Broadcast Journalism students' trips

Learning about the work of local councils

Published February 2011

Students on our new Broadcast Journalism degree attended a recent planning meeting at Hastings Borough Council.

They came to the Planning Committee meeting as part of their studies, which includes learning about Local Government and how it works. The visit was arranged by their Course Leader Jackie Errigo with Committee Chair Councillor Godfrey Daniel.

Jackie Errigo said: “Knowing how we are governed is a core part of any would-be journalist’s knowledge; the students enjoyed the meeting and were very appreciative of the time that Councillor Daniel spent with them beforehand explaining his role as a councillor.”

Student Dan Evanson said: “It was an interesting experience that really helped our understanding of how local government works – which is something we have to learn as part of our course. Being at the meeting showed us how it works in practice and we really did enjoy it.”

Visit to Houses of Parliament

The visit to the council meeting followed a trip to London at the end of last year. Course leader Jackie Errigo arranged a visit to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on Friday 18 February, when the students went on a tour of the Palace of Westminster and met the new Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye, Amber Rudd.

Jackie Errigo, the course leader commented: “All the students described their visit as interesting and informative and enjoyed the opportunity not only to see the Houses of Parliament but to learn more about its history and what happens there on a daily basis now. Their favourite part was when they actually went inside the House of Commons and stood alongside the Government benches!”