- Two young Australian journalists, Tiffany Verga and Brett Rechichi, have been selected to head to the UK for intensive media training at the international summit Future News Worldwide.
- Future News Worldwide identifies, trains and connects the next generation of global journalists. The summit is bringing together 100 young journalists from around the world, who will travel to Reuters UK headquarters in Canary Wharf, London in July to take part in the summit.
Two bright young journalists will represent Australia at the UK’s Future News Worldwide, the international summit for the world's best young media makers.
Tiffany Verga and Brett Rechichi both from Curtin University in Perth, were selected from a strong competition from across the country to represent Australia at the Summit.
The pair will be part of an international cohort of 100 young journalists, and will receive coaching from world-leading editors, broadcasters, writers and reporters, from organisations including Reuters, CNN, BBC World Service, Newsquest Scotland’s flagship publication The Herald, and the Google News Initiative. The 2019 summit will take place at Reuters UK headquarters in Canary Wharf, London – one of Europe’s largest newsrooms.
The summit will give the Australian participants the opportunity to see how publishers around the world are using technology to find stories and bring them to life. After the conference, delegates will be part of a global alumni network, helping them to engage with one another to continue their professional development.
Over the past three years of the summit, Future News Worldwide has been building strong and lasting international connections between the next generation of media leaders.
“I'm excited to discover how different journalism is across the world and see what other young journalists are doing and how they are telling stories from their sections of the globe." said 2019 Future News Worldwide participant Tiffany Verga.
“Journalism has always been important but even more so now, we are in a climate where people are quick to believe fake news and whatever is told up front to them without fact-checking. Journalism is important in providing an outlet for people to read unbiased, factual reports and keep informed on topics that affect them personally but also on a wider scale affect people globally.”
“We’re proud to be nurturing young journalists, providing them with the opportunity to build international networks, to explore new technology in such a rapidly changing sector, and to support the essential role of a free press,” said Helen Salmon, Director British Council in Australia.
“To be selected for Future News Worldwide is a rare feat and I am looking forward to meeting a whole group of people from different areas of the globe, yet all from similar fields and industries. Journalism brings truth to the forefront and holds those in power accountable. I think it's more important than ever in the current climate, proven by some recent examples in our country alone,” said 2019 Future News Worldwide participant Brett Rechichi.
Future News Worldwide is a strategic partnership programme for the British Council which aims to assist young people to develop a wide range of journalism skills across different media.
Participant Biographies
- Tiffany Verga
Tiffany is a Journalism and Marketing student at Curtin University who loves travelling and has an affinity for puns. Currently, she is the President of Curtin Volunteers! a volunteering society at her university and runs the social media accounts for the Place Activation department at Curtin. - Brett Rechichi
Brett is a passionate journalism and screen arts graduate with interests in broadcast, film, sport and storytelling. He creates written and video content for an AFL club to share with fans and stakeholders and always keeps an eye on current events. Brett loves travelling, watching footy with mates and being with important people in his life.