It is apt that as I sit here in BBC Washington that I shall account for my first day of my internship.
I am presently in front of several small screens showing live feeds from Congress and the Senate, Sky News, ABC, CNN, BBC World News, footage of George Bush speaking from the Rose Garden, Obama conducting a rally in North Carolina and the Euro's with France v Italy, and Holland v Romania.
I am waiting around until 6pm, when World News America begins, hosted by Matt Frei. With those on the Program meeting at Dupont Circle at 6.30pm, a short 5 minute walk from me, I have time to spare.
Today I was asked to video log the Senate hearings of the Guantanamo Request, looking at the abuse of power and allegations of improper treatment of detainees in contravention to the Geneva Convention on Human Rights. It will undermine the authorities at the very high levels of the current administration, and is no doubt a major story given a recent Supreme Court decision on the situation. It was fascinating. I had to summarise the proceedings, logging times and highlights to use as a leading feature for BBC World News. At lunchtime I found it strange to be sharing a lift with Matt Frei and Gavin Hewitt, before being introduced. Two journalists who I have a lot of respect for, and I guess it adds itself to those many surreal WIP moments.
The nature of a media internship is a role constantly on the move and changing which I feel I can cope well with. The people are great and the chance to keep up-to-date with the media back home is also useful.
