BU graduate scoops top award at the RTS Television awards
24 February 2012
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BU graduate wins Young Journalist of the Year and the John Schofield Trust bursary at the RTS Television awards. |
A Bournemouth University graduate has won the top award for Young Journalist of the Year and the John Schofield Trust bursary at the RTS Television awards, which took place on February 23.
Former BA (Hons) Multi-Media Journalism (BAMMJ) student Joe Casey won the award for his outstanding work on BBC’s Panorama programme going undercover to investigate alleged allegations of ‘aggressive bullying and frequent abuse’ in a Bristol care home.
Joe, who graduated from BU in 2006 said of making the programme:
“The most rewarding thing about being a journalist is to know you have made a difference to someone’s life. This film has done precisely that. When I was first approached to go in undercover for Panorama I was shocked by what whistleblower Terry Bryan had witnessed. The abuse I witnessed during my five weeks at Winterbourne View was harrowing and deeply shocking. The media and public response to the film has been encouraging and shown how urgent it is to start a serious discussion on how we as a society look after our most vulnerable.”
Joe modestly admitted that he did not even expect to be nominated, let alone win such a prestigious prize:
“It is an honour to have won the award and the bursary. I have a lot of respect for the previous winners of this accolade and it is a privilege to take my place alongside them. As well as my nomination for Young Journalist of the Year, the investigation was put forward for two more awards, which it won. I didn’t expect to win my award and am pleased for the Panorama team and everyone who helped with the programme. The three awards show that there is still a place for really strong, powerful investigative journalism in the modern media.”
John Schofield’s widow presented Joe with the award and he plans to use the bursary to work with a mentor on a new project.
The John Schofield bursary is a pioneering scheme which offers up to 25 young British journalists the opportunity to be mentored by the best journalists in the industry.
Joe credited the BA Multi-Media Journalism course for “providing the foundations and skills to embark into the world of journalism”.
