Reading for the MDM

The task of a MDM Reader begins at around mid-day on a Tuesday every few weeks. There are six teams of four Readers, the Team Leader or Editor also being a Reader in addition to the role already explained.

Having received the chosen pieces via email from the Team Leader, who identifies the pieces by referring to the headline on the newspaper’s page, each Reader, armed with a copy of the local paper or papers reads through the pieces required and edits where appropriate to ensure the reading will not be over-long (around 4 minutes is the targeted maximum time). Underlining difficult names or words, the Reader practices the pieces chosen so as to be familiar with each item of news.

So as to reduce the sound of rustling paper easily picked up by the microphones, most Readers will cut out the pieces they have to read and paste onto a cardboard backing or include in a plastic see-through wallet. A bottle of water is a useful aid as well.

Meeting at around 6.45pm in the recording venue, the duty Technician checks each voice before beginning and then away we go!  Sometimes we have to stop and start again for other than minor misreadings or a cough but generally the session lasts about 90 minutes, each Reader signalling by a raised hand when the last few words of each piece is being read so that the next Reader may go fluently on.

We enjoy the friendships within each team and the often positive feedback from our listeners. We may not be the BBC but we are proud to be part of MDM!