How does it feel to be a victim of discrimination?

As a descendent of the many victims of discrimination in the post apartheid South Africa, I have found it somehow imperative to write about a plethora of circumstances where I was subjected to discrimination.

A very close friend of mine - white and compassionate, finally found the audacity to make reservations, on how it feels to be discriminated against amid the sensativity of the subject.It became apparent to me that, there are still good white people who bear no hate against people of colour.And for that reason, I will respect him forever more and his courage will remain embedded in my memory for sometime to come.

'Arnold, how does it feel to be seen as a second class citizen all the time or have you ever been subjected to racism'?

I sighed with relief that someone of a different colour had taken the initiative to ask a fellow brother from South Africa.

Racism still exist - even in the United Kingdom and at times it's so institutionalised and complex.All capitalist states - Britain included, are economically stable but racially biased.Racism is a pre-historic phenomenon.For people like Charles Darwin excerbated the plight by writing about the dubious Theory of Evolution.The theory's core philosophy is that white people are the epitome of human existence - because they have reached a full circle of evolution.But spare me a moment!If his theory was correct, why then has evolution of other races stopped developing.

In the meantime, Africa produces three quarters of the world's platinum,diamond,gold, and coal but still remains in economic limbo.Boffins and academics from renowned universities, will tell you that African leaders are corrupt.Yes to a certain extent i agree but who instigates all this?Capitalist states.These states have 90% of their country's companies exploring in Africa.How do they get the mining concessions?I suppose it's a subject for another day.

All second hand cars and electronic equipment are shipped to africa under the disguise of foreign trade.But if these cars and computers are not good for European states why should they be dispensed to Africans.

Therefore, racism and discrimination will live with us , for as long there is no equality between the rich and poor nations.

As an former exponent of the university of Winchester, I experienced discrimination almost every day but could do nothing about it.

There are underlying causes as to why the human race behaves the way they do.

to be continued

ARE OBAMA’S ELOQUENT SPEECHES REMINISCENT OF NEWSPEAK?

As a dark skinned being from the forgotten corners of the world, I never thought the United States of America would ever elect a person of colour for President. Not in this generation, I thought. But when Barack Obama shrugged off Hilary Clinton and John McCain to make history, I kept vigil for that defining night. There was something about this Obama that separated him from any other presidential candidate in America. He was black, educated and promised to change the world through diplomatic means. Now a few months after the historic inauguration, I am wondering if those famous speeches were mere newspeak.


In Nineteen Eight Four, George Orwell described a superstate, Oceania, whose language of war invented lies that passed into history and became truth. The party slogan was; ‘who controls the past, controls the future and who controls the present controls the past.’

Barack Obama is the leader of a contemporary Oceania. For his speeches, Obama was awarded the Nobel peace prize. Apparently for his extraordinary efforts to international diplomacy, his work on nuclear disarmament, climate change and of course changing American politics. I wonder who disarmed and what has changed in American politics?The nuclear disarmament and reduction of war heads is part of newspeak because,who will monitor this disarmament.Of course,the US,Russia and other European states might have signed the deals on paper but who will act as big brother to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons.And what will happen to those nations that defy the treaty?Essentially Oceania will constantly be at war with Eurasia and Eastasia.

Obama in his own words affirmed that, peace was no longer peace, but rather a permanent war that ‘extends well beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan’ to ‘disorderly regions and failed states.’ He called this ‘global security’ and I believed him – and I suppose many people did. This is newspeak at its best. To the people of Afghanistan, which the US has invaded and occupied, he said, we have no interest in occupying your country.Therefore ,if the dismantling of terrorists takes another decade,is that not occupation?

