Eleri Siôn is a BBC Radio Wales presenter from Neuaddlwyd. She studied Welsh at Cardiff University and now presents her radio show from 10pm Mondays through Thursdays. I had the pleasure of briefly speaking with Eleri on her top tips and opinions.
What role did studying at Cardiff University play in your journalism career?
‘I chose Cardiff because it had all the opportunities,’ Eleri said. She had experience working in TV and radio in Cardiff before starting university. Studying at Cardiff University and being in a city with so many opportunities allowed her to pick up work while studying, she added.
What advice do you have for students wanting to break into the media industry?
Eleri suggested becoming a sponge, and to try gain experience across all platforms to gain the most amount of information possible. ‘Do everything and say yes to everything,’ she said.
What is one thing about Welsh culture you think deserves more recognition?
She said she’s really passionate about the Welsh language. People should know more about the Welsh language and know that you can live and breathe through it, she added. Eleri mentioned that she finds it frustrating when people complain about the way she pronounces Welsh town names, saying people think she’s saying wrong. ‘I don’t understand why people
get threatened when they hear other people speaking Welsh,’ Eleri said, ‘everyone is invited.’
What causes you a sense of hiraeth?
When her and her family were living outside of Wales, in England, there was no sense of the culture she was brought up on, she said. She said both her and her husband knew they wanted their son to have a Welsh education.
What are your top tips for radio presenting?
‘I still feel imposter syndrome,’ said Eleri. Before anything, be prepared, do research, format your questions and prepare, she said. ‘Know the person,’ Eleri added.
What is the one song you would always add on your Monday mix tape?
Eleri said her go to dance track is Crazy in Love by Beyoncé. Maybe something ABBA, she added.
Photo courtesy of Eleri Siôn.
