The visit began when the group met just outside the court at around half past nine. The coffee had already found its way into the mouth of the more eager journalists, I too tired to think. The procedures in place at the front of the court included an illegal substance detector and a few imposing guards. When we arrived in the court room, the first issue to be addressed was the sentencing of a suspected criminal. The person in question was given a life sentence for murder, alongside charges for assault on another. When we go about our daily lives, do we really consider this happening simultaneously? Not really, but it’s the job of a journalist to absorb these events and then write an unbiased report on the sentencing or court case. It is times like this when one can truly appreciate how hard it is to maintain some of the journalistic foundations of keeping a balanced mind despite writing about a convicted criminal within such a horrific crime which is a regular occurrence within society today.

The next of the events which had a significant impression in this year’s module, was the parliamentary visit. This was another chance for us to see a potential future workplace, reporting on the everyday happenings of politicians. For me, as I previously had very little knowledge of the workings within a parliament, this was a massive learning curve, simply noticing all the individual pieces that contribute to driving the political engine. The politicians debating within the chambers, discussing with members of the media in the lobby, the journalists within the media tower positioned right where the stories are. It is these journalists’ jobs to report all of the events within hours of them occurring. In today’s society, there is an ever-increasing demand for instant news publication, finding out what happened, when it happened. It is a high pressure environment, much like the rest of the journalistic sphere. This is not the reporting on a celebrity’s outfit. This is the foundations of our society that we, the general public, need to know about and this thirst for knowledge can only be quenched by the professionals who have this massive responsibility upon them. It takes quick, innovative professionalism that can be applied to many walks of journalism but specifically in this political spectrum.

The first live rolling news day came about and roles were delegated. I was privileged to be allowed to do what I love: finding news stories about music. I covered a charity concert within Edinburgh, for the local Samaritans. Personally, I have always had an issue with confidence to speak to others in positions of authority or knowledge. One of the more defining features of journalists is perhaps their over confidence in pursuing and ascertaining the facts, something I have gained experience in since the modules beginning. For the first live rolling news day, in a relaxed environment for practice, I managed to contact, nervously, those I needed to and fit the quotes within my story. In the majority, it was a success but I was determined to fully utilise my sources in the next news day, a piece neccessary for a solid contemporary news piece.

When it came to the anticipated day our editor, Amanda, fulfilled her role sufficiently making sure each of the cogs of our makeshift news room ran smoothly. My task was delegated and I was determined to perform to my potential, something I have an uncanny ability of not doing. I had worked in advance and managed to get the quotes necessary to make a full, enjoyable news story regarding venue closures due to recession. The article had to be suitable for online publication, something which I had not given much thought to previously. Readers online have a very small attention span. They skin stories. So for any online journalist to attract attention, it required short, punchy paragraphs but still conveying the necessary points. This practice is perhaps starting to seep through into print journalism, where the paper with the widest circulation being the Sun where the writing is simply for entertainment. Not only this, but we had a target audience, being those between the ages of 18 and 30. This is good practice for professional journalism where the piece must be directed at those who would give it attention. The content must be appropriate, as must the style.

This module has, undoubtedly, helped me to pin-point the skills that are necessary for anyone to be a successful journalist both on and offline. Some of which I already have which requiring honing, some of which I was unaware. As last year, the practicality of multimedia reporting has been a massive benefit, which will be appreciated for the rest of my career.

The Charity night's venue, also home to the Methodist Church

The night, set to take place in Edinburgh’sCentral Hall, will play host to the 35 members and growing of Dunedin Wind band alongside the National Youth Choir’s 100 members.

The money raised will go towards local charity Edinburgh and Lothian Samaritans who look to assist those suffering from depression and emotional illnesses. Situated in West Tollcross, the venue has a capacity of 586 and the night has been expected to be a sell out. The hall has been in use since 1901 by the Methodist Church who have actively been involved in local community events. Money raised will also benefit the Acorn Centre YMCA. Based in the centre of Leith, the centre aims to ‘enable personal growth, development and renewal and help people make a positive contribution to their community’.

