The most practical newsroom application.
WHY IT MATTERS
Transcription consumes enormous time and is the main barrier to using recorded interviews well.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Good accuracy on clear audio in well-supported languages.
Degraded accuracy with background noise, multiple speakers, accents and specialist terms.
FOR NIGERIAN ACCENTS AND LANGUAGES
Accuracy varies substantially by system. Test with your actual recordings before relying on it.
WHAT MUST HAPPEN BEFORE QUOTING
Listen to the audio for every quotation you use.
Transcription errors change meaning. A misheard word in a quotation is a misquotation.
WHAT GOES WRONG
Names and places transcribed wrongly Negatives dropped Speakers misattributed Specialist terms mangled
THAT THIRD ONE
In a multi-speaker recording, attribution errors put words in the wrong mouth.
Check attribution for anything you quote.
ON CONSENT
Tell interviewees they are being recorded. Requirements vary; follow local law and your organisation's policy.
ON CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES
Consider carefully before sending a recording of a confidential source to any third-party service.
