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My Final Project Presentation…

jinkyboyo — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:35:15 +0000

The project that I intend to do for the Final Project module is a 20/30 minute radio show on the subject of the future of British journalism. The ongoing debates surrounding the Leveson enquiry and the impact of the phone hacking scandal will form the foundations of my show. Whilst it is a topical subject of the day, I want to aim the show at a middle-aged audience who may not necessarily familiar with what the impact of the Leveson enquiry.
The impact of the Leveson enquiry is a staunch subject amongst journalists and members of the press at the moment as it could either improve or threaten the way journalists work. What really fascinates me is the fact that there are so many different people from across the media being interviewed by the enquiry to cast their views. I want to encapsulate as much of this as I can and produce it in to a format that would be utilised on Radio 4 or 5Live. I wish to discuss various issues with several people within the industry and also, I want to get the views of the next generation of journalists who this could possibly affect the most. I think to get several viewpoints on the show without it being too much would provide an effective and balanced analysis. The people I will interview for my show will be working journalists, journalism lecturers, broadcast journalists, union officials and hopefully, a politician.
The main focus points of my radio show will be:
- Whether or not there should be statutory regulation of the press
- Would self-regulation improve journalism ethics or would it allow media organisations to set their own agendas?
- How will the enquiry impact journalism in the future?
- Has the impact of social media affected journalistic ethics?
- Does British journalism have to regain the trust of the public once again?
- Has the use of private investigators denounced the role of a journalist?
I think the idea of aiming the show at a middle-aged audience is suitable because Radio 4 and 5Live are stations that provide in depth news analysis and debate, which is something I want to be able to find the right balance for my show. I hope I can do this without the show sounding as though it is several guests round a table debating. The show will be put together through a series of packages that will be all linked. It will be a pre-recorded broadcast, not live, so that the flow of information will be sustainable and none of the information provided on the show will be contradicted.
There are several programmes that have been broadcast both on Radio 4 and 5Live which have related to the Leveson enquiry and the phone hacking scandal. One show that stuck out to me is ‘Post Hackgate: Journalism at the Crossroads’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015msph) broadcast on 9th October 2011. Produced by Will Yates, John Lloyd from the Financial Times takes a detailed look at how the saga started and how Rupert Murdoch’s News International group formed relationship between politicians and the press. Why this is such a perfect example is because it takes a balanced view on the phone hacking scandal and it lets the listener to make up their own mind whilst taking in to account of what is said in the programme. Another example of what I want to achieve is two webcasts of the Listening Post on Al-Jazeera. The first webcast interviews Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, on the role that the Guardian played in breaking the phone hacking scandal and why his paper is the only paper that is still pushing the story to this day. (http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2011/10/2011102884932651411.html)[Soft Break] He talks in great depth about the influence Rupert Murdoch and News International has had over British publications and the effect it’s had on British politics. [Soft Break] The second of these webcasts explores what is next for Rupert Murdoch in the aftermath of the phone hacking scandal. Whilst the Leveson enquiry is ongoing, it takes a retrospective look at what happened. (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151187242025492&set=a.10151187207110492.812725.856270491&type=1&theater)
Both of these examples are great indicators of what I want to achieve because they remain impartial throughout. I think it is important to keep the balance right in what the future of British journalism could hold because there are so many different viewpoints that I won’t be able to include, but the people I speak to and opinions I do obtain I want to make sure are clear and direct.
The viability of the project is relevant because the Leveson enquiry is an ongoing new story that will continue through the next twelve to eighteen months. Having the chance to produce something that will allow an audience that isn’t as informed on the subject as others allows me to have a broader field in terms of content. This is because there are so many stories within the one subject allows me to be able to thread together several of these in to one show that will hopefully summarise the points I want to make. Whilst it is a great thing to be able to choose what you want in your show, it makes it hard editorially because there is such a broad spectrum of information available; but this is a brilliant conundrum to have.
It is possible that the show could be a generic look at the Leveson enquiry without going in to much technical and specific detail, but what this allows me to do is to have the power to change the public’s perception of a journalist if they lost trust with the press over the phone hacking scandal. I think this is a very powerful tool.
It is important that I challenge the status quo because it gives the options available to the audience fresh and open to debate. What the public don’t want is the same, regurgitated information repeated to them in a different format or on a different platform all of the time. It’s the same no matter what platform you specialise in; you have to keep coming up with new ideas and new ways of engaging with the audience and attracting listeners, viewers or readers. Whilst the format for Radio 4 and/or 5Live is slightly different, I believe that if I create a pre-recorded broadcast that isn’t as formal as the typical Radio 4 broadcast then I think that it will be more accessible for more a wider audience.
In terms of ethics, I will obtain audio recordings and notes from my interviews and only use quotes that are obtained directly from the guests I have interviewed. This is an ethical practise that should be followed by any journalist. What is important to remember is that when preparing a radio show, a journalist should always act ethically. It is also important to retain the trust your guests are putting in to you by agreeing to speak to you. I also believe that is very important to maintain the trust given to you by your guest and represent them in as truthful and credible manner as possible. Ethics are there to make sure good practice is kept my any journalists. It is imperative that journalists keep to ethical conventions because it makes for accurate and high quality journalism and I don’t want to be accused of libel or slander!
So far, I have suffered from a large bout of procrastination which hasn’t helped, but I have conducted interviews already t hat will for a part of my show. I have collated some good contacts since I joined the National Union of Journalists and they are always happy to help in any way they can, especially as they’ve been given special status on the Leveson enquiry. This will help me tremendously because all of their members have to sign up to the NUJ Code of Conduct, which is highly respected.
I’m intending on doing this project because I want to able to utilise all of the experience I’ve gained in journalism and at BBC Radio Oxford to produce a show that would be eligible for broadcast. I’ve set my standards high because I believe in myself to be able to produce something of such a high standard. It relates to my personal goals to be a working journalist. For many years I’ve harboured ambitions to be a journalist within a large organisation because I feel as though I’m comfortable working within a newsroom and my turnover rate is rather high.

