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Media students join hyperlocal site in TV link-up

Media students from a college have joined forces with a hyperlocal website to launch a TV programme.

The Oldham College is working with the local Saddleworth News site to produce a monthly news bulletin which will feature reports from across the area.

Saddleworth News was launched in February by former Sky News journalist Richard Jones to report on news from the parish, which comprises several villages to the east of Oldham, and has already gained more than 10,000 readers a month.

The first TV bulletin went live yesterday at saddleworthnews.com and includes the latest on the election court case involving MP Phil Woolas and a look at new businesses which have opened in Uppermill.

  • Saddleworth News editor Richard Jones is pictured with some of the students working on the project.
  • Richard said: “We don’t yet know what the future of journalism is going to look like, but I think this sort of multimedia coverage of local events is going to become more common.

    “If traditional media companies are unwilling or unable to offer this kind of service, then partnerships between local people and colleges could be one solution.

    “As someone with many years of experience in TV and radio, I’ve already been impressed by the quality of the reports being produced by the students. I’m looking forward to working with them in the months ahead.”

    The programme is anchored by a presenter at the college’s studios in Oldham, where students have access to the latest digital technology.

    John Eccles, head of the Media Department at the college, said: “Giving the students the opportunity to work with industry professionals is fantastic. It gives the courses we deliver far more relevance.

    “It’s one thing to make a student film to be watched by your peers but it’s another when a wider community audience will watch what you have made and will be critical of the work if it is not of a professional standard.”

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    • October 28, 2010 at 1:30 pm
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      How can this story have gone so long without the usual moaning brigade complaining about young ‘uns stealing our jobs. The HTFP community is not what it once was if this sort of opportunity is being allowed to slip through the net.

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