Advances in Speech-LanguagePathology Volume 5, Number 1, pp. 1-14 Copyright © 2003 by The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited Voice and Speech Characteristics and Vocal Hygiene in Novice and Professional Broadcast Journalists Elizabeth Neil Linda Worrall Anna Day Louise Hickson The University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia Knowledge of differences in voice and speech characteristics between novice and professional broadcasters is essential for effective education of broadcast journalism students. Because newsreaders rely on optimal voice production, information pertaining to vocal hygiene is also impor- tant. The first aim of this study was to compare the voice and speech characteristics of professional newsreaders, student newsreaders, and control participants. The second aim was to compare the awareness and use of vocal hygiene across these groups. Professional radio newsread- ers, broadcast journalism students, and two matched control groups were included in the study. Each participant recorded a news bulletin and completed a questionnaire on vocal hygiene. Data analysis of the recording included objective analysis and perceptual ratings by a panel of three judges. Significant student-professional differences were found. Compared to both the students and the control groups, the professional newsreaders had greater variation in speaking fundamental frequency, a faster rate of speech, fewer pronunciation errors, and higher perceptual ratings on vocal quality, emphasis, continuity, phrasing, and style of newsreading. Female professional newsreaders had a higher speaking fundamental frequency than both their control participants and the stu- dent newsreaders. Comparison of vocal hygiene awareness revealed few significant differences between any of the groups. Address for correspondence: A/Prof Linda Worrall, De- partment of Speech Pathology and Audiology, The Uni- versity of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia. E-mail: 1.worrall@uq.edu.au Radio newsreaders must have proficient presenta- tion skills to be successful in their profession. Al- though there is much literature about the opinions and perceptions of good practice in newsreading, no Int J Speech Lang Pathol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Melbourne on 11/06/14 For personal use only.