Journalism & Communication

JUMP TV involves students from a variety of Media School courses.

Bournemouth University’s JUMP TV has scooped two national student television awards.

The station, founded by second-year BA Multimedia Journalism student Jasper Taylor, entered for this year’s NaSTA awards.

NewsLab’s coverage of the US presidential election won the best live show category, whilst Sports Locker received the award for best sports show.

The US presidential election coverage was also shortlisted for the best factual show category, and Jasper was up for best on-screen male presenter.

Jasper said he was proud of everyone who had contributed to JUMP TV and Newslab over the past year.

“It’s a huge achievement to have won two awards and be shortlisted for two others in our first year.

“We were the youngest station present at the ceremony and some have been going for over 40 years.”

This year’s awards ceremony and corresponding conference marked NaSTA’s 40^th anniversary.

Oscar Tollast, editor-in-chief of Newslab’s US 2012 presidential election coverage, said the award was worthy of the commitment and talent shown by all involved.

“It’s lovely to now be able to describe our coverage as ‘award-winning’, and it is well deserved.

“It was wonderful at the time to see Media School students, staff and technicians on a variety of courses working together to produce professional, accurate, and impartial coverage – and at a quick pace, too!”

JUMP TV is now planning a number of projects for the year ahead, and is already looking to build on its success for next year’s awards ceremony.

Vin recommended students stray away from the default narrative that exists in reporting (Photo: Giulio Bernardi)

Former BBC Foreign Editor Vin Ray has given final-year journalism students a masterclass in the art of original storytelling.

BA Multimedia Journalism students were spoken to as part of their Professional Perspectives unit.

In a relaxed, informal session, students asked Vin a range of questions.

Vin emphasised the value of having original story ideas and the power of questioning.

“People who come up with great original ideas are often the difference between the best and the rest.”

He asked students for what they considered “original journalism” to mean, before revealing a useful brainstorming technique to help look at stories from another perspective.

“You have two columns and you write down on the left-hand side everything you normally do. Then down the right-hand side, [write down] what the opposite of that would be.

“Some of the ideas will be clearly barking mad but somewhere in there you’ll come up with something that’s much more interesting.”

Vin questioned what roadblocks exist to original journalism. Students argued budgetary restraints and the success of tried and tested formulas were preventive measures.

These were the answers he was looking for, as he posed another question: “To what extent is a lack of originality about money or a mindset?”

People often think of original stories as investigations, or scoops. He admitted these did need resources a lot of the time, but this wasn’t what he wanted to dwell on.

Vin described a some reasons given by editors for a lack of originality, including: cost, a bigger output with a smaller staff, and churnalism. “You’ll hear this a lot in newsrooms around the place.”

However, this isn’t the biggest complaint made by editors, according to Vin. A survey of BBC editors revealed the biggest complaint of morning editorial meetings was a lack of story suggestions.

The visiting professor said this represented a fantastic opportunity for journalism students looking to find employment.

Students picked out local newspapers, radio stations and generally talking to people, as sources to create original stories.

Vin was the first Director of the BBC College of Journalism, having beforehand served as Foreign Editor across TV and radio.

He added, “I think there is a tendency when you start out that you ought to be across everything.

“You’re much more likely to come up with a good story if you go in-depth on a few things, rather than try and consume everything everywhere.”

Vin’s argument was that questions are the most important tool that journalists have in original journalism. “You can use them to pries open any given story and they can take you in all kinds of places. It’s about curiosity.

“The hard part I think is often not finding the right question. It’s having the nerve to ask the question in the first place. You kind of think somebody else must have asked that question at some point.”

Vin challenged students to ask why the media follows – at times – a particular narrative and displays a “group think”, reporting on the same underlying themes.

“When a factory closes, the default narrative is almost always in the pub with the workers who have lost their jobs talking about their bleak futures.”

To spark creativity, Vin asked students to think of the opposite narrative to that, receiving story suggestions that focused on the positive aspects of a recession.

“It’s always worth asking yourself what if the reverse were true, particularly when the whole of the media is going one way.

“This is what you’ve got to work against – everyone thinking in the same way and going in the same direction.”

Vin then explored conventional story curves, but looked to see where the curve could be altered or brought back to life.

“You can bend the story curve by a number of ways, but using the diary is a very, very effective way of doing it.

“It’s clocking something that’s happened and thinking to yourself: how and when can I come back to that story in an interesting way?”

Vin asked students whether they considered themselves to be 24-hour journalists.

