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Audio & Podcast Journalism

£5800.00£5200.00

Introduction

This course introduces participants to the principles, techniques, and professional practices required to produce high-quality audio journalism and podcasts. It focuses on producing deeply reported, narrative-driven audio stories and long-form investigative podcasts that inform, engage, and connect with audiences.

Participants will develop practical skills in story development, audio reporting, interviewing, research, scriptwriting, recording, sound design, editing, fact-checking, investigative storytelling, and podcast production. The course also explores how journalists can use audio to tell complex stories, build compelling narratives, and investigate issues over an extended period.

The programme combines short lectures with practical recording exercises, interview simulations, audio editing workshops, story development, investigative research, and podcast production.

Course Content

Introduction to Audio Journalism and Podcasting

  1. What is audio journalism?

  2. The development of podcast journalism

  3. Types of journalistic podcasts

  4. News, documentary, narrative and investigative podcasts

  5. Understanding audio audiences

  6. Identifying compelling audio stories

  7. Developing a story idea and reporting angle

  8. Researching audio stories

  9. Narrative structure in audio journalism

  10. The role of the journalist, presenter and producer

Audio Reporting and Interviewing

  1. Developing an audio reporting plan

  2. Identifying and evaluating sources

  3. Preparing for interviews

  4. Interviewing techniques for audio

  5. Asking effective open-ended questions

  6. Conducting investigative interviews

  7. Recording interviews in different environments

  8. Recording natural sound and ambient audio

  9. Using sound to establish location and atmosphere

  10. Managing difficult or sensitive interviews

  11. Recording remote interviews

  12. Protecting sources and maintaining confidentiality

Narrative and Investigative Podcasting

  1. Developing long-form audio stories

  2. Building an investigative hypothesis

  3. Researching complex issues

  4. Working with documents and evidence

  5. Verifying information and allegations

  6. Developing characters and narrative arcs

  7. Structuring episodes

  8. Creating tension and maintaining audience interest

  9. Using archival audio and historical material

  10. Combining interviews, narration and natural sound

  11. Presenting evidence clearly

  12. Right of reply and fairness

  13. Ethical considerations in investigative audio journalism

Scriptwriting and Audio Storytelling

  1. Writing for the ear rather than the page

  2. Developing a strong opening

  3. Writing narration and voice-over

  4. Creating effective transitions

  5. Using conversational language

  6. Structuring scenes and sequences

  7. Pacing and maintaining audience attention

  8. Writing introductions and episode summaries

  9. Using quotations effectively

  10. Fact-checking scripts

  11. Writing headlines, episode titles and descriptions

  12. Adapting stories for different audiences and platforms

Recording, Editing and Production

  1. Introduction to microphones and recording equipment

  2. Smartphone and portable audio recording

  3. Recording high-quality interviews

  4. Managing background noise

  5. Basic audio editing

  6. Cutting interviews and selecting sound bites

  7. Voice-over recording

  8. Mixing narration, interviews and ambient sound

  9. Music and sound effects

  10. Sound design

  11. Audio levels and production quality

  12. Publishing and distributing podcasts

  13. Podcast platforms and digital audiences

  14. Promoting podcast episodes through social media and other digital channels

Practical Final Project

Participants develop a short investigative or narrative podcast episode based on a real or simulated issue.

The project may include:

  • Original interviews

  • Investigative research

  • Documentary/natural sound

  • Narration

  • Archival material

  • Evidence and supporting documentation

  • Script

  • Edited audio

  • Episode title and description

Participants present their final audio story and receive feedback on reporting quality, narrative structure, interviewing, sound quality, editing, verification, ethics, and audience engagement.

Methodology

The course uses a practical, production-focused approach.

Short lectures

The trainer introduces key principles of audio journalism, podcast production, investigative reporting, and narrative storytelling.

Audio demonstrations

Participants are introduced to microphones, recording techniques, editing processes, sound design, and podcast production workflows.

Interview exercises

Participants practise preparing, conducting, recording, and editing journalistic interviews.

Reporting exercises

Participants develop story ideas, identify sources, conduct research, and gather evidence for audio stories.

Podcast production workshops

Participants work through the complete production process, from story development and scripting to recording and editing.

Listening and analysis

Participants analyse professional podcasts to examine narrative structure, interviewing, sound design, pacing, storytelling techniques, and investigative approaches.

Editing exercises

Participants edit interviews, narration and ambient sound to create short audio sequences.

Peer review

Participants listen to each other's work and provide feedback on storytelling, sound quality, clarity, accuracy, and engagement.

Final production project

Participants produce a complete short audio story or podcast episode that demonstrates the skills developed during the course.

Target Audience

The course is suitable for:

  • Early-career journalists

  • Professional journalists

  • Radio journalists

  • Podcast producers

  • Audio reporters

  • Investigative journalists

  • Freelance journalists

  • Broadcast journalists

  • Digital journalists

  • Documentary producers

  • Media and communications professionals

  • Content creators interested in podcast journalism

  • Journalism students

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

  1. Explain the principles and characteristics of audio and podcast journalism.

  2. Identify and develop compelling audio story ideas.

  3. Research and report complex and investigative stories.

  4. Identify, evaluate and interview appropriate sources.

  5. Conduct effective journalistic interviews for audio.

  6. Record high-quality interviews, narration and natural sound.

  7. Write scripts that are clear, engaging and suitable for listening.

  8. Develop narrative structures for long-form audio stories.

  9. Apply basic investigative reporting and verification techniques.

  10. Edit interviews, narration, music and ambient sound.

  11. Apply basic sound-design principles.

  12. Produce a complete podcast episode or audio documentary.

  13. Apply ethical principles relating to accuracy, fairness, consent and source protection.

  14. Prepare audio stories for publication and digital distribution.

  15. Develop a professional portfolio of audio journalism work.

 

Language(s): English and Arabic 

Duration: One Week

Certificate of Completion: Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.