EXCLUSIVE interview with Soundgirl!

jinkyboyo — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:03:30 +0000

Wouldn’t you agree that sitting on a dodgem whilst being interviewed is just too cool? Well not for the Soundgirls, it’s standard. They opened Future Hits Live and I chatted to them fresh from their performance and find out why they prefer geek-chic and just who would win out of Parade and Wonderland!

EQ Backstage Pass with Soundgirl from EQ Video on Vimeo.

EXCLUSIVE interview with Six-D!

jinkyboyo — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:59:04 +0000

Being described as the streetdance version of Glee comes with very heavy expectation, yet the aura surrounding this six-some hasn’t stopped. I caught up with Six-D backstage at Future Hits Live and we chatted everything from how they all met to working with Lady Gaga’s choreographer!

SixD Interview from EQ Video on Vimeo.

EXCLUSIVE Interview with OhMy!

jinkyboyo — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:54:39 +0000

When these cheeky little so-and-so’s are in town, you know what you are in for – a bloody good time! I caught up with the lovely duo to talk singles, being Example’s protegees and just how much swag they really have!

EQ Backstage Pass With Oh My! at Future Hits Live from EQ Video on Vimeo.

NEW MUSIC ALERT Kasabian – Switchblade Smile

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:20:26 +0000

Whilst you cannot deny that Kasabian are the biggest band in Britain, their new turn has still got me turning.
Yet when I first heard ‘Switchblade Smile’, we were stunned. Our jaws simply hit the floor and hit us back in the face twice as hard.

In their typical cocksure jock style, they claimed it “squares up to you”. Not only does it live up to the claim, in essence, this is going to be a smash. For anyone who thought that the previous Kasabian album sounded like the inmates were running the Pauper Asylum, then they are going to be in for some serious bouts of shock therapy. This song is probably the most demented and deranged thing they have ever done.

Encapsulating their urges in everything that is electronic, one would presume that they’ve finally bitten the dust on the electronic fence that surrounds the Asylum. The night-howling clamours of sheer aggression suggest that they’ve turned the amplitude up another thousand volts. The live drums boom with impel something totally unholy and the dubbed guitar lines still give Kasabian that they talked up prior to the release.

When you first have a listen, you wouldn’t win prizes for saying they’ve got a bit Crystal Castles on our ass, but you most certainly can see why. Starting off all 8-bit and an arpeggiation that is gallantly berthed next to a packed and staunch guitar riff, you can see why this four-piece from Leicester have been successful.

