The Power of Storytelling: How Thirty Young People Helped Radically Change Britain's Media

Just how did thirty young people help radically change Britain's media? In the late 80s for a news story, five people would go out on the shoot. They were the reporter, sound man, camera man, producer and lighting man. Notice anything about the crew?

Twenty-something years ago, British TV was shaken up. November 20th, 1994: Channel One Television launched as the UK's first 24-hour cable station, a vibrant mix of news, entertainment, and real-life stories, all fuelled by a lean £50 million budget. But the real game-changer? 

The arrival of the videojournalist (VJ) – a fresh face in media, armed with a camera and a hunger to tell stories in a whole new way. From 3,000 hopefuls, thirty VJs were chosen, many of whom are now familiar faces in British media. Raw TV's Dimitri Doganis, the BBC's Chris Hollins, BBC Radio CWR's Trish Adudu, and the BBC's Julia Caesar. 

Nick Pollard steered the ship as Director of Programmes, with Michael Rosenblum training the new recruits. Pat Loughrey, former BBC senior executive, said: Channel One wasn't just another channel; it was a force that "upended the status quo," and sadly was “ten years before its time.” 

These pio-neering VJs weren't just reporting; they were at the forefront of a burgeoning media, digital and Internet revolution shaping how we told and consumed stories in the digital age. 

I was right there as one of those original VJs! Years later, driven by my PhD research into innovative news, I had the opportunity to sit down with former staff like Dimitri Doganis, Julia Caesar, Director of Programmes Nick Pollard, Trainer Michael Rosenblum, and industry figures like Deborah Turness, Vin Ray, and Stewart Purvis, capturing their thoughts firsthand about Channel One. 

A work-in-progress this 5min trailer gives an insight into the development of a brand new media. But the story isn't just situated in the past. Only now are some of their breakthroughs materialising.

The raw passion of these early VJs such as Dimitri Doganis spoke about using the power of non-fiction cinema to connect with audiences. Today, BBC journalists and Channel 4 correspondents like Secunder Kermani draw on authentic, non-fiction cinematic storytelling techniques.

A five-minute trailer of a lengthier piece I have in mind. (Replace 'your_trailer_video_id' with actual video ID)

A relook at my data also confirmed the thirty year cycle. That is roughly every thirty years, there's a radical change in media. In the 90s it was Vjs. In the 60s it was cinema verite via Robert Drew (who I interviewed). In the 1930s sound became a part of film, and then of course you can chart films beginnings to somewhere around the 1900s.

Hence what's next? I believe the study and film are relevant today for teaching journalism and media, education, media histories, innovation, diversity and young people and movements.

Let me know what you think? Ah, I was one of the original thirty videojournalists.