Key Moments
Reeta Chakrabarti | Full Address and Q&A | Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
A BBC journalist's journey from childhood dreams to presenting major news, highlighting the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life and the evolving landscape of media.
Key Insights
Reeta Chakrabarti was inspired to become a journalist at age 10, influenced by a board game called 'Newsdesk' and her father's interest in current events, particularly the 1969 moon landings.
She faced rejection twice when applying for BBC training schemes but persevered, emphasizing the importance of resilience in a journalism career.
Covering the Stephen Lawrence inquiry as the BBC's community affairs correspondent was a significant, challenging, and obsessive experience that highlighted institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police.
Transitioning from correspondent to presenter was more challenging than expected, involving a shift from being a vehicle for stories to being a go-between for the audience, with increased personal scrutiny.
Newsrooms have become more gender-balanced, though senior roles still need more women, and while ethnic diversity on-screen is improving, behind-the-scenes representation, particularly for Black men, remains a concern.
The BBC faces a 'hostile environment' due to social media attacks and the politicization of news, but Chakrabarti defends its commitment to impartiality, accuracy, and evidence-based journalism.
Early aspirations and the path to journalism
Reeta Chakrabarti's journey into journalism began at a remarkably young age, around 10 years old. This early ambition was sparked by a combination of factors, including a childhood board game called 'Newsdesk' which introduced her to unfamiliar places and the concept of reporting on stories. A significant influence was also her father, who instilled in her an interest in current affairs by making her watch major events like the 1969 moon landings. Beyond personal fascination, Chakrabarti noted that in her generation, there was a sense of civic duty to be engaged with the outside world and understand current affairs. This interest in the global landscape, coupled with a desire for a varied career that avoided routine, naturally led her towards journalism. She pursued English and French at Oxford University, a period she remembers fondly despite its challenges, and knew from an early age that journalism was her calling, even without industry contacts.
Navigating early career challenges and the Stephen Lawrence inquiry
Securing a place in journalism was not without its hurdles. Chakrabarti applied to BBC training schemes twice and was rejected both times, highlighting the competitive nature of the field and the importance of persistence. She advocates for trying again after setbacks, suggesting that resilience is valued. After eventually getting onto a training scheme, she moved through various roles, including radio producer, community affairs correspondent, home affairs correspondent, and spent a decade as a political correspondent at Westminster. A pivotal moment in her career was covering the Stephen Lawrence inquiry as the BBC's community affairs correspondent. This was her first major story, tasked with bringing more stories from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities to the forefront. The Stephen Lawrence case, involving the racist murder of an 18-year-old and the subsequent flawed police investigation, led to a public inquiry that famously concluded the Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist. Chakrabarti described the inquiry as a seismic moment for the UK, prompting national soul-searching and leading to significant legal and procedural changes. Her immersion in the inquiry, attending almost daily for 18 months, was described as an obsession and a deeply challenging, yet formative, experience.
The transition from correspondent to presenter
The shift from being a correspondent to a news presenter was more complex than Chakrabarti initially anticipated. As a correspondent, the focus is entirely on the story and the people involved; the journalist is a 'vehicle' for reporting. In contrast, as a presenter, the role becomes a 'go-between' for the audience and the story. While still deeply journalistic, involving significant input into the daily running order, story selection, and writing introductions, the presenter is viewed more personally. This personal scrutiny, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter, led to comments on appearance and clothing, which Chakrabarti, likely due to her gender, experienced more frequently. She acknowledges this as part of the job but finds it perplexing why people would comment negatively. Despite these challenges, she finds presenting the 'first with the news' aspect exciting, especially on fast-paced, big news days where the team works collaboratively under pressure to adapt to breaking stories. She characterizes this environment not as stressful, but as 'pressurized,' a pressure she finds exhilarating and a collective achievement when successful.
Balancing a demanding career with family life
Balancing a demanding broadcast journalism career with family life is acknowledged as difficult, though it became easier for Chakrabarti as her children grew older. She emphasizes that it is achievable, especially now with more women in newsrooms, creating a more supportive environment than in previous decades. However, the unpredictable nature of broadcast news, with early shifts, late finishes, and the possibility of breaking stories requiring immediate attention, necessitates a strong support network. This includes an understanding partner, good friends, and neighbors who can assist with childcare. While not easy, she assures aspiring female journalists that it is a perfectly possible path, and a significant number of women in their 40s and 50s have successfully navigated this combination.
Diversity and inclusion in journalism: gender and ethnicity
Chakrabarti reflected on how her gender and ethnicity may have impacted her career. She stated that any perceived holding back due to gender was more personal, stemming from the practical difficulties of undertaking dangerous or extensive foreign assignments while raising a family. She admires colleagues who manage this, but acknowledges it wasn't feasible for her. Professionally, she believes her gender has not been a significant barrier within the organization. She observes that newsrooms have become more gender-balanced over time, though there's still a need for more women in senior leadership roles. Regarding ethnicity, she notes that in the early 1990s, when she was making her first steps as a reporter, the industry was beginning to prioritize diversity on screen. She was encouraged to become a reporter, suggesting that this encouragement might have been less for roles like program editor. Chakrabarti candidly admits that the BBC, and the media industry generally, remains 'too white and too middle class,' an open secret that needs to change. She observes a significant number of talented South Asian women succeeding in broadcasting, but notes a surprising lack of Black Caribbean men and fewer men behind the scenes, questions she doesn't have answers for but recognizes as an ongoing issue.