He reaffirmed curiosity is phenomenally important and you should remain thinking as a journalist outside of the newsroom.

“There is a real feeling at the moment in news organisations that too many journalists are journalists when they switch on their computer in the morning, and will turn off their computer and stop being a journalist when they go home in the evening.”

New recruits in BBC newsrooms have been asked to find stories in 20 minutes, according to Vin.

“It’s amazing how you can do it, if you’re just thinking in that slightly aggressive let’s find a story [attitude], then you’ll find one.”

He said journalists shouldn’t be put off from asking what they may consider to be stupid questions.

“Just by sometimes explaining something you can come up with a piece of original journalism, simply by saying how can we explain this in a really simple way.”

Vin finished by highlighting a few examples of reporting where original reporting had been really successful.

Having recently spent time with Channel 4 News, he provided one-to-one training sessions with correspondents and presenters.

“It’s often the smallest teams that are the most creative, because they have to be, because they don’t have the resources that the big guys do.”

Vin concluded his lecture by recommending to students that they should avoid formulaic journalism when they can.

“Ask questions all the time, and those disruptive questions will get you places that you wouldn’t otherwise get to.”

Final-year BAMMJ Lottie Gross sending the final feature off to America (Photo: Ann Luce)

A number of Bournemouth University Media School students have taken part in the International Documentary Challenge.

The team of BA Multimedia Journalism and BA Television Production students were challenged to make an eight minute documentary within five days.

The fruits of their labour was a film titled Memento Mori, looking at how one couple are bringing death to life in Bournemouth by trading human bones.

Lottie Gross, assistant director, got involved because she loves filmmaking. She said she was proud of the finished product.

“We worked incredibly well as a team considering some of us had never met before. Everyone showed great dedication when it came to being away for over 24 hours to get it finished.”

To make the long editing process a tad more comfortable, pillows and duvets were even brought in to allow members to take a break.

Lottie added, “We’re all really pleased with the film and can’t wait for everyone to see it. It was tiring, stressful and hard work but it was entirely worth it because we made a great film and – most importantly – had a lot of fun!”

The students were one of three UK teams taking part. TV Journalism lecturer, Mat Charles, said producing the film was a fantastic achievement.

“I’m convinced our entry is good as any other, especially given the timeframe.”

“The determination and commitment was impressive and everyone learned a lot. Not only do we have a film that’s technically strong, but it’s also just a great story – and one that we found on our doorstep!”

The film will be reviewed by an independent panel of professionals who will judge it on both story and production values, as well as genre and effective use of the assigned theme.

There are more than 20 awards available, but out of all the entries twelve “Best Films” will be named and screened at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival in April.

A screening of Memento Mori will take place as part of the Journalism Research Group meeting on March 20th in W241, the Media School, at 4.30pm.

The PTC said students were well-equipped to operate at a high level in a fast changing digital landscape.

The Periodicals Training Council (PTC) has reaccredited Bournemouth University’s BA Multimedia Journalism course for a further two years.

Members of the PTC visited the Media School on Thursday to review the course’s materials and to check it still met the requirements of the accreditation criteria.

Associate Dean for Journalism and Communication, Karen Fowler-Watt, said the course had received a glowing report.

“They praised the innovation of the course and the student work, as well as the commitment of the staff and students to high standards and hard work.”

The PTC is the lead body for best practice in training and development for the magazine and business media industry.

During its visit, representatives also spoke to a number of students from all three year groups to gather their views on the course and what improvements could be made.

The course was praised for aiming high and achieving excellence, according to Karen.

“They were struck by the energy and drive of our students and the range of extra-curricular activities and employability sessions.”

Visiting speakers regularly come down to Bournemouth University to share their industry experience.

A number of student media outlets also exist – such as The Bournemouth Rock, JUMP TV, and Newslab – that offer students experience.

Karen added the plan now is to keep developing the course’s strategic vision to keep its unique selling point.

“A massive thank you to all the students and staff involved in making this such a successful visit. This is a report that everyone can be really proud of.”

The Bournemouth Rock celebrates its latest success

The Bournemouth Rock has featured on the BBC - both online and on radio – after the student newspaper recently launched a new community edition.

This edition of the fortnightly newspaper will be delivered to more than 50,000 residents and 20,000 students.

A reporter from BBC Radio Solent visited the university’s Media School on Monday, and the package was played out on Tuesday’s breakfast show with Julian Clegg.

