I chose to blog about an assignment of interest because not only this particular assignment motivated me to be a Public Relations specialist but has exposed me one of the exciting things PR consultants do; from media monitoring to creating relationships with journalist and writing about it. The assignment was basically to interview a reporter.
The first step was to find a reporter- name, address and contact information. Then we had to ask questions such as what is your educational background? How long have you been a journalist? What is the most fulfilling part of your job etc…? To me, finding a reporter was the highlight of the assignment. Yes, I was hung up on, yes, I was not called back and yes, I was asked never to call again because they were simply too busy. But once you find that reporter that is willing to provide seven minutes of his/her day to help you with an assignment… it’s like love at first question. So my first “love” was Gurdeep Aliuwali Reporter and Anchor CP24.
Gurdeep Aliuwali graduated from McMaster University; he majored in Mass Media & Sociology. Aliuwali has always been fascinated with the media since he was a kid. He grew up reading the newspaper every morning so it became part of his routine. He enjoyed writing and researching a good story. When asked how do you see as your role as a reporter in society? “I'm a messenger; a vehicle of information. My role is to accurately and helpfully convey the goings on of the day to the viewing audience.” - Gurdeep Aliuwali.
Another interesting answer I got from Aliuwali was when I asked him; how do you determine if a story is news worthy? He said “I choose what aspects of the story I want to emphasize. I decide that first and foremost by ensuring I'm telling both sides of the story. Next, I ask myself: What would I like to know about this story if I was hearing about it? That helps me decide the aspects to convey. In TV, oftentimes you're only given one to two minutes to tell a story. So you have to pick the key points in your allotted time while ensuring you remove any bias/impartiality.”
Over all, this assignment has also taught me that this isn’t a nine to five weekends off kind of sector; it’s more of a 24/7 with a bathroom break. This is one of the reasons why Public Relations fascinates me. Being updated, current, coming up with strategies, or creating awareness 24/7? It’s amazing.
I’ve enjoyed all the projects and discussions assigned to us, some more than others. But an interview with a reporter was the highlight of my term.
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