Minister Deacon Belinda Letby is an active supporter of the charities,’ This is one of the few chances that the charities, that does so much for our community, gets exposure. For that, I’m truly happy.’ The Edinburgh and Lothian’s branch of the charity was founded in 1959 in a flat on Frederick Street. The branch is now located on Torphichen Street and aims to reduce the suicide rate in Edinburgh.

A representative of the local Samaritans stated,’ The event is simply to raise funds and awareness to keep the charities going. This is a joint effort of these locally registered organisations’.
Minster Letby commented on the popularity of the event,’ I personally think it’s wonderful we have such talented acts supporting our cause and with the amount of tickets sold, it seems the community does too!’. Dunedin wind band annually play around two events a year and are renound for performing movie theme songs such as ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’.

The minister continued, ‘It’s good to have a traditional choir spreading a good message, something I feel music nowadays does not have’. The National Youth Choir of Scotland have ”young people from 0-24 years through Mini Music Makers,  NYCoS Area Choirs, NYCoS National Boys Choir, NYCoS National Girls Choir and its flagship National Choir.”

The regional Edinburgh section have a decorated past, playing since 2003 in varying areas including Oran Mor Church in Glasgow performed in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 at the Edinburgh International Festival.

The choir revert back to more traditional performances, with the majority of their performances taking place in a religious environment. In August 2007 the choir performed at the Aberdeen International Festival and in October were invited back to the Scottish Parliament to perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar.

The Samaritan representative continued ,’ Our organisation has been going for 50 years and hopefully this event will help us continue for another 50!’.

The British Broadcasting Company, as the longest established broadcaster in the United Kingdom, was founded on the 18^th of October 1922. Originally the corporation was a company owned by the General Post office, which was not government based nor funded, when John Reith submitted a job application and later went on to becoming General Manager. In 1926, Reith came under heavy criticism from the Government. The bulletins that the organisation were broadcasting, displayed both sides of the ‘General Strike’, an event were the majority of labourers took action against employers. The BBC attempted to arrange broadcasting with the ‘Labour’ Party, which was dismissed by the opposing government after veto. As the governments influence was far greater than John Reith’s, the general manager was forced to refuse requests of a Labour or Trade Union leader to discuss a case for those on strike. This was the BBC’s first incident of biased behaviour, as Labour leader Ramsay Mcdonald stated at the time. Reith admitted a public retort to these allegations claiming:

               We do not believe that any other Government, even one of which Mr Snowden was a member would have allowed the broadcasting authority under its control greater freedom than was enjoyed by the BBC during the crisis. (John Reith, 1926)

Labour leadership was not the only party to be refused broadcasted comment as ,at the company’s discretion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Davidson wished to broadcast ‘a peace appeal’ (The BBC Story – John Reith, This is The BBC) but was dismissed. The British Broadcasting Company Ltd became a government chartered corporation in 1927 whilst still under Reith’s control. In 1938, Reith was offered another position within a different organisation, leading to his departure from the BBC. It was considered that this was a ‘conspiracy between the board of governors but that has never been proved’ (McIntyre, p. 242). This was thought to be because of Reith’s prominent opinion that news should be completely impartial despite being chartered by a government. Reith’s sentiment of the Governments pressure was perhaps further reflected when he claimed during a BBC interview that ‘I (he have watched no television and listened to virtually no Radio since my departure.’ ( Face To Face, BBC, 1960). These sequence are substantial prove tha the BBC are indeed biased, and have been since their founding.

Bakeries, Plumbers and 9/11. Who could ask for a more varied rendition of their career and opinions? In relation to anything, it is best to start, logically, at the beginning. Kie Miskelly left school without the knowledge of what she wanted her life purpose to be. With a keen interest in writing, the young Miskelly delved into the endless opportunities that a Cumbrian bakery provided, yet after six months decided that she ‘really wanted to do something more with (her) life.’ By self-proclaimed, sheer luck she found herself working as a reporter cub in a local publication, being the ‘Penrith Observer’ in 1968. Being the ambitious realist that she was, the budding journalist moved between institutes, to the News & Star in Carlisle. After three years with the paper, Miskelly saw an opportunity working for ‘Black Papers’ in Johannesburg, South Africa. A barely noticeable transition.