In Oceania, truth and lies work in tandem. After 9/11 America were meant to hunt down Osama the fugitive in Afghanistan. But in 2003 found themselves focusing more on Saddam Hussein – apparently for weapons of mass destruction. What had happened to the search for the 9/11 kingpin? In the meantime Obama says Afghanistan is a ‘safe haven’ for al-Qaeda’s attacks on the west. In contrast, his own national security adviser, James Jones, said that there are fewer than 100 operatives in Afghanistan. So why would Obama sent 30 000 more troops to contain 100 operatives? Therefore there is no real change but only a change of tone. I remember Obama promising to close Guantanamo bay by January 2010 and now there are doubts over whether it will be closed at all. Was this another newspeak?The reasoning behind the delay apparently has to do with the recent insurgency activities in Yemen.

Why vilify South Africa for Angola's security woes?

I am somehow appalled that some so-called football scribes are vilifying South Africa following,the insurgency operation that gunned down three and injured eight Togolese team members in Angola.

As much as it hurts to say it, what happened in Angola should not be used as a benchmark on which to judge the credibility of all African countries.One thing to remember is that South Africa is by far Africa's epitome of democracy.Of course ,the country is still in it's elementary stages of democracy but i believe the taste of the pudding is in the eating - give them a chance


The European pundits quite easy forget that the events in Angola could have happened anywhere in the world.We are all walking on quicksand.So questioning Africa's credibility to host an event as big as the World cup is pure naivety.In the 1972 Munich Olympics bandits massacred Israeli atheletes and FIFA did not use the massacre as a scapegoat to deny West Germany hosting the beautiful game in 1974.London is the host city for the 2012 Olympics - given a nation at war in Afghanistan and Iraq,why were they awarded the Olympics?Remember the London bombings that took place a few years back!In fact London is a prime target for insurgency operatives but no one is writing against the city hosting the Olympics - given the risks involved.

Some are even saying Brazil should never host the Olympics and the World cup in 2016 and 2014 respectively because of the crime rate.I suppose,it's better to fight the enemy within than an unknown enemy.We must all acknowledge that we are living in a dangerous global village.No country is safe anyway.
With babes like these,why spoil the showcase


And passionate fans like these


And a rainball smile,surely it's too late to write negative about South Africa

Don't overreact, Africa is ready to host the World cup

Separatist rebel bandits who fired at the Togolese bus, leaving three dead and eight wounded in the Angolan province of Cabinda,have somehow taken the gloss off the spectacle that awaits the world in South Africa - come June 2010.The Africa cup of nations in Angola is meant to be a curtain raiser to the actual football mania - the FIFA world cup.This isolated and unfortunate incident has raised questions as to Africa's capacity to host the football spectacle.Jason Curtis, a friend of mine wrote on his blog that South Africa could be in for a rude awakening.Jason's tone on the blog clearly suggests that FIFA might have made a mistake in awarding the spectacle to Africa.

Yes football might have been invented by an Englishman but it was perfected by the boys from Rio De Janeiro.And the samba boys have won the world cup five times - all away from home soil.

If hosting football tournaments was based on precedents then England and German would have been hosting the showcase every four years, since 1966.South Africa is arguably Africa's economic powerhouse and doubting it's capacity to host the tournament defeats the purpose of a rotational system adopted by Sepp Blatter, since he took over from Joao Havelange.



We must remember that the Togolese entourage was attacked in the Oil rich province of Cabinda, where rebel groups reign terror.Cabinda is inhabited by one third of refugees from the war ravaged Democratic republic of Congo.There is obviously an invisible hand that bankrolled the bandits to carry out such a deplorable act.This might have been designed to obliterate the tournament and prove a point that Africa is never ready and was never ready to host the world cup.



South Africa is quite a young democracy after decades of oppression and we can not expect it to host the world cup like any other European country.That is the reason why FIFA dispelled suggestions to ban the vuvuzelas.Africa should host the showcase in a typical African way.As for the security fears,i suppose South Africa has the potential to surprise all who doubt its capabilities.South Africa hosted the rugby world cup in 1995 and nothing atrocious happened - what would make the difference this time?South African media laws are probably the best in the world - that is the reason why people read about all the murders,rapes and robberies.

However,because some people might want to prove FIFA wrong, we might see an incident similar to the Togolese debacle.