The evolving media landscape and the challenge of impartiality
Chakrabarti views the BBC as a 'political football' but insists the organization itself is not politicized, though public opinion on it is strong. She stresses the critical importance of impartiality in an era of information overload, where diverse viewpoints and theories abound. Impartial news, from broadcasters, print, or online, is essential for making sense of the world, providing facts without an agenda, and offering expert analysis. She describes the current environment as more 'hostile' for organizations like the BBC, which face criticism for being publicly funded and are often grouped with 'mainstream media' in a derogatory way. While acknowledging that the BBC, being human-run, makes mistakes, she firmly states these are not due to a deliberate agenda but human error. She is more concerned about the 'social media attacks,' particularly the staggering abuse directed at individuals, especially those in politics, which she finds bewildering and hopes they can largely ignore. The BBC is actively working to combat misinformation by having dedicated correspondents and educating the public on how to identify inaccurate news. Chakrabarti believes in facing emerging narratives head-on with evidence-based journalism and defending the BBC's core values of accuracy and impartiality. She is not worried about the potential 'Fox News-ification' of the wider British media, believing strict impartiality rules under Ofcom govern broadcasting, and that competition, including new channels with different slants, can be healthy and encourage self-examination.
Advice for aspiring journalists and future career paths
For those looking to enter journalism, especially later in their careers, Chakrabarti's advice is to network extensively, contact people in the industry, and seek face-to-face meetings. She reiterates the importance of persistence, stating that the industry doesn't penalize being 'pushy' in a polite manner. Sending examples of work is crucial, and specializing in an area, such as finance for the student interested in Chinese financial news, provides a significant advantage. While many journalists are 'jacks of all trades,' a deep specialization is a valuable asset. She also advises keeping an eye on opportunities and ensuring current work is of high quality, as this will be the material future employers judge. Outside of journalism, Chakrabarti expressed that if she hadn't pursued broadcasting, she would have been drawn to diplomacy, citing a desire to understand different countries and engage with the outside world, an interest possibly influenced by her Indian heritage and time spent in India as a teenager. She initially thought she would work in print, believing her strength lay in writing rather than public speaking, but fell into broadcasting as it was the most accessible opportunity.
The role of trust and leadership in modern journalism
Chakrabarti believes that trust is paramount in journalism, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, where the BBC saw enormous audiences seeking reliable information. She feels that trust is earned by demonstrating impartiality, accuracy, fairness, and a willingness to take criticism and admit mistakes without defensiveness. Leadership in journalism, she suggests, is demonstrated through these actions, proving the organization is worthy of public trust. Looking to the future, she acknowledges the challenges posed by changing viewing habits, the rise of new media platforms, and the increasing individualism fostered by social media. However, she hopes for a continued place for 'curated news' – where important stories are selected, explained, and contextualized to encourage a sense of community and interdependence. While acknowledging the potential for increased individualism and fractured discourse, she believes the BBC stands for communal values and a collective approach. She is optimistic that even if viewing methods change, the demand for reliable, curated news will persist, akin to how television news has survived numerous predictions of its demise.
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Common Questions
Reeta Chakrabarti knew from a young age she wanted to be a journalist. After university, she sought work experience at various media outlets, including a local newspaper and radio station, which led to freelance opportunities and eventually a training scheme at the BBC.
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Mentioned in this video
The focus of an MBA student's online blog about financial news.
The speaker returned to her hometown of Birmingham after her degree and applied for work experience at local media outlets.
The speaker attended Oxford University in 1984 to study English and French and had a fantastic time there.
A place mentioned on the board game Newsdesk that the speaker had never heard of, sparking her curiosity.
The location in South London where the Stephen Lawrence inquiry was held, described as an unlikely place for a public inquiry.
The speaker joined the BBC on a training scheme and has worked there for most of her career, currently as a presenter and correspondent. She expresses strong commitment to its principles of impartiality.
The charity the speaker accompanied on two journeys into the Mediterranean to report on the migrant crisis.
The speaker applied for work experience at this local radio station and received mentorship from Anita Pala.
The inquiry concluded that the Metropolitan Police were institutionally racist in their handling of the Stephen Lawrence investigation.
A new TV channel mentioned as a potential competitor with a right-wing slant.
The EU was in a quandary about how to handle the migrant crisis in Europe.
Mentioned as joining the new GB News channel.
The speaker attended Tony Blair's last press conference, which coincidentally featured Arnold Schwarzenegger, the then Governor of California.
An 18-year-old boy murdered in a racist attack in 1993, whose death led to a public inquiry into the police investigation.
The speaker recalls attending Tony Blair's last press conference as Prime Minister.
The then education secretary whose vigorous campaign of reform in education was a fascinating subject for the speaker to report on.
A presidential historian and audience member who asked a question about the BBC's coverage of the US election.
The death of George Floyd is mentioned as a significant event in the year of the US election.
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