National Media Experience for MA Journalism Students

MA Journalism students enjoyed an inspiring visit to leading media outlets in London last month.

The two-day trip included tours and talks in Sky News studios, The Telegraph and The Guardian, where students met senior editors from news, international affairs, and sports.

MA Broadcast Journalism Award Leader, Sarah Rowlands, said: “It’s a terrific opportunity for our students to see behind the scenes at such high profile news organisations.”

Among the top names the students met was Lord Black, Executive Director of the Telegraph Media Group and former Director of the Press Complaints Commission, amongst other leading media organisations.

Lord Black spoke to the group after returning from a House of Lords commitment, and was met with questions about his work and his views on the media industry.

MA Journalism Award Leader, Pete Leydon, who organised the trip, added: “This was the third annual trip we have organised, and every year it’s amazing how much the students gain from it. They get to meet and chat with some of the most prominent and influential people in journalism today, and experience the incredible facilities that national outlets have. It’s always nice to have such senior figures re-emphasise some of the key areas we as tutors are always highlighting!”

Journalism student Rachel Stretton said: “It was fantastic to see how the newsrooms operate on a national level, and to compare the differences and priorities of each. The advertisements speaker at the Telegraph gave a really insightful look into the financial side of the business, which I've never considered much before. And whoever designed the Guardian building is a genius! I didn't want to leave!”

The students got more out of the trip than industry insight, and Broadcast Journalism student John Hudson said: “With a heavy work schedule on the horizon it gave us all the chance to bond as a team in the run up to assessments.”

MA students outside The Telegraph.