After the withdrawal of Togo from the Africa cup of nations, some pundits even suggested that the tournament should be made redundant!What a subjective view?It will be just as good as scrapping the Euro football tournament.

The greatest statesman of our generation Nelson Mandela can not be denied a chance to see the world cup in his own backyard.Hola Mzansi!Hola!

How much control do we have in shaping our own identities?

Having read Kayleigh James' blog on how language is used to control thought and behaviour,i felt encouraged to explore more on who really controls our identities.Kayleigh mentioned that religious beliefs and doctrines tend to control the way people think.And she wasn't convinced that these religious people had any control over their own thoughts.

How we perceive and make sense of each other is fundamental to all social interactions.Identities are formed and shaped through our participation and interaction with social structures such as gender, class, nationality and culture. I suppose we choose to identify with a particular identity or group.The question is how much choice and control do we have?

Personality describes qualities that a person may have,characteristics and traits that make a person unique as an individual. It is possible to describe yourself in several different ways, and the description may vary depending upon the person or group you are presenting yourself to.I am guessing that genetics play a role in the development of our personality, and we are born with some distinguishing characteristics which are more or less unchangeable. In this regard, we are born in a certain area or part of the world and it is natural to identify with the specific culture. Even though membership in a culture does not necessarily involve the desire to act in accordance with the norms associated with the identity it is difficult to resist the social environment.

During the last decades there have been considerable changes in society, and new possibilities have emerged and these are reflected in the way people identify themselves. People are flexible and they change jobs, move, travel and encounter, either personally or via media such as the internet, different cultures and religions. Globalization promotes cultural homogeneity and this could lead to a detachment of identity from the community. Furthermore, the roles for males and females have changed, for example, women are more likely to be working and it is more acceptably for males to show a caring side. All these changes and movements have made it possible for individuals to have more control over the shaping of their own identity. I consider globalization as a contributing factor in the loss of identities. People have no choice or control over the shaping of their identities. .

Experiences in childhood and adolescence lay the foundation for the development of self and identity. Young adolescents’ identities are less stable and they are more prone to be influenced by the social environment. Despite the fact that there might be a social pressure to conform and behave like the rest of the group, individuals do have a choice. Human beings have knowledge and skills to make up their own minds and deal with things in our own way. Therefore, it is possible to have a certain independence and control of the social environment, although you cannot stand apart from it.

The way one’s identity is formed is a complex process where social and individual factors are linked.I am of the opinion that individuals have some control over the shaping of their identity.In the interim changes in society and globalization has made it easier for people to reconstruct themselves. On the other hand, the individual has little control over some factors, for example, genetics and the organization of society.

Sigmund Freud believed that societies suppress people and it is for this reason that George Orwell reiterated in his novel 1984 - that societies are modelled around BIG BROTHER.

Newspeak - propaganda personified

muchokomania: American propaganda on communism -(Newspeak(1984)

muchokomania: American propaganda on communism -(Newspeak(1984)

American propaganda on communism -(Newspeak(1984)

Global warming synonymous with improvised explosive devices

The UN Summit on climate change held in Copenhagen, Denmark two weeks ago reminded many of us the dangers that lie ahead for future generations.For as long as the global village do not reach consensus on the way forward,we are bound to condemn our predecessors into oblivion.For as long as developed nations remain a prototype of big brother in the novel 1984,there can be no amicable resolution in ratifying the proposed treaty.That is the reason why the summit collapsed - leaving big brother livid.


Surely the planet's hostile model of development pursued by the industrialised countries has led to a collective detriment to the rest of the world.Now it is only fair that the developing countries repel a deal that is obliterated with underlying adverse effects in relation to their development.If i were to be an empiricist, the effects of climate change can not be ignored, because there are now quite poignant.Most of the developing world are under siege and have become victims of climate change, yet their contribution to this change is little or none.

