Internship Report
Name of student: HIRA FATIMA
Father name: M. YOUSUF KHAN
Class: M.A Final 2007
Roll No: 73
BBC URDU SERVICE KARACHI
Duration of Internship: Two Months
Content:
1. Introduction
2. Background of Host Organization
4. Responsibilities as a Student Intern
a. Duties
b. Accomplishments
c. New Knowledge Acquired
d. Problems Encountered
e. How Experience Impacts your Career
5. Sample of work
Introduction
We students of M.A final were assigned to do internship as apart of my M.A final degree. As there were a large number of students, so they were divided into groups.
Some of the groups opted for different TV channels, while others went Radio Pakistan, a few however opted for print media.
Initially my group which comprised me and Hira Fatima were named for Rang TV. When we met Mr Ajiz Jamali, Director News he told us that his channel’s office was under shifting and main work of production etc would be carried out some 30 km out of city.
Meanwhile, one of our teacher, arranged internship of two students. Fortunately, Hira Fatima and I were selected after interview and test.
It was really good news for us, as it was the biggest news outlet of the world, having nearly all mediums i.e. TV, Online, Radio and FM.
I and Hira Fatima were called for interview on June 7, 2007 at BBC Karachi office.
Country bureau chief Mr Aamir Ahmed Khan interviewed us. His attitude was positive, however he told us that it was very difficult job and you have to give eight to ten hour daily. We also presented our publications, which were published in our laboratory publications i.e. Roshni and Shaoor. He scanned our items for about 10 minutes and and they said good, you people can go ahead.
In the next few moments a meeting of BBC staff working at Karachi office was called.
We were introduced to our would be colleagues.
Mr Riaz Sohail, is holding charge Karachi bureau, he hails from Hyderabad, he is working with BBC since last three years. Mr Ahmed Raza, he too belong to Hyderabad, he has joined BBC one month back, earlier he was working for the daily Times at Hyderabad and FM Radio Hyderabad. Mr Waqar is office manager. He had worked in the business section of daily dawn, having good knowledge and interest in media.
Aamir Sb told his colleagues that, these are girls and coming from Hyderabad, that too through a reference of our best friend. For them Karachi city and this practical field would be new. Hence they should be trained in protected atmosphere. He said though they are intern, but are our colleagues and will enjoy all the facilities available in the office as other staff member do.
Initially, all the sectional in-charges were asked to give briefing about working of there particular section.
So the first day concluded with giving some assignments and over all discussion. We kept our self busy in observing the activities and work at the office. So here started our internship.
BBC URDU Background:
Before the partition of indo Pak, the British government wanted to gain the interest of Hindu and Muslims, so that the purpose of launch the BBC Urdu/Hindi services.
BBC news is the largest broadcasting news gathering operation in the world.
Founded in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company Ltd., it was subsequently granted a Royal Charter and made a state-owned but independent corporation in 1927. The corporation produces programmes and information services, broadcasting globally on television, radio, and the Internet.
The stated mission of the BBC is "to inform, educate and entertain"; its motto is "Nation Shall Speak Peace Un to Nation".
The BBC is a quasi-autonomous Public Corporation operating as a public service broadcaster. The Corporation is run by the BBC Trust; however, the BBC is, per its charter, to be "free from both political and commercial influence and answers only to its viewers and listeners".
Its domestic programming and broadcasts are primarily funded by levying television license fees (under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949), although money is also raised through commercial activities such as sale of merchandise and programming. The BBC World Service, however, is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In order to justify the license fee, the BBC is expected to produce a number of high-rating shows in addition to programmes that commercial broadcasters would not normally broadcast.
Comparison with other competitors
BBC’s Global News audiences reach a record 233m
The BBC’s combined international news services attracted a record global weekly audience of over 233 million during 2006/7, according to independent surveys.
The global audience figure for the combined services of BBC World Service radio, BBC World television and the BBC’s international online news service bbcnews.com is up 23 million from 210 million last year. Many people used more than one service.
