Turning the tables on the journos

Molly (left) and Ava with St Patrick’s principal Frances Robertson

JOURNALISTS have a quick answer for everything.  That’s what keen scribes Molly and Ava concluded from their recent internship in a newsroom.

And reporters can face jail for exposing wrong-doing, as the girls learned from speaking to one of Australia’s top investigative writers.

“We interviewed Adele Ferguson who said people had stalked her and she had nearly gone to jail for some stories,” Molly said.

“It made me realise the impact that reporting can have and how it can get journalists into trouble.”

“It was eye-opening,” Ava added.  “I’ve never really thought of all the different things a journalist can do and write about.”

Year 10 students at St Patrick’s Parish School in Cooma, Molly and Ava were among nine students from across the country chosen for the week-long internship with Australian Catholics.

As well as interviewing leading journalists, the girls attended writing workshops and sessions on social media and taking photos.

Encouraged by energetic English teacher Suzanne Stacey, the keen writers will each pen articles for the magazine’s Spring issue and are co-writing a piece about Rural Fire Service volunteers.

“The journalists seemed to have a quick answer for everything,” Molly said.

  “They revealed a lot of detail and behind-the-scenes stuff which was really interesting.”

There was mild panic over looming deadlines but the budding reporters were relieved to learn they had more time to finesse their words.

“We thought we had to write our articles by the end of the week and were worried,” Ava said.

“But they are not due until June.  It is a long process, just thinking about how you will approach a story.  That’s another thing about journalism we hadn’t realized.”