For the world has changed and it is imperative that we change with it.But to what extent should big brother compensate the developing world?There seems to be some imbalances in the way in which this world is run.The USA and its allies are in Afghanstan,in a war they define as ,'a war of necessity'.But when the global climate agreement is finally ratified in future, will they send their men and women to fight those that will defy the climate change treaty.In my opinion defying the climate change treaty is just as equally bad as the terrorism they are fighting in Helmand.Or are there gonna be economic sanctions for those that violet the mother treaty?

The bio-carbon emissions are more prevalent in developed countries, why then should the developing world ratify something that will undermine their own development?Of course, there is compensation put aside for the developed world but is it a fair deal.Remember carbon emissions will be the same across the spectrum once ratified - so who gets the raw deal?

I hope a consensus will be reached at some point.I am not vindicating the underdeveloped or mitigating for them but it's a fact - they are getting a raw deal from big brother!!!!

Last bulletin leaves a legacy

For all the technical misfortunes and amateur story packaging that our newsroom suffered in our first two live bulletins - I am proud to say, we have reached the promised land.And i am subjectively tempted to thank everyone involved in making our last bulletin the best.We might not have all been friends in the newsroom but the team effort suggests that we fought together for a common purposes.For the things that brought us together were far greater than the ones that separated us.

We have surely come of age.Remember the days we brought to the newsroom, images that were over-exposed,out of focus,footage that did not match the script,footage that didn't contain GVs,footage that lacked actuality in terms of sound and the list goes on.

For so many days we worked so hard to perfect the technics and today's bulletin is true testimony that nothing is impossible,if the drive is there to learn.

Guest bulletin editors came and offered the best advice available.It was indeed a privilege that we will all live to appreciate.We might not all make it in the industry but the few that will make the grade, have a reason to acknowledge the input by team Horrie(Angus and Brian).

Team Lovell(Arnold,Grant,James) were exceptionally incredible.I remember filming an interview at 2230pm,filming on a Saturday and working in the rain - for my team.It is with regret that we might not live to share the same newsroom again but the legacy will live-on.Our editor Lovell had the patience to work with his team and a lot of our success is due to his man management skills.

Every day felt like special because, we knew what we had to do.

The struggle for perfection will continue after Christmas.

Thought crime is not crime,it is death

Thank goodness,i have just finished reading the novel by George Orwell's novel 1984.In tandem,i also managed to watch the captivating movie that potrays the novel.There is sex,violence and anything vile you can dream of.

The story starts, in the year 1984, and it takes place in England or as it is called at that time, Airstrip One. Airstrip One itself is the mainland of a huge country, called Oceania, which consists of North America, South Africa, and Australia. The country is ruled by the Party, which is led by a figure called Big Brother.The protagonist is Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party, working in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, rewriting and altering records, such as newspaper-articles, of the past. The action starts when Winston develops critical thoughts against the ruling dictatorship of the party, for the first time. Doing so he buys a book, to use it as a diary. As individual expression is forbidden by the Party, having a diary is a crime, which may even be punished by death. There are so-called telescreens in each room, showing propaganda and political pamphlets, and which has a built-in camera and microphone, in order to spy on people. Therefore keeping a secret book is not only forbidden, but also very dangerous.

When Winston makes the first entry in the diary, he thinks about an experience he has made during the Two Minutes Hate, a propaganda film repeated each day. During this film he caught the eye of O'Brien, a member of the Inner Party, whom he thought might also be critical to the regime, or that at least there is a bond of some kind between them. After this reminiscence, he finds that he has written the sentence: "Down with Big Brother" all over the page. The same night Winston dreams about his mother and sister, who starved to death in the war, because he had been so greedy. Then he dreams of having sex with a girl he has seen in the Records Department, during the Two Minutes Hate.

