Thursday 20 May 2010
'Right to die' documentary wins student journalism award
Broadcast journalism student, Rebecca Johnson, is celebrating after scooping the Student Journalist of the Year award at Birmingham Press Clubs ‘Midlands Media Awards 2010’ for her moving documentary on assisted dying.
Rebecca, a final year student at Nottingham Trent University, entered her ten minute dissertation feature looking at the people behind the headlines and investigated the impact helping someone to die had on those they left behind.
She said: “I've always been interested in the assisted dying debate and followed stories in the press with interest. I was lucky to have the support of the Dignity in Dying charity in London. They put me in touch with a ‘right to die’ spokesperson who introduced me to people who had taken family members to Dignitas.”
The annual awards showcase the very best of the Midlands media and celebrate the hard work of journalists, presenters and editors across the region. This is the first year the awards have included a student journalist category.
Rebecca added: “I'm really pleased to have won and it's a reflection of the excellent teaching we get here at the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism. I graduate soon and feel ready and prepared to enter the industry, winning the award is an added bonus.”
Carole Fleming, programme leader for Broadcast Journalism, said: “Rebecca’s documentary was an extremely moving piece of work and the result of a lot of hard work and dedication. We always encourage our students to enter competitions such as these and the high standard of their work means they traditionally do very well.”
Notes to editors:
Press enquiries please contact Helen Fitzpatrick, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
