Free software: Format Factory: http://www.formatoz.com/
This will allow you to do batch conversions - even of a collection of audio in different formats, all to a single format. (Thanks to Magnus for the tip.)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Investigative Reporter Manual
http://www.storybasedinquiry.com/?mid=53 You can download the Storybased Inquiry Benchmark Investigation Manual (Free!). Let me know what you think.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Ripping audio from videos
'Easy YouTube Video Downloader' for firefox seems to work for ripping audio from online videos. There's 96 kbps and 128 kbps mp3 settings. You can get it at https://addons.mozilla.org/En-us/firefox/addon/easy-youtube-video-downl-10137/
Here are other utilities that have been suggested:
If the video you want to rip is on YouTube or hosted on the YouTube server, Julie Ngo suggests http://www.youtube-mp3.org/ She says the audio quality is better on this one than on some of the other rippers. I was able to use it onc
Here's one that works with Vimeo online video: http://www.convertfiles.com/
Here's one that works with Vimeo online video: http://www.convertfiles.com/
When Everything Slows Down
Sometimes your PC works too slow? And sometimes Audacity crashes or doesn't save properly? The culprit may be your web browser. When left open for a while, Firefox tends to occupy more and more of your computer's RAM. And sometimes when you close it it keeps running invisibly in background without your being able to re-open it. The best way to deal with this bug is to 1) close Firefox, and 2) use Control-alt-delete to choose Task Manager and then go to the Processes tab. If you scan down the list of processes, you may well see firefox.exe still showing hundreds of thousands of K of RAM. Highlight firefox.exe and click the Stop Process button. Ignore the warning and choose Yes. That will make your computer go much faster and may save you from losing your audio editing work.
Friday, October 14, 2011
During Election
Political broadcasts
During an election period, a licensee shall allocate time for the broadcasting of programs, advertisements or announcements of a partisan political character on an equitable basis to all accredited political parties and rival candidates represented in the election or referendum.
Election period
An election period is defined in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 as:
(a) in the case of a federal or provincial election, or of a federal, provincial or municipal referendum, the period beginning on the date of the announcement of the election or referendum and ending on the date the election or referendum is held.
Section 6 of the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 reads as follows:
Where a licensee provides time on its service during an election period for the distribution of programs, advertisements or announcements of a partisan political character, the licensee shall allocate the time on an equitable basis to all accredited political parties and rival candidates represented in the election or referendum.
“Election period” has the same definition as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 above.
Section 30(5) of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations states:
If a licensee provides time on the community channel in a licensed area during an election period for the distribution of programming of a partisan political character, the licensee shall allocate that time on an equitable basis among all accredited political parties and rival candidates.
“Election period” has the same definition as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 above.
III. Excerpts from A Policy with Respect to Election Campaign Broadcasting, Public Notice CRTC 1988-142, 2 September 1988, applicable to federal and provincial general elections
Underlying rationale
Throughout the history of broadcasting in Canada, licensees, as part of their service to the public, have been required to cover elections. Moreover, where licensees have allocated paid or free campaign time, they have been required to do so in a manner that is equitable to all political parties and rival candidates.
The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the public’s right to be informed of the issues involved so that it has sufficient knowledge to make an informed choice from among the various parties and candidates. This right is a quintessential one for the effective functioning of a democracy, particularly at election time. The broadcaster’s obligation as a trustee of the public airwaves is seldom greater than it is in respect to this exercise of the most fundamental democratic freedom.
As the Commission noted in Political Broadcasting – Complaints re: free time and editorial time allocations, Circular No. 334, 4 June 1987:
It is the broadcaster’s duty to ensure that the public has adequate knowledge of the issues surrounding an election and the position of the parties and candidates. The broadcaster does not enjoy the position of a benevolent censor who is able to give the public only what it “should” know. Nor is it the broadcaster’s role to decide in advance which candidates are “worthy” of broadcast time.
From this right on the part of the public to have adequate knowledge to fulfill its obligations as an informed electorate, flows the obligation on the part of the broadcaster to provide equitable – fair and just – treatment of issues, candidates and parties. It should be noted that “equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal”, but, generally, all candidates and parties are entitled to some coverage that will give them the opportunity to expose their ideas to the public.
The question of equitable treatment applies to parties and to candidates; to programs, advertisements and announcements; to federal, provincial and municipal elections, as well as to referenda. Equity also applies to the duration of broadcasts, to scheduling, to potential audience, to the choice of which electoral districts and offices to cover, to language of broadcast, to issue coverage and approach, to conditions under which an appearance may be made, and – in the case of paid-time programming – to price.
The Commission acknowledges that each licensee’s situation is unique. The Commission has no firm rules to cover all aspects of election campaign broadcasting; to some extent it will have to deal with situations on a case-by-case basis.
Equity in various categories of broadcast
Political campaign broadcasts generally fall into four categories:
i) Paid-time – Time bought and paid for by or on behalf of parties or candidates or advocacy groups, and largely under the editorial control of the advertiser.
ii) Free time – Time given free of charge by the licensee to the party or candidate, and largely under the editorial control of the party or candidate.
iii) News – Coverage of the campaign by the licensee’s news department, and under the editorial control of the licensee.
iv) Public Affairs – In-depth examinations of candidates and issues, profiles of candidates, debates, and under the editorial control of the licensee.
There may be some “blurring” of the latter two categories given that, for example, they may be part of the station’s “news package” and may involve the same station personnel.
If one party or candidate receives free time, all rival parties and candidates must be offered equitable time.
