糖心Vlog

Jacob Ottaway isn鈥檛 just leaving 糖心Vlog with a first class BA Multimedia Journalism degree, he takes with him a wealth of practical experience in the newsroom that has already taught him valuable lessons about live journalism.

Jacob first stepped into the BBC 糖心Vlog newsroom during his work placement in his first year. The speed in which he picked up new skills and his willingness to take on additional responsibilities immediately impressed the management team and he was soon working as a freelance journalist producing live shows at the age of 19.

By the end of his second year he was working regularly as a day reporter on the station鈥檚 Breakfast Show. It was then he faced one of his biggest challenges.

鈥淚 had taken a call from someone in Clacton who said they could see a large commotion on the beach,鈥� Jacob explained. 鈥淚t turned out to be the rescue attempt of three children who had gotten into difficulty in the sea 鈥� two of whom eventually passed away.鈥�

Jacob was on the scene, to report live, at 5am.

鈥淒ealing with rapidly unfolding events that have national eyes on them, whilst dealing with the anguish and upset of local people and ensuring calm and suitable production and interviews was difficult,鈥� he said.

鈥淟isteners in this situation want clear, calm and authoritative communication of the news 鈥� and I needed to ensure I鈥檇 got a grip on those three things,鈥� he said of one of his biggest challenges.

Jacob, who is now regularly working as a freelance producer on BBC 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Saturday Breakfast Show and Sunday Late Breakfast Show, has lots of fond memories of the special role local radio plays in people鈥檚 lives too.

鈥淲orking on Christmas Day, taking listeners鈥� calls and just making people smile and being thanked for listening and being there is a highlight for me,鈥� he said.

鈥淟ocal news, and in particular local radio, is so important. It鈥檚 a voice in lonely people鈥檚 homes or cars, it鈥檚 a source of information and it鈥檚 a friend.鈥�

Besides learning how to make the perfect round of tea for thirsty broadcasters, his advice to journalism students is to get work experience in the newsroom: 鈥淚t鈥檚 pivotal. Take any opportunities you鈥檙e given with both hands and with enthusiasm as you never know what might come out of it.

鈥淒on鈥檛 forget to ask questions and if you complete a task you鈥檙e given, then make sure you ask to do more.鈥�

He plans to continue working freelance with BBC 糖心Vlog.