- BBC World Service’s weekly radio audience estimate is a record 183 million, up 20 million on last year.
- BBC World - the commercially-funded international English language news and information television channel – now has estimated record audiences of 76 million viewers a week; up from 65 million in 2005/6.
- The BBC’s international facing online news sites attracted a record 763 million page impressions in March 2007, up from 546 million compared to March 2006. There were a record 38.5 million unique online users across the globe during March 2007, up from 32.8 million a year ago.
BBC Global News Director Richard Sambrook said: “People around the world are increasingly turning to the BBC when they need quality news and information that is independent and trusted,” he said.”
There were large BBC radio audience increases in Bangladesh (up 8.3 million). Increased survey coverage added 7.5 million to the estimate in Democratic Republic of Congo and 7.0 million in Afghanistan. Weekly audiences in radio markets in India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Rwanda all grew by a million or more during the year.
BBC World saw substantial growth in audiences in the Africa, Canada, Egypt, India, Pakistan and the USA
BBC World Service broadcasts in 33 languages including English. The other languages are: Albanian, Arabic, Azeri, Bengali, Burmese, Caribbean-English, Cantonese, French for Africa , Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Kyrgyz, Macedonian, Mandarin, Nepali, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese for Brazil, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese.
In the UK, World Service in English is available on 648 MW in south eastern England. In addition, overnight on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Ulster and via digital radio, digital satellite and the internet. The English Network can be heard on the BBC’s digital multiplex in the UK, Free view digital channel 80 or in Europe on the Astra satellite, channel 865.
Outside the UK, BBC World Service is available on short wave; on FM in 152 capital cities; and selected programmes are carried on almost 2,000 FM and MW radio stations around the world.
BBC World television is the BBC's commercially funded global 24-hour news and information channel. BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches over 280 million households (147 million 24-hour homes) and more than 1.3 million hotel rooms. It is also available on 50 cruise ships, 37 airlines and 29 mobile phone platforms.
The new World Service global audience estimate is derived from a comprehensive programme of independent audience research over a four year cycle. This year’s figure incorporates new data from 24 countries – some 69 per cent of this year’s audience (some 65 per cent of last year’s audience).
The BBC World audience figure is compiled from multiple surveys (syndicated, omnibus and specifically commissioned) across 100 countries.
The surveys are carried out by independent market research groups and comply with international standards of audience research.
Policy about languages:
The languages in which BBC World Service broadcasts are decided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British government, which currently funds us to broadcast in English and 33 other languages Outside the UK. The FCO does not have any editorial influence, under the terms of the BBC Charter and Agreement.
The decision to launch or maintain a language service is based on many criteria, including the demographics of the target audience, the local Need for news and information in the region where the language is spoken and the strategic importance of that region for Britain.
In the Developed world where the media environment is becoming increasingly Competitive, our strategy is to target opinion formers and decision Makers through our English programmes, increasingly through local FM Broadcasting and online.
Response to a move for Sindhi Language
It is unlikely that we will start services in any new broadcast Language, such as Sindhi, in the future unless the FCO identifies a Specific need and provides the necessary funding. In fact, ten BBC Language services were recently closed because increased political Stability and the establishment of free media in the countries to which they were broadcast.
BBC currently broadcast to South Asia in Bengali, Hindi, Sinhala, and Tamil and Urdu as well as English. There are many other Indian regional Languages in which we do not broadcast - although these languages may be Spoken by many people, research has shown that the majority of our Target audience in South Asia is able to listen to BBC broadcasts in English or in one of these languages, even if it is not their first Language.
We do not actively broadcast to Diaspora audiences, such as listeners in The UK, although, of course, the spread of internet access has meant that many people outside the target regions for BBC language services are also able to tune in online. Unfortunately, however, we do not have the resources to provide web pages in languages in which we do not already broadcast by radio.
