Sky’s the limit for Teesside media students

Teesside University students turned the tables on Sky News political editor and asked him the questions when he visited the Middlesbrough campus.

Around 50 students had the rare opportunity to interview Adam Boulton - the broadcasting heavyweight has been political editor at Sky News since the launch of the channel in 1989.

The question and answer session was led by Neil Macfarlane, senior lecturer in media and journalism – himself a former journalist.

Adam has been punched by Denis Healey, his now famous row on air with Alastair Campbell has been watched almost a million times and he’s interviewed everyone from Margaret Thatcher, and Barack Obama to Katie Price.

He advised students that it was wise for journalists to follow their own interests when choosing a specialism. He added: 'You have to be prepared to put in the time when it can pay off. You have to be prepared to be obnoxious if it calls for it although what the outside world doesn’t see is that people are surprisingly happy to talk when they are doorstepped even when they are bereaved.'

When asked who he enjoyed interviewing he said Margaret Thatcher because she 'always gave a straight answer' and in contrast – violinist Yehudi Menuhin simply because he was so interesting.

Dr Christa van Raalte, section head for media said: 'It is excellent for our students to be able to find out what the job is really like from a journalist of the calibre of Adam Boulton. The School of Arts & Media hosts many media experts to ensure our students get a real insight into their future profession.'

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