Future Journalists Go Behind The Scenes At The BBC
Click here to see more images of the visit.
(Story by Georgia-Mae Paulo, Amelia Whalley and Laura Judson, Future Journalists Elective students)
In an exciting venture, a group of SJR Journalism students travelled to Media City, the home of the BBC in Salford. The students were taken on an exclusive tour to gain an insight into life behind the scenes of the well-known broadcaster.
Liam Bradford, BBC Radio Manchester journalist, producer and football commentator, showed the students every aspect of the BBC. He started the tour from the top of the building, where staff have their dinner and socialise. There was an incredible array of new technology such as 100” TV screens, VR headsets and a “blue room” with gaming consoles and couches for staff to relax at lunch.
The students were then taken to see some of the BBC editing suites kitted out with soundproof walls and the very latest technology. Liam said that there were over 50 editing suites in the building, as that is where all the programmes filmed at Media City are edited.
When he was showing the students the radio studios where all the North West’s radio shows are created, Liam surprised them with the strange fact that, “When I go live on air, I take my shoes off! I want to feel comfortable talking to my audience as if I’m at home.”
The students were also lucky enough to be invited into an interview with Phil Trow, BBC Radio Manchester’s well-known drive-time broadcaster, and were able to discuss his day to day experiences and benefit from the insights he has gained from his many years in the industry.
Another highlight of the visit was when the Future Journalists went into the BBC Breakfast studio with its famous red sofa, where Liam explained how the one of the country’s most-watched morning shows is put together. The tour came to end after visiting BBC Sport on the ground floor. This was a flying visit as it was very busy and everyone was hard at work with editing, producing and planning.
The students would like to thank Liam for such a fantastic tour; they would also like to thank Karen Connolly, the professional journalist who has been teaching them on the Future Journalists Elective course, as she was able to arrange the exclusive tour for them through her contacts at the BBC.
