Radio Roles Blog

New Roles site

fg — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:22:10 +0000

This is advanced notice of a new Roles site that is being developed. It will not be focused on radio in particular but will look at the broader picture of Roles within the Church and its mission in the world today.
Feel free to add your suggestions, comments or general encouragement to this project. The completed site will not appear quickly but it is hoped that the first few roles can be revealed soon as part of a progressive development..

Where are we Going?

fg — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:29:10 +0000

The Gray Matrix has now been going for 35 years and has changed little. It was conceived in the age of radio and has largely focused on that particular form of communication. But its scope extends far beyond radio and media in general.
Nevertheless, media play such a major part in contemporary society that we have to recognise their on-going influence. Moreover, we have to understand how media work and how to use them meaningfully.
For that reason the focus during 2012 will shift towards New Media. Social networking is so much about relationships and cultivating safe environments. There we can share concerns and interests with like-minded people. And we can now do that globally!
It would be good to hear of your interest and involvement in New Media…

Dear UPH Students (Broadcast journalism class 2011/2012)

Carly Scheffer — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:35:33 +0000

Let’s start a discussion Guyz,
On August 8, I’ve given you a task to read about Radio Roles/frankgray (FEBC Perspectives). There are 14 roles of radio at the moment (am I correct, Frank?). I challenge you to at least add 1 other role of radio that you can think of after observing radio contribution on your daily life. Your written essay will be graded as KAT 1. And please feel free to use Bahasa Indonesia !!
Thanks – Carly Scheffer

Other Media

fg — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:20:14 +0000

Radio is an enduring medium, loved and appreciated by many. But it is also evolving… it has to keep pace with modern trends and listening habits.
The Radio Roles site needs to reflect this. It is committed to expand the breadth of its discussion while remaining close to the central inclusive theme of “radio”.
Radio stations across the globe are embracing other media as ways of complementing their reach. Other media add to the appeal of their station and enable greater interaction with listeners, encouraging them to participate.
Other stations may not have reached this point yet, but sooner or later they will need to do so because of market pressures. But even without market pressures radio stations should seize these as an opportunity for getting closer to those they serve. For many this may be SMS which has now been around a long time already while for others it may incorporate social networking sites and web-pages.
Because this affects all of us involved in radio we need to encourage one another and develop our understanding of how new media fit in. Logged in users can read Chapter 6 (click) which addresses the issue of New Technology and its impact.
But we need to hear your views on this….

Examples of Roles

fg — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:40:39 +0000

Some are asking for examples of how these roles pan out in terms of real radio programs.
I need to point out that each role is already provided with a set of examples. But these are only viewable by logged-in users. They can be found at the end of each of the pages on individual roles.
There are also discussion questions associated with that specific role.
My hope is that users of this site who are engaged in radio/media production will also submit practical examples from their own experience. We need constantly updated examples so that this site continues to be relevant. The best examples come from those of you who work at the coal face…

We are the Evidence!

fg — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:47:22 +0000

Have you ever been a witness to a special event – or even a terrible accident? Eyewitness accounts are especially important – because we have seen with our own eyes! Nothing is as compelling as what people have seen for themselves. Nobody can take away from you what you have experienced.
Role 7 is about Witness – BEING a witness.
Jesus told his disciples in his final words that they would be witnesses to Him. They were the evidence once Jesus had been taken up. What a responsibility!
Today we are faced with the same challenge. We become the evidence – not only the “eyewitnesses” but also the living proof that what Jesus said and did actually works.
At this Easter time it is especially significant. What a time to be a living witness to the reality of Jesus, both in our own lives and community!
As broadcasters we also have to bring this amazing fact down to practical reality. Our broadcasts need to bring it home. Our lives and relationships need to show it. Our families need to reflect it. Our church community needs to demonstrate it!
Would there be enough evidence to convict us being followers of Jesus?

Being Creative

fg — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:59:36 +0000

Using radio creatively is one of the most exciting challenges we face. Cranking out new broadcasts and new programming every day too easily becomes a drag, an endless routine where we go through the motions. So how can we keep radio alive and dynamic?
One way is to cultivate new ideas, or, perhaps even better – new ways of doing radio.
That is what the Supplementary Role (11) is all about. If there is a need out there among our listeners what can we do through radio to address that need?
It may be a radical idea. It may never have been done before – but don’t be afraid to give it a swing.
What new ideas have you had recently? Are you given the opportunity to develop them? Or are your new ideas being stifled?
Perhaps we can help.
Read up on the Supplementary role of radio.

Telling it Straight

fg — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:35:43 +0000

Sometimes it is important that we make the Truth extra clear and explicit. The Old Testament prophets were pretty good at that. Fuzziness can be dangerous because it is open to many interpretations.
But what does proclamation (Role 9) look like in the contemporary world? And what does it look like in a radio program?
This is a tricky one. Preaching to the unconverted is not something that works in these days – especially in radio programs. In many societies it is not culturally acceptable unless, perhaps, if we package the speaker as a wise, old sage that commands our respect.
Dialogue is what people expect. Indeed, we need to declare the presence of God’s Kingdom as much through our actions and attitudes as with our words, do we not?
It seems to me that we need to have a sharper focus on Jesus – who he was, what he did, the things he said, how he behaved. Above all, how and why he died and rose again. Surely here was a man who would appeal to the radicals of our day, because he took a stand against the wickedness and hypocrisy that he saw around him.
Perhaps telling people about Jesus is the best thing we can do…
Do you agree?

Serving Our Brothers and Sisters

fg — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:22:54 +0000

Competition is a good thing and can be a great motivator. It can also be destructive.
But is there not also a strong case for helping promote the work that other members of the Body of Christ are doing? I think so.
That is what Role 5 – Positioning – is all about.
Churches and Christian agencies are often doing a great work in the communities that we also serve (or in places that we don’t serve!). But they cannot openly talk about their work – or they don’t have anyone to speak on their behalf.
As Christian broadcasters this is an extremely valuable gift that we can provide for others. In fact we all are winners if we get into the mode of scratching each others backs.
Above all, the Kingdom of God wins and Christ is glorified. Onlookers see how Christians work together to build each other up and demonstrate Body-life to the community and nation. What could be better?
Want to talk about it?

Showing it

fg — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:16:19 +0000

This is the underlying idea behind the Modelling Role (#13). We don’t simply talk about how the Good News works out in everyday practice – but we get on and do it.
In the studio we model what it means to get along with people we don’t necessarily agree with. We may even open up dialogue with those we violently disagree with in an attempt to develop wider understanding.
Outside the studio we engage the community in meaningful program production so that we might truly become community-centred.
As we do this our programming will become richer, our understanding broader, and our compassion deepened. We might even attract a lot more listeners…
Christmas is a great time to start.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!