When Saturday Comes: How Twitter has changed football reporting

Football magazine When Saturday Comes looks at how Twitter use by football journalists is changing football reporting, as it encourages debate around news and makes journalists more accountable to fans:

Before social media created a two-way conversation on the internet, a journalist would only have had their editor and probably the manager of the club they reported on to answer to. They could print stories knowing they would not be asked to justify them to the ordinary football fan. But it’s different now for those who have chosen to set up Twitter accounts. They are pulled up on any factual errors in their stories, asked to reveal their sources and generally badgered by their followers (…) it’s a great way of taking the temperature of a club’s fans. You get to understand how they feel about certain players and managers, and what they believe are their biggest issues and concerns.

Of course, journalists should probably know this kind of thing but you can sometimes get caught up in the bubble of press conferences and talking to colleagues, and not realise what the real problems are.

Full story at this link…

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David Higgerson: 10 ideas for hyperlocal websites

David Higgerson, head of multimedia at Trinity Mirror Regionals, has been researching the relationship between local newspapers and their websites and independent, hyperlocal websites and blogs. His 10 suggestions adapt some lessons learned by local papers to hyperlocal publishers wanting a bigger audience and also look at how closer relationship could be forged by ‘traditional’ local media outlets and new sites. The ideas include:

Weather: There’ s a reason why newspapers spend a fair bit of money on weather for their newspapers – people want it, and the more local the better. That’s good news for hyperlocal sites, because widgets such as the ones from the Met Office make that a quick win for you.

And:

Nostalgia: The old newsroom joke that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be couldn’t be more wrong – it’s as popular now as it always has been. Again, a good working relationship with the local newspaper (and its big archive) would help here – but delving into the archive section of the local library is another alternative.

Full post at this link…

David Higgerson will be speaking as part of Journalism.co.uk’s panel on grassroots and social journalism at Friday’s BBC College of Journalism and Polis Value of Journalism conference.

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Twenty-two new media, communications and editorial vacancies on Journalism.co.uk

These are the latest editorial, PR  and media job vacancies and opportunities from this week on Journalism.co.uk’s jobs board:

Assistant editor
The successful candidate will have already started a career in magazine or online journalism, preferably business-based, with developed skills in reporting, feature writing and analysis.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, UAE, Middle East
>>more

Assistant editor
ITP Publishing Group is looking for an assistant editor for Windows User Middle East, the Middle East’s leading, longest running PC and home technology consumer magazine.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, UAE, Middle East
>>more

Dubai-based financial journalist
dealReporter, a global, financial news service is looking for two reporters with a background in the GCC equity and/or debt markets to join its Dubai-based team.
Salary: DoE
dealReporter
Dubai, Dubai
>>more

Editorial assistant intern
Cold Fountains Media is looking for an editorial assistant intern to primarily work on its two online specialist financial newsletters. The position, which is unpaid, would suit a confident individual with an interest in working in finance media.
Salary: Unpaid
Cold Fountains Media
London, England
>>more

Content writers
Adfero, a leading online news agency, is looking for talented and enthusiastic writers to join its DirectNews division in Leeds.
Salary: £16K
Adfero
Manchester and Leeds, England
>>more

Assistant editor
To write and edit news and features for Mencap’s news publications and website
Salary: £27,243
Mencap
London, England
>>more

Sub-editor
The Sub Editor will work with the editorial and production teams to ensure the copy is accurate and error-free and that is published to set deadlines.
Salary: DoE
Informa Business Information
London, England
>>more

Production Editor
This is a great opportunity to develop your career, or take on a new challenge, with the UK’s leading technology magazine.
Salary: £competitive + excellent benefits
Future Publishing Ltd
Bath, England
>>more

Reporter (equity)
Dow Jones Newswires is seeking a reporter to cover the equity markets in London. This is a great opportunity to cover the buzz of one of the world’s largest stock markets in a very fast-paced environment, writing mostly for market players.
Salary: DoE
Dow Jones Newswires
London, England
>>more