BBC Urdu
BBC Urdu launched in May 1940 as the BBC's Hindustani Service, and took its current name in 1966. It is a multi-media broadcasting service, providing radio and online content to Urdu speaking audiences across the world. Nearly 13 million people throughout Pakistan listen to BBC Urdu service's radio programmes and millions across the world access its popular website bbcurdu.com each month.
BBC Urdu's strength lies in the regional knowledge and expertise of its correspondents living and working across South Asia.
BBC Urdu covers all regions of Pakistan, through its correspondent’s network. It has offices in 9 major cities of the Pakistan, i.e.
1. Karachi 2. Lahore 3. Islamabad 4. Peshawar
5. Sukkur 6. Hyderabad 7. Quetta 8. Waziristan
9. Muzafarabad 10. Multan
Correspondents are presents in these cities. BBC Urdu is popular for its investigative, impartial, and balanced reporting.
BBC Urdu radio
Sairbeen: BBC Urdu radio broadcasts three times a day. Its flagship programme Sairbeen provides 60 minutes of news and current affairs a day. It is essential listening for anyone wanting to keep up-to-date and informed of events in Pakistan and the rest of the world. It broadcasts seven days a week, at 8.00pm local time.
Jahanuma: South Asia wakes up to Jahanuma at 6.30am. The 30- minute daily breakfast programme sets the day's news agenda, ensuring listeners are fully informed.
Shabnama: At the end of the day there is Shabnama, a 30-minute round-up of the main events, starting at 10.30pm.
In addition, BBC Urdu brings listeners weekly magazine features on sports, science and the economy.
BBC Urdu Online
Bbcurdu.com launched in May 2001. It is updated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and attracts around seven million page impressions a month.
The ability to connect with its international audience is at the heart of bbcurdu.com, and the site receives emails from users as far apart as Finland and Japan - as well as remote areas of Pakistan.
For BBC online, senior freelance journalists are also encouraged to contribute.
Visitors are able to read transcripts and listen to the audio of radio programmes, and to participate in online debates. Its content includes up-to-the minute news, features and analysis on Pakistan, India and South Asia, as well as news from the rest of the world.
Management
The BBC is an autonomous corporation currently run by a board of governors appointed by the government for a term of four years (formerly five years), though this is soon to be replaced with a BBC Trust. Management of the organization is in the hands of a Director-General appointed by the governors. Its domestic programming and broadcasts are funded by levying television license fees upon the owners of television sets.
The BBC's status is nominally that of a public service broadcaster though in a distinct sense from public service broadcasters in other countries. In order to justify the license fee the BBC is expected to produce a number of high-rating shows in addition to programmes that commercial companies would not normally broadcast.
Now the BBC has started its Urdu Service as well as it has done in other languages
First Assignment
I joined as Intern at BBC Karachi office on June 11, 2007.
Atmosphere at BBC was comfortable. Our first assignment by Aamir Sb was to study BBC Urdu web site, see its layout, display, content, selection and treatment of news, how they are different from other news outlets such as CNN, VOA etc. We have to submit report within three days. We were also asked to listen BBC Urdu radio and read national newspapers of Pakistan daily.
He said we should read Dawn, daily times, Jang and Express and also said that we should remain alert.
At BBC office every desk has TV set, and computer, while a 32 inch Tv was in the guest room. Which were cintuinous on.
He advised us that one should be responsible,. When you are in profesion, there is no difference between girl or boy. You have to work hard. Timing should not be problem for you. He said some times you would have not time to take up head and some days also pass like this way that there is no work.
We were freinthed but staff warmly welcomed us. It is six member staff.
I became a part of this team, along with another intern and staff. There were total two interns. We were given the most exciting opportunities. Almost all of the BBC staff, which totaled around 8, was very helpful and encouraging to the interns, but Aamir Ahmed Khan, and Riaz Sohail was especially excited about letting interns work on important and exciting projects.