Similarly, if paid advertising time is sold to any party or candidate, advertising time must be made available on an equitable basis to rival parties and candidates.
In the case of conflicts between requirements for equity with respect to paid advertising time and sold-out commercial schedules, it is the Commission’s view that such conflicts should be resolved in favour of the electoral process and in accordance with the principle of equity:
Equity in news coverage
The Commission agrees with the arguments put forward that news coverage should generally be left to the editorial judgement of the broadcast licensee.
However, Section 3 of the Act requires that “the programming originated by broadcast undertakings should be of high standard” and “the programming provided by the Canadian broadcasting system should provide a reasonable opportunity for the public to be exposed to the expression of differing views on matters of public concern”. Licensees have an obligation under this section to ensure that their audiences are informed of the main issues and of the positions of all candidates and registered parties on those issues.
Equity in public affairs programming
Section 3 of the Act must also be applied when presenting public affairs programs, such as party or candidate profiles, features on certain issues or panel discussions.
Equity requirements will apply within each of the categories of paid-time, free time, news and public affairs programs.
Licensees who program in more than one language should take into consideration that a political broadcast in one language cannot be construed as balancing a political broadcast in another language.
The equitable time requirement is triggered at the later of (a) the date a candidate is nominated or (b) the date on which an election is called.
Not all candidates are nominated at the same time; some, for strategic or other reasons, may not be nominated until well into a campaign. In the Commission’s view, there is no obligation on the part of licensees to compensate late entrants for time previously afforded other candidates following the election’s call. Late-entry candidates should receive equitable coverage from the time they enter the campaign.
For some licensees the provision of equitable coverage to all the candidates running for office in all of the electoral districts reached by the station could amount to an unwieldy proposition.
In the Commission’s view, the decision should be made by the licensee, in consideration of three principal factors: the station’s service area (i.e., the area it is licensed or committed to serve), its signal coverage area, and the practical aspect based on the number of electoral districts and candidates.
The Commission remains persuaded that on-air personalities, whether they are employed on radio or television or community programming channels of cable systems, even if their exposure is solely in the role of commercial announcer, have an unfair advantage over their opponents.
Accordingly, the licensee has the responsibility to ensure that such candidates be removed from their on-air duties during the election campaign period as defined in the regulations (the Radio Regulations, 1986, the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations and the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990) or on the date their candidacies are announced, whichever is later. Offering similar on-air opportunity to an on-air candidate’s opponents is no longer an option.
In Election-period broadcasting: Debates, Public Notice CRTC 1995-44, 15 March 1995, the Commission announced that it will no longer require that so-called “debates” programs feature all rival parties or candidates in one or more programs. The licensee will have satisfied the balance requirement of the Act if reasonable steps are taken to ensure that their audiences are informed on the main issues and of the positions of all candidates and registered parties on those issues through their public affairs programs generally.
IV. Advertising content
Licensees shall log as advertising material any paid program, advertisement or announcement of a partisan political character which, including the partisan identification of the sponsor and the party, if any, is two (2) minutes or less in duration.
Any advertising material of a partisan political character with regard to the election, regardless of length, may be treated as program material by licensees who are not prohibited from carrying advertising material by regulation or condition of licence.
To circumvent certain logging software problems that have occurred in the past, television licensees should continue to log such material as “COM.” However, to distinguish election advertising material from other television commercials, licensees should insert “ELE” at the beginning or end of the field that is used to identify the advertiser or the title of the advertisement. For FM radio, such material may be logged as category “6” instead of category “5.”
V. Of special interest to broadcasting distribution undertakings - Community channels
No licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking is obliged to engage in political programming.
However, if the licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking decides to engage in political programming, then the Commission suggests that the following criteria be respected for the two types of political programming normally distributed:
*
free access political programming; and
*
political programming under the editorial control of the licensee.
Free access political programming
In this type of programming, time is made available for use, freely and without the intervention of the licensee, whether as moderator or in terms of the production process, provided that the laws governing libel and slander, and the broadcasting guidelines respecting equitable treatment, are respected. As with all community programming, while the licensee is ultimately responsible for the program content, the candidate or party is afforded the widest possible latitude and control.
Political programming under the editorial control of the licensee
Programs produced under the editorial control of the licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking are those programs over which the licensee retains control as to format, participants, and in which the licensee directly intervenes in the production process as a moderator or otherwise.
These programs can be likened to public affairs programs. Such programming must be done on an equitable basis for all political parties and rival candidates and must conform to the Commission’s regulations and policies respecting community programming.
During an election period, a licensee shall allocate time for the broadcasting of programs, advertisements or announcements of a partisan political character on an equitable basis to all accredited political parties and rival candidates represented in the election or referendum.
Election period
An election period is defined in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 as:
(a) in the case of a federal or provincial election, or of a federal, provincial or municipal referendum, the period beginning on the date of the announcement of the election or referendum and ending on the date the election or referendum is held.
Section 6 of the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 reads as follows:
Where a licensee provides time on its service during an election period for the distribution of programs, advertisements or announcements of a partisan political character, the licensee shall allocate the time on an equitable basis to all accredited political parties and rival candidates represented in the election or referendum.
“Election period” has the same definition as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 above.
Section 30(5) of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations states:
If a licensee provides time on the community channel in a licensed area during an election period for the distribution of programming of a partisan political character, the licensee shall allocate that time on an equitable basis among all accredited political parties and rival candidates.
“Election period” has the same definition as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 and Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 above.