Whilst it lacks that laddish vibe about it, it ruminates you’re brain in to an obliteration of distortion and reverb that not only will knock you out, it will frazzle you in to another millennia.

Ultimately, Switchblade Smile is an anthem for a generation that combines the best in catchy riffs and memorable synths with the lyrics that you won’t get out of your head no matter how many pills you can pop.

Not only is the soundtrack for the march to oblivion, it is a statement of intent that no matter how their music is delivered, Kasabian are instantaneously one of the most recognised bands in the world at the moment.

Yvette Cooper: “I support gay marriage”

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:09:28 +0000

The Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has told the the annual TUC LGBT Conference in London that she supports gay marriage.

Under current UK law, same sex couples may enter into only civil partnerships, with marriage reserved for heterosexual people. The Labour spokeswoman’s comments will be welcomed by gay-rights campaigners have been calling for full marriage equality for many years.

Speaking to delegates at Congress House in London, Yvette Cooper stated that she supported gay marriage and that she would pressure the Con-Dem government on the issue:

“The debate has only just started around gay marriage which I support but we should be having a proper debate around the table. I think we should be looking for further progress.”

Government needs to do more

The Labour party spokeswoman attacked the Tories’ record on gay rights, declaring that the coalition government needed to do more:

“I’ve not heard Theresa May say anything on LGBT issues. I think the Home Office under her leadership is shocking.”

During her speech, Yvette Cooper highlighted how far the fight against homophobic bullying had come:

“Some schools are doing fantastic, but there are a lot more schools who could do a lot better.”

“David Cameron said in a recent interview in a magazine that Labours LGBT equality has gone far enough. I don’t agree, I think if you still look at the pressures on many teenagers in schools, they still have to deal with homophobic bullying.”

Yvette Cooper’s comments on gay marriage were applauded from all sides of the hall; she was booed and jeered when she criticised the strikes in the public sector.

Future Hits Live!

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:39:55 +0000

Future Hits Live in Leamington showcased just what is good about the future of British music. Not only did was it a brilliant night out, it was a great stage for many young, up-and-coming artists to flourish on the main stage. Many of the artists on the bill had already played gigs across the length and breadth of the country many times before, but what made this gig special wasn’t just the intimacy of the Assembly, just walking in to the vast old venue you got an immediate buzz for what was to come.
Oh My!, SixD, Soundgirl, Talay Riley, Her Majesty and the Wolves, Wretch 32 and of course, Tinchy Stryder completed the line-up that promised so much – and lived up to the high expectation of the pumped-up crowd made up predominantly of 14-18-year-old screaming schoolgirls.
Shouty girl-duo Oh My! launched the night off with a frenzy with their trademark trouble-and-cheek style. Debut single “Run This Town” and follow-up “Kicking and Screaming” got the crowd loosened up and ready for a fabulous night ahead.

They’ve been labelled as the ‘future of pop’, much hyped streetdance-infused pop group SixD also conjured up an almighty stir. Entering the stage one by one followed by a classy and well rehearsed individual move each, they launched in to “Best Damn Night”, which has had multiple radio plays. Not only did they get the crowd bouncing, they got the floor shaking. You have to admit, it takes a lot to work with the same choreographer as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj! “2 Seconds” has been confirmed as their next single.

Ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt’s new project Her Majesty and the Wolves bought the electropop to the floor, complete with an LCD wall! Her new sound, alongside Spencer Nezey, isn’t necessarily PCD-esque, you could file it next to Robyn and Mini Viva if you had to. It’s playful and jumpy, electronic bliss that filled our ears is something that is fresh and new for the pop-diva. Playing through an extended set list that contained debut single ‘Goodbye, Goodnight’, the elegant and tranquil ‘Glaciers’, anthemic ‘Stars In Your Eyes’ and the sheer dominating ‘Emerald Showers’, Her Majesty and the Wolves sure will be dominating the Saturday night scene for many summers to come.

