National Radio News Professional Development Workshop Builds Stronger Ties Between Broadcasters

The National Radio News (NRN) team held a professional development workshop over two days on 5 and 6 June, aimed at creating greater engagement between journalists in the newsroom in Bathurst and the News Project, which is building a network of stations within the community radio sector to create and share news and interviews across Australia. The workshop was also an opportunity to re-emphasise the community radio news agenda, a chance for the journalists to get to better know the News Planning Director, Martin Davies, and Political Reporter, Amanda Copp. As NRN had just recruited two new full-time journalists it also provided an opportunity for some team development and bonding. 

The two days covered a series of discussions and training sessions that exposed the journalists to a wealth of experiences and approaches. NRN Manager, Rebecca Wotzko, delivered a session that placed the audience firmly at the heart of story creation. NRN News Director, Frank Bonaccorso, delivered a master class on the precision and considerations needed to write top-class scripts – a session he shaped and delivered while working for the ABC. Martin Davies dug into his experience with the BBC World Service to encourage the team to be open to ongoing feedback and development in their journalism careers, and to brainstorm story ideas.  

The journalists and cadets (trainee journalists who are studying at Charles Sturt University) came up with a wealth of new ideas and ways of working and were inspired by an insightful session by Miguel D’Souza from the RMIT Fact Lab, which is supporting NRN on fact-checking, fake claims, and fake news in relation to The Voice to Parliament. Sharing content and taking part in broader editorial discussions was high on the team's wish list and they were delighted to be joined for a discussion remotely by The Wire’s Executive Producer, Eduardo Jordan. His presence cemented a new way of working that has witnessed a regular flow of stories between NRN and The Wire.  

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