30 May 2014

 Would be journalists of the future will be given the opportunity to win work experience with reporters at ITV Wales’ current affairs programmes for S4C in a new competition launched today at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

Competitors will be asked to produce an original news story about their local area, in any media format of their choice.

According to Sali Collins, lecturer of Journalism for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol at Cardiff University, "the aim of the competition is to encourage children and young people to write and create journalistic content in Welsh.

"At Cardiff University, which is the most respected journalism centre in the UK, we are developing a new Welsh language provision for undergraduates and it’s it's vital that we encourage children and young people to write and create content in Welsh.

"There is a demand for journalists who can work in Welsh and the hope is that this competition will give the winners an unforgettable experience and give them a chance to develop their journalism, linguistic and digital skills."

The winner/s will spend time working as a journalists and researchers alongside the Hacio team and journalists at Y Byd ar Bedwar, produced by ITV Cymru for S4C.

Sian Morgan, deputy editor and reporter for Y Byd ar Bedwar and Hacio at ITV Cymru, says,

"We're very proud to offer the prize in this competition. The winner will work on Y Byd ar Bedwar and Hacio during the work experience period. It's an excellent opportunity and a chance also for us to see future journalists at work."

Garffild Lloyd Lewis, S4C Head of Communications, Marketing and Partnerships, says,

"There is a great demand for graduates and young people with journalism skills. Not only to work as journalists but also in other fields across media and public relations. It's important also that we nurture and encourage new talent in Wales and this competition is an excellent opportunity to do this."

The candidates must create original news content about their area, based on a story which would attract the attention of the media.

Sali Collins says, "We're looking for any type of news content, written articles, or reports for radio, web or TV."

Wales First Minister, Carwyn Jones, who will be launching the competition later today (Friday, 30 May) says:

"The competition will be an excellent opportunity for young people to gain confidence to create original journalistic content in the Welsh language, and to develop essential journalism, creative and linguistic skills.

"It's vital that Wales maintains a strong news industry, to ensure that Wales' people are aware of local and national issues which effect their lives. The competition will help to nurture talents in Wales, and I look forward to being interviewed by some of these young reporters in the future!"

Aled Siôn, Urdd National Eisteddfod Director said;

“We are grateful to Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Cardiff University for their partnership and welcome the new journalism provision we will now be able to offer Urdd competitors. Announcing these exciting new opportunities is an important milestone for the Eisteddfod as it follows on from the recommendations published by the Urdd Eisteddfod’s Working Group earlier in the year. It is important that the Urdd Eisteddfod continues to be a forward thinking organisation that offers relevant benefits and opportunities to our members through the medium of Welsh. We look forward to seeing the offerings of these trainee journalists of the future."

Ends

Notes:

This competition is a partnership between the Urdd, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Cardiff University, ITV Cymru/Wales and S4C.

The competition is open to individuals or groups age 16-21.

For further details http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/urddcystadleuaeth/

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