A further three years later, the reporter returned home to work with varying publications, The Journal, Newcastle, The Northern Echo, Darlington, Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough Evening Chronicle to name but a few. As is the way of life, we reap what we saw, and Kie Miskelly ascertained her first title as editor by 1980 with the Whitely Bay Guardian, North Shields and Wallsend Weekly News, Blyth News and Ashington Post, replacing 3 editors and only fulfilling one job vacancy. A Journalistic achievement nonetheless, the now Editor felt that, in her words, ‘there was more out there’. Indeed there was as after 5 successful years work, further editor appointments later, Kie moved to her current home of 14 years, Scotland. From this point, 10 years ago, the offer of becoming editor of the Scottish branch of the Metro was something too irresistible.

After working here for 10 years, Kie Miskelly certainly has formed an opinion on the Journalistic industry. To illustrate this when I asked what advice she would give to a training journalist, the retort was, ‘Become a plumber’. Inspirational stuff. In order to reiterate her point, Kie went on to explain, ‘Seriously, we all expected the Internet to have some impact on newspapers but not as quickly as it has. Advertisers have disappeared in droves from newsprint to the Web.’ This manner of pessimism from a weathered veteran of the art is nothing to be taken lightly. ‘I think I read that one paper in St Louis, which employed 450 people, now has just a staff of 45 producing a ‘paper’ on the Internet’.

Kie Miskelly, a journalist in the industry that I have a new found respect for, divulged so much of her thoughts and feelings on the ‘death’ of Journalism its hard to express each detail. To summarize in brief, I as a trainee journalist, have no job whatsoever in print journalism. A thought that barely pleas for a flinch. It is apparent that time is moving, the internet is evolving, but it seems Ms Miskelly misses the ‘hot-metal-hard-work’ days of old.

Conor Quinn

Obesity. Upon hearing that the majority of school children across Midlothian receive 97 minutes of physical exercise a week, that may be the image that springs to mind. As lack of exercise is a prime concern, exactly why this minimum is so low must be questioned.

Edinburgh City council have been deliberating the crisis that is posed to both primary and secondary schools: A lack of physical education. Stated by the council itself , ‘ ensuring that schools in Edinburgh make progress to delivering 2 hours quality curriculum per week…was a main priority’. Hypocritically, it is recommended by the NHS that each child receive 60 minutes of quality exercise a day. Hardly a ‘priority’ it appears.

It is expected that the minimum of physical education imposed in schools will be in the region of 110 minutes within the next 3 years, increasing in reasonably small increments to 120 minutes in 2012. The importance of academia is also understood, though it can be argued that an active mind requires an active body. To truly understand the importance of exercise in school criteria, who better to ask than Head Teacher of a local education centre.

Mrs Maureen Mcdonald, Head of local Stobhill Primary School expressed her opinion by saying, ‘ Physical education isn’t just something our kids want, is vital in their process of growing up. The more exercise and play our kids receive, the happier they get, and that’s not something we want them to miss out on.’ As an ex-student of the school, it can safely be said that physical participation was not only beneficial to health, but enjoyable, a relief from all that ‘boring’ education.

Upon enquiring as to whether Mrs Mcdonald agreed with the education plan being implemented, she had this to say; ‘ The increases in physical education time proposed will benefit our kids, it allows for a more appealing approach to school.’ Many believe sport to be a bonding process, many psychologists claiming team work is vital in life. ‘Our children have no better time with each than they do when they’re playing football, or any sport for that matter.’

The increase in the physical aspect of education has come as obesity levels across Scotland are reaching their peak. Judgemental views of larger people are commonplace,  not solely and opinion but a fact. Some deem it to be the vault of the person themselves, despite being classed as ‘diseased’.

This said what of the obesity of children?  Does this not lie in the hands of the parents or schools?  We are promoted to eat healthy and exercise regularly by our government, but perhaps a firmer hand is required. When questioned on this, the Stobhill head teacher replied,’ Yes, I agree. The larger kids, without being judgemental, can often be seen to come from a larger home.’ The rationality behind her words is unquestionable.

Whether it be in the increment of two hours to four hours a week of physical education, it is believed necessary that there IS a further increment. If not, forthcomings of an entirely unhealthy generation could be on the horizon. Watch this ever-increasing space.

