ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism) organized an intensive workshop on podcast production during its 17th annual forum held recently at the Dead Sea. The workshop aimed to equip journalists with the practical knowledge and tools necessary to create engaging audio content, supporting their efforts in producing investigative reports and delivering them to the public in innovative ways.
16 journalists from 9 Arab countries (63% females) participated in the 3-hour workshop.
Led by trainer Ahmed Al-Damen, an award-winning podcast producer and filmmaker. Currently serving as an editorial lead at National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States, Ahmed co-created the highly acclaimed Arabic podcast Fusool and resides in Washington, DC.
Participants learned how to develop and plan podcast ideas and write scripts professionally. The workshop also addressed best practices in production through hands-on training on audio recording techniques, episode editing, and presenting professionally.
Furthermore, the workshop included a practical application where participants engaged in recording a real interview, focusing on honing their practical skills in dialogue management and question formulation.
In addition, journalists gained expertise in technical aspects, specifically the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), including audio editing, quality enhancement, and sound clip processing. This training enabled journalists to transform their ideas into effective podcast projects that enhance investigative storytelling methods.
This workshop is considered a significant step in light of the growing importance of podcasts as an effective storytelling medium. This type of content allows journalists to present their investigations in more interactive ways, enhancing the impact of their reports on the audience and providing a platform to showcase social and humanitarian issues in innovative ways.
Nour Moukhadder (Female, Lebanon)
Nour Moukhadder, a Lebanese journalist, stated that the training was beneficial, particularly the practical part, which had a significant impact.
Bana Salameh (Female, Jordan)
Bana Salameh, a journalist from Jordan, stated that the training was exciting and requested a longer session in the next forum.
