Students 'open their eyes' to refugees in ACT

Jessica Kent

12 December 2011: Journalism students had a ‘hands on’ experience producing a radio show to air on 666 ABC Canberra to gain insight into refugees in the Canberra community.

The Month of Sundays program aired a panel discussion and students’ investigation into the issues and personal experiences of people seeking asylum in Australia.

With guidance and mentoring from University of Canberra journalism staff and ABC content makers, the students were involved in all aspects of production.

Journalism students, Ben Mutandadze and Xyiue Cao, working on their project in the radio production booth at the University of Canberra (Photo: Tim Anger)

Final year journalism student Jamie Cummins presented the show along with fellow classmate Ashley Hamilton.

The 22 year old said it was an innovative and challenging opportunity for the students to use their skills in a real, high-pressured environment.

“It was such an exciting, awesome experience and a big learning curve especially because it was hands on - we were actually on the radio as opposed to just sitting in the classroom doing theory,” Mr Cummins said.

About 10 student stories went to air on the 27 November, including stories from University of Canberra journalism lecturer Julie Posetti and Triple 6 broadcaster and tutor Ginger Gorman.

Ms Posetti initiated and managed the project in order to give the students a professional experience that dealt with a topical issue in today’s media.

“It’s certainly a timely project given the politicisation of asylum seeker policy and the High Court’s recent decision to upturn the Government’s so-called ‘Malaysia Solution’,” Ms Posetti said.

According to Mr Cummins, students knew very little about refugees before they started the project but the experience changed their views after hearing of the difficulties that come with being a refugee.

“The stories really opened our eyes to some of the hardships that people go through and some of the real difficulties with being a refugee and an asylum seeker, which was surprising for a lot of us,” he added.

Journalism students, Ben Mutandadze and Xyiue Cao, practising for the real thing (Photo: Tim Anger)

Journalism student Kimberley Granger agreed that the stories were powerful and a highlight of the experience, especially hearing the personal account of Lucia, the refugee she interviewed.

“The whole project was such a great experience, but speaking with Lucia was amazing,” Ms Granger said, “Her story was so personal and to tell us what she went through was confronting for us and I expect for her too.”

Project partner Canberra Refugee Support helped students get in contact with refugees but Mr Cummins said that given the sensitive nature of this topic, students found it difficult to secure interviews.

Canberra 666 listeners put five questions to the panel of refugee experts from e-democracy website OurSay.org. This offered the chance for the community to get answers to some of the major questions being asked about refugees today.

The ANU School of Music orchestrated the music for the students’ story packages and performed live during the program.

You can listen to the program and view students' stories online at ABC 666 Canberra.