Wednesday 8 August 2018

"Stay out of Court" guide for Radio station staff


Stay out of court

with this "more than useful" 
new book 




"Essential reading if you work in radio"
Paul Rusling 




Many people running radio stations think their biggest legal danger comes from journalists, and what they might put into a news bulletin.   The reality is, however that it is their presenters and DJs who are the biggest potential danger to the station - they are the ones more likely to get a radio station into trouble. 
“At least journalists usually have some legal training in college and read off pre-prepared scripts. However presenters ad lib their links and are untrained in media law," says Paul Chantler.  "It is no coincidence that the two biggest legal catastrophes in commercial radio in the last 20 years were caused by presenters rather than journalists.
“The next big legal problem in radio will probably be caused by Johnny Jock on Radio Nowhere’s breakfast show commenting on allegations he read on Twitter about the local mayor – Very dangerous.”
Paul Chantler has worked as a journalist, presenter, producer and PD in British radio for over 30 years.  His co-author, Paul Hollins, who currently presents on Smooth Radio, has worked on stations all over the UK including Key 103, BRMB, Capital London and Heart London. 
This is an easy-to-understand guide to the laws of defamation and contempt for radio broadcasters, podcasters and social media users.  It is  illustrated with lots of real-life examples of when things have gone wrong and what to do to ensure you... keep it legal.   At £ 9.99 it is FAR cheaper than a lwyer, and way cheaper than the cost of going to court. 

Your can find KEEP IT LEGAL at Amazon 

- full details HERE.


For more useful books on radio - Programming and Production, 
see the World of Radio web pages about Radio Books 

Monday 23 July 2018

Gooooooooood Bye Adrian Cronauer, RIP

GOOOOOOOOOOOD BYE 

Adrian Cronauer!


(Well, thats how HE would have said it!)


ADRIAN CRONAUER, the man whose military radio antics inspired the character played by Robin Williams in the film 'Good Morning, Vietnam', has died. He was 79.  He died of age related problems at home.  

While broadcasting in Vietnam in the sixties Adrian started his AFN shows with the phrase, "Goooooood morning, Vietnam!" By way of Robin William's portaying of him in the film he inspired a generation of new DJs and influenced many to be more adventurous.
 The radio world owes him a great debt. RIP Adrian Cronauer.

One of the best known radio names the world over, Adrian began his own radio career aged just 12 years old on his school radio station in his home town Pittsburgh, Pa.  After getting a Masters Degree in Media Studies in New York he worked in radio, including a stint as morning DJ at Classical Music station in Virginia.  Adrian then trained as a lawyer before his military service, in Crete (Greece) and Vietnam.  


In the 1970s Adiran touted the idea for a TV SItcom that was to be a cross between MASH and WKRP in Cincinatti.  The result was Good Morning Vietnam.
In the brief presentation on the video link below, you can hear Adrian explain how the cry  
Goooooooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam!  
actually came about. And why it resonates so much with radio people.  Many of us have foluindered around at 6am wondering how the hell we are going to start a radio station's breakfast programme, when we only got out of bed minutes before!


Friday 13 July 2018

Three Lions gets 4th period at Number One


Three Lions brings home a Fourth Period  at Number One



Looking very at home and celebrating their number one smash hit, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. Their "Three Lions" single sold 80,000 copies this week which gives it a Number 1 position, just as it enjoyed 22 years ago when last released.

The single also features the Lightning Seeds and has been a perenniel favourite, though never as appropriate as last weekend.


The England World Cup team's Russian Adventure

Three Lions on a flag ENGLAND's 2018 LOGO 
It was last wekend, when the England team were through to the Semi Finals and everyone hoped that they might make the Grand Final, that interest in the song was highest.  Instead, that tie will be between Croatia and France.  Despite holding their early 1-nil  lead throughout the game, England conceded just before the ninety minute whistle to give the Croatian team an extra 30 minutes, which they used to slot home another goal and win their place in the final.

Fourth Spell at Number One 

This is the first time in the chart's 66 year history that a song has spent FOUR spells at Number One with the same artist and line up.  Three Lions spent two  one-week spells at Number One in 1996 on its release,  and two years later had a three week stay at the top of the chart. The recent exploits of the England team in Russia in the World Cup made it the single's fourth period at the top.

It is one of the best selling singles in the UK of all time, having shifted over 1.5 million copies now (the total excludes streams).  The campaign to get Green Day's "American Idiot" up the charts has failed to make much impression, with a measly #25 position being reached.