Liz's job log: 7
Liz Rawlins
- February 2009.
The story so far... Liz recently graduated from the University of Glamorgan with a degree in journalism. Aged 21 she lives most of the time in Barry, but for three months she has relocated from South Wales to West Africa, where she's getting experience of radio journalism.
Six down… six to go…
Can't quite believe I'm halfway through my time already! For want of a better cliché - it has literally flown by and I really don't want it to end! There's still so much I want to do, things I want to write about, people I want to meet and interview! Where do I start!? Better start picking up the pace!
Although, this particular career choice in Ghana can be a very, very frustrating field at times - the occasional lack of professionalism, news values, sensitivity, accuracy.... need I go on? My lecturers at University would be turning in their (future) graves! Now, I'm not for a second saying that the media is not a valid one in Ghana, there are just certain things that are said and done which, in no uncertain terms, are just not done in journalism. Some days when I'm leafing through the morning's newspapers, it's really hard to take some of the stories seriously when the headlines are ‘MAN KILLS WIFE’ - pure and simple, no beating about the bush there. And of course the story wouldn't be complete without a front page picture of said deceased woman, in all the gory detail. Not the most tactful of approaches.
But it's not all bad, like I've said before, the passion for politics out here is quite refreshing, and it's made me a lot more aware of democracy and how the UK possibly takes for granted our hassle free right to vote. This is a relatively new country in terms of freedom of speech and democracy so it still has the feel of importance, and of course for a developing country like, Ghana, the feel of progression.
Going live in 3…2…1
So, I said last time I wanted to get stuck in a bit more and I think I am... today I did my first ever live link up to speak with our parliamentary correspondent. John Evans Atta Mills, Ghana's new president, gave his first state of the nation address to the Members of Parliament today and it's pretty big news here as it will outline the plans the government has for the continuing development and progression of the country. It went well I think, the senior team around me seemed pretty pleased with my side of things, there were a few technical hiccups of course (the credit on the phone we used to call the correspondent ran out - I kid you not), but I was actually surprised at how well I handled it despite being live across the capital with no one on the other end of the phone! Pretty good job I paid attention to his speech and wrote notes... I kind of ad-libbed! The feeling when we finished was great though, and its one of the handful of times I’ve really felt like yes, this is news!
Things are gradually changing though and the place is unrecognisable as the same station I walked into six weeks ago. Things have had a major shake up here ... new management and new structures and procedures put in place - which is really good for the station, but the attitude is shape up, or ship out (!) and I don't think everyone is particularly happy with their new roles. I can’t complain though, I’m happy with mine (news reader and technically news editor) and I'm really pleased that I'm no longer a one man band in terms of news. Did feel slightly bad that I kind of raced ahead of some people who have been here a while.... but that's journalism for you!
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