III. Excerpts from A Policy with Respect to Election Campaign Broadcasting, Public Notice CRTC 1988-142, 2 September 1988, applicable to federal and provincial general elections
Underlying rationale
Throughout the history of broadcasting in Canada, licensees, as part of their service to the public, have been required to cover elections. Moreover, where licensees have allocated paid or free campaign time, they have been required to do so in a manner that is equitable to all political parties and rival candidates.
The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the public’s right to be informed of the issues involved so that it has sufficient knowledge to make an informed choice from among the various parties and candidates. This right is a quintessential one for the effective functioning of a democracy, particularly at election time. The broadcaster’s obligation as a trustee of the public airwaves is seldom greater than it is in respect to this exercise of the most fundamental democratic freedom.
As the Commission noted in Political Broadcasting – Complaints re: free time and editorial time allocations, Circular No. 334, 4 June 1987:
It is the broadcaster’s duty to ensure that the public has adequate knowledge of the issues surrounding an election and the position of the parties and candidates. The broadcaster does not enjoy the position of a benevolent censor who is able to give the public only what it “should” know. Nor is it the broadcaster’s role to decide in advance which candidates are “worthy” of broadcast time.
From this right on the part of the public to have adequate knowledge to fulfill its obligations as an informed electorate, flows the obligation on the part of the broadcaster to provide equitable – fair and just – treatment of issues, candidates and parties. It should be noted that “equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal”, but, generally, all candidates and parties are entitled to some coverage that will give them the opportunity to expose their ideas to the public.
The question of equitable treatment applies to parties and to candidates; to programs, advertisements and announcements; to federal, provincial and municipal elections, as well as to referenda. Equity also applies to the duration of broadcasts, to scheduling, to potential audience, to the choice of which electoral districts and offices to cover, to language of broadcast, to issue coverage and approach, to conditions under which an appearance may be made, and – in the case of paid-time programming – to price.
The Commission acknowledges that each licensee’s situation is unique. The Commission has no firm rules to cover all aspects of election campaign broadcasting; to some extent it will have to deal with situations on a case-by-case basis.
Equity in various categories of broadcast
Political campaign broadcasts generally fall into four categories:
i) Paid-time – Time bought and paid for by or on behalf of parties or candidates or advocacy groups, and largely under the editorial control of the advertiser.
ii) Free time – Time given free of charge by the licensee to the party or candidate, and largely under the editorial control of the party or candidate.
iii) News – Coverage of the campaign by the licensee’s news department, and under the editorial control of the licensee.
iv) Public Affairs – In-depth examinations of candidates and issues, profiles of candidates, debates, and under the editorial control of the licensee.
There may be some “blurring” of the latter two categories given that, for example, they may be part of the station’s “news package” and may involve the same station personnel.
If one party or candidate receives free time, all rival parties and candidates must be offered equitable time.
Similarly, if paid advertising time is sold to any party or candidate, advertising time must be made available on an equitable basis to rival parties and candidates.
In the case of conflicts between requirements for equity with respect to paid advertising time and sold-out commercial schedules, it is the Commission’s view that such conflicts should be resolved in favour of the electoral process and in accordance with the principle of equity:
Equity in news coverage
The Commission agrees with the arguments put forward that news coverage should generally be left to the editorial judgement of the broadcast licensee.
However, Section 3 of the Act requires that “the programming originated by broadcast undertakings should be of high standard” and “the programming provided by the Canadian broadcasting system should provide a reasonable opportunity for the public to be exposed to the expression of differing views on matters of public concern”. Licensees have an obligation under this section to ensure that their audiences are informed of the main issues and of the positions of all candidates and registered parties on those issues.
Equity in public affairs programming
Section 3 of the Act must also be applied when presenting public affairs programs, such as party or candidate profiles, features on certain issues or panel discussions.
Equity requirements will apply within each of the categories of paid-time, free time, news and public affairs programs.
Licensees who program in more than one language should take into consideration that a political broadcast in one language cannot be construed as balancing a political broadcast in another language.
The equitable time requirement is triggered at the later of (a) the date a candidate is nominated or (b) the date on which an election is called.
Not all candidates are nominated at the same time; some, for strategic or other reasons, may not be nominated until well into a campaign. In the Commission’s view, there is no obligation on the part of licensees to compensate late entrants for time previously afforded other candidates following the election’s call. Late-entry candidates should receive equitable coverage from the time they enter the campaign.
For some licensees the provision of equitable coverage to all the candidates running for office in all of the electoral districts reached by the station could amount to an unwieldy proposition.
In the Commission’s view, the decision should be made by the licensee, in consideration of three principal factors: the station’s service area (i.e., the area it is licensed or committed to serve), its signal coverage area, and the practical aspect based on the number of electoral districts and candidates.
The Commission remains persuaded that on-air personalities, whether they are employed on radio or television or community programming channels of cable systems, even if their exposure is solely in the role of commercial announcer, have an unfair advantage over their opponents.
Accordingly, the licensee has the responsibility to ensure that such candidates be removed from their on-air duties during the election campaign period as defined in the regulations (the Radio Regulations, 1986, the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations and the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990) or on the date their candidacies are announced, whichever is later. Offering similar on-air opportunity to an on-air candidate’s opponents is no longer an option.
In Election-period broadcasting: Debates, Public Notice CRTC 1995-44, 15 March 1995, the Commission announced that it will no longer require that so-called “debates” programs feature all rival parties or candidates in one or more programs. The licensee will have satisfied the balance requirement of the Act if reasonable steps are taken to ensure that their audiences are informed on the main issues and of the positions of all candidates and registered parties on those issues through their public affairs programs generally.