Headliners Tinchy Styder and Wretch 32 bought their vast array of chart-topping singles and favourites to an already raucous crowd. With their arms in the air, they both showed just why they have been so successful. Wretch 32 powered in to the pulsating ‘Traktor’, the insanely catch Example-collaboration ‘Unorthodox’ and new single featuring vocalist Josh Kumra, ‘Don’t Go’. Tinchy showed just why he is the name on the lips of thousands of teenagers across the country. With screaming girls echoing around the Assembly, Tinchy literally bounced on to stage and straight away he was drowned out by the crowd singing every word back to him.

Future Hits Live showed just why pop music in the UK is stronger than ever.

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Soundgirl!

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:21:45 +0000

This is my exclusive interview for EQ I did with Soundgirl, one of the best, up-and-coming pop acts in the UK right now!

EQ Backstage Pass with Soundgirl from EQ Video on Vimeo.

Interview by Jordan Muckley, camera by Raj Rudolph.

Student addresses NUJ Delegate Meeting

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:19:44 +0000

Student Daniel Richardson was chosen by the Student Reporters to address the 2011 National Union of Journalists Delegate Meeting.

“We are the people who will eventually be sat in your seats”. Daniel Richardson’s statement of intent represented the passion for journalism that has been displayed by all students over the DM weekend.
As part of the Delegate Meeting, a student reporter was invited to address the conference on how the student party has involved itself within the ongoings of the DM and reporting what happens inside the Floral Hall. They have done this through various forms of media, such as updating a live website with the latest stories and events with pictures, audio and video taken by students; live twitter feeds (search hashtag #nujdm for examples) and live blogging.
In his speech, Daniel addressed the problems with internships and the issues many students have had in obtaining work placements. He said: “Many of us here have done internships and they were and are priceless experience’s, but they are not valueless”. He also addressed the perception that interns aren’t as skilled or as revered. “It may be as interns we are not as productive as the experienced journalists we work alongside; but neither are we useless. We do work hard and publish work that is good enough to be printed or broadcast. We should be paid”.
Whilst students should be paid for work experience, many, including some of the Student Delegation who are on placements elsewhere, are not. Daniel added that student journalists won’t be walked all over: “It’s about time employees take internees seriously and recognise our work with at least the minimum wage”.
Daniel was democratically elected with a vote amongst the Student Delegation after a hustings took place.
This experience has proved to be a very productive one for all of the students, with many students going that extra mile to get a story. Student reporter Samantha Newsham said: “It’s been a great chance to do fast-paced reporting and to see what the NUJ deals with. It’s also eye-opening to see what pressures real-life journalists have to face on a day-to-day basis”. Most students have been based either in the main hall, or in the underground Bunker – the self-christened base of all student activities.
In the conclusion of his speech, Daniel thanked all of the respective branches on behalf of their nominated students. All of the branches have paid for all of the students to attend the DM. Dan said: “We are the people who will eventually be sat in your seats, by extending your hand to students and encouraging our involvement you’re ensuring that we will continue to be a strong, pro-active and effective Union for generations to come”.

NUJ photographers gain a seat on NEC council

jinkyboyo — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:18:19 +0000

Photographers of the National Union of Journalists have won their fight to gain a seat on the National Executive Council after the Delegate Meeting passed a motion.
Motion 57 was bought to the fray after many years of debate as to whether or not photographers should have a seat on the National Executive Council.
After feeling under-represented and considering themselves overlooked for many years within the NUJ, the photographers saw their motion passed and subsequently gained a seat on the NEC.
Jess Hurd from the London Photographers Branch believed that all the hard work had finally paid off. “This is what we have been campaigning for on the ground, within the grassroots and the successful ‘I’m a Photograher, Not A Terrorist’ campaign and all the work we have done so it’s great that we have representation at the highest level”.
Under previously existing rules within the NUJ rules, it was possible for decisions directly effecting photographers to be passed within a direct representative of photographers.
Whilst the motion was passed for a seat on the NEC, a motion that suggested the creation of a Photographers Council was opposed by the DM after a vote that the scrutineers had to act upon. Whilst she was obviously disappointed, Jess said: ”I don’t see it as a vote against photographers, I see it is a review of the council and why set up a council if after year you are going to set up another structure?”.
James Doherty of the NEC argued that photographers would be gaining special representation.”There is every opportunity for photographers to be represented within the current structures. We should not be considering another industrial council and associated time and financial strains”.