WNYC Radio will use SpinVox, a provider of voice-to-screen messaging, to enable greater listener interactivity during coverage of the big multi-state primaries on Feb. 5.
Coverage will be hosted by the station’s public affairs host Brian Lehrer, who will get updates from public radio reporters in 22 states; SpinVox will be featured in a recurring segment titled “America’s Exit Poll.”
John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji, hosts of the upcoming morning drive news program from WNYC and PRI, will use SpinVox to communicate with voters in the states, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, New York Times and WGBH Radio.
Voters will be encouraged to contribute by speaking messages to a phone number set up for the station; the messages will be converted into text by SpinVox and become part of the coverage. Hockenberry and Udoji will report on voter sentiments and read some text on-air.
Keefe said producers will analyze the text of calls, along with listener e-mails and text messages, giving Hockenberry and Udoji perspectives on the attitudes of participants. He said audio from calls passed through from the service also will become part of the coverage.
Listeners who wish to offer comments or stream coverage can link to www.americasexitpoll.org, where there will be options for reaching hosts and instructions for sending messages. Some listeners may be called back and asked to go on air with the show’s hosts.
