Despite their young age and lack of experience in media, the contestants at Host Idol finals took on the challenge to embrace new technologies to deliver their stories on Youtube.

All 15 secondary school students who took part in the gruelling Host Idol competition last weekend at Queensbay Mall, were praised by the judges for their willingness to learn to operate the GoPro as part of their filming for their Youtube videos.

(From left) Host Idol judges Owen Yap of 8TV, Tan Ley Teng of ntv7 and Ivan Toh of TV1

Judge Owen Yap of 8TV said the students showed that they are aware of the importance of new media and that handling a GoPro while reporting is no easy task.

During a Facebook Live interview, Yap added that newsrooms are fast moving forward with different ways of reporting due to the constant transformation of technology, changing the way journalists work.

While the students had a taste of filming and producing stories in a more immediate manner, they also used new platforms like social media to garner Facebook votes for their first round of radio programme apart from engaging viewers through viral promotional videos.

Han Chiang College has a track record of incorporating new multimedia tools in its journalism programme and competitions, resulting in the revamp of format for the annual Host Idol.

Commenting on the students’ performances, judge Ivan Toh from TV1 said students must remember to report newsworthy stories and to identify interesting new angles to engage audiences better.

To cater to audiences who were not able to attend the competition, HCC conducted live reporting of Host Idol on Facebook through postings, Facebook Live and branded hashtags for wider coverage.

Judge Tan Ley Teng of ntv7, who is also the College’s alumna, said the students showed their creativity in reporting stories, but they need to be attentive to their surroundings to avoid disrupting viewers’ attention, a challenge that many journalists face.

Han Chiang College offers Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, Diploma in Mass Communication and the 3+0 Bachelor of Communication majoring in Journalism & Public Relations from University of Southern Queensland, Australia.