Julia Denni, 22, is a second-year BA Multimedia Journalism student and editor-in-chief of The Rock.

She said she was thrilled the newspaper’s efforts were receiving attention from other media outlets.

“Getting the attention of the BBC is an incredible achievement for the team. It is encouraging us to continue building a bridge between Bournemouth University students and the community.”

As part of the package, which is available to listen to on iPlayer, BBC Radio Solent also spoke to BA Multimedia students Tazz Gault, Robyn Montague, Ben Fisher, and Sinead Lambe.

Julia said the success of this edition highlighted the good work of the students who produce the paper, and revealed readers can expect four “community” editions a year.

“We’re hoping that students will be inspired by the team’s hard work and that more people will get involved with our next edition to help create the best student newspaper in the country.”

A feature is also expected to air on Bournemouth’s local radio station Fire Radio later this morning.

Former Labour defence secretary Bob Ainsworth visited Bournemouth University on Monday to speak to BA Politics and Media students.

A number of BA Multimedia Journalism students were also present as plans were put in place for the students to cover and report on the hotly-contested Eastleigh by-election.

Students will be supported by the university and Ainsworth, who said he would do his best to arrange opportunities to quiz leading politicians who are a part of the election campaign.

“Bournemouth’s a very nice place to visit. It has a brand new BA Politics and Media course, which is quite exciting.

“The opportunity to have a little bit of influence and try to help in that regard is very challenging,” said Ainsworth.

The Coventry North MP is to stand down at the next general election, after serving his constituency for more than 20 years.

Ainsworth, who served as defence secretary between 2009 and 2010, spoke of the value the Eastleigh constituency seat has to each party and what each party will hope to expect.

BA Politics and Media lecturers Dr. Heather Savigny and David McQueen split students into three groups, who’ll focus and study on each of the main parties’ campaign strategies.

Students will travel to Eastleigh and experience life on the campaign trail, reporting on the questions Eastleigh voters want answering and finding out how each party is reaching out to voters.

When asked what students will be able to get out of the opportunity, Ainsworth replied, “They’re all aiming at a degree, aren’t they?

“We can give them a rounded understanding of how politics works and why politicians do and say the things that they say.”

Ainsworth is looking at ways apathetic voters can become politically engaged and not of the mindset that all politicians are idiots.

“That relieves them of the responsibility to think themselves. If you can dismiss these decisions as being idiotic, you don’t have to think about why they’re being made.

“If you get yourself out of that mindset and say, ‘Why are these people doing this?’ then the whole thing opens up for you: a new understanding of how the system works, or in many cases how the system doesn’t work.”

Ainsworth will take questions formulated by the students to all politicians on the campaign trail, not just those of the Labour Party.

“If you’re going to understand democracy, you need to understand people have different views.

If we can get some feedback to the kind of questions that students have, then that will be enormously valuable. Maybe that will be valuable to the parties as well.”

The Bournemouth Rock: the first edition of 2013

The latest edition of the Bournemouth Rock is now available to read on campus and online, marking the first issue of 2013.

The paper was handed out to students in the Talbot Campus atrium this morning, as well as free copies of The i Paper.

The fortnightly newspaper’s front-page story focuses on a BA Multimedia Journalism student’s recent trip to Somaliland.

Owen Evans, a final-year student, visited Somaliland during the summer as part of a One World Media project to produce a documentary.

Within an hour of his arrival, the Media School student was caught up in a risky situation.

The latest edition also features a number of health-related stories, covering the Health Protection Agency’s announcement that a record number of gay and bisexual men were diagnosed with HIV last year.

This figure surpassed the number of diagnoses for heterosexuals for the first time since 1999, the highest annual figure since records began.

As well as these stories Tazz added, “As ever, we also have the fun and strange stories, such as a piece looking into the first ever garlic competition that will be held in Dorset.

“We’ll also be looking at some of our students taking the new UK citizenship test.”

The Bournemouth Rock is available to pick up on all Bournemouth University campuses and can be read online.

BA Multimedia Journalism students editing their video packages

A number of Media School students have taken part in an activity to test how they would report on a traumatic event.

The exercise, which took place over a two day period, was organised in conjunction with the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma.

Dean of the Media School, Stephen Jukes, led the exercise.

Stephen also sits on the board of directors for Dart Centre Europe, a regional hub for journalists and filmmakers who believe effective reporting on violence and trauma matters.

A number of BA Multimedia Journalism students were approached by lecturer Mat Charles to take part, including second-year student Jasper Taylor.

