Sofia's blog
Sofia Jones is aiming to make her mark in the media. Here she shares the trials and tribulations of an aspiring journalist
A mixed reaction to the start of my career in journalism
November 15 2008
Nine weeks. That's the amount of time that has elapsed since I admitted I wanted to change my career, and dared everyone I knew to try and stop me. This week I celebrated another small victory, I had my first pieces published. Three stories in the local paper, one online and one video. Admittedly the reaction of my nearest and dearest has been mixed, from total apathy to elation. It’s always nice to elicit a reaction I suppose, pause for smugness.
With this achievement adding to my growing collection I have started a portfolio. I now have one for published pieces, and one for my creative pieces, bolstered by my creative writing class. So far, so good. This week I have been investigating how to go green and save money over the winter. This was partly because it seemed topical, but mainly as I was getting frustrated by the obsession with fuel poverty in the media. The green agenda and the plight of those worst affected by energy prices, are one and the same. By 'going green' people can save themselves money this winter, here are a few tips:
1. Turn off all unnecessary lighting when you leave the room.
2. For every degree you turn down on your heating, you will save between 1-3% on your energy bill.
3. Wear a jumper!
4. Close all internal doors, this will keep the heat in.
5. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
6. Take a shower rather than a bath.
7. Try using Freecycle. www.freecycle.com
8. Shop locally. There are so many farmers markets around, the food is cheaper, and you will be supporting your community.
9. Buy energy saving light bulbs. They initially cost more to buy but will save you £100 on your electricity bills over their life time.
10. Build your own solar panel for under £5. www.treehugger.com or make your own water butt, www.makeyourown.co.uk
Going green isn’t about being a hippy, hugging trees or rich politicians and celebrities patronising people. It’s about simple changes that are common sense. You can save the world, and save yourself money at the same time.
My work experience encounters with midgets, sharpshooting and caffeine
November 9 2008
On Wednesday I started my work experience, and I’m still buzzing from it. It was far from being the odyssey in photocopying and tea making that I had envisaged.
Firstly I was treated like a member of the team from the offset and I never once felt like you do on work experience when you're 15. I was however, a little shocked at their relaxed manner. It was very much a case of, here’s your desk, write what you like, oh and if you want we are going to interview the circus later so why don’t you come along?
So I did. I ended up helping out with the filming of segments for a web reel, and interviewing a little person who could open beer bottles with his eye socket! I met a former tax man who had run off to join the circus, and who now makes a living by putting needles through his skin, and an African contortionist. Not bad for my first morning! I then wrote three articles for publication, one on a local who had won a rifle competition, one on childhood obesity and one on getting the unemployed back to work. We shall see if they are published next week. All of this was powered by large amounts of caffeine.
No one is laughing now at the sorry saga of Brand and Ross
November 2 2008
I have tried in vain to not give any more blog space to the BBC's recent incident involving Brand and Ross. Neither deserves any more time or attention wasted on them by the British public. They crave attention, they’ve received plenty of it over the last week, and I for one do not feel the need to validate their onerous presence further.
It is not my intention to jump on any bandwagon, or to damn or defend anyone involved, (except for perhaps Mr Sachs, who seems to be the only one involved who can walk away with his head held high). The Great British public and the media, in their need to play judge, jury and executioner, have conveniently forgotten the most important messages to be gleaned from this sorry affair.
Firstly, we as listeners should never have been made aware of that broadcast. The handling of the story has not been "in the public interest." This; at a time when both the government and its people should be focusing on important economic issues. As journalists, it is our job to uphold free speech and inform the readership. Not to blind them with cheap, tacky, mass titillation.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, whatever happened to treating other people as you wish to be treated yourself? If you take away the religious connotations; it's brutal common sense. We are after all, all human. No one is completely innocent, and there is always more than one person at fault. I can guarantee you one thing; no one involved is laughing any more.
The agony of the BBC journalism trainee waiting game
October 26 2008
This week a deepening sense of dread has started to permeate. I don't believe in fate, I believe in taking responsibility for your own choices. I don't like the idea that anyone else is in control but me. However, I must concede that on this occasion I have no choice to sit back and be patient. I'm not a patient person. In fact, the waiting may be the closest I have come to being neurotic yet.
You see I have applied for the BBC's trainee scheme. 15 young people with little media experience are employed and trained by the BBC for a year. They work primarily in London first, before moving to regional positions. After the year, their BBC mentor will hopefully find them a position within the organisation. Perfect for those of us without the instant funds needed to attain a position in post-graduate education. So I applied; it took me eight hours and many essay re-drafts.
The problem is that I really want this opportunity. I'm sure everyone else who has applied will agree. It is extremely frustrating, trying to explain just how important something like this is to you. You don't want to waffle on in over-used phrases and come across as unimaginative. You want to appear passionate, without sounding like you're three inches away from being certifiable.
Now I have to wait three weeks. Just enough time to re-read my answers and marvel at my stress-induced lack of spelling or grammar, and to become truly neurotic.
