Radio versus Print

I listened to the radio story on the quarantine of supposed Ebola patients, and the controversy over it. Governors of New York and New Jersey believe that it is necessary to quarantine in order to keep their states safe, however people who have actually experienced it believe that it is an injustice to their civil rights.

            The main difference I noticed between a print story and a radio story is that the radio is able to have people speak on their own behalf, instead of quoting like in a print story.

For example, in this story, the reporter Matt Katz introduces opposing sides, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Ebola “patient” Kaci Hidcox to audibly say their stance. Katz did not need to introduce the speakers, but instead he gave a short description on them prior to having them speak.

This difference allows for the stories to have direct quotes without the hassle of attributing the quotes, which can get wordy if not done well. It makes the story more curt, and easy to comprehend, which allows people to understand a radio story when multitasking.

Also, the lack of quoting by the reporter gives an audience a sense that the story is more direct. Because a radio/TV story allows for the audience to hear the actual tone of the speaker, it is more transparent than reading a quote by them.