IAM2020: Breaking into Media

One of the final events of IAM2020 was also one of the most inspiring, as MEND was able to host a unique and intimate Media Roundtable event on Sunday 29th November. The event began with a panel discussion facilitated by a member of our policy team, Zeeshan Ali, and centering around what concrete steps aspiring BAME and Muslim journalists and media professionals can take in order to break into the media industry.

The panel was made up of media professionals with different career paths and from different areas of the sector, including print media, broadcasting, and radio, which made for a broad-ranging and interesting discussion. MEND was pleased to host Unzela Khan, Overnight Reporter from the Daily Star, and Stephen Colegrave, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Byline Times as well as Inzamam Rashid, News Correspondent at Sky and Mya Khan, Radio Producer for the BBC. Despite the many different experiences and perspectives of the panelists, there were many outstanding pieces of advice that came up again and again for aspiring media professionals, especially: be persistent!

Attendees also enjoyed small group workshops hosted by each of the speakers and focusing on different areas of their expertise. Unzela Khan shared reflections on non-traditional paths into journalism with a particular focus on BAME candidates. Stephen Colegrave spoke with attendees about holding media bodies and journalists to account and how aspiring journalists can prioritize ethical best practices in their own work. Inzamam Rashid discussed the relationship between activists and media, sharing tips on getting your work in the headlines and cultivating media hype around important causes both on and offline. Finally, Mya Khan provided excellent tips on getting involved in radio either on-air or behind the scenes. Attendees were able to ask questions and network with our panelists in order to gain real insight into the industry and the different paths that can lead to a media career.

MEND was delighted to host such fantastic speakers at this event that provided valuable and highly relevant advice to aspiring BAME and Muslim journalists – thank you again to our panelists and attendees. 

If you missed this event, you are able to catch up with the panel discussion here: https://fb.watch/23CRO-d0cw/

MEND offers many other events, resources, and training on media engagement and awareness.

If you are interested in these opportunities, you can find out more here: www.mend.org.uk/get-involved/