Media Trust and ITV news announce ‘Breaking Into News’ finalists

Six finalists have been announced for the ‘Breaking Into News 2011’ competition run by the Media Trust and ITV News.

The six were chosen from more than 300 entrants and will be mentored by experienced journalists from the ITV newsroom, including Richard Pallot and Charlene White, to develop their ideas into a news report, with the final piece considered for inclusion on the ITV News.

ITV News managing editor Robin Elias said:

Our six finalists have excellent ideas which we’ve started developing into pieces of news television.

The aim was to identify talent who wouldn’t normally find a way into somewhere like ITN. ‘Breaking Into News’ has opened that door for them.

The finalists will present their reports to a judging panel including ITV News presenters Mark Austin and Julie Etchingham, alongside executives from the Media Trust.

The six mentors, recruited through the Media Trust’s youth mentoring scheme, will support and advise the finalists in writing, presenting and production skills.

Media Trust deputy chief executive Katie Lloyd said:

It’s fantastic that through this competition they have the opportunity to get their voices heard and to work with some of ITV News’ most esteemed journalists volunteering as mentors to give industry insight and expertise to young people who wouldn’t normally have access to it.

The six finalists are:

James Sutherland, 25 from Essex will be mentored by ITV News Presenter, Charlene White
Sophia Kichou, 20 from London will be mentored by ITV News Features Editor, Nicolette Amette
Heloise Beaton, 20 from Nottingham will be mentored by ITV News at Ten Producer, Roohi Hasan
JayDee Dyer, 18 from London will be mentored ITV News Producer, Jenny Gray
Lola Ukandu, 19 from Blackburn will be mentored by ITV News Output Producer, Gaby Nash
Linda Gyamfi, 23 from London will be mentored by ITV News Reporter, Richard Pallot.

To enter the competition participants submitted a short description about themselves, what they’d like to do a report on, and why they deserved to win ‘Breaking Into News 2011’.