radio you don't need to ask what you should wear
With radio, you can be put on air immediately over the phone so you need to check if they want to do this

If you are being interviewed over radio by phone from home or office you should if possible:

If you are conscious you have a strong regional accent, on radio you should

Slow down and try to enunciate as clearly as possible so everyone can understand you easily
Try to hide it and speak as 'normally' as possible
Be proud of it and speak as you usually do

If you are being interviewed by a radio programme over the phone, how should you speak?

Clearly, paying attention to diction and speaking slightly slower than usual.
In a chatty style, as though you were talking to a friend fixing up a social arrangement.
In a formal style, using as many long words as possible in order to sound intelligent.

Why is it important to ask for glass of water before you go on air?

Because your mouth is likely to feel dryer than usual during an interview.
So you have something to hand to throw at the interviewer if they ask nasty questions.
Because it will cool you down if the studio is hot.

Why are the pictures better on the radio than on the TV?

Because when you paint pictures using your powers of description, they spark listeners’ interest and powers of memory much more than video pictures ever can.
Because digital radio has extra pictorial capabilities
I didn’t know they were….

If a newspaper or magazine reporter puts a series of negative questions to you, it is better to:

Avoid repeating the reporter's negative phraseology yourself
Clearly deny each suggestion or allegation if appropriate to make it clear you disagree
Tell the journalist they are being too negative

Off the record' to most journalists means:

If a print reporter wants to talk to you, but you don’t want to talk to them, how should you respond?

Politely decline but briefly explain why.
Say ‘No comment’ and put the phone down.
Feel flattered that they have contacted you so talk to them and then at the end of the conversation say ‘ I hope you are not going to use any of that…’

Why should you be extra careful when talking to a print journalist to avoid words being put in your mouth?

Because if you agree with a negative comment they might attribute it to you as a direct quote which you never actually said yourself.
Because they are writing down your quotes and might make mistakes.
Because print journalists are ‘the gutter press’ and they’d sell their own grandmother to get an exclusive.