IV. Advertising content
Licensees shall log as advertising material any paid program, advertisement or announcement of a partisan political character which, including the partisan identification of the sponsor and the party, if any, is two (2) minutes or less in duration.
Any advertising material of a partisan political character with regard to the election, regardless of length, may be treated as program material by licensees who are not prohibited from carrying advertising material by regulation or condition of licence.
To circumvent certain logging software problems that have occurred in the past, television licensees should continue to log such material as “COM.” However, to distinguish election advertising material from other television commercials, licensees should insert “ELE” at the beginning or end of the field that is used to identify the advertiser or the title of the advertisement. For FM radio, such material may be logged as category “6” instead of category “5.”
V. Of special interest to broadcasting distribution undertakings - Community channels
No licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking is obliged to engage in political programming.
However, if the licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking decides to engage in political programming, then the Commission suggests that the following criteria be respected for the two types of political programming normally distributed:
*
free access political programming; and
*
political programming under the editorial control of the licensee.
Free access political programming
In this type of programming, time is made available for use, freely and without the intervention of the licensee, whether as moderator or in terms of the production process, provided that the laws governing libel and slander, and the broadcasting guidelines respecting equitable treatment, are respected. As with all community programming, while the licensee is ultimately responsible for the program content, the candidate or party is afforded the widest possible latitude and control.
Political programming under the editorial control of the licensee
Programs produced under the editorial control of the licensee of a broadcasting distribution undertaking are those programs over which the licensee retains control as to format, participants, and in which the licensee directly intervenes in the production process as a moderator or otherwise.
These programs can be likened to public affairs programs. Such programming must be done on an equitable basis for all political parties and rival candidates and must conform to the Commission’s regulations and policies respecting community programming.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Legality of Recording Conversations
This web site has information about the legality of recording private conversations without the consent of the other party. Note, however, that it doesn't speak about the legality of broadcasting a private conversation without such consent. So, you could rely on this to get notes for a story, but not necessarily for clips for a broadcast. http://www.legaltree.ca/node/908
Highlights of the site:
"...broadly speaking, Canadians can legally record their own conversations with other people, but not other peoples' conversations that they are not involved in."
"...any intended recipient of a communication is entitled to record it."
Although it is legal for Canadians to record conversations that they are involved in, it is illegal for them to possess surreptitious recording devices. ... Thus, Canadian can record their own conversations, but should do so with regular recording devices such as dictaphones, tape recorders, ipods etc."
This law applies to conversations between people who are both (or all) in Canada, only.
Police can't gather evidence this way without a warrant. The law now "specifically requires state agents to obtain prior judicial authorization for interceptions based on the consent of one of the parties." However, "Various Canadian cases have admitted recordings made by civilians into evidence where it was found that the civilians were not acting as state agents at the time of the recording." Hence, recordings made of the hockey rioters by civilians could be admissible as evidence in court.
Highlights of the site:
"...broadly speaking, Canadians can legally record their own conversations with other people, but not other peoples' conversations that they are not involved in."
"...any intended recipient of a communication is entitled to record it."
Although it is legal for Canadians to record conversations that they are involved in, it is illegal for them to possess surreptitious recording devices. ... Thus, Canadian can record their own conversations, but should do so with regular recording devices such as dictaphones, tape recorders, ipods etc."
This law applies to conversations between people who are both (or all) in Canada, only.
Police can't gather evidence this way without a warrant. The law now "specifically requires state agents to obtain prior judicial authorization for interceptions based on the consent of one of the parties." However, "Various Canadian cases have admitted recordings made by civilians into evidence where it was found that the civilians were not acting as state agents at the time of the recording." Hence, recordings made of the hockey rioters by civilians could be admissible as evidence in court.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Social Media and Radio Survey Results
http://www.radioworld.com/article/social-medias-role-in-radio-growing/24399
Overall use of social media (Twitter and Facebook) in the newsroom more than doubled, from 45% in 2009 to 96% today...Now, 65% feel it helps break news faster, 58% believe it enhances listenership and 62% feel its use provides another broadcast medium...use of “citizen journalists,” ...for providing leads (56%) or information (34%) dropped 25% since 2009. - info from Radio World Online
Friday, September 30, 2011
How To Do a Remote Broadcast for CJSF
Nice informal instructional video by Jay Peachy, with diagram by Sarah Buchanan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ecRW40DYk&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1
CJSF generally does live remote broadcasts several times a year. You can volunteer to assist on those if you'd like hands-on experience. Contact: cjsfpa [@] sfu.ca
CJSF generally does live remote broadcasts several times a year. You can volunteer to assist on those if you'd like hands-on experience. Contact: cjsfpa [@] sfu.ca
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
10 Ways Journalists Can Use Twitter
The Poynter Institute is a well known US-based organization supporting journalism. You may find these tips are applicable to stories you are working on for CJSF radio. The title of the story is Ten Ways Jouranalists Can Use Twitter Before, During and After Reporting a Story.
http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/digital-strategies/146345/10-ways-journalists-can-use-twitter-before-during-and-after-reporting-a-story/
http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/digital-strategies/146345/10-ways-journalists-can-use-twitter-before-during-and-after-reporting-a-story/
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
#communityradio
If you are tweeting anything pertinent to community radio, you may wish to include the hash tag subject #communityradio - it is being used by community radio stations in Canada and also around the world.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Ways to extract audio from a video
If you're using a Mac, you can separate audio from video using iMovie - here's a tutorial link:
http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/imovie/separating/
For a PC, try the open-source VLC program:
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1266-extracting-the-sound-from-a-video-with-vlc
Thanks to Jean Fong for this info.
