Amman- 9 June 2021
The 4th webinar of the “100 Watts” project discussed the art of podcasting, its components, most important features, and how it differs from traditional radio journalism.
“100 Watts” is a three-year project launched by ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism) network with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan. The project aims at training more than 100 journalists, content creators, journalism and media students, and professors in Jordan on digital storytelling, with a focus on audio storytelling, to address vital societal issues in Jordan and promote accountability and reform.
The webinar, held on 9 June 2021, was presented by ARIJ’s trainers Safaa Alramahi and Firas Taweel. Alramahi started the session by defining the podcast as: “A group of audio programs broadcast online that can be downloaded and listened to at any time”. This distinguishes podcasting from traditional radio in which broadcast dates and times are set.
Alramahi moved to the steps of podcast production, which include: preparation and research, initial conceptualization, field work, which entails recording interviews and natural sounds, sorting through the collected materials, organizing them and selecting the sounds, script writing, mixing sounds and recording the voiceover, and editing.
She pointed out that relying on our auditory senses is the basis of podcasting, as it shapes the type of content and encourages the creator to add elements of excitement that stimulate the listener’s imagination.
Responding to a question raised by one of the participants on the best duration for a podcast episode, Alramahi emphasized that there is no specific duration in general, as it depends on the purpose of the episode, the topic at hand, and whether it is a discussion, a story or otherwise. She noted the importance of “presenting your idea in full in the shortest possible time” without unnecessary fillers or extras. Likewise, there is no specific performance style for presenting a podcast. Rather, it depends on the personality of the presenter.
AlRamahi also stressed the importance of using natural sounds to the extent possible and avoiding the use of sound effects available online.
