Louise Beale, presenter on Channel 5 News and Director of Middle Table, invited students to contribute questions about war reporting in Ukraine on a recent visit.
Date: 12 April 2022
London Met recently welcomed Louise Beale, presenter on Channel 5 News and Director of independent media production company, Middle Table, to discuss careers in broadcast journalism with students.
In addition to talking about life as a journalist in television, Louise invited first year Journalism students BA to come up with questions for an upcoming podcast on the war in Ukraine and promised to use them.
That podcast is now complete and students are able to hear their questions being put to three ITN reporters after their return from the frontline in Kyiv in The Send: The Ukraine War: A Special Episode.
5 News's Chief Correspondent Tessa Chapman, Producer Zoe Kalus and Camera Operator Adam Boyle talk about their experience of reporting from the Ukraine capital as Russia's military bore down, the crucial decisions made under intense pressure as the air-raid sirens blared, and their harrowing journey out of the country, where they encountered horror and humanity among the waves of refugees.
First year student Sara Scheeres reflected on Louise’s guest speaker appearance: “Through the discussion, I feel like my understanding of what I can do continues to expand and elevate.
“Looking at Louise's production company, Middle Table, I realised that I could also do commercial documentary or video work. I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to have all these different speakers come and share their stories and specifics of their work. Thank you.”
