Mark Austin meets Highbury students

ITV newsreader Mark Austin has offered his expert advice to journalism students at Highbury College - where his career began more than three decades ago.

Mark told the students they were venturing into an exciting multimedia world, far different from his early days as a reporter, with social media a fantastic way of finding and developing stories.

Mark said his NCTJ training was still relevant today, citing knowledge of media law as of particular importance for any journalist looking to make it in the industry.

The Highbury students were also given a tour of the ITV newsroom and studio, and got to meet ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy.

Paul Foster, Programme Leader of the NCTJ courses at Highbury, said:

‘Mark generously gave up his time to speak to the students who loved hearing about his wonderful career and witnessing the hustle and bustle of a national TV newsroom.

‘Mark spoke fondly of his time at Highbury and how the NCTJ training was so important in developing his career.’

Mark completed his year-long NCTJ-accredited course at Highbury College alongside the BBC’s Deputy Political Editor, John Pienaar.

After the course, he joined the Bournemouth Echo as a reporter. He later worked as both a news and sports reporter for the BBC, before being offered a position as sports correspondent for ITN.

Mark then worked as Asia correspondent in Hong Kong and African correspondent in Johannesburg. While there, he reported on the transition from apartheid to democracy, Nelson Mandela’s 1994 election victory and the genocide in Rwanda.

Highbury College today runs two NCTJ-accredited Diploma in Journalism courses. A year-long course is based at The News, Portsmouth, and a 20-week fast-track diploma. Both start this September. There are still a few places up for grabs in The News classroom. To apply, go to www.highbury.co.uk/journalism or to enquire email journalism@highbury.ac.uk