What if a degree in PR and journalism was actually good for journalism?

It emerged this week that the University of Salford was running a degree course which combines both PR and journalism, two professions/trades/jobs which are inextricably linked through the skills they are built upon, but poles apart from the view of the world they take. For as long as I can remember, it’s been reasonably common

Football journalism and press boxes part 2: The quest for sustainable local journalism

It’s taken two weeks, a lot of hot air (from me included) to get to a place where we can have a sensible debate about how to make football journalism work in the digital age. What started with a disgruntled journalist’s claims of clickbait, low-quality content and the linking of not covering Brentford to not

The story behind Football.London that was just waiting to be told

At the company I work for, we have a website called Football.London. We launched it at the start of 2017. We consider it a success. It’s profitable, growing rapidly and drawing in a loyal audience. It also tries to be different, and mix what we know works elsewhere in the country with new ideas. In

That precious thing when journalism helps to save lives

March 6, 2018 should have been my Dad’s 69th birthday. I say should have, because he died, several hours after my Mum had too, last September. It’s safe to say it’s a day I won’t forget. The thumping on the front door was the first sign something was wrong. My daughters were in the bath,

The BBC’s analysis of local journalism’s troubles never once mentioned revenue or online audiences. Why?

The prospect of the challenges facing local media being the subject of a six-minute feature on Radio 4’s PM programme is something which should be celebrated. A chance for a sensible analysis of an industry facing huge upheaval, but still fighting to provide a useful public service to an audience which remains to be convinced

Facebook and journalism: After the storm, the challenge remains remarkably simple (but at the same time, very challenging)

Oh no, another blog about ‘what Facebook’s latest change means for journalism.’ Hopefully, though I’m offering something new in what follows. That, hopefully, is because I have the benefit of writing three weeks after Facebook unleashed a fresh wave of stormy weather on the media by seemingly backing away from news. And video, for that

When national goes local, and the other way round too…

Every week, millions of people rely on their local newspapers and websites to keep them informed of what is happening in their area. When seen together, they can paint a picture of life in the UK in a way no other collection of stories can. Life is local – and this is a look at

Life is Local: Erm, maybe the NHS is in crisis

Every week, millions of people rely on their local newspapers and websites to keep them informed of what is happening in their area. When seen together, they can paint a picture of life in the UK in a way no other collection of stories can. Life is local – and this is a look at

Making ripples in 2017: Why we need to learn to listen to each other more, and make decisions based on fact, not hope

One of the great things about my job is I get to meet great people, every week, who care deeply about regional journalism. They are people who aren’t blind to the significant challenges the industry faces, but are trying to do something about it. The risks of writing this post are multiple. I could offend

Call this news? If the readers say so, then sure!

I suspect I wasn’t the only person to work within the regional press who sighed when Buzzfeed popped up on Friday with their annual critique of local newspapers. It’s hardly new, wrapping a mixture of headlines which either fail an individual’s ‘call this news?’ test or which seem utterly bonkers. The latter often looks like