Jordan, CJSF's Production coordinator, suggests that you can also extract audio from a DVD and should see this site for information: http://handbrake.fr/details.php
http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/imovie/separating/
For a PC, try the open-source VLC program:
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1266-extracting-the-sound-from-a-video-with-vlc
Thanks to Jean Fong for this info.
Jordan, CJSF's Production coordinator, suggests that you can also extract audio from a DVD and should see this site for information: http://handbrake.fr/details.php
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Convert Android Files to MP3
If you are recording interviews on your Android phone, you will want to convert it to an editable format. This site is not the only place you can do the conversion, but it seems quite easy to use.
http://www.convertfiles.com/
http://www.convertfiles.com/
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Airing Copyright Written Material
AIRING COPYRIGHT MATERIAL
Authors' ownership of their own work is protected in Canada by the Canadian Copyright Act: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/page-1.html
Q: Can I read out other people’s literary works or articles from newspapers, magazines, or websites on the air?
A: If you have the permission of the copyright holder (usually the author), then you can. (even better if the author reads it him/herself). It is not legal in Canada to read out copyright material on the air without permission, except for certain purposes (see below).
Q: How do I know if a work is copyright?
A1: If it’s been published less than 50 years, it’s definitely still under copyright.
A2: If the author died less than 50 years ago, it’s still under copyright.
A3: If you don’t know the author, but it was published less than 75 years ago, it’s still under copyright.
Q: Can I use part of the work?
A: Yes, the Copyright Act says is is Fair Dealing if you excerpt from the work for purposes of literary criticism, review, or news reporting, but you have to give credit.
Q: What kind of credit must I give?
A: Name the source of the work, including the names of the author and publisher.
Q: What about a parody?
A: Canadian courts are back and forth on whether parody is fair dealing, on the basis that they are “criticism.”
Q: What if it’s out from under copyright?
A: You can use longer passages then – but remember, plagiarism is fundamentally wrong. Be sure always to give credit where credit is due.
Authors' ownership of their own work is protected in Canada by the Canadian Copyright Act: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/page-1.html
Q: Can I read out other people’s literary works or articles from newspapers, magazines, or websites on the air?
A: If you have the permission of the copyright holder (usually the author), then you can. (even better if the author reads it him/herself). It is not legal in Canada to read out copyright material on the air without permission, except for certain purposes (see below).
Q: How do I know if a work is copyright?
A1: If it’s been published less than 50 years, it’s definitely still under copyright.
A2: If the author died less than 50 years ago, it’s still under copyright.
A3: If you don’t know the author, but it was published less than 75 years ago, it’s still under copyright.
Q: Can I use part of the work?
A: Yes, the Copyright Act says is is Fair Dealing if you excerpt from the work for purposes of literary criticism, review, or news reporting, but you have to give credit.
Q: What kind of credit must I give?
A: Name the source of the work, including the names of the author and publisher.
Q: What about a parody?
A: Canadian courts are back and forth on whether parody is fair dealing, on the basis that they are “criticism.”
Q: What if it’s out from under copyright?
A: You can use longer passages then – but remember, plagiarism is fundamentally wrong. Be sure always to give credit where credit is due.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sending audio files through internet
If you like to do editing or recording at home (or with your cell phone), you can get the audio to CJSF without coming to the station.
When a file is too big to attach to an email, you can use one of several services that offer a free option for uploading a large file to their site and notifying the person you want it to go to.
The ones I'm most familiar with: YouSendIt.com, SendSpace.com, and the newest one I've seen, https://www.transferbigfiles.com/. Transfer Big Files looks like the easiest to use yet.
When a file is too big to attach to an email, you can use one of several services that offer a free option for uploading a large file to their site and notifying the person you want it to go to.
The ones I'm most familiar with: YouSendIt.com, SendSpace.com, and the newest one I've seen, https://www.transferbigfiles.com/. Transfer Big Files looks like the easiest to use yet.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
CJSF News Reporting Values
Like other campus and community radio stations, CJSF has special obligations for the way we report. CHRY (York, Ont.) has developed very helpful guidelines, here adapted for CJSF:
Alternative News Reporting Values
* Public Service-oriented. One of the main differences between community news and mainstream news is that a story must serve the public interest to be considered for community radio. Stories should enlighten and educate audiences, and sometimes even move them to positive action.
* Locally focused: Our community is our broadcasting zone, so we want to cover issues affecting the Vancouver Metro Area and its surrounding communities. Even international stories have a BC face to them.
* Alternative: We focus on giving a voice to the voiceless, so we try to represent those stories and those communities that are not represented in the mainstream, or that are misrepresented. When we cover stories already told in the mainstream, we do so from an alternative perspective: catching what other stations have missed. There is no need to duplicate what is being aired elsewhere: People love us because we are different.
What does “alternative news” mean?
It is inclusive -- not exclusive. Alternative news means the stories that are not being told by the big guys. It is the voice in the story that mainstream media excluded. Alternative news seeks to inform, not dumb-down and can provoke debate among listeners, but also inspire them to action.
What makes a good story?
Look for three elements to focus your stories: People doing something for a reason. Newsworthy stories should have a local element and be timely and relevant to your audience.
A good story is:
1. Balanced – There are many sides and viewpoints to cover in most stories. Its not just “the other side” of the story, its “the different side”. There are always multiple, overlooked perspectives. We do not talk about people without inviting their perspective to the table - that means calling for an interview or a statement to be read on air. Balance also means conflict. A story needs duality to be interesting and alive. Things to think about: When is one source/voice okay? Do I have to invite an NDP for every Liberal? How to write-in conflict?
