Radio Reports for HIST 381

Both Radio New Zealand and the radio programs of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation are available online. You can access live programming through their webcasts, or pick up archived programs at any time. Regrettably, the websites of both RNZ and the ABC are basket cases. Here is some advice about picking through them.

ABC Radio

You can listen live – go to Radio National and dip in – or go to Local Radio and pick the place in Australia you want to tune in.

Or follow link to Podcasting, where you can listen on-demand or download podcasts.

Some programs of note available in podcast

• Australia Talks, national call-in show
• Bush Telegraph, rural features
• Hindsight, amazing features in Australian history – highly recommended (I download these to listen to on long driving trips)
• House of Representatives Question Time, often unruly

Radio New Zealand

Go to Radio National, rather than Radio International

Summer Report:

• Linked from the home page
• Follow the link and listen to news & features, the day’s offerings on-demand
• Or, follow the link from this page to the podcast page, where there are MP3s available from the past couple of weeks
• Later in term, this will be replaced by Morning Report

Maori & Pacific:

• Follow subject link at left
• Then check out Te Ahi Kaa for Maori features on demand, or follow link for podcasts

Society & People:

• Follow subject link at left
• Then go to “Becoming New Zealand” for a program, on demand, complementary to the themes of the course
• Try “Country Life” for funky rural features on demand or podcast
• Come April, go to “Anzac Day” for on demand audio features

Listen Live:

• Follow the link, select National, and see what’s on in real time

The Assignment

It is difficult to define exact requirements, as the diversity of offerings and formats make consistency impossible. In general, I expect you to make several visits to ABC Radio or to RNZ and to listen to programs of interest to you. The simplest thing is just to go to news programs. As you listen, make a few notes as to the content of the programs. When you are ready, post a report to the Backbencher.

A report typically begins with a summary telling what you listened to, for what dates, and the major topics dealt with. Go on to recount points of particular interest in the broadcasts. Finally, tell us how your listening shapes your thinking about life (society, politics, choose any aspect or aspects of life you wish, except don’t do more than one radio report focusing on sport) in Australia or New Zealand.

Rubric for Evaluation of Radio Reports
Points of Interest	The report discusses programs of personal interest or of applicability to our study of Australia and New Zealand.	5
Impressions	The report assesses how the radio broadcast shapes your thinking about life in Australia or New Zealand.	3
Appropriate Length	Target length: 250-300 words	1
Matters of Style	Composition, grammar, and punctuation are important to communication.	1
Total Points Possible for Report		10

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