There’s far more to being a presenter than the moments you spend in front of the camera. Newsreaders are a part of the editorial process that precedes each programme.
They may contribute ideas to editorial meetings and write or rewrite the scripts. Fiona Bruce says it’s what makes the job so interesting.
As for her on-air presence, she says: “There’s not much opportunity to learn to read the news. By and large, you either can or you can’t do it pretty much straight away.”
Even if your future doesn’t lie in reading the news on national TV, it’s something plenty of fledgling BBC journalists have to do - in local radio, for example.
“Even if it’s kicking off all around you,” Fiona advises, “the most important thing is to remain calm.”
