Guidelines for Talk Show Callers
Callers can play a very important role in WPR's talk programs. That is why call screeners are so careful about deciding which comments and questions to put on-air.
Be on topic
Before you call, listen to the host's introduction or recap of the show topic and guest. Note the questions posed. Make sure what you want to say is directly related to the topic and ask yourself, "Can the guest address this?"
Be prepared
Know what you want to say, and how you want to say it, before you call.
Be understanding
When you phone in, the first person you will talk to is the call screener. It is his or her job to understand what you are going to say on the air and decide whether or not to put your call through. If your point is off topic, or something the guest cannot address, or if it was covered earlier in the show, the call screener will ask you to call another time. Calls are not taken in order, but based on where your comment fits into the program.
Be brief
When your call is taken, please get right to your comment and make your most important point first. There may not be time for you to make multiple points or have a follow-up with the guest.
Stay on point
The host takes your call based on what you told the screener. Don't change your comment while you're on hold.
Add to the discussion
As a caller you become part of the show, and it is your role to further the discussion. Your comment should add to the content of the show. Ask a question, tell a story or let us know your opinion on the issue.
Be polite
It is fine to disagree with a guest's point of view, but personal attacks are not allowed. Keep your focus on the argument, not the person.
Phone quality
Use the phone handset, not the speakerphone option or a headset. They both reduce the audio quality of your call when you are on the air. If you are calling on a cell phone please be sure you have a strong signal. If you are in your car, for your own safety and the quality of your signal, please pull over.
Turn off your radio
We have a slight broadcast delay and having your radio on can cause you to miss your turn. Please turn our radio off before you call in. You can listen to the program live on your telephone while you are on hold.
Get to your point
Don't say, "Can you hear me?" or "Good morning/Afternoon," (we may repeat the show) "First time caller," "Thanks for taking my call," "Hi this is [name] in [city]," Just say hello and start talking.
Thank you for being part of the show
Online Community Guidelines
Wisconsin Public Radio encourages community dialogue and welcomes you to participate in the online conversation. The following is the official policy for everyone participating in WPR's Online Community. It's based on NPR.org's Community Discussion Policy.
If you can't be polite, don't say it
We allow discussion of controversial issues. We understand that some topics require blunt talk, but please try to disagree without being disagreeable. Focus your remarks on positions, not personalities. No personal attacks, name calling, libel, defamation, or hate speech. And under no circumstances should you post anything that could be taken as threatening, harassing, bullying, obscene, pornographic, sexist or racist.
Don't use obscenities
Even if the word in question is often used in conversation please refrain from that sort of language; this is a public forum and we want everyone to feel comfortable participating.
Anything you post should be your own work
You're welcome to link to relevant content and to quote limited amounts from other people's work with attribution and any associated copyright notice and consistent with “fair use” principles of copyright law. But that doesn't mean you can copy and paste wholesale. You must have the legal right to upload or download any content you upload to or download from the discussion board and/or blog comments.
Be yourself and not someone else
Don't post anything on the site posing as someone else.
Please stay on topic
As a courtesy to others participating in the conversation, please stay on topic.
Keep it short and to the point
We reserve the right to edit for brevity, clarity and other purposes.
Please respect people's privacy
Do not share anyone's contact information in your comments or discussions. Feel free to share your ideas and experiences about religion, politics and relevant products or services you've discovered. But this is not a place for advertising, promotion, recruiting, campaigning, lobbying, soliciting or proselytizing. We understand that there can be a fine line between discussing and campaigning; please use your best judgment — we will use ours.
You are solely responsible for the content you post
Wisconsin Public Radio is not responsible for the content or opinions posted by its users. We do not and cannot review all user content posted on this site. However, we have the right (but not the obligation) to review, screen, delete, edit and/or move any content posted.
Your comments may be used on-air
They may be edited for length and clarity.
Violation of these guidelines can result in removal of your comments or posting privileges.
