I’m not one to blow my own trumpet too often, but I repeatedly hear that my university, UCLan (University of Central Lancashire) is one of the top four places to study journalism in the UK, and the calibre of guest speakers we’ve had lately would certainly prove this theory. I was lucky enough to attend a live link up from London with BBC’s Business Editor, Robert Peston.
The lecture hall was packed to the rafters, and Peston performed very well. The talk was aimed at giving advice for young people starting out in the competitive world of journalism and debating about how the economy is currently heavily influencing the news agenda . One point which was raised by the question “Do you think the economy has been reported responsibly” stood out to me. Peston stated that he had been raising concerns for some time about rising house prices and irresponsible lending from banks, and had noticed many news items reporting house rises for some time without references to any future economic implications, for example the impact on inflation figures, which may have been around the corner. Peston rightly pointed out that the subject of economics is an extremely complex affair to report, with it being neigh on impossible to sum up in a four minute news item on Sky news for example. Peston’s excellent advice for people starting out in the field was the suggestion of specialising in a particular subject area. Competition for jobs is very high in the journalistic field, and someone who can have an in depth-knowledge on a particular subject area will be invaluable asset to different departments on the news desk rather than just someone who knows how to write good copy.
Whilst being a bad time in terms of lay-offs within the news industry, it’s important to realise that it’s also a very exciting time. This is the world’s first truly global recession . Never has there been a time in history where the world’s economies have been so inextricably linked. It is important to realise however that responsibility and cuation should go hand in hand with business experts in the know writing instantly accessible and searchable world-wide articles about businesses and companies.
Peston was today asked by the Treasury Select Committee about his closeness to various members of its committee and as any good journalist will never do, wouldn’t reveal his sources. Claims that he may have brought about a ‘run’ on Northern Rock shares were flatly denied, and rightly so in my opinion. I think it’s the job of a journalist to just solely relay facts about a subject in the most objective way. Peston pointed out that the bank had a flawed business model and had first expressed concerns over the bank’s practices since 2003.
Peston being grilled by the committee.
I’m hotly anticipating the talk which will be given on the 9th at UCLan by Channel 4’s very own snappy tie news anchorman, Jon Snow. He’s making the effort to come all the way to Preston when he has to be back in London to present the news a few hours later! Watch this space for more info.
