Development of Media

Voice of Tibet

Major jump in audience appeal at Voice of Tibet

Voice of Tibet editor-in-chief Karma Yeshi had plenty of experience to share when he visited fellow station-in-exile Radio Darfur, last year.

The visit was one of a number of activities undertaken by RNTC and Press Now in their ongoing work with Voice of Tibet, whose mission includes providing unbiased news and information to Tibetans living in Tibet and preserving Tibetan culture.

Projects in 2009 included further courses aimed at improving the quality and appeal of its programming and changing over to more advanced flash-card digital recorders, courtesy of Press Now. The latter cut the time it takes to transfer recordings for editing.

The variety of VoT’s programming improved by using more jingles and switching to less formal speech, compiling news in blocks instead of as single items, improving the balance between male and female presenters, and introducing a greater variety of formats. VoT editorial meetings also became a regular feature.

Old formats improved as well. The introduction of a manual by RNTC trainer Jacqueline Maris helped VoT’s programme-makers turn the station’s previously dull panel discussions into livelier programming, with more focus on the listener.

And the individual and technical skill of the staff was improved by working on practical skills, including interview brainstorms, preparing for and conducting interviews, selecting and presenting news, creative feedback sessions on the programme format.

More information:

* Contact RNTC: info@rntc.nl

* Voice of Tibet

* Press Now