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5 Feb 2010 12:16:02
Students and staff from the University were key to a successful corporate emergency exercise for a leading aviation company.
Journalism students from all years and courses, led by programme leader Deena Ingham, took the roles of journalists from different news organisations.
They helped the company involved to test their ability to respond adequately to the media in case of an emergency, something the company has never yet experienced for real.
The exercise involved flooding the company’s press centre with telephone calls, door stepping their communications director and forming the press corps for a press conference, producing print and online versions of the unfolding scenario together with television and radio coverage.
A spokesman for the company concerned, which remains anonymous for commercial reasons, said: “The students’ involvement ensured that the exercise felt realistic for the press officers and senior management team taking part. This gave invaluable experience to colleagues that would be required to respond to the media in such a situation.”
Second year journalism student Hanna Paasikoski agreed and said: “It was great. Not many get a chance to really practise reporting in an emergency situation and I think the experience will be helpful when reporting a real one.”
Journalism course leader Deena Ingham said this was just one of a series of opportunities for students.
She said: “It was invaluable experience for students which cannot be underestimated. Rarely do student journalists get the opportunity to tackle breaking news and it’s precious.”
Companies in various sectors have found it hugely beneficial to test their communications teams by involving University journalists in such exercises.
Latest news» 2010» February» Top flight experience for young journos
