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Sound Reporting, Second Edition

The NPR Guide to Broadcast, Podcast and Digital Journalism

Second Edition

With a Foreword by Michel Martin
An indispensable guide to audio journalism grounded in NPR’s journalistic values and practices, with tips and insights from its top reporters, hosts, editors, producers, and more.
 
A lot has changed in media in recent years, but one thing that remains steadfast is National Public Radio’s (NPR) position as a trusted source of news in the United States. Now producing dozens of shows and podcasts, plus livestreams and coverage on other media platforms, NPR is the leading authority on reporting, writing, and delivering audio news and storytelling to today's diverse audiences. In this completely revised guide, audio journalism trainer Jerome Socolovsky offers a look into just how NPR does it, following the same journey a story would from idea to the moment it reaches its listeners.
 
Based on more than eighty interviews with producers, reporters, editors, hosts, and other NPR staffers, Sound Reporting reveals how stories get pitched; how they are reported, produced, written, edited, voiced, and tailored to multiple media formats; and how shows and podcasts are put together. It begins with a presentation of NPR's values and includes a new chapter on journalist safety, a topic of timely importance. Podcasts, now part of the mainstream of the media universe, are treated alongside traditional programs throughout.
 
In these pages, the voices of NPR staff offer a glimpse into their profession. Discover how correspondent Ruth Sherlock overcame seemingly insurmountable odds as she raced to the scene of a devastating earthquake in Turkey, the four main ways Ramtin Arablouei incorporates music into podcasts, and how “Weekend Edition” host Ayesha Rascoe touches listeners so deeply she received a pair of homemade potholders in the mail from one of them. Reading this book is like sitting in a room full of top-notch producers, seasoned correspondents, trusted hosts, and rigorous editors—all telling you inspiring stories about their craft to help you learn from their experience.
 
At a time when the legitimacy and authority of journalism are under critique, transparency into how the news is made is more important than ever. This book offers a fascinating look behind the scenes at a premier public media organization and will be a trusted resource for anyone in or exploring a future in audio journalism.
 

368 pages | 12 halftones, 1 tables | 6 x 9 | © 2024

Media Studies

Reference and Bibliography

Reviews

"Finally, a re-boot! Sound Reporting, NPR’s essential resource on the craft of audio reporting from 2008, has received a much-needed overhaul in the very capable hands of Jerome Socolovsky. This is the book on the subject. I deeply appreciate the choice to start by firmly planting a flag to center mission and ethics. From there, Sound Reporting clearly and logically follows the production processfrom idea to airreplete with valuable real-world examples from NPR’s staff. As a teacher and a story editor, I will eagerly recommend this to students and colleagues. Study the book. Then keep it close at hand."
 

Rob Rosenthal, host, Sound School Podcast

“A terrific update of the essential guide to NPR-style journalism. Every audio host, reporter, and producer should own a copy of Sound Reporting.”

Noel King, host and editorial director, “Today, Explained”

Table of Contents

Foreword by Michel Martin
Preface

1   What We Stand For
2   Pitching
3   Producing
4   Sound Gathering
5   Reporting
6   Interviewing
7   Safety
8   Writing for the Ear
9   Building the Story
10 Editing
11 Voicing
12 Sound Design
13 Multiplatform Reporting
14 Hosting
15 Shows and Podcasts

Acknowledgments
Appendix 1. Journalism Safety and Support Groups
Appendix 2. A Producer’s Packing Checklist
Glossary
Notes
Index

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