Thursday 1 January 2009

Air Raves final run in The Star on Dec 31, 2008

Wednesday December 31, 2008

New year wishes on air

By ANTHONY THANASAYAN


It's a wrap folks; and unfortunately for good this time. Along with the conclusion of another year, comes the end of the road for this column.

Nevertheless, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers, radio listeners and stations – both local and abroad – and of course, The Star for making Air Raves the success that it has been over the years.

Here are my personal wishes for radio in 2009 and beyond.

Programme content: Let’s have more intelligent shows. The sky’s the limit in this area. Reviews on books, movies, videos, food, fashion, gardening and a host of other fun stuff will pique listeners’ interests.

Can we see the return of a radio doctor segment together with heaps of health tips and info for everyone?

How about creating new shows for children, women, the elderly and the disabled? Be sure to allow them to run their own shows to keep them authentic and meaningful.

Let’s have programmes on all our states in Malaysia focusing on our diverse traditions and religious backgrounds. Avoid “lecturing” us about them; but instead keep the presentations lively, crisp and vibrant.

Music wise, let’s focus on all genres of music instead of only pop. Most radio stations seem to be only doing the latter and it’s becoming tiresome. Remember it takes all kinds of people and tastes to be listeners.

Deejays: Get real and remain down-to-earth. Think twice before you wish “Good morning/evening Malaysia”. In most cases, the whole country isn’t listening to you and probably doesn’t even know the name of your radio station. Always remember that you need to work hard to make an impression.

Don’t fill each hour up with aimless chatter or music – make each minute and second count. Scripted presentations – or pre-planned ideas of what you want to focus on in your show – are far better in the long run than trying to ad lib. (Bosses, be sure to affirm your DJs for a job well done instead of only reprimanding them when they have erred!)

News: News broadcasts remain the hottest sought item on any radio station especially when a crisis occurs. Radio stations should be prepared to be flexible at all times to adjust schedules for input of late news updates as they happen.

Listeners will always remember a station for being the first – and not the last – to inform them of a newsbreaking story.

The recent Bukit Antarabangsa landslide is a solemn case in point. With electricity cut off, those in affected areas could only rely on their car stereos and portable radios for the latest information instead of television or the mobile phone.

It is for this reason why many if not all developed countries of the world constantly remind its citizens to have a portable radio set with fresh batteries handy at all times.

Happy listening and Happy New Year everybody!

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