Shiulie Ghosh – Q&A

Name?
Shiulie Ghosh

Age?
38

Where are you from?
I was born in Leeds, my mum’s English, my dad’s Bengali.

How did you get started in broadcasting?
I always knew journalism was the job for me – I started my first school newspaper at the age of 9! When I was 16 I got some work experience at my local BBC radio station. After I graduated I won a place on a BBC news trainee course and never looked back.

When was that?
1989 – well before mobile phones, broadband, internet news and the like!

Why News broadcasting?
Because you get to see world changing events and then share them with other people. The power of picture is a tremendous thing.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
BBC Midlands Today, BBC East Midlands Today, CountryFile with John Craven, and Newsroom South East.

What is your Best on-air moment?
Arriving late in Germany to cover the European flood story, driving like crazy to the satellite feed point, slipping into position and putting in my ear piece with just seconds to go….and flawlessly performing live on the 6.30 news as if I’d been there all day!

What is your Worst on-air moment?
Carrying on newscasting as normal during an East Midlands bulletin, while bomb squad officers searched under the desk for an explosive device following an anonymous threat. It was a hoax – thank goodness!

What would you like to do before your career ends?
Win the lottery.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spend time with my family.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
Be persistant and get as much work experience as you can. An all-round general knowledge of current affairs is a bonus – as is a thick skin. And don’t assume working in telly is glamorous and showbizzy. It’s tough, the hours are long, and unless you’re very lucky, the pay is crap.

A big thanks to Shiulie for taking part.

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
Copy link