What’s it like to broadcast from a war zone?

Award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane explains what the music press can learn from traditional news journalism.

As Drowned in Sound's podcast season looking at the future of music media continues, we wander into the world of international journalism with award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane. With a wealth of experience reporting on major global events for the BBC to ABC News, Julia shares her unique insights into the art of covering huge stories and the challenges of conveying truth in an age of misinformation.

DiS018 | Season 2: The Future of Music Journalism EP10

Highlights:

• From Beirut to Brexit: Julia discusses her experiences covering critical global events.
• The 'One Decision' Podcast: Learn about Julia's co-hosting experience with former Chief of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove, where she interviews experts on a range of pressing topics.
• Challenges of Modern Journalism: Julia reflects on the importance of accuracy and impartiality in journalism, especially in high-stakes international reporting.
• Self-Shot Journalism: Julia discusses the challenges and rewards of self-shooting journalism and the necessity of recording events impartially and accurately.
• The Power of Personal Stories: Understand the role of personal narratives in making complex global issues relatable and understandable.

Key Quotes:

• "Recording events as they happen is vital... it's important to have professionals who are trained to record things accurately and impartially." - Julia MacFarlane
• "The BBC was a crucial connection to home and world events for English-speaking families abroad." - Julia MacFarlane
• "In filmmaking, whether you're a solo journalist or part of a team, finding compelling stories and voices is essential." - Julia MacFarlane

Timestamps:

• [02:06] Julia's Background and Career Path
• [14:03] Challenges and Responsibilities in Journalism
• [29:17] Insights from 'One Decision' Podcast
• [34:23] Navigating Journalism in the Digital Age

More:

• For more on Julia MacFarlane's work, check out the "One Decision" podcast and follow her on social media (Linkedin | Instagram | X | Threads).
• Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend or leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.
• For updates about Drowned in Sound, subscribe to our Substack newsletter

Hosted and Produced by Sean Adams.