Jasper confirmed all four students were very keen to do so and participate.

Meanwhile, students were also selected from postgraduate degrees to take part, including: MA Multimedia Journalism, MA International Journalism, and MA Journalism and New Media.

Before activities started, Gavin Rees, the director of Dart Centre Europe, spoke to students on how to report on trauma.

Gavin, a journalist and filmmaker himself, said students had to be aware of the possible side-effects.

The first part of the exercise saw all four groups of students tested on how to report a trauma, reconstructing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Jasper said, “We had to interview people and find stories for our editors. That’s how we learned how to interview people who had just been through a traumatic experience and not become too affected ourselves.”

Students then went away to produce a video news package, being sensitive to issues such as how to – and whether to – interview a victim clearly in shock, and the dividing line between the need to get the story and human compassion.

It also tested students on what impact such a story would have on their emotions and thoughts, if they were covering the story in real life.

The second part of the exercise saw students review the packages produced, receive feedback and reflect on the general effects of filming and reporting on a traumatic event.

The exercise took place in the Student Centre, using equipment from the Media School.

Jasper added it was a useful experience he was glad to be able to learn from.

“It was actually really lifelike. It was quite hard-hitting and it’s something I think we should probably do more often because it was a practical assignment.

“It was really helpful just to experience that, and it’s something that you don’t get to do every week. You can take these skills and transfer it straight to the real world of journalism.”

The NewsLab team on the set of their first project, covering the US 2012 presidential election

Bournemouth University’s NewsLab is looking for students to take part in a number of projects taking place later this year.

Plans include creating a sexual health map of Britain, as well as producing a TV programme each term to investigate and debate a topical issue.

In an email to staff and students, NewsLab’s new editor-in-chief, Oli Hill, said, “Both projects are hugely exciting and obviously look impressive on the CV.

“If you’d like to get involved then please drop me an email to let me know what you’d like to do.”

The sexual health map of Britain will be a digital, interactive magazine, highlighting areas of the UK that have high levels of a particular type of STD.

NewsLab is looking for researchers, and reporters to make freedom of information requests, conduct interviews and gather vox-pops.

Willing students will benefit from four workshops, taught by lecturers Mat Charles, Ann Luce, and Liisa Rohumaa.

These compulsory training sessions will focus on freedom of information requests, data journalism, and investigative journalism.

As well as this project, NewsLab is aiming to produce at least one TV programme and podcast each term that investigates a topical issue.

The first show’s main topic of discussion will be about Britain’s relationship with the European Union.

Oli, a second-year BA Multimedia Journalism student, is requesting help from willing researchers, camera operators, producers and editors.

NewsLab works alongside students to produce high quality multimedia projects for local, national and international media.

Projects so far have included live coverage of the 2012 US presidential election, and Features 4 Change.

The line-up of guest speakers, including BAMMJ alumni (Photo: Louise Matthews)

Media School students were visited by former graduates and representatives from the journalism industry on Wednesday.

Representatives from ITN, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, and IPC Media attended. Zoe Griffin, founder of gossip site livelikeavip.com, also spoke to students.

Meanwhile, graduates working for Channel 4, the Press Association, Auto Express Magazine, and Wessex FM added to a stellar line-up.

In a relaxed format, panelists took it in turns to speak about their experiences and the opportunities on offer.

The audience included students studying BA Multimedia Journalism, MA Multimedia Journalism, and BA Communication and Media.

Blogging

Zoe Griffin – nominated for Cosmopolitan’s Celebrity Blogger of the Year in 2011 - started proceedings by saying students were well-placed already, studying at the Media School.

Coming from a newspaper background, Zoe gave up her position at the Sunday Mirror to start her blog, livelikeavip.com.

“If you approach [blogging] seriously, and you know who your market is – like a shop knows who its customers are – then you can make money from it.”

Television news

Robin Elias, managing editor at ITV News, added to Zoe’s remarks, revealing persistence, passion, and patience are three desirable factors in a journalist.

“You never have two days the same. By the very definition, you might have a story that runs on, and you’re doing it day after day, but we’ve got to find different ways of telling it.”

Having worked in television for more than 30 years, Robin admitted experience outside of the course is also vital.

“As important as a good degree – a good course like this – is the extras.

“What have you done that displays actually you are passionate about journalism?”

Journalism and global economics

Today’s forum also provided global opportunities, with representatives from news agencies Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters in attendance.