On out set, Mr Riaz asked us to get interview of Madam Bilqis Edhi, who is wife of renowned social worker Abbul Sattar Edhi. We were afraid as we did not knew the area. Mr. Riaz understood our problem and he go t solved convince problem. It was unfortunate that we could not get this interview as she was sick.
Other activities
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Composing
- Second assignment was of composing. In BBC every one has to collect news after news gathering and reporting. BBC has its own soft ware and Urdu fonts. It si different from Urdu image. Its key board is totally changed. It is called Aisa soft, which is installed through Keyman and is not available in the market. On web site it appears as text, while our Urdu newspapers are composed in in Inpage and they are published on web site after converting into image format.
I was afraid that I would not be able to compose. I was much worried, however, Aamir Sb encouraged me and said: ” you are bright girl, you can learn it in one day. There will be speed problem but which can be handle in two to three days.” These remarks of Aamir sb worked. I got print outs from BBC web site and started composing. It took only one day to understand keyboard, however speed remained a little bit problem.
2. Zainab Market Visit
Our third assignment was quite surprising. One day, after doing routine practice, we were told by Mr Riaz Sohail said that you have to go Zainab Market and collect VOAX Box (views of people on certain issue). He guided where is the market situated. He also told us how recorder works. It was our first experience. We were hesitating. Finding Zainab market was not difficult. It was just one road in between BBC office and Zainab Market. As we reached at Zainab market, carrying Mike of BBC in hands, we hear whispers oh BBC people had come. We had to get VOAX box of six people about their problems due to load shedding. We asked about how many times it is and how much time, while orders of closing shops after 8.00 pm is observed or not. We faced all type of people. Some of them were cooperative and spoke properly while a few of them rudely refused to offer comments. A woman prepared to speak, but when she came to know that this all will not be on TV, she flatly refused to speak it was quite surprising. Business community of Karachi was much annoyed from KESC, and were abusing KESC. Shopkeepers told that after May 12 incident now the order is not observed, as only for one week were closed.
After spending one and half hour, when we reached office, Riaz Sb was waiting for us. We handed over recoreder to him and we all went into studio. Recorders device connected with CPU and got it save. After saving this file opens in Adobe Audition, This software is for recording and voice editing. We it was on for hearing, we were surprised while Riaz Sb was badly laughing. Because we had to record views of six persons, but there were only three were saved. Mistakingly, where we had to stop recording button, we put it on, where we stopped it was on. Therefore saved matter was: Sabin be careful while crossing road, you do not know crossing the road. See this recorder is on or off. May be all our talks is being recorded. We had worked and now let’s see jewellery. And many a stupid things were being aired in the studio. Riaz then become serious and got once again how to handle recorder and its buttons.
Later, these views were broadcast on BBC radio.
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Fourth assignment was of recording voice clips. We have to record news which we had collected. In studio Riaz told us how to use DHD, and also told us that how it is edited after recording in Adobe audition. Studio is a sound proof room. All instruments have been imported from London; even door of the studio is from London. Studio can be used for telephonic, vedio recording. The news recorded in the studio is broadcast on BBC Radio, FM and BBC online.
There are some rules of studio. Mobile fone, eating is not allowed, while sitting more time. After recording in studio, you can edit it through sharing, as all computers are connected with network. When after writing news you go to studio, you have to open Adobe software and open new page and recording button is put on. At the door out side, red light come, which indicates office people that recording is going on, and no one should enter studio, as recording will be disturbed. After recoding it is sent to London in case of FM and to London in case of BBC London. From where it is to be broadcast.
For me recording was more difficult for e than the composing. Because, when I made recording all staff member said my voice was like child. I was asked to make voice mature and heavy. For this purpose you should have to practice for two hours daily, which we did. In recording issue of breathing and pronunciation also occurred. However, not soon, but slowly and gradually, my voice quality improved, I got understood how radio instruments are used and recording is made and edited.
