Luisa Baldini: Questions & Answers

Name?
Luisa Baldini

Age?
31 years-old

Where are you from?
Half British, half Italian, born in Tanzania and only came to this country aged 10 then moved around, so not really sure where I’m from!

How did you get started in broadcasting?
After graduating in modern languages from Exeter University, I did a Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Falmouth college of Arts. I got my first job as a reporter at a rolling news radio station in London called News Direct (now defunct).

When was that?
That was in 1997.

Why News broadcasting?
After deciding I wanted to be a journalist, I tried writing for the university paper but that didn’t quite do it for me. Once I’d sat behind the microphone at my uni’s radio station on the other hand, I knew I’d found my vocation. I’d always enjoyed public speaking and acting at school so it made sense to marry that with journalism.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
Viewers may have heard me on satellite channel EuroNews but I was just one anonymous voice among many others. They may remember my early days on TV though, at Channel Five News.

What is your Best on-air moment?
Speaking Italian live on Breakfast news as I chatted to crowds queuing to visit the Pope’s body in Rome. I translated everything that was said into English for our viewers. It was just so satisfying to finally be able to use my Italian in my job.

What is your Worst on-air moment?
6am on a Monday morning, in a supermarket trying to explain why farming subsidies in Africa made a difference to shoppers in the UK – lots of walking, talking and props which usually I don’t have a problem with. Unfortunately this broadcast was after a friend’s hen weekend. Nothing drastic happened, but let’s just say I wasn’t as on the ball as I usually like to think I am!

What would you like to do before your career ends?
I’d like to expose some of the unnecessary injustices people have to suffer, do some more foreign reporting and when I’m too tired to run around in the cold anymore, present on BBC World.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to cook, go to the theatre and visit my family home in Italy. I also like to ski and horse ride. .

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
I would advise anyone to be sure they’re totally dedicated, passionate and realistic about going into broadcasting. As long as you have the right mind-set, you’ll enjoy it.

A big thanks to Luisa for taking part.