BBC news platforms to host free Birmingham journalism event for budding talent

To celebrate their move to Birmingham, BBC Newsbeat and Asian Network News have partnered up with the BBC Academy to host a free event for those interested in entering the world of journalism.

Aspiring journalists can apply for tickets to attend the ‘Interested in the #newsbab?’ event at Hockley Social Club from 3pm until 6.30pm from the BBC Shows and Tours website. The ticket ballot is open now until 15 November, the date of the event.

The afternoon will include masterclasses in news, radio production, and storytelling. There will be a careers question and answer session with top BBC names, and the event will end with the opportunity to network with industry professionals from the BBC.

Attendees will hear from BBC Newsbeat Deputy Editor Ben Mundy, and BBC Newsbeat and Asian Network journalists Ankur Desai, Calum Lesley, and Sam Harris who will discuss their journalistic journeys and answer questions from the audience.

The relocation of the leading news programmes was announced last year as part of the BBC Across The UK plans to cement the broadcaster’s commitment to better reflect, represent, and serve all parts of the country. The department consists of 50 staff working from Birmingham.

Speaking of the event, Danielle Dwyer, Editor of BBC Newsbeat and BBC Asian Network News, said: “Getting to meet so much new talent in the Midlands is one of the most exciting things about our move to Birmingham so we’re really looking forward to the day.”

Stuart Thomas, Head of the Midlands for BBC England, said: “It’s a very exciting time to be in Birmingham. We are delighted to be hosting this event here and providing local people with an insight into the BBC’s newsgathering process.”

Newsbeat is the flagship news programme on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra and provides news to meet the needs of the network’s target audience of 15-24 year olds. According to the BBC, “It’s a creative multimedia team who work to set an agenda that’s relevant to the audience across all platforms.”

“Asian Network News puts its listeners at the centre of the conversation, delivering news, current affairs and discussions aimed at young British Asians. The team is responsible for producing documentaries, digital content, podcasts and a weekly discussion programme,” a BBC spokesperson added.

To apply for tickets to the ‘Interested in the #newsbab?’ event, click here.