Question time for students
08/03/2010
L-R Rebecca Fisher, Jasmin Bayliss, Stephanie Byrne, Harry Gee-Woolley and Lewis Fry.
A group of Media students from the College's Crawley campus got to grips with some big issues last week, after being invited to answer questions about the forthcoming election by Mercury FM broadcast journalist Cheryl Dennis. The group of five, who are all studying for their National Diploma in Media Production and all live in and around Crawley, spoke up on a range of political issues affecting young people, for the report which aired Monday 8 March, during the breakfast slot.
Year 1 students Jasmin Bayliss, 19, from Faygate and Rebecca Fisher, 18 from Crawley joined Year 2 students Lewis Fry, 19; Stephanie Byrne, 18 and Harry Gee-Woolley, 17, who are all from Crawley, for the interview which took place on Wednesday 3 March at the Mercury FM studios in Crawley. They were asked their opinions on issues relating to all aspects of the election process, including how important their vote is to them, how they feel as first time voters and whether or not they plan to vote in May. They even discussed whether they would be more inclined to vote if the election was held in an 'X Factor' style!
The students went on to discuss the portrayal of politicians in the media in light of Gordon Brown's recently televised interview with Piers Morgan, their opinions on Government youth policy, and how the implications of parliamentary exposés, such as the expenses scandal, affect their political opinions ahead of the election.
The National Diploma in Media Production includes a module on radio production, so in addition to airing their political opinions, the students also got a valuable look at what goes on behind the scenes at a radio station. Student Jasmin Bayliss found that the session provided "a real insight into radio production" with Stephanie Byrne adding that "it's been a really fun experience to come to Mercury and see what goes on behind the scenes, we even got to see DJ Luke Smith broadcasting live which was great!"
For one of the students who took part, being able to 'go backstage' at Mercury was particularly useful. Harry Gee-Woolley has been chosen to interview Central Sussex College's Principal Dr Russell Strutt as part of the forthcoming 'Desert Island Disc' style radio project, which is part of the Radio Production module of the National Diploma course. Harry, who will record his interview this month, said "I am grateful for the opportunity to brush up on my interview technique ready for our own radio project! Visiting the Mercury studios is an exciting opportunity to be given, and I know it's really going to help with my course."
To listen to the interview, which is now available as a Mercury FM podcast, please click here.
