Byline joins the blogosphere!
Hello friends, fellow students and journalists alike. The Byline Club has finally embraced the digital age and created a blog to share our progress and networking successes with you. Last semester was an exciting one in which we were established as an official society in the eyes of the Strathclyde University Union.
The Launch: Journalism with Soul
We kicked off with speaker Dr Stuart Cosgrove, journalist and author, feat discussion from one of our own, Investigative journalist and lecturer Dr Eamonn O’Neill. On the table, literally, was Detroit 67; journalistic techniques and modes as well as what constitutes great journalism, upon which there were interesting differences of opinion.
Cosgrove: I think great journalism can make things up
O’Neill: I don’t.
Cosgrove: There are some things journalists have to imagine to tell a bigger story.
So, you want to be a journalist?
So far, visits to the newsrooms of both the Herald/ Evening times Group and the BBC have been opportunities provided for and by the Byline Club. Such visits were open to members and non-members on a first come first served basis. We are creating a society for and by students, that will increase networking opportunities for those interested in breaking into the journalism sector.
On Air in 3 2 1…
Most recently, a visit to the STV studios in Glasgow’s Quay involved meeting digital editor Matt Roper and even a few moments with the man himself, John Mckay. A sit-down with Roper opens up the floor to questions following a presentation on journalism as it stands in the current day. He reiterated to us the capacity for creativity and honing of multimedia skills journalists now need to be aware of. Consumption of news revolves no longer around print and television and unsurprisingly, most of STV’s traffic comes from sites like Facebook and Twitter.
A trip downstairs takes us into the hub of technology, a labyrinth of rooms walled with glass and responsible for the control of visuals, queing of advertisements and sound. An interesting other side to the world of the television hub and an area of opportunity for tech enthusiasts.
To The Future
We are planning a similar run of events this semester, hopefully accompanied by acclaimed journalists, editors and other holders of journalism know-how. The possible chance to join a digital media workshop is also on the cards. We should not feel limited to hard journalism or news, which is why we have discused differing event structures and their benefits. The opportunity to hold workshops with creative gurus, such as social media experts and professional bloggers opens more doors for those interested in these areas of journalism and its merits. Stay tuned to find out what we have in store. And don’t forget to keep up with us on social media.
Until next time!
Carmela
