WINOL - Week 7

This week on WINOL I was the expert on the Portsmouth job cuts and had an in-studio discussion with Harry Parkhill.

The bulletin this week had good light and shade, we balanced serious stories (a lot of job cuts) with some softer news, and gave everything a strong local angle. However a lot of reporters are still getting the eye lines of their interviews wrong, and some are still being framed as a profile shot. 

Ian Anderson said that the in-studio discussion worked, but it could have benefited from having some more context on careers in Southampton and reference to previous closures, such as Ford. 

Our Guest Editor this week was Claudia Murg - Investigative reporter for Panorama

Claudia gave us all very constructive criticism, and was unashamedly clear about the reality of the industry we all plan to enter. She said that the bulletin this week was good but only had average aspirations. No one aimed as high as they could have and that really came across in the bulletin, no one is really taking any risks, we are all playing it too safe. 

When you decide to cover a story, you need to bring something new and exciting to the story, don't just echo what the other publications have said. Make a list of all the people who your story will effect and try to make your story relevant to them. You are the eyes and the ears of the public - you need to be able to justify the time you spend. When you interview someone, you need to think about what the experience is like for them, you don't want to bore them. Surprise them, don't ask them things you can already find the answers to on the internet, ask them something new! Try not to focus on what you're going to say next, really listen to them and react to what they have to say. Constantly work on how you can improve your work and your skills.