Jack Parrock is a renowned TV and Radio correspondent focused on EU, NATO and international criminal justice issues.
Without a doubt, it was during one of the busy times for world news when I contacted him asking for this interview. It was amid the presidential elections in the US, the final days of Brexit and in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Even so, he swiftly replied to me suggesting a few slots that could suit me better, in the most straightforward and friendly way.
That is only one of the many sides of Jack Parrock and the spirit of someone, as he says: “I just bloody love, love what I do”. He is always up to go above and beyond to give the audience his best. And that is for sure, why we are starting to see more and more of him in live broadcasts from different locations in Europe and around the world.
“I just bloody love, love what I do”
For many years now, Jack is at the forefront of MoJo’s (Mobile Journalism) Style of reporting. A not-so-new generation of reporters that do all themselves when needed. With a small iPhone kit, lightweight lighting and microphone equipment, achieving high-quality results. This skill is one of the most required in the industry nowadays, which had to fast adapt too due to the COVID19 pandemic. One that in Jacks humble words: “I got lucky with the pandemic”.
“I got lucky with the pandemic”
When, in fact, he has been training several journalists and outlets for the past years. Observing a growing demand from small newspapers and publications, willing to improve the quality of their videos and content. Although many companies had their inside teams, some are better on theory than in practice.
Despite that, do not be misled by his charming way to be or convinced that things had come in any easy way. Like many young students, he failed on the A-Levels, managing to start a BA in English and German on clearing in Liverpool. He had lived in Germany for some time during this period, settling in Nottingham after graduation.
“Some of those little pieces of bitterness; like, really pushed me on… It taught me to fight!”
He laughs, remembering how he still felt a bit funny about completing his later PG Dip Broadcast Journalism course with a “Merit, instead of the Distinction he thought he deserved”. Adding with humour: “some of those little pieces of bitterness; like, really pushed me on… It taught me to fight!”
Since the start of the pandemic, Jack has been working non-stop, being able to see the differences between the first lockdown to the latter. Journalists are somehow expected to be more out and about than before. Funnily enough, also the reason for his friends do not want to see him much, even if allowed (laughs). He is in too many places, but not on those happy ends of the days’ meetings. Like all of us, he misses having casual conversations over a drink with fellow workers or friends. That hopefully, we will have it again in the future.
Working and managing night clubs in Nottingham, he starts to simultaneously develop his technical multimedia skills, using different software’s, recording music videos, etc. Opportunely, one of the club DJs was working in a BBC Radio Nottingham show, and Jack has joined the team, working in shows such as ‘May the Best House Win’ and a few others; also, meeting Maurice Flynn for the first time, which later would give him one of his first much needed work experience opportunities. At this point, he knew already that he wanted to be presenting on TV and radio.
After some initial attempts to get involved in the industry, he wisely decided to follow the advice of some respected names from the industry and pursued a proper qualification.
“I had some savings so that I could pay for the course, but everything else? I had no idea how I was gonna do it”
There was no easy way, and he ‘randomly applied, way too late’ – as he thought for the PG Dip Broadcast Journalism course at the London College of Communication. But, despite being late, he has not hesitated to jump on a train to London, for a last-minute interview with Martin Shaw, then course coordinator at that time. He remembers that: “I had some savings so that I could pay for the course, but everything else? I had no idea how I was gonna do it”.
On the right path, he got the requested work experience at Jack-FM now Sam-FM in Bristol his native city, and at BBC Radio Nottingham through Maurice Flynn. After graduation, he got a few shifts at Jack-FM and started presenting bulletins at Wessex FM every now and again, which he recalls: “would cost me more in petrol to drive to Dorchester than they would pay me”. He also worked regularly with BBC Radio Nottingham.
“Would cost me more in petrol to drive to Dorchester than they would pay me”
Not long after, Olly Barratt, from Feature News asked Martin Shaw [from LCC] if he knew someone good in Tele/presenting. Jack’s previous experiences and skills set, helped him to get the recommendation.
Once again, Jack jumped on a train to London for an interview with Olly Barratt, that would change his future. This was the beginning of a fantastic journey and career covering news in India, Venezuela, Moscow, naming only a few countries. Interviewing the South Africa President Jacob Zuma, the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and so many other remarkable stories.
He remembers that: “It was on the same day of the ‘South African Honeymoon Murder’ trial, involving Shrien Dewani from Bristol”, one of the most reported news stories on that day, also being covered by his interviewer company. He recalls that: “I looked so well informed and that I did so much research” which again he humorously says that “it was fortuitous”, once he knew all about the case because Shrien Dewani, like himself, was also from Bristol. As a result of this, added to his qualifications, and personality; he was sent to Brussels for a paid trial and training period. Short after, he was offered the Europe Correspondent position and relocated to Brussels. Several years later, he moved to Euro News, as official Brussels Correspondent, until July 2020, when the channel decided to end most of their live programs. In spite of that, he still works a lot with them and with many other companies on a freelance basis.
“I looked so well informed and that I did so much research… it was fortuitous”
You can find Jack on several social media channels and he uses each of them in different ways. LinkedIn and Twitter are mainly for business, YouTube for basic uploads, tutorials, and general content, whilst Instagram will have more personal content. He has a small presence on Facebook. And yes, he does watch/like TikTok trendings, because of some of their amazing videos and creativity. However, he does think that “it is the real end of social media for human sake and the beginning of social media for social media sake; we went from Facebook to Instagram, now to TikTok! Which has no intention of staying in contact with your friends”. Jack is one of the few people I met lately, who prefers and calls his friends without a previous text msg.
“It is the real end of social media for human sake and the beginning of social media for social media sake; we went from Facebook to Instagram, now to TikTok! Which has no intention of staying in contact with your friends”
On this trend note, I asked him which trends he thinks will emerge, and the main challenges facing journalism in the next few years?
He believes that everything is going online/digital, and he is amazed by the number of new TV Stations in the UK. How they are thinking they will succeed, now that so much has changed, and not only because of the pandemic. It was already happening; many people had lost their jobs (still are) or made obsolete in these fast and modern times. It worries him how many people are lost with many trying to shed the dead way. In his words: “before, there were restrictions on how many times we would see the news, even in radio. Now anyone can start a channel, put things anywhere. The problem is infinite content, which unnecessary content related to the story. The question is, how do we deal with that, filter that? How does the industry get its streamline, without monopolization?”
“The problem is infinite content…
The question is, how do we deal with that, filter that?”
Another trend he thinks is interesting and starting to be a big debate among many correspondents: ‘it is debunking misinformation; I start to see a few big names starting criticizing debunkers!’
Balance, listening to all the relevant sides and being neutral are an essential part of the news; with this in mind: “should we be reporting as much; given voices for undeniable lies?” A trend to watch, now that the former USA President, Donal Trump is not leading the way on that.
“should we be reporting as much; given voices for undeniable lies?”
For the future, Jack has many plans and ideas. He would like to work more in the UK, perhaps on radio, at LBC Radio or Radio Times with Immediate Media group. To write more often, his opinions and politics pieces for The Times & Telegraph. But as he says: ‘who knows – Ask me tomorrow, and it will be different.’
One thing I can’t deny from this conversation is that he is always up for new things. No matter how much he already has on his plate. Jack Parrock will find a way through the next stories and opportunities with his exciting and cheerful spirit.