Account manager, Post Magazine
Post Magazine is the 2009 Financial Trade Magazine of the Year and we are looking to recruit a dynamic and creative account manager to our highly successful sales team.
Salary: 27,500
Incisive Media
London, England
>>more

Deputy editor
We are seeking a driven, talented and flexible deputy editor to assist the editor in producing an award-wining monthly print magazine, regular print supplements, an associated website, and to work closely with the editor.
Salary: 30000
Incisive Media
London, England
>>more

Big Brother reporter
We are looking for new reporters to produce coverage of the upcoming series of Big Brother for the site.
Salary: £8.50 per hour
Digital Spy
Home-based, United Kingdom
>>more

Editor
Experienced editor required for market-leading B2B construction magazine.
Salary: £30K – £40K
KHL Group
Wadhurst, England
>>more

Editorial trainees x 6
We are currently looking for top quality candidates to turn into super editors and journalists. You do not need to have the experience but the zeal and determination to succeed. This is an entry level position which will offer you the opportunity to grow.
Salary: Not Specified
Incisive Media
London, England
>>more

Associate editor (European Petrochemicals) – six month Contract
We currently have a fixed term contract position covering daily and weekly petrochemical markets, producing various series of price assessments, market analysis and written commentaries, focussing on the olefins and polymers markets
Salary: DoE
Platts
London, England
>>more

Head of news
We are seeking a head of news for our London office. National news experience is essential to the role.
Salary: DoE
72 Point Ltd
London, England
>>more

Editor
Successful publishing house seeks energetic editor for part of their B2B magazine portfolio.
Salary: £23K-£26K DoE plus quarterly management bonus and year end bonus
Intelligent Media Solutions
London, England
>>more

Editor – Arabian Computer News
ITP Business Publishing, based in the exciting, tax-free coastal city of Dubai, is looking for an editor for Arabian Computer News, its monthly B2B title for the enterprise technology market in the Middle East.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, UAE, Middle East
>>more

Editor – Shape
You will have an ability to work under pressure coupled with strong journalistic skills, ability to generate local content idea and a passion for the health, fitness and beauty industry.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, UAE, Middle East
>>more

Staff writer
Pageant Media has an excellent opportunity for a first jobber
Salary: DoE
Pageant Media
London, England
>>more

Features editor
Features editor needed for leading print publication in the duty-free industry.
Salary: £22K
Metropolis Business Publishing
Croydon, England
>>more

Middle East editor
Water magazine seeks Middle East editor
Salary: DoE
Media Analytics Ltd
Oxford, England
>>more

To sign up for free as a jobseeker, please go to http://www.journalism.co.uk/113/

To sign up as an advertiser, please go to http://www.journalism.co.uk/75/

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Shortlist announced for Mind Journalist of the Year 2010

Mental health charity Mind has announced the shortlist for its annual media awards. The prizes, which commend excellence in reporting on mental health issues, include journalist of the year and student journalist of the year.

Those nominated are as follows – the comments on individuals come from Mind’s awards team:

Mind Journalist of the Year Award
Edward Davie, British Medical Association News
“Edward Davie submitted a series of articles on the issue of private healthcare providers refusing to treat NHS patients with psychiatric conditions. Davie’s articles were noteworthy for the depth of personal investigation involved and the clarity with which he highlighted this tricky area.”

Nick Morrison, the Times Educational Supplement
“Nick Morrison demonstrates a deep understanding of stress and mental well-being at work in a feature on the mental health of teaching professionals. Packed with first-hand experiences of teachers from all walks of life, this honest account is a wake up call for the education sector.”

Alexi Mostrous & Ben Macintyre, the Times
“In a frank and exposing article Alexi Mostrous and Ben Macintyre investigate mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder among current and former soldiers, and present revealing insights from ex-service personnel who have experienced mental distress.”

