Hounslow Promise Masterclass: Hard Truths about Journalism revealed

By Serena Lola

Hounslow delivers on its masterclass promise 

​The world of journalism: ever-changing and ever so exciting. Thanks to Hounslow Promise I was able to get a deeper insight into its world from BBC’s Jasmin Buttar and The Financial Times’ Peter Campbell. I was able to embark on their journeys with them as they told their stories about their experiences, it was particularly fascinating to see how they’d both stumbled into the journalist world unintentionally. 

"...an honest and eye opening experience about what it means to be a journalist..."

​Within this some hard truths were told such as the struggle to even enter the world in the first place but it allowed for an honest and eye opening experience about what it means to be a journalist, especially when it comes to morals and what is actually ‘crossing the line’ of morality. 

Serena Lola (centre) speaking with Peter Campbell alongside Rhys Jones and Layba Nisar.

​However, some positives were shared as well such as the fact Jasmin has been able to travel almost all over the world and Peter has had some crazy experiences like drag racing a Tesla and a Nissan which made their journeys just that bit more intriguing. 

"...gain a greater understanding of the amazing experiences you can have as a journalist as well as the hardships that come with it..."

Brooke Jones (centre) with Seema Malhotra MP and Financial Times's Peter Campbell

​After the Q&A/interview section we enjoyed some pizza and who doesn’t love pizza? During this we had some time to network and talk with others- It was great as we got to learn a bit more about each other as well as Peter. I found this time to be the most fun as it was less professional and helped gain a greater understanding of the amazing experiences you can have as a journalist as well as the hardships that come with it. It also enabled me to get some advice about how to begin my own journey into the world of journalism which was extremely helpful.

Overall, it was a great event and I cannot give enough thanks to Hounslow Promise for giving me this opportunity.

For more information about Hounslow Promise please click here (external link)

Hounslow Promise Masterclass held on Thursday 22nd November 2018 at Kingsley Academy