COMMUNICATION CRITERIA FOR TOPIC SELECTION IN RADIO JOURNALISM AND THE MANIFESTATION OF JOURNALIST'S SKILL

Abstract

This paper examines the communication criteria that guide topic selection in radio journalism and how a journalist’s professional skill is demonstrated through this process. Radio, as an auditory medium, imposes unique constraints and opportunities: no visual support, real‑time delivery, and a direct emotional bond with the listener. Therefore, choosing a topic is not merely an editorial decision but a communicative act that determines whether the message reaches, engages, and influences the audience. The study identifies four core communication criteria: relevance to the target audience’s needs and interests, timeliness and urgency, compatibility with the audio format (clarity, rhythm, emotional tone), and ethical suitability (avoiding harm, respecting privacy). Each criterion demands specific journalistic skills – audience analysis, news judgment, audio storytelling techniques, and moral reasoning. The paper also shows that a skilled radio journalist does not simply pick any interesting topic but transforms ordinary subjects into compelling auditory narratives through sound design, pacing, and direct address. The conclusion offers practical recommendations for training radio journalists and evaluating their topic selection competence.