Students reporting on the future of the news business at News Xchange (EBU)

Six journalism students from Turkey and the USA will present their views of the future of the news business during a special session at News Xchange, a Eurovision event, which opened 12 November in Marrakech, Morocco.

The students, from Istanbul’s Bilgi University and the Missouri School of Journalism (MSJ), will shoot a film reporting their experiences at News Xchange, write blogs and create social media content.

At the closing session of the second and final day they will present their take on the news industry today and where they see it going in five years. Their audience will include some of the world’s leading news bosses.

The presence of the six students, who enjoy full delegate status, is sponsored by sports news agency sntv, whose managing director, Martin Kay, said: “I think it’s an industry priority to inspire and nurture the next generation of talent, so sntv is very happy to be sponsoring the international students visiting News Xchange this year. I’m really looking forward to spending some time with them and listening to their views on how our industry will continue to change and innovate.”

Aslı Tunç, head of Bilgi University’s media school said: "At Istanbul Bilgi University Media School, we truly believe that the presence of our journalism students at this year's News Xchange will enrich the discussions and debates revolving around the profession. It is a great honour for us to be as part of this thought-provoking and inspiring event. Our students will also have the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in the sector and follow the new trends in the field."

 “We are grateful that News Xchange is involving students in discussing the future of journalism,” said Fritz Cropp, MSJ’s associate dean for global programmes, adding: “We're also pleased to have the opportunity for Missouri students to work with students from Bilgi University to develop multimedia content for and about the conference, and for the chance to interact with journalists from around the globe.” 

Peter Vickers, head of strategic events at the European Broadcasting Union, which operates Eurovision, said the initiative reflected News Xchange’s greater purpose: “Even at the event’s planning stage there was a call from the News Xchange executive board to hear from younger voices, the voices that will shape the journalism of the future. Thanks to the collaboration of sntv, Eurovision and the event’s organizing team, we’ve made this happen and have six talented young journalists with us”.