Centre for Journalism | Where journalists have greatness thrust upon them

Jemma Collins, 2012 Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholar

Huge congratulations to Jemma Collins, winner of the 2012 Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship. It is a major achievement and I know everyone in the Centre will join me in expressing our pride in Jemma's succcess. We will, of course, have the opportunity to celebrate together at Alex Crawford's Bob Friend Memorial Lecture on 21 February at which Jemma will receive her award from Rob Kirk, head of editorial development at Sky News. Very many thanks also to the four excellent runners up, Lydia Deichmann, Sam Thompson, Bill Topping and Kieran Watkins. This year's entries were particularly good and competition was intense. Members of the interview panel were immensely impressed by all the shortlisted students. We are proud of you.

The Death of the Party-Hard Student

Those of us who study at the CFJ know how intense and challenging this course is, and the amount of time and work it requires. Today, Richard Garner, the Indy's education editor, wrote a piece about how the 'party-hard' student is dying, as more and more take up full-time jobs whilst studying. Garner's piece inspired me to blog: I am one of those students he talks about.

MA TV news days

It seems people are confused about when we are doing our next MA TV news afternoon.

There are two more coming up, on 8 and 15 February.

Sorry if I confused you.

Richard

Shortlist for the 2012 Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship

Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal in the competition for the 2012 Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship. The entries were of an exceptionally high standard, so choosing the candidates to go forward to the next stage was harder than ever. However, after very careful scrutiny and discussion, I am pleased to announce that we were able to reach a unanimous decision. Huge congratulations to: Jemma Collins, Lydia Deichmann, Sam Thompson, William Topping and Kieran Watkins. Each of you will sit the test and meet the interview panel on Wednesday. Ian and I will speak to you about how to prepare. Sincere commiserations to all the candidates who did not make the shortlist. When the process is over we will be happy to offer detailed feedback. I can only repeat that the standard was extremely high this year. The Centre is proud of you.

Live ‘hackgate’ debate to mark launch of new book on the state of British journalism

Coventry University is inviting the public to join a panel of prominent media figures for a no-holds-barred debate on the state of British journalism following the phone hacking scandal.
As the Leveson Inquiry continues to investigate the culture, practice and ethics of the UK press, this unique event – which will take place at Coventry University’s London Campus on Tuesday 7th February – brings together a host of journalists and media activists to discuss the controversy and answer questions from the audience.

Story opportunity

Professor David Nutt, the UK's former leading government adviser on drugs who was sacked by the government in 2009 after making controversial claims about the risks of ecstasy, LSD and cannabis, is to give a lecture at Canterbury from 6pm to 7pm on Wednesday, January 25. This would be a fascinating event to cover, and could be particularly useful for those of you looking for an issue to cover for the Public Affairs feature in your NCTJ portfolios.

Jon Willams BBC World News Editor in conversation with John Mair, the third years and masters students this afternoon.

Here's the audio recording of a conversation held via skype this afternnoon between the postgrad newsroom and BBC TV Centre. Have a listen to the BBC World News Editor Jon Williams, to hear just what it takes to make it as a correspondent for BBC World News.

audio:

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Bliss magazine columnist

We've been contacted by Bliss magazine, one of the country's most successful titles in the teen market.

They are looking for a male journalism student who would be up for writing a 500 word monthly column on the issues that affect teenage girls from a boy’s point of view.

This could be a great opportunity for one of our students to get some real experience of the discipline of writing a column, and reach a national audience. Needless to say it would be an excellent thing to have on your CV.

Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship 2012

The Sky Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship might plausibly be described as the most valuable award available to an undergraduate student of journalism in the UK. It is certainly the biggest prize available to first year students in the Centre for Journalism. It reimburses the winner’s first year tuition fee (UK/EU rate) and provides a month-long, funded work placement at Sky News. Competition is fierce. So, what do you have to do to win? Applicants must provide, by 12 noon on Friday 27 January, a detailed proposal for a multi-platform treatment of a topical news item, appropriate to Sky News. Multi-platform means content suitable for TV, radio, online and mobile platforms. Proposals will be considered by a panel that will draw up a final shortlist of candidates. On Wednesday 1 February the shortlisted students will sit tests in general knowledge and spelling set by Sky News. Finally the candidates will be interviewed by a panel consisting of Rob Kirk of Sky News, Tim Luckhurst, Ian Reeves and Stephen Claypole of DMA Media. The scholar will be chosen according to the scholarship rules (available on request). The scholar will receive their prize from Alex Crawford OBE, RTS award winning Special Correspondent for Sky News and 2012 Bob Friend Memorial Lecturer, at her lecture on Tuesday 21 February in the Pilkington Lecture Theatre. Our previous scholars, Alan McGuinness (2009), Dan May (2010) and Tania Steere (2011), can reveal all. Ian and I will offer guidance when term begins.

Lessons from Malawi for Leveson

Over the last two months the Leveson enquiry has been collecting evidence on the phone hacking scandals and other alleged press abuses which invade privacy. The evidence is being collected with a view to making recommendations for a new, more effective policy and regulatory regime.

All this was fresh in my mind as I read the latest edition of New Internationalist in which Mabvuto Banda wrote about the struggles in Malawi for press freedom.

Navigation

Pick of the Day

Upcoming

BBC News latest