Mark Trevelyan, training editor at Thomson Reuters, was first to speak of the two, telling students not to be warded off by the organisation’s business news specialism.

“I know some people think finance is a bit dry and off-putting, or you need an economics degree, or to be a kind of maths wizard, but none of those things apply, unless you have really a major phobia with numbers.”

Mark added there are two entry positions for students: a summer internship scheme, or a nine-month graduate trainee scheme.

“We would love to get more applications from Bournemouth. To be honest, we don’t get enough at the moment.”

The organisation offers 10 summer internships, and Paul feels – alongside passion, persistence, and patience – students need to be prepared.

“If you’re not prepared when you’ve got the job, you won’t get the scoops and you won’t be first. That means you won’t get to the top.”

IPC Media and Bournemouth University

Steve Sutherland, editorial director of IPC Ignite!, spoke of the special relationship Bournemouth University has with IPC Media, and how many former BA Multimedia Journalism graduates have had successful internships.

“The deal is, you come to us and get a load of experience, and we get you and your expertise.”

Steve highlighted the nature of the business is changing, which has caused tension among current staff as to which direction to follow.

“What we look for mostly when we’re looking for who’s going to join us is people who get along in a difficult political situation.

“You need to very quietly, but very firmly, get to a place so when your six months is up on a brand, they cry because you’re leaving.”

Bournemouth University alumni

In between talks from different areas of the profession, BA Multimedia Journalism graduates spoke to students to discuss their experiences.

Heloise Beaton featured on the panel as the most recent BA Multimedia Journalism graduate. Competing against thousands of applicants, Heloise gained one of 10 places on the 2012 Channel 4 Production Scheme.

“Passion at Channel 4 is the biggest quality that they want from people. The first thing is passion, and second to that is personality.”

Heloise is currently working as a researcher for Mentorn Media, producing shows from BBC Question Time to Sky One’s An Idiot Abroad.

“In TV, you’re working in small groups. You’ll be working long shifts with them in very confined spaces. I’m working on a show at the moment where we have to sit in this tiny little truck – and you’re spending all day in that truck with people.

“If they don’t get on with you, then they won’t employ you for the next job.”

Freddie Harrison graduated the year before Heloise, but by then was fully employed by Imagine Publishing, and now primarily works as a staff writer for iCreate Magazine.

“It’s a pretty important thing to do being doing stuff outside of your degree. You guys have got a really good infrastructure.

“There’s plenty of opportunities if you want to do something here. You’ve got the [Bournemouth] Rock, you’ve got Pebble, and you’ve got Nerve. So, use them and do stuff for them.”

Graduating from Bournemouth University in 2009, Ryan Hooper works as a reporter for the Press Association, covering South West England.

“It’s not particularly glamorous sometimes. I’d love to be drinking whiskey with Prince, but that doesn’t happen. It’s Plymouth Crown Court on a Monday morning.

“But you then see your stories on the front page of the Daily Mail, or you hear someone reading it on the six o’clock news, and that’s where you substitute the glamour.”

Nathalie Brown, from the class of 2002, is a freelance journalist specialising in real life features for women’s glossy magazines.

“You can make it in magazines as a freelance writer. You’ve just got to make sure that your ideas are better than everyone else’s.”

Nathalie had previously worked for The Surrey Herald and News, working her way up from a trainee reporter to news editor. She believes local newspapers aren’t dead yet.

“I know a lot of people have been saying local newspapers are dead, they’re not going to be here in five or 10 years.

“Well, they said that five or 10 years ago, when I was sitting where you are. They’re still around and there’s very much a need for them.”

Maria Greenwood, who graduated not long after Nathalie, is news editor at Wessex FM.

The local radio station, based in Dorchester, has a strong history of offering placement opportunities for Bournemouth University students.

“We’ve been working with you guys doing some internships – and I think about four of you in this room are with us.

“In a sense, you are working in a newsroom, as a proper journalist. You’re writing stories and are out doing stuff for us and I think that’s working really well.”

Jamie Fretwell graduated in 2009, and works for Auto Express, Britain’s best-selling weekly car magazine, writing product and car reviews.

In 2010 and 2012, he was the recipient of the Guild of Motoring Writers’ Young Writer of the Year award.

“If you’ve got a blog, make sure it’s worthy to the people who are reading it. Make sure it’s not just ‘I’m going shopping now. Look, Mum. I’m in Australia.”

As the discussion drew to a close, and guests and students prepared to network, Jamie added, “Don’t be afraid to try something new.”