How do you get your first articles published? Are there any secrets out there for new players? Colleen Murrell spoke to three of her former Deakin students – Katherine Wilson (left), Nick Townsend (centre) and Liz Shingleton, who all managed to get their university assignments published. Katherine went on to win the 2006 ‘Sensis Award for Student Journalism’, judged by The Melbourne Press Club. Nick won the ‘Just Super Student Journalist of the Year Award‘, given by the Walkley Foundation. And Liz is continuing to write for ‘Equity’, the magazine that gave her that first crucial break.

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Technorati Tags: Deakin University, freelance, journalism, The Melbourne Press Club, Walkly Foundation, Equity

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In previous podcasts we’ve spoken with journalists in a range of metropolitan and national news organisations. In this mediapodcast I visit the editors of The Warrnambool Standard, and the Murray Valley Standard. Both have interesting observations about reporting in regional areas.

According to Rick Bayne, Editor of the Warrnambool Standard, regional newspapers have a much greater connection with local communities than their metropolitan counterparts.

“Here (in Warrnambool)…everyone knows where I work, so if they want to say something about a story, they let me know about it,” Rick says.

“You have to be responsive to local people, and you have to know what boundaries to set.”

At the Murray Valley Standard, Editor Travis Simmons says that responsiveness to local communities extends into recruiting new from the local area.

“Where possible we try to source journalists locally,” Travis says.

We give locals the opportunity to develop a career at the local newspaper, becuase that local focus is very important to what we do”.

I then travel to Canberra to talk with the CSIRO about the Total Wellbeing Diet book. Sales have exceeded all expectations, but were they ready for the criticism from some quaters?

Finally I talk with Laura Stewart about some volunteer opportunities for Deakin PR students. The Geelong campus’s DRT is looking for some PR help – it’s a great way for one, or a small number of students, to get some practical PR experience before they graduate.

And congratulations to 2006 graduate Cara Ash on being appointed Geelong Football Club’s new Marketing Assistant. It was a hotly contested role, and a credit to Cara who was a fantastic student, and I’m sure will be a great asset to the Cats. Go Cats! Check out Cara’s 2006 podcast with Dave Hughes at NOVA FM.

Show notes

1:23 Regional Newspapers

1:59 Rick Bayne, Editor, Warrnambool Standard

16:15 Travis Simmons, Editor, Murray Valley Standard

28:00 Marilyn Chalkley, Manager Media Liaison, CSIRO

34:30 Laura Stewart, Communications Officer, FRH Group

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theMediaPod 26 February 2007

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It’s the start of another radio semester at Deakin University’s Journalism Department. And it’s a good opportunity to discover what a life in radio is like. Colleen Murrell caught up with Deakin graduate Emily Hoskins, who is the Breakfast Editor and Morning Newsreader for Gold 104.3 and Mix 101.1 in Melbourne.

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Colleen Murrell talks with radio journalist Emily Hoskins.

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Roy Greenslade is one of Britain’s best-known journalists and media commentators. He has written three books, including a history of British newspapers called Press Gang: How Newspapers Make Profits from Propaganda. In a long career, he has edited The Daily Mirror, and held senior jobs at a number of other newspapers including The Sunday Times and The Sun. Today he writes a daily blog for The Guardian newspaper in London, which deals with issues in the international media scene.

He is also Professor of Journalism at City University in London.

This month he’s been down under, attending a media conference organised by the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.

Colleen Murrell caught up with him to ask about his website and other future trends in the media.

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Colleen Murrell talks with Roy Greenslade.

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Ever wondered what it is like to work on a Sunday newspaper here in Australia? And how would you go about chasing stories for a specialist round? Colleen Murrell tracks down Deakin graduate Mary Papadakis and finds out how she climbed the greasy pole to become Education Reporter on the Sunday Herald Sun in Melbourne.

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Colleen Murrell talks to Mary Papadakis

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A collection of dolphins is described as a pod, so when theMediaPod went looking for someone to talk about political communication, who better to ask than South Australia’s own parliamentary dolphin, Isobel Redmond.

Wikipedia details how Mrs Redmond, the Liberal Member for Heysen, whilst working as a solicitor on a native title land claim was bestowed the Aboriginal name Joondinya, meaning dolphin. In this MediaPodcast Mrs Redmond talks with Lee Hopkins about that experience, her thoughts on electronic communication, and how she communicates with her constituents. It’s a warm, funny and very informative interview that we’re sure you’ll enjoy (and recommend to your interested colleagues).

For more information about political communication you may like to read:

Davis, A. (2002), Public relations democracy, public relations, politics and the mass media in Britain, Manchester University Press.

McNair, B. (2003) ‘Party political communication II: political public relations’ in Introduction to political communication London: Routledge,

Stockwell, S. (2002), ‘Taxonomy of the political campaign’ paper to the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association conference 2002.

Stockwell, S. (2004), ‘Public Relations in Government’ in, Public relations, theory and practice. Jane Johnson, and Clara Zawawi, (Eds.) Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, 2004.

Wring, D. (2005), ‘The public relations state’ in Politics of marketing the labour party Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan.

Young, S. (2004), ‘The pr state’ in Persuaders, inside the hidden machine of political advertising North Melbourne: Pluto Press.

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Interview with Isobel Redmond

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A new report finds that many Australians are avoiding overseas travel because they’re worried about bird flu. The business website TotalTravel.com says nearly 50 percent of those surveyed claim bird flu is affecting their travel plans. But other industry insiders dispute these findings, and say in their experience travellers appear to be more worried by the 2004 Asian Tsunami and terrorism. Kate Tuffin has the latest from the world of travel.

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Travel flu

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Recent statistics reveal an increase in the number of animals being used for experiments across Australia. As a result, scientists are coming under pressure to look for alternatives. Deakin University student Emma Wilkins visited a laboratory in Victoria that is trying to reduce its reliance on animals, and improve their day-to-day conditions.

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Animal experiments podcast

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Tough new restrictions will change the way we treat the common cold this winter. The sale of cold and flu medications, containing the drug Pseudoephedrine, will be monitored by a system designed to stamp out illicit use of the drug. A national database will identify drug runners who buy bulk amounts of over-the-counter tablets in order to manufacture amphetamines. Casey Tomkins has this report.

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Cold Medicine podcast

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Many country towns are struggling to keep young adults from leaving regional Victoria. If they do choose to stay it is usually because of family, friends, or specific educational opportunites or career paths. Now, as Uschi Steedman discovers, sport is also playing its part. It seems local football clubs can also be a factor in persuading young men to stay in their home towns.

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Country Youth podcast

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