17/01/2026
Why Radio Stations Should Recruit from Community and Online Radio
A certain radio station has recently invited the general public to apply for positions as radio presenters and content producers. While openness and inclusivity are admirable, this approach raises an important question: why recruit blindly from the general public when there is already a pool of trained and tested radio talent?
Across the country, there are numerous community and online radio stations filled with presenters who already understand the basics of broadcasting. These individuals have spent hours behind the microphone, learning how to communicate, structure a show, engage listeners, and work within the discipline that radio demands. They are not starting from zero.
When stations recruit directly from the public, they often receive applications from individuals with no radio experience at all. While passion is important, radio is not a hobby—it is a craft. Without foundational knowledge, confidence behind the mic, and an understanding of radio ethics and formatics, new recruits require extensive training before they can go on air.
Community and online radio presenters, on the other hand, already have a “taste” of radio. They understand show clocks, audience engagement, music flow, and basic broadcasting discipline. With proper mentorship and refinement, they can transition smoothly into more mainstream or commercial environments.
In professional sports, particularly football, players are not randomly selected from the streets. Scouts watch local clubs, academies, and leagues to identify talent that has already been developed.
Radio should follow the same principle. Program managers should actively listen to community and online radio stations to identify voices that show potential, consistency, and professionalism.
The reality is that very few people possess natural on-air talent. Confidence alone does not make a good presenter. This was evident during a previous recruitment drive by this same station, where presenters were selected based on large social media followings, particularly from platforms like TikTok. Unfortunately, popularity did not translate into quality broadcasting. The presenting lacked structure, professionalism, and proper radio training.
Radio is not simply about pressing the “on-air” button and talking aimlessly, nor is it just about playing music. Radio is a science. Like any science, it has rules, formulas, and formatics that must be respected to produce quality content and maintain listener trust.
Community and online radio presenters already work within these frameworks. They understand the discipline of radio, even if they are still refining their skills. This makes them far more suitable candidates than untrained applicants, reducing training time and improving on-air quality.
Radio excellence is built on experience, discipline, and understanding—not popularity or guesswork. By recruiting from community and online radio stations, broadcasters can tap into a ready-made talent pool of presenters who already respect the science of radio. Program managers must move beyond surface-level metrics and actively listen for real talent. If radio is to grow in quality and credibility, recruitment must be strategic, informed, and rooted in the industry itself—not the streets, (or the stations managers relatives)