Why I'm happy to fetch the coffee at my local newspaper
October 19 2008
I am very aware that having decided to change careers, I have no actual experience in the industry and no formal qualifications. Therefore, I was very happy to be offered an interview this week, at my local paper for some on-going work experience. I proposed spending every Wednesday with them, the day after their issues are sent to press and the beginning of the journalistic week. My interviewer raised one eyebrow and started the questioning. He seemed to be rather confused by me. Why did I change careers? What do I think I can bring to this paper at 24? How did I think I could effect change? What was I expecting with regards this work experience? But perhaps most interestingly he asked whether I was sure that this was what I wanted.
How do you answer a question that has personal significance to you, without becoming a cliche? So I did the only thing I could. I told him, that I know who I am. I know that this is what I'm meant to do because the news is the only thing that I can see myself being passionate about for the rest of my life. What other career is in such a constant state of flux, as to keep me interested? I reminded him that I was only 24, and that contrary to the popular cultural myth, I was not over the hill just yet. What do I expect? Well, to spend at least two months photocopying, making tea and generally running errands, and I don't mind. I'll do it with a smile, because at least I will be doing something towards gaining experience. I think I may have taken him a little aback. I don't expect the world. In fact I expect to have to work harder to catch up, but I am determined. I work five days a week, and now I am proposing volunteering for one more, even if it is just to do the Starbucks run.
I think I may have put my point across a little too well. I start the first week in November. I have to bring three story ideas with me about local and national issues. They are hopefully going to set me loose interviewing the public for my pieces, and show me how to use their system. Needless to say, after so much preparation for interview, I now can't think of anything to say! I have two weeks and counting.
How journalists can get to the truth, or in homage to George Orwell
October 12 2008
What happens to the truth if it can be changed? What good is memory if it has no evidence?
I had my very own Winston Smith moment this week. As you will see, I have been doing my homework regarding libel and slander, and so I shall not name names, the reason for this will become apparent in just a moment.
I am sure that I was listening to a well regarded BBC production, interviewing a young, eminent Labour minister. I am sure that the interviewer made some reference to reforms made by Harold Wilson, which would have impacted on this minister's department. To this, said minister replied that he was not around at the time of Mr Wilson and could not, therefore, comment on him. This astonished me, twice. Firstly, how is it possible that a Labour cabinet minister does not know his own party history? Especially when Harold Wilson was responsible for important social reforms such as; decriminalisation of male homosexual behaviour performed in the privacy of their own homes, liberalisation of abortion laws and legislation to safeguard against racial discrimination. Surely the young minister is not so busy, that he could not spare five minutes to go on Wikipedia? Secondly, the interviewer did not pull him up on this obvious, and crucially embarrassing gaffe! How is this acceptable? What unsettled me more, however, was that when I tried to find evidence of this interview on the internet or in the papers, I could not. I am unable to find a single reference to it. If anyone else has information on this I would be very grateful to hear it, just as proof that I did not imagine the entire thing!
This led me to think about the prevalence of bias in the media. Can news be truly impartial? I believe it cannot. It is either more or less informed. First hand accounts are invariably flawed, as people cannot honestly report more than they have experienced. Therefore, it is vital to collect information from as many sources, and varying perspectives as possible. This will enable the most accurate conclusion to be drawn.
The case of the minister and the interviewer throws into stark relief the part that popularity plays in journalism. If said minister had not been "flavour of the month," would I have been able to find reference of this event? I am sure I would. I am even more positive that I would not have had to spend hours trawling the internet either, he would have been crucified, (and rightly so!) At best not knowing your own party's history is embarrassing. At worst, it is political suicide, depending on what spin is put on it.
As journalists, we have the need to be investigative and educated, to disregard the official party line and look behind the veneer, and the prerequisite baby-kissing. We need to stop giving the spin doctors and Whips an easy time. If we play devil's advocate, we can play off one side against the other, thereby getting closer to the truth. The way may be harder, and the resistance more disgruntled, but if we want to make a difference it's what we have to do. We cannot always be unbiased, but we can strip down the layers of "untruth," thereby giving the public a clearer view. Politicians are meant to represent and work for our benefit, so why give them an easy ride?
Of fedora hats and camel macs
October 5 2008
Tall, dark, angular all-American guys, hanging out in rat infested side streets in the pouring rain, waiting on their gang land mole "Bruiser" to make contact. Trusty note pad and pencil their only company, waiting to finally bring down the criminal underworld in a flurry of journalistic glory and vitriol.
That's journalism right?
I fear I've already made an elementary mistake. I have decided to train as that guy. At 24 years old. No previous journalistic qualifications, no industry experience, in fact, no actual published proof of ability. Oh, and rather crucially, I'm female. Damn.
What I do posses, without wishing to sound like the liberal hippy I am, is an all consuming passion to tell the truth. Jessica Mitford famously said, "You may not be able to change the world, but you can embarrass the guilty." This is my intention and motivation. I suppose it doesn't hurt that I also have an ego the size of Bournemouth.
This then, aims to accurately record my first steps along the path from impassioned amateur to equally impassioned (but slightly less impoverished) published writer, via my favourite subject - myself.