One of the more significantly known schools of the city is the University of Edinburgh. With over a hundred buildings spread across the city each adding the city’s appeal, the university can be described as sprawling. Within its many buildings include Edinburgh Old College, perfectly situated closely to the City Council Central Library. The buildings themselves continue to portray the history the city is known for. Housing the most students of any associations in the area, commonplace names were found to have studied at the University. Charles Darwin, naturalist and critically acclaimed author. David Hume, philosopher and leading figure of the Enlightenment. When this is brought to light, it is no surprise that the institute is home to 22 schools and 3 further colleges. These range from Humanity and Social Science to Science itself. With the academic side taken into account, the aesthetics of the University surpass expectations. As its influence extends as far back as 1583, it may come as no surprise that the university features many historical artworks including a statue of previous student David Hume. Scattered shrubbery and vegetation also contribute to the universities beauty, something which is not uncommon in the city itself.

Another university is the recently re-titled Edinburgh Napier University. Featuring Merchiston, Craiglockart, Morningside, Craighouse, Sighthill, Comely and Canaan Lane campuses, similarly scattered throughout Edinburgh’s many areas. That said the university has an amply different appearance. The more significant of the many campuses can be claimed to be Craighouse for miscellaneous reasons. Firstly, the university’s Craighouse campus was based around a previous ‘Thomas Clouston Clinic’, a mental hospital until 1990. A prospect which may put off perspective students, yet something which should not: The campus’ natural beauty is staggering. A creeping area of forest can be seen advancing down from the peak of Craighouse, anything but an eyesore. The attraction is further reflected through the style of the buildings themselves. Atop a relative steep climb sits the library which, when accomplished, houses some of the finest views the area has to offer. Something which no other University in the world can claim is that Napier shelters one of Edinburgh’s few castles. Though small in size, it allows for a further panoramic view of the huge land that Edinburgh covers, attractively. Like the University of Edinburgh itself in regards to the students themselves, Edinburgh Napier has seen a number of widely known students pass through its doors.  Scottish born ‘James Bond’, Sir Sean Connery is a doctor of the University similar to the sadly deceased professional driver, Colin Macrae. When looked back upon, the talent that Napier has produced is outstanding.

The eighth oldest higher education centre in the UK, Heriot-Watt University is another highly acclaimed school. The institute can be found on the outskirts of the urban landscape, where the land turns a shade of dazzling green. The only distraction from the rural landscape which the university’s appearance echoes effectively is the nearby airport. This said, the advantages are clear, allowing easy and quick transport to and from the city. The university itself can be seen as more of a facility for the many science based degrees it covers. Ranging from Physics and Engineering to Physical Sciences, the school is a great place for not only local students, but those from afar. The University claims to have over 10000 students worldwide, studying courses that are offered to any who wish to study. Another greatly appreciated feature of Heriot-Watt is the Student Assosication .It endorses  a student oriented outlook of the many aspects of university life. Including a number of shops, entertainment facilities and cafés, the Students’ Association also plays a pivotal role to welfare. The Advice and Support Centres offer free, confidential expert guidance on all student related issues. The diversity is further seen in the dedicated prayer rooms provided for Muslim Worship, as well as areas for chaplaincy. This can be deemed as necessary due to the diverse cultures Edinburgh offers.

Sidebar

Edinburgh’s beauty extends far beyond that of the universities and schools.  As a local, there are many landmarks any tourist or prospective student would have to visit, firstly the ‘gem’ in the city’s eye, Edinburgh Castle. Standing as a beacon of Scottish pride since the 12^th century, the castle attracts many thousands of tourists every year, passing beneath its portcullises. From the fortress,  any observant excursionist would catch a glimpse of the Walter Scott Monument. Standing gracefully at a height of 200 feet, the tower lies opposite ‘Jenners’ department store, which is renowned for selling high quality goods. In recognition of Sir Walter Scott, author of the 1800’s, its soot blackened exterior is one of odd yet bewildering attractiveness. Behind the monument is situated Prince’s Street Gardens, a spot of tranquillity to escape the urban chaos that ensues nearby, despite running parallel to the southern end of Prince’s Street itself. Covering 8.5 acres of luscious ground, here anyone wishing to relax can do so, slumping into one of the many natural niceties that the City offers.