Early in the morning, Winston is woken by the harsh voice from the telescreen. During the performance of the physical exercises, Winston's thoughts move back to his childhood. The last thing he remembers clearly is the World War. After the WW, the Party took control of the country, and from then on it has been difficult to remember anything, because the Party changes history constantly to their own benefit. After the exercises Winston goes to work at the Minitrue (Ministry of Truth), where his job is to alter records, and once altered, to throw them into the memory hole where they are burnt. At dinner Winston Smith meets Syme, a philologist, who is working on the 11th edition of The Newspeak Dictionary. Syme explains the main character of their work on this dictionary. During their conversation the telescreen announces that the chocolate ration has been increased to 20 g a week, whereas yesterday it was cut down to 20g a week. Winston wonders whether he's the only person with memory who isn't inflicted with Doublethink. As he looks around in the dining room he catches the eye of the dark-haired girl he had dreamed of the same night.

Back home again he makes an entry in his diary about his meeting with a prostitute three years ago. He remembers her ugliness, but nevertheless he had sex with her. Winston had a wife, but she was very stupid and just following the orders of the Party, which said that there may only be sex to produce "new material" for the Party, and that sex for personal pleasure is a crime. Then Winston thinks about the Party and believes that the only hope lies in the Proles.Later he remembers another fact of his past - Jones, Aaronson and Rutherford, the last three survivors of the original leaders of the Revolution. They were arrested in 1965 and confessed to all kinds of sabotage during their trial; they were pardoned, reinstated but not long after arrested again and executed.

The next morning Winston is again filled with the conviction that the future lies with the proles, that they will overthrow the greyness of the Party. But suddenly reality crashes in. "We are the DEAD", he says to Julia. An iron voice behind them repeats the phrase, the picture on the wall falls to bits to reveal a telescreen behind it. Uniformed man thunder into the room and they carry Winston and Julia out. Winston is in a cell in what he presumes is the Ministry of Love. He is sick with hunger and fear, and when he makes a movement or a sound, a harsh voice will bawl at him from four telescreens. A prisoner who is dying of starvation is brought in, his face is skull-like. Later the man is brought to "Room 101" after screaming and struggling, and even offering his children's sacrifices in his stead. O'Brien enters. Winston thinks that they must have got him, too, but O'Brien says that they got him long time ago.

A guard hits Winston, and he becomes unconscious. When he wakes up he is tied down to a kind of bed. O'Brien stands beside the bed, and Winston feels that O'Brien, who is the torturer, is also somehow a friend. The aim of O'Brien is to teach Winston the technique of doublethink, and he does this by inflicting pain of ever-increasing intensity. He reminds Winston that he wrote the sentence: " Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two makes four". O'Brien holds up four fingers of his left hand, and he asks Winston how many there are. Winston answers four a couple of times, and each time the pain increases .At the end of the session, under heavy influence of drugs and agony, Winston really sees five fingers.O'Brien now explains how the Party works. The image he gives of the future is that of a boot stamping on a human face - for ever. Winston protests, because he thinks that there is something in the human nature that will not allow this; he calls it "The Spirit of Man".

O'Brien points out that Winston is the last humanist, he is the last guardian of the human spirit. Then O'Brien gets Winston to look at himself in the mirror. Winston is horrified by he sees. The unknown time of torture has changed him into a shapeless and battered wreck. This is what the last humanist looks like. The only degradation that Winston has not been through, is that he has not betrayed Julia. He has said anything under torture, but inside he has remained true to her. Winston is much better now. For some time he has not been beaten and tortured, he has been fed quite well and allowed to wash. Winston realises that he now accepts all the lies of the Party, that Oceania was always at war with Eastasia, and that he never had the photograph of Jones, Aaronson, and Rutherford that disproved their guilt. Even gravity could be nonsense. But nevertheless Winston has some unorthodox thoughts that he cannot suppress. But now it is time for the last of the three steps, reintegration. Winston is taken to Room 101. O'Brien says that the room 101 is the worst thing in the world.He looks forward to the bullet, they will kill him with some day.

Trapped in a closet of hate

'I am not being racist , i just don't like blacks ,but because of the system i am forced to,' said an unsuspecting white fellow.

My tutor at the best journalism university in the country, once said,'never use a quote ' when starting a news story. For some reason,i have decided to breach the code of main stream journalism.

