In this lesson, students explore several radio news formats, styles, and sequences, and then write segments for a student-centered news radio program. After reading an article about news radio programming in Afghanistan, students plan and present a radio news show. This lesson provides opportunities to integrate writing and communication skills with social themes and content area topics. (Author/ncl)

Communications/journalism students can explore the newfound freedom that a radio journalist might have in Afghanistan (or in another emerging democracy) and asks students to consider the impact of having a free press in a democracy. Students will develop their own three-minute radio programs that center on issues of concern to them. Communications/broadcasting instructors can use the materials in news writing lessons as well as helping students to develop thoughtful programs on issues that are of concern to them. It helps emphasize the need to keep information brief, yet complete in the radio news environment. It also helps students to develop their script writing abilities as well as their editorial judgment skills. This could easily be an ongoing project with students developing program ideas centered on current issues that are of concern to them. Teachers could take this lesson one step further by having the students record their programs and play them back for the class. This would help students to develop their public speaking and announcing skills as well as give them the opportunity to understand the importance of getting it right the first time since listeners can not go back over the information to gain clarity.