Show Notes
The rookie press journalist who rose to head Channel 4 News and Current Affairs -via a love of radio.
In this hour of ‘Radio Moments – Conversations’, Louisa Compton tells of her life – with an early interest in breaking news leading her into a local press title before dropping into her local station, BBC Three Counties Radio. Colleagues in London quickly spotted her abilities and she edged into a career in Network, rising up the ranks at 5 Live, before moving to head Newsbeat at Radio 1.
With the view that radio’s story-telling gifts could be the province for a certain approach to TV, she helped to create the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC2 – and Louisa tells of the impact of the stories the programme uncovered. She opens up too about her disappointment about its termination.
Moving to Channel 4, with the challenge of a transfer to commercial television, she tells of her appointment to edit Despatches before rising to the role of Head of news, current affairs and sport - in the midst of the Corona virus epidemic.
Louisa recalls the advice she was given at the beginning of her journey; tells of her passion for telling untold stories and representing the under-represented; and offers her perspective on diversity in media.
In her own words, this is the Louisa Compton story.
Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series
More from Radio Moments - Conversations
John Peters was born in Middlesex. His radio career began at the factory station UBN before progressing to the new Radio Trent in Nottingham where he hosted the station's first ever breakfast show. He later transferred to launch its oldies spin-off GEM AM.
Graduating from a school radio station – to emerge as a familiar face on ITV in the Channel Islands via a successful spell in commercial radio programming, this is story of Gary Burgess.
The shy schoolboy whose commanding voice went on to dominate London’s news bulletins for a generation.
From helping out on a charity appeal to dominating late night music radio for generations.
The teenage tape reclaimer - whose DNA now remains across UK radio and whose influence is felt around the World.