WEEK 5 – "Sound Lecture"

Did video kill the radio star? Well after this weeks lecture, I think not! If you’re one of the people who believe that the radio is boring or outdated, you probably haven’t done much listening over the past couple of years. Radio has encountered some battles in its war against TV but in recent years it has regained some prestige. The radio offers a variety of stations to suit individual tastes, is constantly changing throughout the day, it’s up to date and the radio is accessible and portable. The radio can enter your bathroom, your car, and you can even listen to it whilst at the gym or walking the dog. How many other media outlets can do this? 

I thought this was a great way to present the week five lecture, not only because it focused on sound journalism but it got us to immerse ourselves in the medium itself. I love the radio and often listen to these two presenters when I’m travelling to and from uni. Thanks must go out to the UQ journalism teaching staff for this week’s lecture. It’s not every day that we get an opportunity to hear about the personal lives and experiences of such prominent radio figures.   

Richard Fidler

I love Conversations with Richard Fidler on 612ABC Brisbane. I’m proud to say that I have actually been on his show for concert promotions and I love getting behind the microphone in a radio studio. During the three times I have been interviewed by Fidler I have found his manner of interviewing quite relaxing and very conversational.   

Apart from having a great ‘radio voice’, Fidler creates a radio show that is both diverse and highly engaging. I found his accidental pathway to radio quite interesting and I find it hard to imagine him in any other stream of media production. I knew that he had been part of a comedy group but I did not know that he had also (accidently) appeared on TV! Maybe there is hope for me...

I thought it was lovely how he feels privileged to be involved with his guests. I think Fidler’s approach when interviewing is humble and caring and I know from experience that he gives the interviewee space and time to think about responses and compose an answer. I thought it was interesting that he even leans back from the microphone at times to demonstrate to his interviewee that he is sincerely interested in what they have to say. I think these pauses also contribute to the relaxed feel of Fidler’s program and give an authentic feel to radio discussion.


Fidler also believes that the radio is more intimate than the television and I tend to agree with him. When you don't have visual stimulation to distract you, I think it is easier to focus. As Fidler says, “It’s like the voice comes from inside your head”. This is how I feel when I'm listening to the radio and I often remember broadcast discussions long after  TV news has left my thoughts.

My favourite quote from his interview was: “Don’t live in an ideological ghetto on the internet. Expose yourselves to different currents of thought.”

Steve Austin

Steven Austin has a completely different on-air manner to Richard Fidler. This has never been particularly obvious to me as Austin airs in the mornings and Fidler’s program is broadcast at lunchtime. He has a much more serious tone and manner of addressing issues. This does not mean that I find his program less enjoyable to listen to, but I find that his style much more issue-driven and lacking slightly in humour.

Austin was clear about the problems of being ‘fake’ on radio both as a presenter and for the people he interviews. As he states, “If you wouldn’t do it in life, don’t think about doing it on radio.” He also emphasised the importance of asking questions that are not too complicated and using prompts that may be as simple as asking “Do you agree?”

Don’t give up! Austin believes that he is not a naturally talented radio personality and that if a person wants a career on radio bad enough, they should persist. I know we have all heard this time and time again, but this wise pearl of wisdom really does hold true to every stream of life.