2. Fair and Accurate - Stories must be whole to be truly accurate. Stories can have the facts right, and still be misleading. Researching without preconceived impressions helps. Never, ever rely on just one source. Always check facts against alternative sources and the opposition. We do not report hearsay, gossip and rumour. Always attribute your source (I read it in the paper is not good enough)
3. Honest - Once you have covered all perspectives and voices relevant to the story, ask yourself: “ How would I feel about that?” Do you have a vested interest in the story and are you acknowledging this bias? Your own opinion is not journalism. Many subjective subjects can be covered more objectively with honesty. If you have a bias, acknowledge it and compensate with alternative voices.
4. Never assume – Never assume your audience knows all the background details of the story. Do all you can to help a listener understand the story. If you don’t understand it, there is no way your audience will.
****Above all: The Spoken Word Department is not a personal soapbox. If you want an opinion to air, invite a relevant guest on to express it. You are the conduit for ideas not the source.
Alternative News Reporting Values
* Public Service-oriented. One of the main differences between community news and mainstream news is that a story must serve the public interest to be considered for community radio. Stories should enlighten and educate audiences, and sometimes even move them to positive action.
* Locally focused: Our community is our broadcasting zone, so we want to cover issues affecting the Vancouver Metro Area and its surrounding communities. Even international stories have a BC face to them.
* Alternative: We focus on giving a voice to the voiceless, so we try to represent those stories and those communities that are not represented in the mainstream, or that are misrepresented. When we cover stories already told in the mainstream, we do so from an alternative perspective: catching what other stations have missed. There is no need to duplicate what is being aired elsewhere: People love us because we are different.
What does “alternative news” mean?
It is inclusive -- not exclusive. Alternative news means the stories that are not being told by the big guys. It is the voice in the story that mainstream media excluded. Alternative news seeks to inform, not dumb-down and can provoke debate among listeners, but also inspire them to action.
What makes a good story?
Look for three elements to focus your stories: People doing something for a reason. Newsworthy stories should have a local element and be timely and relevant to your audience.
A good story is:
1. Balanced – There are many sides and viewpoints to cover in most stories. Its not just “the other side” of the story, its “the different side”. There are always multiple, overlooked perspectives. We do not talk about people without inviting their perspective to the table - that means calling for an interview or a statement to be read on air. Balance also means conflict. A story needs duality to be interesting and alive. Things to think about: When is one source/voice okay? Do I have to invite an NDP for every Liberal? How to write-in conflict?
2. Fair and Accurate - Stories must be whole to be truly accurate. Stories can have the facts right, and still be misleading. Researching without preconceived impressions helps. Never, ever rely on just one source. Always check facts against alternative sources and the opposition. We do not report hearsay, gossip and rumour. Always attribute your source (I read it in the paper is not good enough)
3. Honest - Once you have covered all perspectives and voices relevant to the story, ask yourself: “ How would I feel about that?” Do you have a vested interest in the story and are you acknowledging this bias? Your own opinion is not journalism. Many subjective subjects can be covered more objectively with honesty. If you have a bias, acknowledge it and compensate with alternative voices.
4. Never assume – Never assume your audience knows all the background details of the story. Do all you can to help a listener understand the story. If you don’t understand it, there is no way your audience will.
****Above all: The Spoken Word Department is not a personal soapbox. If you want an opinion to air, invite a relevant guest on to express it. You are the conduit for ideas not the source.
NCRA Radio Awards Winners 2011
The list of awards is posted on this site. Shelley Robinson, the NCRA Executive Director, says soon the site will include clips you can listen to for inspiration:
http://www.ncra.ca/projects-and-services/community-radio-awards
http://www.ncra.ca/projects-and-services/community-radio-awards
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Exercises to Exorcise Your Stereotypes
Checking in on your own stereotypes – An exercise
Full post at CJSR's Adamant Eve radio show blog: http://adamantevecjsr.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/checking-in-on-your-own-stereotypes-an-exercise/
Full post at CJSR's Adamant Eve radio show blog: http://adamantevecjsr.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/checking-in-on-your-own-stereotypes-an-exercise/
...Think of a woman you know and who you identify as a woman, maybe an acquaintance. Someone like a coworker, a friend of a friend, or the next woman you pass on the street. What changes when you ‘realize’ she is a transwoman (that is someone born with male sex organs who now presents and identifies as a woman)? In your head how is a transwoman different from a cis-woman (cis-gendered means people whose sex organs ‘match’ their gender presentation. So a woman who was born with a vagina)?
For me, this is a good one not just for showing that we often think of trans people differently from cis-gendered people, but also for showing that we often think of men as fundamentally different from women. If you’re having a hard time trying to imagine this scenario try watching a movie like Transamerica and switch back and forth from thinking about the main character as a cis-woman and then as a transwoman.
Here is another one. Next time you’re watching a show with men and women on it imagine their genders are switched but they are saying the same things and acting in the same way. For example, turn on a home renovation show with a hetero couple and imagine in your head that the husband is a woman and the wife is a man. When the wife giggles or when the husband makes an assertive decision think about how you would understand those actions differently if they were made by someone of another gender.
You can try variations of either of these experiments with other categories as well like race, age, attractiveness, size, ability, or sexuality. Try it out! You might learn a thing or two that will help you out as you work to change the world!
Free Software for FTP (i.e., uploading files)
FTP = File Transfer Protocol. You can use this kind of software to transfer your programs to the CJSF upload site. However, software can be uncooperative - keeps changing and then you lose the ability to use it the way you did before.
