Journalism students beef up their broadcasting experience with radio appearances

Students have been in the thick of live radio action in the past week with a number of appearances on the BBC and a community station.

Undergraduates on the University of Northampton’s Journalism courses are encouraged to seek industry experience to bolster their CVs, and a number have taken full advantage of the opportunities in the town.

Over the past seven days, the students have been involved in a number of broadcasts:

• Jack Pinnock and Max Miller were in the BBC Radio Northampton studio on Wednesday 16 January, running the rule over the Brexit vote which took place the previous evening (starts 2h 43m).
• On Saturday, first year Multimedia Sports Journalism student Matthew Johnson was on duty for BBC Radio Northampton, reporting live from Brackley Town Football Club’s National League North fixture at Alfreton Town, which the Saints won 1-0.
• The following day saw final year Multimedia Journalism student, Kaylee Poloczek, produce the John Griff show on BBC Radio Northampton. She was joined by coursemate, Max Miller, who reviewed the Sunday newspapers (starts 1hr 51m), while a feature on walking football from graduate Dayna Richman was also aired during the show (starts 1hr 42m).
• Journalism students and Senior Lecturer, Kate Ironside, were also on television at the weekend, when they appeared on the BBC Sunday Politics show, discussing the value of universities (starts 3m).
• Each Monday, Sports and Multimedia Journalism students put together and read out the on-the-hour news bulletins for community radio station, NLive.
  The news is broadcast from the new radio studios at the University’s Waterside Campus, which have a link to the NLive studios in the town centre.
  Second year Multimedia Journalism student Gracie Duncan, pictured, made her NLive debut on Monday morning, reading out the headlines, which included a lead piece on Brexit and stories about domestic abuse and sightings of a super blood wolf moon in Northamptonshire’s skies.
  Gracie said: “It was incredibly nerve-wracking, but exciting at the same time, knowing my voice was being heard by so many listeners.”
  After her appearance, Lecturer Nathan Dodzo was on hand to provide Gracie with expert tips and feedback on her style of delivery, including pace of speech and delivery.

Multimedia Journalism Course Leader, Hilary Scott, said: “Our journalism students don’t just study journalism, they do it too. It is wonderful to see our students appearing so often on the BBC and other outlets. This is fantastic preparation for their careers and a great testament to their abilities.”