My Internship Experience with Collective Newsroom – BBC: A Journey Behind the Scenes

Stepping into the World of Broadcast Journalism

Internships are often described as stepping the stones into real world and for me, interning with the Collective Newsroom in collaboration with the BBC was nothing short of transformative. I was working closely with the production operations team. This internship gave me a deep insight into the world of broadcast journalism and the behind-the-scenes efforts that make live television possible.  As someone passionate about journalism, getting a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most respected media organizations was both a privilege and an incredible learning opportunity.

During my time there, I observed how live bulletins and programs are prepared and aired. It was fascinating to see the coordination, precision and teamwork that goes into each broadcast.  Whether it was setting up the teleprompter, cueing graphics, or ensuring the right camera feed was live, every second counts and every person played a critical role. I was also given hands-on editing tasks. Using SQedit software, I edited stings, headlines (HL), out-of-vision (OOV) clips and promotional contents for BBC Hindi, Tamil and Telugu services. This helped me sharpen my technical editing skills and understand content presentation for different regional audiences.

Throughout my internship, I participated in several training sessions and editorial discussions. These included sessions on reporting and storytelling for impact. One standout session was led by Divya Arya, where she spoke about the challenges of reporting from the field raw, real and deeply human. I also had the chance to attend sessions with Sarvapriya Sangwan (Editor of Digital Video) She has work with Ravish Kumar in NDTV. Another with Abhinav Goel, who offered critical insights into the world of responsible journalism and newsroom workflows and talk about OSING.

A particularly inspiring moment was interacting with presenter Sarika Singh, known for anchoring BBC Duniya. Speaking with her gave me a deeper understanding of the nuances of live presentation, viewer engagement and the poise required to deliver complex news with clarity. One of the most memorable moments was watching interviews of Justice S. Murlidhar and the renowned filmmaker and writer Muzaffar Ali. I even had the chance to ask questions during these sessions, which was both exciting and insightful. What stood out to me most was the diverse and inclusive environment at the BBC. The team was a beautiful mix of cultures and languages, and everyone I met was warm, supportive and professional. This diversity not only made the workplace vibrant but also reflected in the quality and depth of their journalism.

 

I also learned the technical aspects of production how to operate audio and lighting consoles, and how to direct a program. While I didn’t take part in a live broadcast, I actively participated in rehearsals, which gave me practical experience with the tools and workflows used in professional television studios.

This internship was truly a wonderful experience. It not only helped me grow technically and creatively but also gave me a better understanding of the responsibility and power of journalism. I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to carry these learnings into my future career. I recently participated in a rehearsal for the on-air Telugu bulletins, during which I was responsible for vision mixing. This was a significant and challenging task for me, but it turned out to be an invaluable learning experience that helped me grow both technically and creatively.

During this period, a plane crash occurred in Ahmedabad while a recording for The Lens Show, hosted by Mukesh Sharma, was underway. At that time, I was working on the social media desk, where I played a key role in coordinating with our correspondents across various international locations. I helped establish communication with reporters such as Harinder Sir in Jerusalem, Vandana Ma'am and Neha Bhatnagar in London, and Laxmi reporting from the hospital in Ahmedabad. Additionally, Ishadrita Ma'am and Roxy Sir were covering the incident live on the ground from Ahmedabad. One of my key contributions was editing Ishadrita Ma’am SOT (Sound on Tape) about the crash, adapting the content into multiple languages to suit diverse audiences. I was also responsible for producing promotional materials, stings, and final video packages (VTs) for coverage on special occasions, including Siddhu Moosewala’s birth anniversary and headline stories.

In addition to production tasks, I engaged in SOT voiceover practice sessions, which significantly boosted my on-air confidence. I’ve also been involved in translation work, converting news content between English and Hindi with accuracy and nuance. Furthermore, I contributed to the digital side by writing headlines for the BBC Hindi website and operated the camera for a segment of the BBC Tamil show. This internship was far more than a resume builder it was an immersive learning experience that shaped my understanding of what it means to be part of a global newsroom. It helped me grow technically, creatively and professionally while reinforcing the immense responsibility and influence journalism carries in today’s world.

I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity and for CMMS, Jamia Hamdard for giving me this opportunity. As I look ahead, I carry not just new skills but a renewed sense of purpose and passion for storytelling that informs, empowers and connects.

 

Here’s to the next chapter with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead.