Journalism students from Liverpool John Moores University were reporting live on the General Election for organisations such as ITV, BBC and Sky News last night.
Students from all levels of the Journalism courses were deployed to various counts across Merseyside and the North West, gaining invaluable real-world experience with their coverage.
Accreditation body, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), also recruited one of our students to file reports and interviews for a national radio programme.
Fran Yeoman, Journalism Programme Leader, said: “To have students working for the major national broadcasters on such a momentous news story is testament to how talented and industry-ready they are. They’ve had a chance to be on the front row of a bit of political history before even graduating and the experience will stand them in great stead as they go on into their careers.”
Opportunities like this provide aspiring journalists with the some of the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the world of news reporting.
Rayhan Bengougou, a first year on the BA Sports Journalism course, covered the count in Wavertree for the BJTC. He said: “It’s four in the morning right now and I’ve learnt so much. Even though I am tired I have learnt a lot, from having to interview people and MPs, to having to take down notes and report the story live as it happened.
“The only piece of advice I would give to any journalist who is out there is to please bring more snacks than I did! It was an amazing experience and I would happily do it again.”
Emily Smith, a Masters student, was at the count in Rochdale for Sky News. She said: “I had a brilliant time working with Sky News and was honoured to play even a small role in Sky’s coverage of the 2024 General Election. A special thanks to JMU Journalism for such a great opportunity and for helping me get my first experience in political reporting.
“It’s definitely something I’d like to do again, and it’s reaffirmed for me that I do really want to go into political journalism.”
Really enjoyed reporting on last night’s General Election 🌹🔵
I interviewed Labour, Green, Reform and Conservative candidates for Bootle and Sefton Central 🗳️
It was great to push myself out of my comfort zone 👌
Big thanks to @itvnews & @JMUJournalism 🤝#generalection2024 pic.twitter.com/ITzAaWQ9Mq
— Luke Davies (@lukedaviesmedia) July 5, 2024
Three @JMUJournalism students covering the Aintree count for different organisations. @Jamieoagjourno for @SkyNews @andygspence for @LivEchonews & @lukedaviesmedia for @itvnews 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JMiA9l4mpu
— Michelle Ponting (@MichellePonting) July 4, 2024
Counting is well underway here in Aintree for Sefton Central and Bootle seats 🗳️ #GeneralElection2024 pic.twitter.com/yJEkLjNMkO
— Luke Davies (@lukedaviesmedia) July 4, 2024
And so it begins! Myself and @journosian are in Rochdale for the #GeneralElection2024 with @SkyNews ! Thank you @JMUJournalism for the opportunity! 🗳️🎥 #electionnightLIVE #skynewselection24 pic.twitter.com/XCCqUWUUYF
— Emily Myra (@emilymyrasmith) July 4, 2024
Here at the election count in Ellesmere Port for the Ellesmere Port & Bromborough seat, as well as Chester North & Neston #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/LdTnNmM0wm
— Ed Bazeley journalism (@EdBazejourno) July 4, 2024
Here at Wavertree in Liverpool covering the General Election results night. Should be interesting and quite exciting. #bjtcvote24 pic.twitter.com/ZX2ZluGaDd
— Rayhan Bengougou (@Rayman905) July 4, 2024
Arrived at the count in Aintree. Long night ahead #electionnightLIVE #skynewselection24 pic.twitter.com/iOjKTbOldr
— Jamie (@Jamieoagjourno) July 4, 2024