Since my longhaul flight aboard a South African airways plane to England across the Atlantic,i have never been subjected to racism - of course until today.As i wandered about in the media centre, i heard something that i last heard during the apartheid regime in South Africa.This unsuspecting fella,didn't realise that a 'nigger' was behind his work station,when he pronounced his dislike for black people.I instinctively interjected and asked him to apologise.There was utter silence from the fella and his crew - before apologising.The stunned red faced fellas immediately, asked if there was anything they would do to compensate for inciting hate speech.

I suppose there is nothing wrong in hating black people but if it's done in the public domain,then there is cause to worry.Charles Darwin might have inspired a fully-blown spectrum of racism.He believed that,the white race had reached a full stage of human development.In America the KKK and other Alabama right-wingers still hold onto the mythical theories.In the state of Alabama,my DJ friend was assaulted for 'walking while black' and 'driving while black'.

Probably if i was white,i might have had the same feeling as anyone who hates 'niggers'.

Am not an angry blackman for now but i now really feel marginalised following today's incident.Of course, it's fair comment to say,i hate niggers but if it's made public knowledge then a 'nigger' gets offended.

Global village libel laws

I happened to be watching one of my favourite telly stations, Al Jazeera today when i came across a discussion on libel laws. Indeed this discussion captivated my attention because,it is a subject that will remain prevalent as long as i am a journo.

The presenter of the show gave an analogy of a recent libel case in London.Apparently an arab television station was recently sued in a British court by a Turkish firm.How on earth can a london court hear proceedings for a libel case involving a foreign defendant and foreign claimant.

Almost everyone is coming to London to sue foreign publications.The crux of the matter is that it is hugely expensive to defend libel cases ,therefore defendants are somehow forced to opt for ,out of court settlement.

Now publications like ,The New york times are planning to stop circulation of their publications in London.Even blocking access to their sites to London consumers as a precaution on libel cases.

Below is an article from the Guardian Newspaper.


Foreign media count cost of UK libel lawsBuzz up!
Digg it

Karen McVeigh The Guardian, Monday 9 November 2009 Article history

Britain's reputation for "libel tourism" is driving American and foreign publishers to consider abandoning the sale of newspaper and magazines in Britain and may lead to them blocking access to websites, MPs have been warned.

Publishers, human rights groups and campaigners have expressed "substantial and increasing concern" because comments that would be protected under the freedom of speech in the US constitution are actionable in London courts once published here, no matter how small the readership.

A memorandum submitted to a Commons select committee, ahead of a meeting with US publishers, states: "Leading US newspapers are actively considering abandoning the supply of the 200-odd copies they make available for sale in London – mainly to Americans who want full details of their local news and sport. They do not make profits out of these minimal and casual sales and they can no longer risk losing millions of dollars in a libel action which they would never face under US law. Does the UK really want to be seen as the only country in Europe – indeed in the world – where important US papers cannot be obtained in print form?"

The submission, on behalf of a number of US media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and MacMillan (US), as well as Human Rights Watch, Global Witness US and Greenpeace International, added: "The consequences of making media organisations liable for putting articles – perfectly lawful by the law of their own domicile – on websites which are occasionally accessed in England should be obvious. The cost of fighting libel actions may lead internet publishers to build 'fire walls' against access from the UK, in order to avoid such actions."

Living the dream

The privileges that come with the profession of journalism are just beyond imagination.I didn't choose the profession for the glamour but for the desire to disseminate news to those who care to watch,listen and read.And without bragging, i am living my dream.

Last Saturday, i went to film an FA trophy tie between Eastleigh FC and Lewes at the Silverlake stadium.The stewards and officials from the host team were more than co-operative to my film crew.There was a degree of respect and honour.After the match, the officials also organised, some interviews with the team managers for the two teams.

Life in mainstream journalism has just begun and being a video journalist is not as easy as one might assume.There are technical nightmares associated with it.Thank goodness,i did a sound check before interviewing the managers.Soon after the match,i connected the radio mic and noted that there was some distortion and a lot of reverb.After trying a few tricks,i resigned to the idea of fixing it and opted for the gun mic.

