Northland Reporter Wins Int'l Media Scholarship

12 March 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

Northland Reporter Wins International Media Scholarship

Northern Advocate Chief Reporter Peter de Graaf has been selected as the winner of the 2008 Air New Zealand/British High Commission Journalism Fellowship, it was announced today.

The Fellowship has been established to allow up-and-coming New Zealand print journalists the opportunity to further their career by undertaking a month's study at Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. It has been developed in association with the Commonwealth Press Union's New Zealand section.

Peter de Graaf travels to Cardiff in April to participate in the University's MA in International Journalism course.

``It's a real privilege to have the opportunity to travel to the UK and broaden my reporting skills, as well as learning more about newsroom management and mentoring younger reporters,’’ says Peter.

A journalist for eight years, Peter has worked for the website nzoom.com, the New Zealand Herald, Hawke's Bay Today, and is currently Chief Reporter at the Northern Advocate in Whangarei.

British High Commissioner George Fergusson said: ``The Fellowship is one way the British Government is further strengthening its relationship with New Zealand, by enabling media to share best practice. Student journalists at Cardiff University have in the past also been similarly delighted to learn new skills from someone who has worked in another media environment.’’

ENDS

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