(March 18, 2011 - by Ralph Kurtenbach) When the red light flashes "On the Air," what's your response behind the microphone?

Answer? You talk (assuming you've thought about what you want to say). A newly designed course, Radio 101, covered such questions and other essential radio skills such as studio operation, voice and reading, and complying with broadcasting laws.

Staff members from HCJB Global's Asia Pacific Region inaugurated the Radio 101 training in Indonesia's West Timor capital, Kupang, in February. Thirteen people attended from community stations in eastern Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara Timur province. One participant came from a refugee camp on the border with East Timor while another came from an island that has yet to get electricity!

The new course, led by HCJB Global's Asia Pacific training team (Janice Reid, Derek Kickbush and James Totton), was designed for new announcers with less than six months' broadcasting experience. The mission's Indonesian broadcasting partners helped develop Radio 101 by identifying specific needs to equip people for hosting radio programs.

Janice Reid demonstrates techniques.

Radio 101 faculty for the seven-day course also included local station managers and two Indonesian broadcasters who interpreted the lectures. The interpreters stayed especially busy during question-and-answer sessions, translating between Indonesian and English in both directions.

Students responded positively to Radio 101's focus on foundational skills which some hadn't learned before. Others expressed delight in learning how to put together a radio program.

To receive their course certificates, the students must demonstrate their new skills back at their own stations, evaluated by the managers and trainers.

Radio 101 is part of a larger training program to equip HCJB Global's regional radio partners. Graduates may be invited to take part in the more advanced Radio 201 once they have a year of radio experience.

HCJB Global Voice's trainers plan to run the Radio 101 course in several locations across Indonesia and begin to offer Radio 201 next year.

Source: HCJB Global