Career in Radio News Broadcasting

Jessica Monzo
Renee Post
Introduction to Mass Media
10 December 2015

Monzo 2

Jessica Monzo
Renee Post
Introduction to Mass Media
10 December 2015
Career in Radio Broadcasting
Radio broadcasting is the unrestricted transmission of a signal to numerous receivers
(Sterin 120). During the 19th century, an Italian inventor by the name of Guglielmo Marconi first
delivered radio broadcasting to the world in his attempt to develop technology that would allow
for the telegraph to reach longer distances. American entrepreneurs saw potential in radio
broadcasting to help reach mass audiences, and developmental funding from our own military
was used to finance the idea.
Not long after the birth of the radio broadcasting industry, music and radio collaborated
in an attempt to bring in more listeners. Music artists were awarded royalties in their work while
it was played on the air. Performers who had previously created music dramas and comedies for
the radio stations began demanding performance and licensing fees, while in the past they would
just do the job for publicity. Radio stations began struggling with the costs of having to pay
musicians and performers, and implicated selling advertising to ensure radio broadcasts would
stay free for the listeners. Consumers were opposed to the idea at first, but advertiser-sponsored
radio proved successful.
Around 1915, the idea of the human voice on the radio began possible with the inventions
and drive of two different inventors- Lee De Forest (who considered himself the father of radio
and grandfather of television), and Edwin Howard Armstrong (developed FM radio). These men
are considered today as 2 out of 3 of The Pioneers of Radio Broadcasting (Sterin 121) (the

Monzo 3

third being David Sarnoff, a chief inspector for the Marconi Wireless corporation). Forest started
the idea of the human voice on the air with his patented Audion tube, but unfortunately he did
not know how to use it. Armstrong then patented his own ideas on how to interconnect electronic
components to increase radio clarity, which he presented to AT&T around 1916. This
unfortunately led to one of the longest patent cases in U.S. legal history.
Radio broadcasting usually runs on either AM (Amplitude Modulation) or FM
(Frequency Modulation) waves. Armstrong disliked the static produced by AM radio and
dedicated himself to the development of FM waves, which resulted in a clearer, more stable
reception. His invention changed the standard quality for radio and was unchallenged until the
invention of digital radio. His popular business adversary, Sarnoff, turned into his rival as he
refused to back Armstrong to help market FM radio.
October 30th, 1938, Orson Welles opened the eyes of America to the importance of radio
broadcast. While working for the KDKA radio station as an announcer and on-air personality,
Welles unintentionally struck fear into many Americans with his radio broadcast The War of
the Worlds. There was a disclaimer at the beginning of the broadcast stating that everything they
were about to say was fiction, but many tuned in late to the broadcast due to a popular
ventriloquist being on air with another station around the time the disclaimer aired. Apparently,
Welles was very convincing in his broadcast because Americans grew incredibly frightened with
ideas of Martians that possessed eyes are black and gleam like a serpent. The mouth is kind of
V-shaped with saliva dripping from its rimless lips that seem to quiver and pulsate, (Welles).
When the panic actually made its way into the studio, Welles came back onto the air as himself
and reminded his audience the broadcast wasnt real. The FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) investigated the program to figure out if any laws were broken, but came up empty

Monzo 4

handed. Welles was nervous the broadcast would destroy his career, but it did just the opposite
for him. This broadcast opened the eyes to the weight of ones words when it comes to
broadcasting to a mass number of people.
Today, many would think that radio broadcasting has lost its allure thanks to digital
media, but the job field has about a 10 percent increase annually (Sterin 438). This could be due
to online radio. A perfect example of media convergence, online radio replaces the need for a
radio that emits AM and FM waves, and instead brings the same entertainment broadcasting
supplies to your home computer. This has broadened both the market and career opportunities in
radio broadcasting.
With radio broadcasting being such a popular medium for entertainment and information
today, the job market may seem intimidating (and has been known to be very competitive). When
asked how an entry level professional can get his/her foot in the door, Dr. Mark Benedetto
(previously a producer at SNJ Today, which was then WSNJ) responded through e-mail:
Volunteer at a radio station, even if it is just helping out for an hour a week. Once you
are around the environment, you want to be a part of it. Getting your foot in the door for this
industry is hard, and you need to move up in the ranks. Therefore, anytime radio stations need
volunteers, DO IT! It can be the start of something great! Also make a linked-in account. There is
a great network of employers looking for employees. I was actually contacted by 2 broadcast
companies regarding a job opening. (Benedetto)
When it comes to skills, the applicant should have both soft and hard skills. Soft skills
include continued training, acquisition of new knowledge and skills and the ability to
demonstrate the required talents, work ethic, and drive, (Sterin 446) while hard skills include
the drive to succeed (Sterin 447), talent, adaptability, logic, creativity, capability,