Lately, I have been using and recommending FireFTP - a plug-in to the Mozilla/Firefox web browser. However, Firefox updated itself in my computer and became incompatible with Fireftp.
Luckily, I was able to locate a free program called FileZilla, which can be downloaded from Sourceforge.net. It is not terribly different from FireFTP, and it does work. Here's a page where it can be downloaded - (or, you can just google sourceforge filezilla) http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
Here's a page that tells you how to use it: http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using#Transferring_files
Lately, I have been using and recommending FireFTP - a plug-in to the Mozilla/Firefox web browser. However, Firefox updated itself in my computer and became incompatible with Fireftp.
Luckily, I was able to locate a free program called FileZilla, which can be downloaded from Sourceforge.net. It is not terribly different from FireFTP, and it does work. Here's a page where it can be downloaded - (or, you can just google sourceforge filezilla) http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
Here's a page that tells you how to use it: http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using#Transferring_files
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Collective-based community news - notes from other stations
These are notes from a meeting that just took place the first week of June at the NATIONAL CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY RADIO CONFERENCE 2011 in Halifax NS.
NEWS DEPARTMENT CAUCUS MEETING MINUTES
Partcipants were interested in:
- Developing a functional community news department
- How to get more reporters and more student participation in news
NEWS DEPT STRUCTURE
Based off of the community news departments at CKUT Montreal and CHRY Toronto, here is one model for a collective-based, community news department:
1) Mandate or Mission Statement.
The mandate is a short, series of statements that affirms the priorities of your news department. At the end of the day, what do you want to communicate and how do you want your department to impact the community? For example, this is the CHRY News and Spoken Word Department mandate:
"CHRY's News & Spoken Word Department is here foster a strong community-led movement for more critical, accountable and representative media. Our goal is to prioritize and promote the voices/sounds of local events and groups who challenge and carefully examine the intersecting forms of oppression among our communities and dominant structures of society.
CHRY is a community-based campus station at York University in Toronto. Our mandate is to provide alternative programming, including in-depth spoken word content targetted to specifically underserviced groups within our listening community. Although students play an important role in programming, we also provide access to members of the community at large. CHRY also provides training in radio production to volunteers. CHRY 105.5 FM is an anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-homophobic organization."
2) Trainings
Offering trainings on an ongoing basis (monthly, weekly, etc.) on basic skills volunteers need to contribute are key to sustaining a news department. Some skills include: voicing for radio, writing scripts for radio, audio editing with audacity, introduction to community news values, interviewing techniques, how to use a portable recorder, microphone technique, and research skills among others.
CKUT holds twice a year Training Days - a weekend where volunteers hold workshops on extra skills they want to share with other volunteers.
CHRY has a style guide they use for training. Vols get a copy and use it as a manual. It is attached with this email.
3) Regular News Dept Meetings
Another key component is holding regular news department meetings.
Meetings can include:
- editorial / story assignment meeting
- press packet - passing around the press releases/event listings your station has received. vols can sign up to cover stories
- team up - vols can pair up or work in teams on a story. new volunteers can shadow current volunteers to learn
- CKUT plans the content line up for the following week's Off the Hour community news show (mon-fri, 5-6pm)
- regular production/studio time every week to edit audio or work on pieces
- provide snacks, tea/juice, etc. = this brings people together!
4) Volunteer Roles
Collective member
Producer
Correspondent
Coordinator
Researcher
Engineer
Host
Trainers
Special project participant
5) Archiving Audio and Outreach
You can use your station's website for archiving, or make your own blog for free with wordpress.com.
Check these out for ideas: ckutnews.wordpress.com and chrynews.wordpress.com.
Also check out fsrn.org for reporter guidelines/manual.
--
Anabel Khoo
News & Spoken Word Coordinator
CHRY 105.5 FM Community Radio, Toronto
416-736-2100 ext. 33908
chrynews@yorku.ca
www.chry.fm
NEWS DEPARTMENT CAUCUS MEETING MINUTES
Partcipants were interested in:
- Developing a functional community news department
- How to get more reporters and more student participation in news
NEWS DEPT STRUCTURE
Based off of the community news departments at CKUT Montreal and CHRY Toronto, here is one model for a collective-based, community news department:
1) Mandate or Mission Statement.
The mandate is a short, series of statements that affirms the priorities of your news department. At the end of the day, what do you want to communicate and how do you want your department to impact the community? For example, this is the CHRY News and Spoken Word Department mandate:
"CHRY's News & Spoken Word Department is here foster a strong community-led movement for more critical, accountable and representative media. Our goal is to prioritize and promote the voices/sounds of local events and groups who challenge and carefully examine the intersecting forms of oppression among our communities and dominant structures of society.
CHRY is a community-based campus station at York University in Toronto. Our mandate is to provide alternative programming, including in-depth spoken word content targetted to specifically underserviced groups within our listening community. Although students play an important role in programming, we also provide access to members of the community at large. CHRY also provides training in radio production to volunteers. CHRY 105.5 FM is an anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-homophobic organization."
2) Trainings
Offering trainings on an ongoing basis (monthly, weekly, etc.) on basic skills volunteers need to contribute are key to sustaining a news department. Some skills include: voicing for radio, writing scripts for radio, audio editing with audacity, introduction to community news values, interviewing techniques, how to use a portable recorder, microphone technique, and research skills among others.
CKUT holds twice a year Training Days - a weekend where volunteers hold workshops on extra skills they want to share with other volunteers.
