As I walked into the ITN headquarters, I found it hard to contain my composure, as I was really excited and felt privileged to be in such an influential environment with industry professionals. I have always been interested in hard news and human interest stories, as I have a thirst for knowledge and find it fascinating to learn about people's experiences as well as what is going on around the world. Based on this interest and wanting to gain some useful insight and contacts, is the reason why I missed a day of university to attend this fantastic opportunity.
To start if with, myself and the young people that attended, had the chance to join the Channel 4 news team in their morning editorial team, that finished promptly at 10am. During the editorial meeting, the day's top headlines were discussed, the Ebola outbreak being one of them and how it is becoming a political issue as well as the daunting reminder of the financial crisis in America and Europe. One particular news story that intrigued me was an investigation into why there is not enough black and ethnic minority members in football management and administration.
After the editorial meeting, a Q&A session was held with deputy editor, Shaminder Nahal and correspondent Keme Nzerem. The group of young people along with myself took it in turns to introduce ourselves. During this session, I learnt a great deal about what Channel 4 stand for and how they are trying to engage young people as much as possible. I had an interesting conversation with Shaminder about how we need to see more young reporters as young people, so that we really do connect to the news and empathise with the story or individual/s involved. However, I believe credit is due to Channel 4, for at least considering young people as a serious market compared to other large organisations. As Shaminder quite rightly stated : "We are making online programs especially for younger people."
Midway into our discussion, I looked up and noticed Jon Snow had walked in, he came over and sat down, ready to join in. We was encouraged to fire away with our questions to Jon, and so I thought I'd be a little cheeky, and decided to ask him where he had got his socks, since I made the observation that he had been wearing bright cotton pink socks that looked visually appealing. He laughed and said, "where I can get them really," I then asked him a serious question, as to how he had initially started of in his career to where he is now. He had mentioned that he had written for the Guardian newspaper, been a news presenter on LBC, as well as handling phone ins, and he basically worked his way up. An interesting discourse was created around the subject of being as well rounded as you are to enter the media profession. Jon had explained that knowing more than one language puts you at an advantage, before going on to say, "learn Arabic for journalism purposes." He went on to elaborate that with the growing news stories emerging in Arabic speaking countries, it would be beneficial to learn Arabic.
At about 10:35 (I had noted down the time in my notebook) Jon excused himself, to go and meet a guest. Correspondent Kemi decided to take this opportunity to tell us more about what he does as well as answer our questions about getting into the industry. "No two days are the same",Kemi said, touching on the point that working at Channel 4 news, your days are very engaging and challenging.
Having heard from Kemi and Shaminder, we were then allocated into separate groups to do workshops in the different departments. To start of with, I attended the camera-operating workshop with Ray, where I learnt how to be creative with shots and angles, to bring footage to life. Although I prefer being in front of the camera, I hugely admire camera work and so I was inspired to study camera work further in practical term.
During the day, I also attended an editing workshop and a producing workshop, but my highlight of the day would have to be the presenting workshop in the Channel 4 news studio. I've grown up watching Channel 4 news and really looking up to Jon as an authoritative voice for news as well as a veteran in his field of work. I had the privilege of making a three minute news program, whereby I used the Autocue for reference in reading the news bulletins. Being a newsreader, I found had a real feel-good factor associated with it, whether it is for engaging audiences or providing them with information which may effect them.
Overall, I had a marvellous day, spending time with Channel 4 news professionals and gained a lot of insight and advice into how to go about becoming a news reporter and or journalist. I thank everyone at Channel 4 today for being so kind and warm towards me and the other young people and offering us a valid opportunity.
A selfie of me and Jon Snow.
To start if with, myself and the young people that attended, had the chance to join the Channel 4 news team in their morning editorial team, that finished promptly at 10am. During the editorial meeting, the day's top headlines were discussed, the Ebola outbreak being one of them and how it is becoming a political issue as well as the daunting reminder of the financial crisis in America and Europe. One particular news story that intrigued me was an investigation into why there is not enough black and ethnic minority members in football management and administration.
After the editorial meeting, a Q&A session was held with deputy editor, Shaminder Nahal and correspondent Keme Nzerem. The group of young people along with myself took it in turns to introduce ourselves. During this session, I learnt a great deal about what Channel 4 stand for and how they are trying to engage young people as much as possible. I had an interesting conversation with Shaminder about how we need to see more young reporters as young people, so that we really do connect to the news and empathise with the story or individual/s involved. However, I believe credit is due to Channel 4, for at least considering young people as a serious market compared to other large organisations. As Shaminder quite rightly stated : "We are making online programs especially for younger people."
Midway into our discussion, I looked up and noticed Jon Snow had walked in, he came over and sat down, ready to join in. We was encouraged to fire away with our questions to Jon, and so I thought I'd be a little cheeky, and decided to ask him where he had got his socks, since I made the observation that he had been wearing bright cotton pink socks that looked visually appealing. He laughed and said, "where I can get them really," I then asked him a serious question, as to how he had initially started of in his career to where he is now. He had mentioned that he had written for the Guardian newspaper, been a news presenter on LBC, as well as handling phone ins, and he basically worked his way up. An interesting discourse was created around the subject of being as well rounded as you are to enter the media profession. Jon had explained that knowing more than one language puts you at an advantage, before going on to say, "learn Arabic for journalism purposes." He went on to elaborate that with the growing news stories emerging in Arabic speaking countries, it would be beneficial to learn Arabic.
At about 10:35 (I had noted down the time in my notebook) Jon excused himself, to go and meet a guest. Correspondent Kemi decided to take this opportunity to tell us more about what he does as well as answer our questions about getting into the industry. "No two days are the same",Kemi said, touching on the point that working at Channel 4 news, your days are very engaging and challenging.
Having heard from Kemi and Shaminder, we were then allocated into separate groups to do workshops in the different departments. To start of with, I attended the camera-operating workshop with Ray, where I learnt how to be creative with shots and angles, to bring footage to life. Although I prefer being in front of the camera, I hugely admire camera work and so I was inspired to study camera work further in practical term.
During the day, I also attended an editing workshop and a producing workshop, but my highlight of the day would have to be the presenting workshop in the Channel 4 news studio. I've grown up watching Channel 4 news and really looking up to Jon as an authoritative voice for news as well as a veteran in his field of work. I had the privilege of making a three minute news program, whereby I used the Autocue for reference in reading the news bulletins. Being a newsreader, I found had a real feel-good factor associated with it, whether it is for engaging audiences or providing them with information which may effect them.
Overall, I had a marvellous day, spending time with Channel 4 news professionals and gained a lot of insight and advice into how to go about becoming a news reporter and or journalist. I thank everyone at Channel 4 today for being so kind and warm towards me and the other young people and offering us a valid opportunity.