Monzo 5

independence, and the ability to be collaborative. When asked what skills he believed were
needed for someone to get hired in this field, Dr. Benedetto replied, You need to be organized
and have a sense of great time management! You also need to be a people-person, (Benedetto).
In a professional career such as this, the applicant should be prepared with a resume
and/or portfolio to give to the employer. Dr. Benedetto feels a resume in this field should include,
Your credentials, community service (radio stations are big with community service and giving
back). It is also good to have some sample tapes of you speaking or introducing a song, or a
sound clip that you edited. Really, anyway to show of your skills!, (Benedetto). Any portfolio
should include examples of the applicants best work, research of the industry, organization, and
creative presentation. You basically have to make the industry want you (Sterin 449).
While looking for a job in this industry, internet job searches immediately come to mind.
Dr. Benedetto recommends Linked-in! It works, as I stated above. I listed my credentials and
experience and boom, I was getting messages regarding job opportunities. After using the
search engine on this website to look up jobs as a radio announcer, one opportunity with WGBH
of Boston Massachusetts listed their qualifications:
The Radio Producer/Announcer must be an appealing on-air presenter of classical music
with a friendly, conversational delivery. S/he should execute station-generated programming or
make music selections in accordance with station policy. Familiarity with classical music and
programming tools and proficiency in database preferred. Radio broadcast knowledge is
preferred.
A college degree is required. (Producer/Announcer, Linked-In)
The job listing also asked for an audition tape to be sent in with the application for the
position.

Monzo 6

A day in the life of radio broadcasting is a bit complicated due to there being so many
different roles and titles in the industry. Dr. Benedetto was a producer (among many other job
titles) and his day took place like so, Based on my last job, I would arrive at 8am and make sure
that the program log was set up for the following day. I would then do voice overs, edit
commercials, promos, etc, until my show at 2 pm. Then from 2-6 I was in the broadcast room
(Benedetto).
This industry seems to have a stable history in our country. Listeners have used radio
broadcast to gain information and entertain themselves since the 1930s, which proves a career in
this field is secure. Though the job market is competitive, it seems there are many different
employers seeking applicants at this point in time, and if an applicant lands an internship, theres
always the possibility of moving up in the ranks. Overall, this industry seems like a secure and
overall enjoyable career opportunity. As quoted by one broadcast CEO:
Mr. Marconi was able to beat Mr. Bell because you dont need a wire in your car. As
long as usage allows people to be contained in their vehicles where they cant easily go to the
Internet or computer, radio will continue to have a share of the media pie. (Chuday).

Monzo 7

Works Cited
Benedetto, Dr. Mark. E-mail Interview with Jessica Monzo. 30 Nov. 2015.
Chuday, Liz. Updated 2008. NABs Guide to Careers in Radio, Second Edition. Retrieved from
https://www.nab.org/documents/radio/NABRadioCareersSecondEdition.pdf
Sterin, J. Charles. Mass Media Revolution, Second Edition. University of Maryland. Pearson
Education, Inc, 2012. Print.
Producer/Announcer, Radio. Hire Culture by The Massachusetts Cultural Council. (38 Aug.
2015) Retrieved from
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/80960758?
trk=vsrp_jobs_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId
%3A4668169441449731448661%2CVSRPtargetId%3A80960758%2CVSRPcmpt
%3Aprimary
Welles Scares Nation, 1938. (30 Oct. Year unknown.) Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/welles-scares-nation.