The readers have lively voices and a basic, rather fundamental vocabulary.
Music is constantly being played in the background. This is intended to make it seem quick and snappy.
Topics are nearly always three way conversations that consist of the presenter, the reporter of the story and the witness. Each story normally lasts 2 minutes.
It could be said that Radio 1 news is similar to a newspaper like the Sun, where the stories are often true, but are greatly overstated and dramatised to make them seem more appealing than they actually are.
Radio 4
Radio 4 is a more political and government focused station. The news lasts for 15 minutes and the stories are much more intellectual. Therefore this may appeal to an older audience.
When the presenters present the news they use complex words and terms and presume the listener understands what they are talking about.
An example of this was when they were talking about English teaching in schools. They used the phrase ‘synthetic phonics’. They say this with no explanation, therefore assuming you understand.
The station has a very slow pace and has no music playing whilst it is being broadcasted.
The news readers speak plainly, monotonously and use more detailed language and they always leave a small gap between each story. They do this because it gives a more professional approach to reporting the stories.
They include a wide range of topics: EU budget talks; CSA issues; racist murder; world aids day; transport; men using prostitutes; drink driving; a story from Hollywood; the discovery of a giant Sea Scorpion fossil and a report on the cricket.
Each topic is talked about in great detail.
Radio 4 is a very cultured radio station which includes many in-depth stories and extremely technical words.
It is the sort of radio station that you would sit down on a comfortable chair and have a warm drink whilst listening.
Radio Devon
Radio Devon is more relevant to local people, as the news reported is often related to the areas you know or live in.
However the station’s target audience is mainly aimed at older people who may live in more rural areas. This is because quite often there is a story related to agriculture (farming).
The news on Radio Devon lasts for three minutes. It is very informative and covers a wide range of topics: 24 hour drinking that was related to Torquay; no bb guns; Lord Archer rejoining the conservatives; drivers stranded in the snow and the death of George Best.
The news readers are very similar to the ones on Radio 4.
They have very slow voices but with very strong regional accents.
The presenters (like on Radio 4) leave a slight delay between each story.
The Radio has Journalists that go to important news events to witness what has happened and to write a report. The presenter will then present the story to the listeners.
Radio Devon is an interesting news station that includes difficult vocabulary and many stories on important matters. Never the less I still found it quite sluggish and tiresome and I think it did lack in enthusiasm.
Conclusion
This analysis has shown that Radio 1, Radio 4 and Radio Devon report the news in different ways.
The news on Radio 1 is up-beat, concise and easy-listening. It appeals to a younger audience. The news on Radio 4 is longer, with a slower pace and more detailed, appealing to an older more intellectual audience.
Radio Devon reports short, local news aimed at an older rural audience.
As a young listener my preference would be Radio 1.
