Verashni Pillay's Address to the 3rd Year Journalism Class

Verashni Pillay is one of my favourite journalists - I love her commitment to integrity in journalism and her passion for news! I came across this article of hers based on her address to the University of Pretoria's third year Journalism class.

Just reading through her address, the passion and hope she expresses for new journalists entering a tough, competetive industry is genuinely encouraging and give us, as news readers, some hope for the future!

Without scaring you guys too much I have to tell you that I’ve been quite excited about addressing you all today. Excited because you represent a new wave of minds and creativity entering an industry in flux. It is your generation and the people in this class who will be the leaders of tomorrow’s newsrooms. And this is not just an industry matter: the role of journalism in this country is more important than ever. Our democracy is facing serious challenges and the oversight of an independent and rigorous media is critical. Just this morning the Mail & Guardian revealed that a series of tenders for feeding Limpopo school kids were given to Julius Malema’s cronies, meaning that in some cases kids, 80% of whom are orphans, haven’t received the one meal they can rely on since April, while the fatcats who should have been delivering the food still get paid, with our taxes.  

And now some final tips from our newsroom: [By Amanda Strydom and Melissa du Preez].

1. Be excited. As a young journalist, you’re allowed to be that over-eager puppy who wants to help wherever you can. Volunteer for every story, even if you know the editor will send the senior political reporter. The only way I got into reporting (off the traffic desk) at 702 was by putting up my hand for every story.
2. Keep in mind, though, you won’t always do exciting stuff. In fact, you could be writing traffic stories. In order to get to covering big marches, you first have to prove your worth. So cover that bake-sale as if it’s the most important story of your life.
3. You’re going to make mistakes and get into trouble. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad journalists/writer – even the top journalists in the country started where you are
4. Ask as many stupid questions as possible, as soon as possible – people that ask the most questions, the earliest, learn the fastest – a month of silly questions will give you an edge over others and very soon ,even over the senior staff
5. Speak up – no matter how lame the story seems, fresh perspective and being proactive gains brownie points

And finally have a good attitude. Your classmate Neo has started interning for us recently and is efficient, super-willing and fast. She does what every one should do on a new job: she makes herself useful and finds things to do. She’s a pleasure to have around. If that’s true of the entire class, I can guarantee you’re all going to go very far. And I wish you all the best as you embark on a future that is not only bright, but exciting and meaningful.

Read the full article here: Verashni | Blog and website