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00000179-e1ff-d2b2-a3fb-ffffd7620000This page is a resource for WNIJ student workers and participants in the "Public Radio 101" seminar to create news content in accordance with the policies and practices of Northern Public Radio and WNIJ News.The articles and information posted here may be shared with other students and reporters, giving proper acknowledgment and credit to the original sources.We encourage you to take advantage of the links below to enhance your journalistic endeavors.Valuable External Links:NPR Ethics Handbook INBA Code of EthicsHow Not To Write For Radio How To Pitch A StoryNPR Training: Hone Your Craft An Introduction to EditingSound In The Story High-Quality Sound With Your PhoneTips For Shaping Great StoriesA Top Audio Engineer Explains NPR’s Signature SoundBlogs That Offer Guidance Memmott's Missives and Musings Judith Smelser: Scribbles and Scruples

Getting Great Audio In The Field

Graphic Design by Teresa Chin/Youth Radio

Recording Your Interview

Wear headphones!

Ideally, your mic should be about four inches away from your subject’s mouth: that’s about a fist-width away. Keep it in roughly the same place throughout the interview. Angle the mic slightly so they are not speaking straight down it.

Never ever ever give up the mic. Do not let them hold the mic. Ever.

Keep the mic as steady as possible to avoid handling noise. Or use a mic stand or mic boom.

Hold the mic and recorder as low and inconspicuously as you can. Maintain eye contact and only glance at your levels to make the subject comfortable.

Nod, don’t say “mmhmmm.” Don’t interrupt. Don’t ruin your own audio. A newspaper reporter will usually do that for you.

https://youthradio.org/teach-youth-radio/diy-toolkit-fundamentals-of-field-recording/

http://training.npr.org/audio/webinar-avoiding-audio-truth-killers-a-guide-to-getting-good-sound/

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.