BTN: Exploring the skills of a radio presenter

NATHAN BAZLEY:

A career in radio sounds like a pretty good idea to a group of kids learning to put their own community radio program to air. Sarah found out there's a rich history of radio broadcasting in Australia and its future is sounding solid with these DJs behind the microphone.

SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER:

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, you can always count on the radio to bring you news, laughs or your favourite tunes no matter what your taste. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to work on the radio and hear your own voice coming from those speakers? That's something these guys are getting used to. They're the stars of Jibba Jabba radio, a show that's by young people, for young people. It looks easy to just sit around and talk in the studio. But is it easy?

STUDENTS:

No.

STUDENT, RADIO HOST:

We have so many things to say but as soon as the mic starts recording, we've got no idea!

SARAH LARSEN:

Jibba Jabba was started as a way of advertising events for young people. Community radio seemed perfect.

STUDENT, RADIO HOST:

It's for all ages and it's being held…

SARAH LARSEN:

But it soon grew into a regular half-hour show — a way for these guys to get their voices heard while getting some valuable radio experience. They meet weekly to plan and research their show.

CRYSTAL:

For our next show, we're doing a topic of the week, celebrity news, an album review, what's on in the different councils, and we like to have an interview when we can.

SARAH LARSEN:

Then they take it in turns to record. Today Tristan is in charge of all the dials and buttons.

TRISTAN:

I control all the sound levels, I make sure these lovely CD players play music when we want to play it.

SARAH LARSEN:

The show isn't live so they have a chance to go through and make sure everything they've said is OK. Because you never know who could be listening.

DENISE, RADIO STATION MANAGER:

They're beginning to pick up listenership and not just their friends like it started off with. Now people are listening — oldies like me because you're getting the great ideas of what the kids think about what's going on.

SARAH LARSEN:

There are community radio stations like this one all around the country. They're designed to bring communities together and give them a voice. They're also training grounds for people who want jobs in the media. Compared with TV, radio has been around for a long time. When radio first came to Australia in the 1920s, there were only a few stations. And they were the main source of entertainment for anyone who could afford to tune in. Instead of Neighbours or Home And Away, whole families would gather round to listen to radio plays performed by actors in studios.

ACTRESS:

It almost makes it worthwhile being 90, doesn't it, love?

SARAH LARSEN:

Sports matches were retold by commentators, complete with sound effects. And the biggest news stories were heard first on the radio.

RADIO HOST:

Australia is also at war.

SARAH LARSEN:

But in the '50s, things changed.

TV PRESENTER:

Good evening and welcome to television.

SARAH LARSEN:

When television came along, lots of people thought it would replace the radio. But that's not what happened.

STUDENT, RADIO HOST:

Radio still has a place in the world I think because when you're on the go you can't watch television while you're driving so you flick on the radio, you can hear the news, you can hear what's going on, celebrity news, the hottest songs.

SARAH LARSEN:

Over the years, radio has grown and changed. In the '70s, we got FM stations with stereo sound. Then the government helped start up a whole bunch of community stations. Now there are more than 400 on the air. Then there are the ABC's four national and 60 local stations and there are heaps of commercial ones too. And now there's digital radio which has more channels and even better sound so these guys can look forward to a future in an industry that's proven it's here to stay.