Barry Nelson, the Northern Echo
“Local journalist Barry Nelson writes on topics ranging from stigma and PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] to the use of art therapy as a mental health treatment, showing the many ways in which mental health can impact upon people’s lives both directly and indirectly.”

Deborah Orr, the Guardian/G2
“Deborah Orr recounts her experiences shadowing professionals involved in sectioning patients under the Mental Health Act, producing a sobering take on the challenges faced daily by mental health workers and the realities surrounding the process of admission to psychiatric care.”

Max Pemberton, the Evening Standard and the Daily Telegraph
“Max Pemberton’s columns explore the stigma and misunderstanding that still persists around mental health. A doctor as well as a journalist, Pemberton presents different perspectives and incites readers to think differently about how subtle mental health discrimination can sometimes be.”

Patrick Strudwick, the Independent
“In an in-depth investigative feature into the world of straight-to-gay conversions where homosexuality is seen as a mental health problem, Patrick Strudwick challenges the reader with controversial questions such as whether tighter regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists is necessary to protect the public from abuse at the hands of therapists.”

Student Journalist Award
Jennie Agg, Student direct Mancunion (University of Manchester)

Daniella Graham, Gairrhydd (Cardiff University)

Laura Mackenzie, Leeds Student (Leeds University)

Adam Walmesley, Exeposé (University of Exeter)

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Journalists compete for Oxford poetry professorship

Two journalists are among the nominees competing for the University of Oxford professor of poetry post in 2010, in the contest’s first online elections (in which only holders of Oxford degrees can vote).

One, the Guardian writer Stephen Moss (@benonix on Twitter), says he was inspired to enter following last year’s national coverage of the episode resulting in Ruth Padel’s resignation. It highlighted the “absurdity” of the process, he says. Moss’ candidate statement – in which he admits he has only published about 6 poems and that “a literary friend at college” described his poetry as “the worst he’d ever read” – says he will “give the stipend away to needy poets and writers, and to good literary causes”.  Additionally, he promises to set up a new two-week poetry festival in Oxford. An extract from Moss’ statement:

So why I am standing? It’s a good question. The idea came to me over a curry at the Hay Literary Festival last year. News of Ruth Padel’s resignation had just broken, and I was struck by the sheer absurdity of the process – the curious electorate, the media’s fascination with poetic politics, the odd idea of an elected poet. It intrigued and delighted me and, perhaps foolishly, I decided I would stand. Once you enter the race, your campaign develops a life of its own. I wrote a rather good poem for National Poetry Day (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/07/national-poetry-day-moss-poem if you want to read it), my name was mentioned in a few places, and suddenly one is a “real” candidate. I asked my rivals to start spreading scurrilous rumours about me, so I could pull out in a huff, but they preferred to stay magisterially aloof from such tittle-tattle. So momentum, the Big Mo which is supposed to determine political campaigns, took its course and here I am, standing naked (metaphorically speaking) before you.

His journalistic rival is Roger Lewis, a biographer and author of the Seasonal Suicide Notes, whose statement can also be found on the Oxford site dedicated to the contest. Writing in the Times, Lewis says:

When I heard that the dons were sewing it up to elect either 77-year-old Geoffrey Hill or 75-year-old Michael Horovitz to the chair of poetry at Oxford, my heart sank. I’m sure they are nice old codgers, but I’m afraid I find their work serious-minded to the point of pain and obscure of purpose. But then I believe Alan Bennett is more worthy of the Nobel prize than Harold Pinter, as it is surely better to laugh at life than to lament it.

I can’t do anything about nabbing a Nobel, but I can stand for election in Oxford and lead a rebellion against sour academics, and with my mortarboard tossed into the ring, this is now happening. I have been nominated for the chair of poetry and I hope I don’t come ignominiously last.

Members of the Oxford Convocation are now voting until 16 June – and the winner is due to be announced two days later.