5. Fire incident
Fifth assignment proved to be more learning. It was reporting fire incident. It was our duty that we should read all the newspapers, read web site of BBC, write news and recorded them. We used to record three news and get them recorded. On … when we were sitting in office, a headline of Geo called our attention. It was fire breaking out at a market of Clifton area. I wanted to go there but BBC team member responsible to cover this incident were Riaz and Raza. Raza had gone Islamabad. While Riaz had gone to cover rape victim Namees Labano news.
At about three, when he reached office, we rushed to the fire incident site. It was as if e were watching TV or film. There was smoke, police ambulance and rush of people, hue and cry. Saw injured and felling un conscious people. Helicopters were flying over the building. We learnt a lot from reporting a fire incident. Sir, Sohail used to tech us how a fire or calamity incident is reported. At that time we did not pick up and at the scene all things came to our mind.
We learnt how to enter in the rush and reach to source, or authority people. We along with Sir Riaz Sohail were able to reach City Nazim Mustafa Kamal and asked him about rescue and relief measure. Also talked with fire brigade people.
When we were way back to office, Sir Riaz praised our attitude and said one should be bold when in the field. He said while in rush you should have authority in your voice, so to whom you are talking should know that you are important person. When we returned office and wrote news, get it recorded. Sir Riaz listened our recording and further guided us.
6. Mubark village
As we were returning to from fire incident, it was raining. The govt had issued warring that cyclone will hit Karachi. We had also talked to Mustafa Kamal about the measures taken by the city govt regarding cyclone etc.
On the other day, our office got information that villagers, in the vicinity of Karachi were not informed about the cyclone. And Mubarak village was one of them. BBC team decided to visit this affected village.
We left for Mubarak village, situated in the west of Karachi in direction of Hawks bay. The villagers rejected the claims of govt and told us that no government official has informed them about cyclone. They said thanks to God, the area was not hit by cyclone, if it had been, this population of 10,000 could not sustain a wave of it. We spent two hour there, saw the area, and talked to people.
On second ay we wrote feature and showed it to Riaz Sb, he okayed it.
7. Bugti Tribesmen
On the second day, we received phone call to reach office at 10 am. When we reached office, BBC team was waiting for us. There was no time to ask as to where we had to go. Just Sir Riaz said that some thing interesting and important. This will be adventure. When we were on the way, BBC team told us that we were going to News Sabzi Mandi. We were going to meet Bugti tribesmen, of Dera Bugti, who were displaced and were living at make shift arrangements near Karachi Sabzi Mandi. They people were afraid of victimization. They had no job to do and were living on the leftovers of Sabzi Mandi. They narrated their ordeal, how they left and what hardships and miseries they faced, how they were living here etc. Here we spent about two hours. Got recording, and photographs.
When we reached office, we wrote news, recorded it and inserted actualities. On second day wrote a feature. I took two days to complete this feature. However when it was completed, Sir Riaz okayed it. The photographs which I took were launched at BBC site in the story of Sir Riaz.
8. Khattu Mallah
The next assignment was to cover protest. Sir Riaz asked us that some people were observing hunger strike and sit in out side press Club. Go and see what their problem was. Why that were protesting and observing hunger strike. When we reached press club, we saw, a family with all members were sitting out side press club. They told us that they belong to a small village of Jati taluka district Thatta. Their married daughter, who was mother of two was kidnapped by the Wadera of the village. They threatened that if Khattu was not rcovered, the whole family will commit self imolition. BBC and all national and regional media covered their story. Later, we came to know that Khattu was recoverec and handed over to their parents. When we heard this, we were happy, as if we too had contributed a bit for recovery of Khattu and mitigate miseries of this Mallah family.
