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On 24 June 2014, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace students took part in The News Academy Conference at News UK’s offices in Wapping. Along with other students aged 15–18, we were welcomed into the conference room for a delicious breakfast buffet.

At 9:45am, the conference commenced with senior editors and journalists from various newspapers discussing how the enhancement of technology is changing the way in which news is presented and received. The discussion was also open to us and we were given the chance to ask the journalists and editors questions about their thoughts and feelings on the rapid development of technology.  After an hour of discussion, we had a networking break, with the opportunity to talk with senior editors and journalists, and even to exchange details.

In the next session, we got to meet and interrogate even more journalists, columnists and editors. This gave the buzzing young journalists the opportunity to ask them questions about life in journalism - ranging from suitable A Level subjects to study, to asking them about the most interesting person they have interviewed.

After hearing what it took to be a professional, it was time to put the hours of intense interrogation and note-making to practise. We took part in a role-play press conference, with senior editors acting as the police and the students as journalists. It was our duty to press the police for crucial information about the murder of the town’s “star football striker”. Having extracted enough information, we were given twenty minutes to come up with a headline and write an article on the murder. This enabled us to experience the pressure professional journalists are constantly under when writing to deadline to keep the public informed.

The press conference was followed by a networking lunch, after which all students returned to the conference room for a chance to quiz the editor of The Times, John Witherow, about his career, and for the final debate on freedom of the press. Students took the opportunity to ask many searching questions about the ethics and importance of journalism. Our day came to an end at 4pm after the final debate was over.

Personally, I thought that The News Academy Conference gave us the opportunity to gain insights and develop better understanding of the world of journalism, and the rewards and unforgettable experiences that come with it. The day also allowed students to network with some of the most powerful people in the industry, which in return could benefit them in the future.

Yildan Hussein 11TP