CHRY has a style guide they use for training. Vols get a copy and use it as a manual. It is attached with this email.
3) Regular News Dept Meetings
Another key component is holding regular news department meetings.
Meetings can include:
- editorial / story assignment meeting
- press packet - passing around the press releases/event listings your station has received. vols can sign up to cover stories
- team up - vols can pair up or work in teams on a story. new volunteers can shadow current volunteers to learn
- CKUT plans the content line up for the following week's Off the Hour community news show (mon-fri, 5-6pm)
- regular production/studio time every week to edit audio or work on pieces
- provide snacks, tea/juice, etc. = this brings people together!
4) Volunteer Roles
Collective member
Producer
Correspondent
Coordinator
Researcher
Engineer
Host
Trainers
Special project participant
5) Archiving Audio and Outreach
You can use your station's website for archiving, or make your own blog for free with wordpress.com.
Check these out for ideas: ckutnews.wordpress.com and chrynews.wordpress.com.
Also check out fsrn.org for reporter guidelines/manual.
--
Anabel Khoo
News & Spoken Word Coordinator
CHRY 105.5 FM Community Radio, Toronto
416-736-2100 ext. 33908
chrynews@yorku.ca
www.chry.fm
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
How to log your spoken word program
Every program that airs on CJSF has to have a log sheet. (Keeping this information well means keeping our broadcast licence.)
Please fill out a logsheet and send along with every pre-recorded show you send in or leave for CJSF to air. If your program is a repeat, you can just give the date and time that was on your previous logsheet - assuming it was accurate and complete.
Here is the info CJSF needs:
A. A brief description of the program content (could be just a topic and guest list). Include the language, if non-English.
B. Host/producer name
C. Time of any Station I.D.'s that are in the show (time from the beginning of the audio file you sent).
One legal station i.d. is required around the beginning of each hour. To be legal it has to include the call letters, the frequency, and the city of origin: CJSF 90.1 FM Burnaby.
If you don't have a station i.d. inside the pre-recorded show, be sure your show doesn't fill up the whole hour or half-hour, so one can be added. Leave at least 30 seconds for the i.d.
If you're using pre-recorded I.D.'s, give the CJSF PSA ID number. If you announce them yourself, just write "voice".
[If there's no Station ID. at the start of your show, please make sure the show you turn in is not more than 29 and a half or 59-1/2 minutes long.]
D. If you use pre-recorded PSAs, also give the time and PSA number. (If you read or say the PSA yourself, don't have to log.)
E. Music info (for any music you play for more than 5 seconds): (1) performer or band name, (2) song name, (3) check if Canadian Content, (4) track number if from a CD or record, (5) playlist number or library number if from CJSF music library.
F. Expiration Date - if any (for example, if the show plugs a coming event, when that information will be too old to air).
For a digital copy of the logsheet that you can fill in, email cjsprog@sfu.ca or cjsfpa@sfu.ca.
If you want help reviewing log sheet techniques, ask me or Sarah Buchanan.
The requirements for live shows are the same, except that you put actual times, and that you must put the name and phone number of anyone you interview live over the phone.
Please fill out a logsheet and send along with every pre-recorded show you send in or leave for CJSF to air. If your program is a repeat, you can just give the date and time that was on your previous logsheet - assuming it was accurate and complete.
Here is the info CJSF needs:
A. A brief description of the program content (could be just a topic and guest list). Include the language, if non-English.
B. Host/producer name
C. Time of any Station I.D.'s that are in the show (time from the beginning of the audio file you sent).
One legal station i.d. is required around the beginning of each hour. To be legal it has to include the call letters, the frequency, and the city of origin: CJSF 90.1 FM Burnaby.
If you don't have a station i.d. inside the pre-recorded show, be sure your show doesn't fill up the whole hour or half-hour, so one can be added. Leave at least 30 seconds for the i.d.
If you're using pre-recorded I.D.'s, give the CJSF PSA ID number. If you announce them yourself, just write "voice".
[If there's no Station ID. at the start of your show, please make sure the show you turn in is not more than 29 and a half or 59-1/2 minutes long.]
D. If you use pre-recorded PSAs, also give the time and PSA number. (If you read or say the PSA yourself, don't have to log.)
E. Music info (for any music you play for more than 5 seconds): (1) performer or band name, (2) song name, (3) check if Canadian Content, (4) track number if from a CD or record, (5) playlist number or library number if from CJSF music library.
F. Expiration Date - if any (for example, if the show plugs a coming event, when that information will be too old to air).
For a digital copy of the logsheet that you can fill in, email cjsprog@sfu.ca or cjsfpa@sfu.ca.
If you want help reviewing log sheet techniques, ask me or Sarah Buchanan.
The requirements for live shows are the same, except that you put actual times, and that you must put the name and phone number of anyone you interview live over the phone.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Equitable Portrayal is Required on CJSF's Airwaves
The following information was posted to members of the National Campus and Community Radio Association, by board member (and lawyer) Freya Zaltz:
Campus radio stations are bound by the CAB's Equitable Portrayal Code as a condition of licence, pursuant to this CRTC decision:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-63.htm
Community radio stations that originate 42 hours or more of programming in any broadcast week are also bound by the Equitable Portrayal Code as a condition of licence, pursuant to this CRTC decision:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2000/PB2000-157.htm
The Equitable Portrayal Code can be found here:
http://www.cbsc.ca/english/codes/epc.php
It basically duplicates the definitions found in existing federal and provincial human rights legislation and the Charter right to equality in terms of what constitutes discrimination.
Freya
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