Editing on final cut pro was quite easy because,i had my story board written before hand.General views and cut aways are essential in any bulletin package and i used them quite effectively.

I am also impressed by the teamwork within the news room.In particular, the production department has been awesome.Keep it up guys!!!!!

caught in the mix

Meeting Terry Paine

Over the years,i watched Terry Paine on the supersport sports channel in South Africa and never thought i would one day meet the former Southampton and England goal poacher.

The man who played a record number of games for the saints visited Winchester University last Thursday,for a book signing conference.I had the exclusive rights to film the proceedings and i must say,my confidence in vjing is reaching its threshold.When Terry walked in with his entourage,i immediately identified myself as a proponent of Johannesburg.He looked bemused because,it was beyond his imagination that someone from Johannesburg would find comfort in Winchester;such is the power of globalisation.

Even though the conference was poorly attended,the few that made it enjoyed more attention from the legend.The man is so humble and down to earth considering
the fact that he is a world cup winner,an MBE and a presenter for supersport.

For the sake of Winchester news online,Terry invited me to attend his graduation ceremony on Friday at the Guild hall in Southampton.Solent university gave him an honourary accolade - Dr of Sports, for all the work he has done through out his career.

Terry hasn't lost allegiance to his country of birth,England but admires Johannesburg more and has no intention of rekindling with English weather anytime soon.

For the edited version of Terry's visit please visit winchester news online website.

Tour of duty for Winol

Last week,i had the ultimate privilege of representing Winchester news online, at the Planet ice shield arena in Basingstoke.This was my first ice hockey game as a video journalist and the prospects of a rude awakening were looming.I duly consulted two video production boffins for advice.They both suggested that i needed to use two video cameras,one from a wide angle and the other one from a close up angle.It seemed a daunting task for one VJ to execute two roles simultaneously.In good faith, i asked two of my VJ associates at Winchester to help with the logistical duties, but unfortunately they all relented for one reason or the other.

In the long run,i decided to use only one camera from a wide angle.Ice hockey is not a game of the faint heart;it's fast,furious and is suited for adrenalin junkies.Basingstoke Bisons were hosting Peterborough Phantoms in the planet ice trophy.Ice hockey is considered the fastest sport in the world and i have every reason to believe so,after witnessing one of the most difficult sports to film alone.

But thank goodness,the end product made winchester news online dummy broadcast last wednesday.Of course,i acknowledge the effort by my sports editor Mark Lovell,who worked tirelessly to finetune the editing hick-ups that befell me on final cut pro.

The experience was great and would advise any vj to take note of the following when filming ice hockey.
-If you are using one camera,make sure you shoot from a wide angle
-Sometimes ignore the action and leave the camera focused on the goalminder
-zoom in when ever necessary but it's not advisable
-shoot the action on manual than auto
-sometimes leave the player with the ball and focus on the crowd
-make sure you get enough cut aways
-film the scoreboard every time a goal is scored
-create a storyboard on how you want to narrate your story,it makes life easy when editing.

Who is considered British?

As a foreigner and of ethnic minority in the United Kingdom,i have been following politics and international relations with intend.When Nick Griffin, appeared on the BBC question time show to mitigate reasons for hating Islam as an ideology,Gay and lesbian dispensation,and immigration flaws,i kept vigil for a reason.After the proverbial show,i researched on what Griffin calls Britishness and noted that Britishness is quite fluid.

The concept of Britishness is much contested.In physical, political terms, ‘Britishness’ relates to the borders of living within the archipelago islands of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in so far as you live in Britain. Yet when people talk about ‘being British’ what do they mean? Are there physical attributes ascribed to being British? Are there characteristics particular to the British, or is it based on history, language and culture?
Are these attributes fixed, or have they, and do they change over time?

The formation of ‘Great Britain’ was established in the Act of Union of 1770 bringing together Scotland with Wales and England and later to include Ireland. The standardizing of the English language had begun in the early fifteenth century, with the aid of the printing press and religion, forging together all regions, aiding communication.

