Advice From Ruta Kupetyte
by Laura Tarandaite The first year at the university can be very frustrating and boring, while providing the student not only with an abundance of knowledge, but also with quite the amount of uncertainty. Like me, many other students are familiar with those feelings, however, on November 26, all the doubts I had had about my studies began to seem not as meaningful as they had the week before. On that day my colleagues and I visited Rūta Kupetytė, the radio journalist at LRT.
About a decade ago Rūta was a first year journalism student, just as we are now. She told us that the frustration we feel now is perfectly understandable and normal, as she had felt the same way. In fact, when Rūta was a senior in high school, she had decided to never become a journalist, however, she is one now. Rūta is a radio host of some of the most popular Lithuanian radio shows like “Ryto Garsai” and “10-12”. She travels around Lithuania and the world to give interviews and visit different conferences. During the lecture she shared with us not only her life story, but also the interviews she has taken throughout her career and the stories behind them; her fears; told us about her experience being in the middle of the Ukrainian revolution; explained that there are no wrong questions and if someone says that the question a journalist asks is wrong – the opinion should be taken as a compliment; and showed the evolution of journalism equipment in Lithuania from the Soviet era to today. There were also a few things that Kupetytė said that, in my opinion, are important for journalists and students in general. I would like to highlight them: Firstly, there is a great possibility that our lecturers now may become our employers later. Secondly, only the most unexpected situations will give an opportunity to meet the most interesting people, and that is the reason we always have to communicate with others, even if at that moment we don‘t feel like doing so. Thirdly, the voice is no longer the priority on the radio – the brain is. Fourthly, never be afraid of misunderstandings. It was a delight to see and hear someone talk about journalism with such passion and happiness. Thank you, Rūta Kupetytė, for your time, knowledge and the inspiration you breathed into the first year journalism students. |
Kupetyte Challenges Us
by Darija Ustilaite On November 26, Rūta Kupetytė, LRT radio journalist, visited the Vilnius University first-year journalism students. Kupetytė shared her experience in journalism and explained how radio journalists work on an every day basis. Kupetytė showed how radio equipment looked years ago and explained how now everything she needs is in her phone, as she can use a wide variety of apps to make her work easier.
Kupetytė told students that she had no interest in becoming a journalist, in fact she was sure that journalism was not for her. During her days at school, she had an interview with a reporter who completely changed the meaning of her words. |
Kupetytė was very unhappy with this reporter and altogether unhappy with the profession of journalism. Kupetytė was sure that she would study politics at the university, however, now she has two degrees, in politics and journalism, as she finished both of these programs. She also said that when the time came for her to choose whether she would like to work as a television, radio or news reporter, she decided without any hesitation to become a radio reporter, because she had no interest in writing articles or being on TV.
Kupetytė mentioned how she struggled with her voice, as everyone told her that her voice was not good for the radio. Kupetytė said that she would go home, lay on the floor with the book on her stomach, and practise making her perfect radio voice. Kupetytė said that as practise for becoming a great journalist she used to walk and report everything that was happening around her in her mind.
Kupetytė shared her thoughts on the Cabinet of Ministers temporarily offsetting the provision of registry data to the media. She talked about US President Trump. Rūta defended CNN journalist Jim Acosta, and said it is a journalist job to ask uncomfortable questions.
At the end of the lecture Kupetytė showed students a piece of glass and asked what it could represent. As she later explained, the glass represents the news. The news has to be clear and have sharp edges, the same as the glass.
Students also had time to asked Kupetytė questions and take photos with the LRT radio journalist.
The chance to meet this journalist gave students an incredible opportunity to learn more about their future profession and the challenges that journalists face.
Kupetytė mentioned how she struggled with her voice, as everyone told her that her voice was not good for the radio. Kupetytė said that she would go home, lay on the floor with the book on her stomach, and practise making her perfect radio voice. Kupetytė said that as practise for becoming a great journalist she used to walk and report everything that was happening around her in her mind.
Kupetytė shared her thoughts on the Cabinet of Ministers temporarily offsetting the provision of registry data to the media. She talked about US President Trump. Rūta defended CNN journalist Jim Acosta, and said it is a journalist job to ask uncomfortable questions.
At the end of the lecture Kupetytė showed students a piece of glass and asked what it could represent. As she later explained, the glass represents the news. The news has to be clear and have sharp edges, the same as the glass.
Students also had time to asked Kupetytė questions and take photos with the LRT radio journalist.
The chance to meet this journalist gave students an incredible opportunity to learn more about their future profession and the challenges that journalists face.