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Centre for Commercial Law Studies

Andrea Miranda

After completing LLM In Media Law in 2018 Andrea have been working as a journalist at Channel 4 Jujuy and TodoJujuy.com. in her homecountry of Argentina:

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Andrea Miranda

How did you come to choose to study at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies?

I had been involved in the field of communication and media for many years and from very different perspectives (academic studies, private media, and government) and, in my experience, Argentinian legislation about media law was very outdated and, in some cases such as Internet governance and digital rights, non-existent. Besides, that lack of a modern media regulation was having a negative impact on the practice of journalism - and it still does. I was convinced that for better journalism practice and freedom of expression development, well-qualified people were essential because the regulation of these fields entail analysing legally and technically complex issues and balancing of different competing interests.

More so, I was, and I still am, confident that well-prepared journalists are needed. Journalists who understand the legal field for communicating current affairs in the best possible way: attached to the truth and according to high quality standards. Academic programs about media and communication law are scarce around the world and Queen Mary University’s LLM in Media Law was just perfect for me. Because of the enormous prestige of CCLS, I knew the program would give me the opportunity to gain expertise in the regulation of traditional, new, and still-developing media, seeing that the London environment had always been avant-garde in media and journalism issues - both legally and in media practice. Once I arrived, the program just exceeded my expectations.

How did you engage your lecturers and colleagues for a productive postgraduate experience at CCLS?

Well, to be honest, at first it wasn’t that easy for me, even when I always knew that I wanted to complete my studies in the UK. Moving into a different country, with a different language and culture, was scary but at the same time really exciting. As soon as I arrived at campus for my check in, I met one of my classmates, an amazing Londoner, who came from such a different background to mine. That was the starting point and then I just made it work. I developed fluid and permanent relationships with my classmates and professors that last until now.

I was eager to meet new people and to learn from them. I must say that the LLM tutor Mr. Gavin Sutter was exceptional. I remember that after our first lecture, he took us to a pub for a drink, just to get to know us. It was the beginning of a great relationship as I obtained a great amount of new academic knowledge including other awareness from Mr. Sutter and my classmates. Due to the fact that we were a small group, we managed to do a lot of extra class activities that allowed us to know each other more. We were a cosmopolitan tribe formed by people from other European and Latin-American countries and from Asia and Africa. For me, that experience was priceless as I learnt from my colleagues at every lecture and also after classes.

Finally, besides Mr. Sutter, I had a great connection with many other lecturers who definitely are experts in their fields - from whom I learnt a lot and had the opportunity to discuss academic and practical issues at every class, at University events and at extra curricula activities.

As a Chevening Scholar, how have you been able to maintain the networks you established while you were at Queen Mary?

While I was living in London I had worked as a freelance journalist for Argentinian media and that helped me to keep in touch with my local networks. I covered London and other UK location-based events for Argentinian media - TV, newspapers, and news websites. Besides, I was always up to date with the government and political circles that I had worked with before moving into London. On the other hand, the Argentinian Embassy was great with us as Chevening Scholars. They were constantly organising cultural, academic, political, and networking events that helped me to maintain the networks I had previously created and expand it in a great way. That created an amazing opportunity for job interviews and offers when I returned to my country after graduation.

Lastly, I have always kept in touch with the Universidad de San Andrés (UdeSA)’s Alumni Aassociation. It was the Argentinian university where I studied my master’s in journalism and I stayed connected with them through virtual events, meetings with students who were trying to be Chevening Scholars or otherwise studying in London, and by writing some academic work.

Would you say the modules you took during your LLM adequately prepared you for your career journey?

Absolutely. Due to my professional and academic experience, an LLM in Media Law was a natural progress in my career because it could perfectly condense my previous involvement in law and journalism. Today, I can say that the course has impacted me positively. Modules like Media Law, Telecommunications Law, Cyberspace Law and Digital Rights in Cyberspace or Data Protection Law have helped me to get the skills that are necessary to develop new ways of interaction between the triangle media – government – audience. I also obtained expertise in issues like Media Governance, censorship, access to government information, media ownership and competition and different aspects of freedom of expression that has undoubtedly directed my career to where it is now.

Could you give an insight into how you apply the skills you learnt during your degree in your current role as a journalist?

I work locally as a journalist at Channel 4 Jujuy and TodoJujuy.com. In my daily job, I am a news presenter - both on TV and on the Internet - and I also write on a digital news website. By learning Media Law, especially media regulation, and how the media works in London, which is one of the world’s media capitals, I built a great proficiency that puts me in a different place from my current colleagues. I use all the expertise that I gained for communicating accurate, impartial, accountable, and independent information on politics, economics, business, finances, and current and international affairs. Moreover, I learnt a lot about British and European affairs and culture, censorship, Media-Government relationships, and Human Rights.

I was exposed to new perspectives that currently allow me address different subject areas with an open mind. Besides, by studying and living in London, I have improved my English in such a way that I often present news in English when needed and interview people from all over the world on TV and on the Internet. Finally, after studying my LLM, I now confidently write more articles about freedom of expression both in Spanish and in English.

Looking back and for the benefit of prospective students, what do you wish you would have done better or differently during your time at Queen Mary?

I would have participated more in extracurricular activities and attended more networking events.

What is the best career advice you have received and would want to pass on to prospective students who plan to study your course and follow a similar career path like yours?

“Believe in yourself. Work hard. You will do it”. That would be the first one. But I had others that were treasured: get to know people from different backgrounds, get to know other cultures, open your mind and learn; learn from the UK and from everyone at Queen Mary all you can. Experience is everywhere. You may think that you don’t need such a large amount of information, but then everything will be useful.

How has your degree and career shaped your personality and perspective about life?

My career and my time at Queen Mary as a student and as a Chevening Scholar has completely changed my life and expanded my perspective hugely. I came from a very small and backward city in the North of Argentina to study in one of the most prestigious universities of the UK and living in a city like London was priceless for me. Getting in touch with people from all over the world gave me a vision that I wouldn’t ever find back here. I have also understood that my country has so much to learn and change. I can now recognise a completely new way of looking at every aspect of my life. I have become more cosmopolitan than ever. I definitely stopped worrying about little things that don't matter after realising that life is much more and that experience is everywhere. Before my LLM, I was convinced that I was going to be a leader in the communications and media area, now I have become a decision maker and an influencer in the media and political circles in Argentina. I wanted to make a difference and I am convinced that I am doing that.


Instagram: @andreamrnd
Twitter: @_andreamiranda
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.miranda.3958/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandandrea/

 

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