9. Recording voice
10. Audio Editing
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11. Meeting with Wusatullah
Wusatullah Khan is popular and renowned broadcaster of BBC. Now-a-days he is in Islamabad. He was on visit of Karachi. Aamir Ahmed khan has specially asked him to guide we people. We had a discussion on our work which we had carried out at BBC. He checked it and listen recording in our voice. He said that to reduce delay. He said over all voice quality was good, you need practice. You should mark, where to stay, and if you need to give stress to some sentence under line that one. While reading you commit a mistake. Speak Repeat and then read it again, so that you can get a easiness in editing. The word which you want to stress underline that one.
It was really a good learning and good experience to talk and learn from such a renowned broadcaster. He told us about voice. This meeting of one an hour proved very beneficial for us.
Ayub Khoso
During our internship, we have a chance to meet drama artist Ayub Khoso. He had come to BBC office to tell about floods in Balochistan. We talked to him and got photographs with him.
Ali Hassan Sb
Mr Ali Hassan is renowned journalist of Sindh, he too is working for BBC. He also was on visit of Karachi. Though he had not sufficient time to check all our work but due to shortage of time, however he listen to our recording voice and asked, pronunciation and wording was not good. I told him that I belong to Juna Darh, therefore, do not speak proper Urdu. He selected about six words and told me how to pronounce them.
Apart from major assignments, daily work included reading newspapers, comparing same stories in different news papers, composing, writing news and recording. Some times we were told to condense news in such and such words or time.
Q: What was the purpose of your internship?
A: I wanted to do practical work for future jobs. It was about online, and radio.
Q: Why I chose the BBC Urdu?
A: BBC Urdu is doing rural and urban journalism. Its coverage is impartial, investigative and balanced. Its reporters report without any economic and political pressure.
BBC Urdu services works as Communication Bridge between the common person and other countries.
Method:
We do on the spot recording and collect the information all sides about the issue.
Technology we used:
We used the recording disc (mini disc) and made the audio files. We also used the Adobe Audition software to make better audio quality and also help the audio editing.
For transferring the file we used the FTP system, which is a networking system.
For the Urdu composing we used the BBC URDU "URDU NASKH ASIA TYPE" Urdu software, it is the different and exclusively own.
Result:
· How make the radio reports.
· How the reporting on the spot, and what the conditions and situation faced.
· Photography
· News confirmation
· Built confidence
· Interaction with other people through reporting in Mubarak village, Bugti Tribesmen people, Vox pox.
Responsibilities As a Student Intern
a. Duties.
1 Reading all newspapers
2 Studying the web site
3 Comparing through other competitive media out lets
4 Help the regular staff in working
5 After I composed the news
6 Then record in my voice for radio
7 Reporting on the spot the make the news about issue and composed it.
8 After that recorded in my voice and adding clips (actualities) if necessary.
b. New Knowledge Acquired
i) About Radio Recording
1 Learn about DHD desk or Broad casting desk.
(Here we can control and recording news, interviews)
2 Studio is connected with ISDN line to other studio
3 We can interview to 3 peoples at a time in studio.
4 MD recording on Adobe Audition.
ii) About Website of BBC URDU.
1 For web page story must be 250 words and feature 900 words it is standard size.
2 Web site has web casting (videos), photo feature, photo galleries.
c. Experience to Impact Future Career
It was very good experience and it will be helpful for me when I go to work as a practically for job.
The job experience in and of itself was worthwhile, but I also gained a great deal through the friendships I was able to make, especially with my BBC co-workers. They greatly helped my understanding of English and living in media culture. Another wonderful thing about this internship was that it was located in Karachi and its office was located opposite Karachi Press Club.
This internship was an amazing experience, and I would truly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in media, media literacy or meeting a wide variety of amazing people.
Most aspects of the job were very positive, and the only complaint I had when I was there was the fact that the office was too under-staffed. While the office was plenty lively and I enjoyed my challenging assignments, sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed, especially since I wasn’t getting paid.
However, the overall experience made all my work worthwhile, and I couldn’t have received better experience, especially as an intern.
