At Western Sydney University Parramatta South Campus, ABC Journalist Lydia Feng captured the minds of students in her Q&A guest lecture, outlining the passion and initiative of what it takes to become a journalist within the modern world. Within her lecture seminar, Feng began by tracing her life in journalism, outlining her exposure to journalistic radio and media at an early age through family experiences such as watching 60 Minutes on the weekend or listening to 2GB during car trips to school.
Lydia Feng giving tips on journalism. Supplied by Western Sydney University, image by @Abubakr Sajid, 3rd of September 2024
From there, an interest was sparked and became applied when she did her year 10 work experience at 2GB. Feng explains the rush she felt seeing the fast-paced world of journalism, more specifically during her experience shadowing a reporter at a press conference. She expresses how energising it was in seeing the journalists ask the grilling questions, furiously write their articles and from there, view the “magic” of their stories being live on radio minutes later. “I thought it was incredible. I thought it was magic and that really inspired me to pursue this wonderful, magical world, I thought to myself maybe this is the career for me.”
She continued to take the initiative and built her portfolio while completing her Bachelor of Communication at the University of Sydney through work experience with The Sydney Morning Herald, Nine News and Caixin Media in Beijing. Since then, Feng has worked as an assistant producer for Seven News Network, SBS World News and now works at the ABC as the seven o’clock news anchor and local communities’ reporter.
Feng uses her story to explain that even throughout her extensive years and experience within the industry, the essence and integrity of journalism remain the same. She told students that as journalists, they not only must be efficient and quick in their storytelling but most importantly they must be accurate and authentic.
“We need to make sure as journalists to ask ourselves ‘what are we there for?’ We need to make sure that we inform people about what is happening in society so that they can make informed decisions affecting their everyday lives.”
Finally, Feng highlighted the importance of a journalist critically assessing everything presented as “news” within the media, stating that to be an authentic and well-rounded journalist you must get all sides to the story.
“It is your duty as a journalist to inform the people as accurately as possible so you must question everything and not take anything presented at face value. You are not there to make everyone happy; you are there to give accurate information.“
The importance of guest lectures highlighting the integrity of journalism has continuously shown success over the years. Allie Langdon within her 60 minutes Guest Lecture validated how accuracy in journalistic storytelling is a necessity within any journalist’s career “There is such an emphasis of being first but always remember accuracy, there is no point in being first if you get it wrong.”
Students listening intently to Lydia’s advice, Supplied by Western Sydney University, Image taken by @Abubakr Sajid, 3rd of September 2024
This is additionally finalised within Meghna Bali WSU Guest Lecture, where she highlights the importance of telling peoples stories accurately and its impacts in real life. “When you are out in the field and speaking to a community you can see how the ways you write people’s stories matter and how it affects their life in real time”
Overall, Feng’s insightful lectures were deemed extremely successful by the Western students and teachers. Western Journalism Lecturer Margot Dunphy expressed how important these guest lectures can be for the development of students’ careers within the journalism world. “They get to hear how exciting the day-to-day work of a journalist can be and facilitates important information needed for their careers in the future.”
This success was further demonstrated by one of Dunphy’s students having their first story published with Feng’s assistance, giving feedback on the students’ pitch during the Q&A section. “I encouraged him to pitch his story to Lydia and I am happy it paid off. This will be great for his portfolio of work but also shows how journalism is about always being aware and taking initiative when possible.”
