Introduction to Broadcasting – MCM 411 VU
©Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan 45
LESSON 20
WRITING SCRIPT FOR RADIO BROADCAST
There is no way to manage a 24-hour broadcast on daily basis without specifying certain
areas. Perhaps the top most matter is writing scripts for various programs. Almost every
program at a broadcasting house begins when a producer hands over the script to the
announcer, or anchorpersons for different programs. Missing a script means delay, or
cancellation of the program…and a furious program manager.
Writing script for radio is no ordinary exercise. The writer must be familiar with the type of
program he/she has been engaged with. The variation in script writing is so wide that
specialized script writers are involved in the production of copies for different programs. Then,
these scripts have to be kept in order… in order of the time for the day and programs on
weekly or daily basis. The script record keeping is a specialized job. So much of scripts is
available at a radio station that, like a library, these scripts have to be marked with the title of
programs, days of broadcast, timings and the producers. There may be a need for a script of a
program which was broadcast last month for certain reasons. That script has to be in hand
within no time. This is possible only when these sheets of papers are kept orderly.
Here below a broad classification is given to identify scripts for different types of programs;
NEWS Script
Undoubtedly, one of the top priorities goes in writing scripts for news which is generally
considered as one most formal broadcast by any station. Highly professional writers, having a
fairly long experience in language and news copy writing are employed to write copies for the
prime-time newsreels. What must be cared in these scripts is;
- Proper language (understood by most listeners)
- Simple words (at times difficult to find)
- Small sentences
- No jarring / jumbling
- Paragraphing
- Slugs
- Ethics
- Legal
- Proper terminology in IR…proper references
Interviews
Like news, you can’t afford a mistake of names, background, reference and the subject matter
while interviewing a person. The only safety is you first write down a script carrying questions
and all the references about the interviewee. In panel interviews sometimes supplementary
questions have to be scripted as other are putting questions in real time. Normal practice is to
docsity.com