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Honolulu Advertiser chronicles its own closure after 154 years

The 154-year-old US newspaper the Honolulu Advertiser published its last edition yesterday [Sunday 6 June]. Its website has tributes from staff past and present, a timeline of the Advertiser to its sale and closure, and a report on Honolulu’s future as a one-newspaper town. The newspaper’s website will also close – its final reports on the end of the Advertiser are the last items published to its news channels.

US newspaper group Gannett – parent company of Newsquest in the UK – sold the paper earlier this year to David Black of Black Press Ltd, who owns Honolulu’s other newspaper, the Star-Bulletin.

A report from the Advertiser explains:

The closing also marks the shutdown of one of Hawaii’s oldest and largest businesses. About 400 people will lose their jobs – most at The Advertiser, but also about 91 workers at the printing plant in Kanē’ohe that produces the Star-Bulletin and MidWeek.

The surviving daily will debut as a broadsheet tomorrow with a new name that pays homage to both newspapers: the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Full story at this link…

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Martin Moore: #futureofnews is ‘not so bleak, but not so rosy either’

Great post from Martin Moore, director of the Media Standards Trust, on paywalls, business models and collaboration in journalism. The post is worth reading in full, but some of the important points Moore makes include:

• The future of advertising as part of a newsroom’s business model:

The paywall is not the only way to sustain the digital newsroom. Advertising – much maligned by many – could yet make online non-paywall newspaper content viable within 5 years.

• The problems with paywalls:

Even if paywalls provide a secure financial future for news organisations – which right now seems unlikely – they will reduce the pool of shared information, and cut those news organisations’ content off from the openness, sharing and linking that characterises the web.

But perhaps most interesting in the post is Moore’s own suggested model for news and revenue – the ‘carrier pigeon model’:

In this model you let people share, link to, recommend, search, aggregate, and even reuse your content – you just make sure it’s properly marked up and credited first, so you can keep track of it, and develop revenue models off the back of it. You do this with – excuse the geek terminology – “metadata” (…) I call it the “carrier pigeon” model because the news doesn’t just go out, it comes back.

Full post at this link…

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Read the headline, got the T-shirt

Thursday’s front page headline gaff in the Mid-Bedfordshire Times & Citizen was popular Twitter fodder last week.

Now @citizenbb, one of the first tweeters to post the picture, has turned “headline headghgh” into a T-shirt…

Full post at this link…

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#Tip of the day from Journalism.co.uk – online journalism tutorials

Training: Mark Berkey-Gerard, who teaches online and multimedia journalism courses at Rowan University in Southern New Jersey, has made the tutorials from his classes available online. The list covers HTML, CSS, video and much more. Tipster: Laura Oliver.

To submit a tip to Journalism.co.uk, use this link – we will pay a fiver for the best ones published.

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NOTW managing editor: Sarah Ferguson was ‘enthusiastic participant’ in newspaper’s sting

On Friday, Guardian columnist Alexander Chancellor’s criticised the News of the World’s recent ‘exposés’ of John Terry’s father and the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.

Writes Chancellor:

I not only disagree with the NoW’s [News of the World's] claims that it is in the public interest to expose offences that would never have taken place without its involvement; I think the newspaper should be stopped from creating any more of them.

In a letter to the Guardian on Saturday, Bill Akass, managing director of the News of the World, responds to the columnist in no uncertain terms:

The News of the World did not set out to trap the Duchess of York into doing something that was out of character. As was made clear in the story, we had credible evidence that she was already touting access to her former husband to businessmen before we approached her.

Once our reporter had established contact with Sarah Ferguson, she set the terms of the deal and was an enthusiastic participant throughout.

(…) Mr Chancellor clearly did not read the full background to these cases, or worse, selectively chose to ignore inconvenient facts because they do not suit his argument. Either way it shows surprising lack of journalistic rigour from someone seeking to lecture others on press standards.

Full letter at this link…

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