With the formation of the archipelagos, Great Britain, under the rule of a monarchy, established a strong standing and naval army that laid claim to much of the world. The Empire provided mutually beneficial gains for all territories of Britain, and allowed a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ to be fostered, helping create a British identity, ‘For many British people over a very long period possession of an empire has been an essential part of their sense of Britishness.To be ‘British’ during these times meant to be a citizen of a strong, powerful country, superior to the areas it dominated.

Although participation came from all regions, England, who housed both parliament and the monarchy, was more dominant, and traditional Britishness was, ‘more closely aligned with Englishness’. Although it took years, Britishness was established by a strong monarchy, increased communication and travel that enhanced ‘differences’ and superiority of Britishness.

Since the breakup of the British Empire, two catastrophic world wars and new technologies, Britishness is in crisis because there is a dilemma of identity. No longer do the empire and the sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ prevail and the monarchy no longer holds power to dictate and unify the country through religion due to secularization.

Nationalism in the regions of Britain has also become more pronounced, with the Republic of Ireland declaring independence in 1921 and the devolution of power to the Welsh and Scottish assemblies.

Immigration has increased dramatically since World War 2, the independence of colonial countries and the unification of the European Union.A person can be both Scottish and British.No person needs to claim to just one identity, they can change through time and circumstance.

Britishness is at its best in sport behind Team GB in the Olympics, and Andy Murray in the Wimbledon tournament. The same can be attributed to television; ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ saw a diverse and mix of people claiming their allegiance to being ‘British’ .
Therefore the country is increasingly changing, Britishness has encompassed the diversity of its inhabitants.

So where does Mr Griffin and his accomplices stand with Britishness?

Three amigos fail to inspire team

Chris Horrie, failed to inspire his team to victory in a pulsating match played at the University of Winchester, yesterday. Mark Lovell hammered home the winning goal for the third years a few minutes from time, to silence their critics.

“Hobbes is a traitor and he knows it,” said Grant Payne after his team lost in the dying minutes of the game. The second years had every reason to feel robbed, after having led for the better part of the game.

The match was played at a scintillating pace, with both sides displaying some deft touches. Brian Thornton, playing his debut match showed glimpses of brilliance every time he probed forward. And really, there could have been no more fitting player to set the second years on their way than Thornton, after Joey Lipscombe withdrew from the starting line-up. The third years, absorbed pressure from the onset and could have easily been beaten.


Josh Duffy, Chanin Lloyd, Joey Lipscombe,Rob Anderson and Tom Otrebski added spark to the spectacle, as they were part of the media entourage covering the match live.

Tom Hepworth from the BBC was a guest player for the second years and had a relatively good game – though his presence could not deter the resilient third years from victory. With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate, Mark Lovell hammered home the winner to sent his team into a frenzy. Horrie’s trump card Joey said he will be back for next week’s encounter.

News is about people doing things

Tom Hepworth,BBC South

Yesterday, was a day that will remain embedded in our thoughts; for we were privileged once again, to have a guest speaker in Tom Hepworth.The BBC South prodigy started his broadcasting career in radio before joining BBC South, as a video journalist.

Mr Hepworth watched all the video packages produced by Winchester Journalism students and gave expect advice accordingly.Below are some of the important aspects of journalism he mentioned.

.If you decide to do a piece to camera,there must be a valid reason for that.
.A piece to camera must never be in the excess of 30seconds unless otherwise.
.It is important to plan how you intend to set the package in your storyboard.
.Sequencing is vital,as it gives emphasis to actuality
.A piece to camera can also be used to add actuality and reality
.News is about people doing things, when you are interviewing a chef,make sure he is doing something.
.When you go out for an interview,try to find another story

Mr Hepworth also took time explaining and illustrating the best technics when shooting a story on your own.

I have come to the realisation that the real world of journalism is about precision and time.Putting up telly packages can be quite daunting if there are no plans in place.But with more effort it can be done.