Sound, ambiance, sound effect, report and radio package are only some of the essential elements successfully learned by SAJ students at the course of Radio Journalism. For three weeks, they worked with the best journalists in the field – Diana Railean, reporter with Radio Free Europe; Liliana Nicolae, reporter and editor with Europa FM from Bucharest; and Vasile Botnaru, director of Free Europe Office in Moldova.

To discover step by step the world and specificity of radio journalism, the course was divided into three modules. The first module, held by Diana Railean, lasted three days, during which SAJ students learned about radio sound. Together with the trainer, they did field work, recorded various ambient sounds and learned how they can harmoniously complement a radio report or news story.

Liliana Nicolae of Europa FM, one of the best known radios in Romania, worked with students in the second module. For four days, Liliana spoke to future journalists about the characteristics of reports and radio packages. The emphasis was placed on the atmosphere and creativity, and also on the role of stand-up for a radio report. SAJ students did two practical tasks. “The job is tough, tiring, but it depends on you to make it beautiful and interesting,” said Liliana. At the end of the course, students asked the Europa FM reporter where she finds inspiration and topics for her reports. “I read a lot,” she answered.

The course culminated in the most difficult, but also the most interesting module – Radio Journalism News Room, which was a real test of strength for the students. They worked in the mode of a newsroom and experienced firsthand what being a radio reporter feels like. Guided by Vasile Botnaru, students were divided into two teams; they delegated a shift editor, a news presenter and several reporters and prepared two radio programs each. Although young people were scared at first, they were pleased by the things they learned at the course.

They confessed that despite a very hard pace of work, usually against the clock, the experience was unforgettable. At the end of the course, Eugeniu Kanskii received from the director of Free Europe Office a T-shirt – award for the best radio report. Vasile Botnaru congratulated SAJ students for their patience, perseverance and courage and shared some useful advice with future journalists. “Pay attention to the accuracy of thinking,” he concluded.

The next course at the SAJ is TV Journalism. It will last four weeks.