Hadeel Elshak 

ITV News and Media Trust announce the finalists of ‘Breaking Into News’, a unique initiative fronted by ITV’s award-winning news broadcaster Charlene White and Ria Chatterjee for ITV News London designed to promote diversity in broadcast journalism. Hadeel Elshak, a sixth form student and social justice activist from Hammersmith has been named as the regional finalist for ITV News London. Addressing the need for improved representation of diverse audiences across the industry, ITV News encouraged applications from a wide talent pool attracting local budding broadcast journalists, some who have little to no relevant experience.

Under the professional mentoring of Katie Oakes for ITV News London, Hadeel is now in the process of creating a TV news report on the handling of Grenfell fire and its effect on the engagement of young people in politics which may even be shown on ITV London News.

Hadeel, who also works with children’s charity Solidarity Sports, said:

“The council and government’s response has been described as inadequate, with community run projects taking over the job of the council. For my report, I will be investigating if this has led to distrust in the system for young people. I also want to explore  whether their response acts as a confirmation of the narrative “us and them” and, if so, what is the effect on the future of politics?”

Along with nine other finalists from ITV news regions across the UK, Hadeel will present her final news report to an esteemed panel of judges including Roohi Hasan (ITV News, Senior News Producer), Kate Watkins Tutor (Head of TV News Training, School of Media and Communication, Leeds University), Margaret Emsley (Head of News at ITV Calendar) and Jasmine Dotiwala (Head of Youth Engagement at Media Trust).