Journalism.co.uk Editors' Blog

Why did one blogger keep Belle’s identity secret for eight years?

Judith Townend — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:46 +0000

As noted by Journalism.co.uk yesterday (and before that, by the Guardian on its front page) LinkMachineGo [LMG] blogger Darren deduced Belle de Jour’s real identity as early as 2001.

But he kept quiet. Journalism.co.uk asked Darren why – and what he thinks of blogging anonymously. “I protected [Brooke] Magnanti’s identity because we were both early bloggers,” he says.

“I respected her blogging and realised that her real life and career might be ruined if I did not keep her identity a secret. Discovering her identity started out as a fun game but turned serious when I realised I was right. Especially after I saw how Zoe Margolis (Girl with a One Track Mind) was treated by the press.”

Once Darren guessed who was behind the Belle blog, he published a ‘googlewack’ on his blog (the words ‘Belle de Jour’ ‘Brooke Magnanti’ and ‘Methylsalicylate’ were published and available in Google’s index on a single page on the internet, on LMG). If someone googled ‘Belle de Jour’ and ‘Brooke Magnanti’, he would see it in his referrers for LinkMachineGo.

It was five years before someone did: “I don’t know who was behind the searches that arrived at my blog over the years. It was only two or three. I suspect other bloggers who had guessed (there are many who were in the same position I was re: guessing) or friends of Magnanti. All the hits came from Internet services used by homeowners (BT, Virgin etc).”

Then a couple of weeks ago he spotted that numerous people were searching the terms several times a day – from Associated Newspapers’ IP address. That’s when he alerted Magnanti. This, with other tip-offs, convinced her to go public on her own terms.

So what does Darren think about the mainstream media’s revelations? “The coverage has been generally reasonable apart from the Daily Mail’s. I’m very glad I emailed her after seeing what they reported.”

The incident is a lesson in online anonymity, he says: “You cannot remain anonymous or pseudonymous on the internet for long. It’s an amazing achievement she managed to last six years without being outed.”

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Online tribute to global journalism trainer Russell Lyne

Judith Townend — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:17 +0000

Journalism trainer and former journalist Russell Lyne has died aged 65, the Thomson Foundation reports.

Lyne, who had been in poor health for two years after suffering a stroke, joined the global training foundation in 1995, and later became a full-time project manager and training consultant, and eventually head of regional development.

He was ‘a cornerstone of the Foundation’s international success,’ the organisation said this week.

He worked in numerous countries: South Africa, Botswana, India, Vietnam, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Bahrain, Qatar, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Kasakhstan, Romania and Bulgaria.

Lyne’s career included time at newspapers, radio and television:

“After working as night news editor for the Western Mail, the daily newspaper for Wales, between 1976 and 1978, he formed his own freelance news agency before joining the BBC as chief news assistant for BBC Radio Wales in 1982. Russell went on spend a year as a producer for BBC Radio Four’s Today programme in 1983. He later became a senior producer for BBC Radio Wales, leaving to join HTV as news editor in 1987, where he eventually became programme controller of news and sport.”

Thomson Foundation CEO Janet Boston writes:

“Time after time I meet people from Asia, Africa and the Middle East who tell me, quite unprompted, that he was one of the best trainers they ever had. Apparently Russell’s energy bounced off the training room walls either with pleasure that the group were responding or with complete irritation at their lack of enthusiasm.”

The foundation is asking for additional memories of Lyne. Contribute yours at this link.

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Twelve new editorial and media jobs at Journalism.co.uk

Ed Martin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:08:42 +0000

Twelve great new editorial and media job opportunities this week on Journalism.co.uk’s jobs board:

Senior financial journalist
Senior financial journalist or analyst with a keen passion for researching and writing on companies listed on the LSE and AIM.
Salary: DoE
Proactiveinvestors Limited
Bournemouth, England
>>more

Acting editor – Horse Magazine
Horse Magazine is the UK’s fastest growing equestrian magazine, and is now looking for a talented and motivated acting editor to cover the editor’s maternity leave.
Salary: DoE
IPC Media Ltd.
London Bridge, United Kingdom
>>more

Home-based internet researcher
63336 Limited is looking for home-based internet researchers who want to work their own hours. Come and join an exciting young company! o Work from home o Flexible work hours o Internet based work
Salary: DoE
63336 Limited
London, United Kingdom
>>more

Assistant producer, entertainment
Degree educated or equivalent person with strong project management, problem solving and organisational skills and a passion for travel needed for online media company
Salary: Up to £26K according to experience
Travelzoo (Europe) Ltd
London, Covent Garden, United Kingdom / Germany / France
>>more

News correspondents
Adfero, a leading online news agency, is looking for talented and enthusiastic writers to join its DirectNews division in Manchester, Leeds and London.
Salary: £16K (£17K in London)
Adfero
Manchester, Leeds and London, United Kingdom
>>more

Web producer
A self-motivated and active team contributor with experience in developing websites and providing support to editors/contributors is needed to support the production and provision of the LSE website’s corporate pages.
Salary: £26,194-£30,343 PA inclusive, with potential to progress to £32,658 PA inclusive.
LSE
London, England
>>more

Energy market reporter
Energy market reporters needed for dynamic editorial team. You should possess a keen interest in the energy sector and excellent writing and numeracy skills. Requirements include working well with a team and accurately under pressure.
Salary: DoE
Argus Media
London, United Kingdom
>>more

