R1 - RADIO NEWSCATS ANALYSIS

IRN (Independent Radio) is a radio station with a figure with approximately 26 million listeners, providing 24 hour national and international news to the UK’s commercial radio network. Its usual newscast is 10am with the target audience of adults –most likely business women and men because of the contents of the news.

The newscast starts off with a lead story of political news regarding the prime minister and us as the viewers. The story talks about how the prime minister’s promise of having access to the GP every day of the week by the end of 2020 if The Conservatives are voted for. This is the lead story because the action affects us in kind of a good way but there is there the interview with a GP that turns that around and the person talks about how there are already problems providing NHS service to people now. Despite the fact that David Cameron’s intentions may be good, there is always a negative side to it.  This is prominent news because David Cameron is a public figure, and this type news is more newsworthy.

Another story mentioned in the radio is of ‘revenge porn’. This newscast included an interview as well, but this time is was with someone with less status and importance compared to the prime minister. This newscast mentions how people – even from the young age of 11 – are victims of revenge porn. The interview with one of the victims - Hannah Thompson – talks about that no one should be ashamed if It has happened to them. This particular story wouldn’t exactly appeal to everyone so this wouldn’t be a lead story. However, it is interesting because you find out that problems like this actually occur in the country, the world.

The last newscast mentioned toddlers having cavities from as young as 3 months because of parents allowing their children to have a lot of sugar. This type of story wouldn’t typically been seen on TV let alone heard on the radio so it unconventional for this radio to include that story. Although, because the target audience are definitely adults, the majority of the listeners may be parents of young children so it would appeal to them and interest them.