A Session of Understanding Report’s Experience
Gopi Maniar, Senior Special Correspondent at India Today and TV9 and an experienced field reporter, judged PU Wants To Know, the live field-reporting competition on the final day of Parul University‘s Maadhyam Season 5, on 12 September 2026. Before the student reporters delivered their pieces to camera, she shared what the reality of ground reporting actually looks like, drawing on her own experience of covering major field stories.
Where real journalism happens
Maniar drew a sharp contrast between the studio and the field. In a studio, she said, a reporter has teleprompters, graphics and comfort; on the ground there is noise, chaotic crowds, bad weather and facts that are still developing, sometimes a story so big that a reporter must go live before the full picture is clear.
“Ground reporting is where real journalism happens. A great field reporter stays calm, observes everything, verifies facts on the spot, and speaks with total clarity.”
You and your camera operator are one unit
She stressed teamwork and safety, telling students that a reporter and their camera operator are a single unit who must move and adjust together. The camera operator, she reminded them, is the person physically beside a reporter going live and doing retakes so that the audience can see and hear the story as clearly as possible, and a reporter should never forget them.
Also Read: Somit Sen at Maadhyam Discussing Reporter’s First Lesson
The live field challenge
For the competition, participants gathered facts and then delivered a three to five minute piece-to-camera walkthrough in English or Hindi, handling real outdoor conditions: keeping eye contact with the lens, holding the microphone at the right distance, gesturing to show their surroundings, and keeping their delivery clear without leaning on notes. Maniar judged camera presence, accuracy, spontaneity, composure under distraction and ethical presentation, and left students with a closing principle. Learn the foundations of reporting at Parul University with journalism.
“Keep your eyes open, stay grounded with the people, and report what you see with uncompromised truth.”