Sub-editor (Temp – six weeks)
Temporary Sub-Editor required for 6 weeks. Minimum one year’s experience of sub-editing, copy-fitting and producing reports in print and online, ideally for b2b publications.
Salary: £100-£120 per day
Business Monitor International
London (Blackfriars), England
>>more

Reporter – bilingual financial
A bilingual financial reporter (must speak English and either French, German, Italian or Spanish) is needed to join leading US news and data firm SNL Financial’s London City office.
Salary: DoE
SNL Financial
London (City), England
>>more

Business writers
For ITP Business’s portfolio of of B2B magazines. You must be able to produce clear and concise copy, have an eye for detail and be full of ideas and enthusiasm.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, Middle East
>>more

Editors
Editors needed for Utilities Middle East and Facilities Managment Middle East. Excellent writing and editing skills, a keen eye for detail and a ‘can do’ attitude are essential.
Salary: DoE
ITP Publishing Group
Dubai, Middle East
>>more

Editorial assistant
Editorial assistant needed for award winning busy monthly personal finance magazine. Lots of admin but chance to write news stories from outset. Full technical training given. Need InDesign and good English and maths.
Salary: £18K
FT Business
London, 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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Live coverage of the National Union of Journalists ADM

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:41:00 +0000

A team of student National Union of Journalist (NUJ) members are providing live coverage of the union’s ADM this weekend.

Reporters will be covering key speeches and debates from the event on nujadm.org.uk complete with a section of liveblogs, motions news and speeches.

You can also follow the team’s tweets at the hashtag #nujadm or below:

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New meet-up group organised to discuss the future of news

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:54:11 +0000

Freelance journalist Adam Westbrook has set-up a new meeting group (online and offline) for UK-based journalists interested in where their industry is headed.

As the UK Future of News Group website explains:

“We’re undergoing a digital revolution. The value of news has disappeared, and with it, the revenues of papers and TV stations around the world. But from all the turmoil new opportunities are emerging, if you look in the right places.

“The UK Future of News Group is for anyone interested in the future of journalism. Whether you’re a journalism student, a young journalist or a seasoned professional, the group is a place to openly and positively discuss new ideas.

“We’re not here to talk about why journalism is in trouble, or the death of newspapers, no no no. Save that for the blogs.

“We’re here to actually come up with the ideas which will determine what comes next. That could be a new news start-up, a new idea for aggregating content, or the alternative to Murdoch’s paywall. Who knows.

“You don’t have to have an actual idea to attend a meeting, but we hope eventually someone will come up with the next big thing!

“At the very least we hope it’ll provide a positive, open environment where new ideas can flourish.”

The first group meeting is scheduled for 7 December at a location somewhere in London (revealed to members of the group, who must sign-up online). Journalism.co.uk hopes to be there – especially to talk about our new event news:rewired.

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Cardiff students live-tweet PTC New Journalist of the Year Awards

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:44:38 +0000

Journalism.co.uk unfortunately couldn’t make today’s Periodical Training Council’s (PTC) New Journalist of the Year Awards – good luck to all the runners and riders.

Fortunately, a group of Cardiff University students are tweeting the results. Follow the hashtag #ptcnewjournalist2009 or the stream below:

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Adam Westbrook: Northwestern University’s journalism students and the ‘Innocence Project’

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:48:44 +0000

Adam Westbrook looks at an ongoing project at Northwestern University in the US, where students under the leadership of investigative journalist David Protess investigate, fact check and data mine criminal convictions in their region.

Focusing on murder cases where the defendants have been sentence to execution, the group has to date freed 11 men through their work.

“This isn’t so much an idea which has any business revenue potential obviously, although there’s a chance it could get a decent grant here and there. But what a way to get students engaged during their studies! And what a way to teach them the most difficult skill of all: investigation,” writes Westbrook.

Full post at this link…

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FT.com: Journalism could be sold ‘direct to customers’ in new market, says Murdoch

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:38:09 +0000

Addressing a conference in Barcelona, James Murdoch suggested a shift in the business model of the industry [what gives him that idea? - Ed] but perhaps more interestingly the emergence of a new market where journalism could be sold direct to customers at wholesale prices, particularly for digital journalism, the FT reports.

Paid-for content and copyright protection, echoing his father’s sentiments, would be crucial parts of this, he added.

Full post at this link…

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#FollowJourn: @welshrosie/hyperlocal writer

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:08:21 +0000

#FollowJourn: Rosie Dow

Who? Writer based in Greenwich, London.

What? Writes for hyperlocal.co.uk Greenwich site.

Where? Read her articles on Greenwich or find her on Twitter.

Contact? Send her a tweet at @welshrosie.

Just as we like to supply you with fresh and innovative tips every day, we’re recommending journalists to follow online too. They might be from any sector of the industry: please send suggestions (you can nominate yourself) to judith or laura at journalism.co.uk; or to @journalismnews.

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#Tip of the day from Journalism.co.uk – creating iPhone apps

Laura Oliver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:06:41 +0000

Mobile: Thinking about creating your own iPhone app for your website? Look at BusinessWeek's DIY guide for tips on getting started. Tipster: Laura Oliver.

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