When a sentiment works better than a headline on social media

Getting the tone right on social media, especially when dealing with a sensitive story can be tricky – and one of the most obvious examples of digital journalism not just being what we’ve always done, but on a different platform.  I could write hundreds of words trying to articulate the dangers trying to deal with

FOI Friday: Begging arrests, restorative justice and the many languages spoken in schools

Rise in arrests for begging < London Evening Standard A homeless charity says an increase of almost 90 per cent in arrests in London for begging is allowing more drug addicts to get treatment. Statistics released by the Metropolitan Police under the Freedom of Information Act show 730 people were arrested on the city’s streets

FOI Friday: Tasered animals, council zero hour contracts, overpaid NHS staff and missing library books

Back from a summer break to make even an MP envious, here’s the return of FOI Friday. Thanks to several students on the PA Training course in Newcastle for giving me a nudge by saying they enjoyed it… 1. Tasered animals < Lancashire Evening Post Police officers had to use tasers on animals on 13

Arise, your newspaper: How regional newspapers covered the New Year Honours

If you saw the national newspapers or TV news on Saturday, then you’ll know that The New Year Honours were somewhat dominated by  Olympians. And why not? 2012, after all, is a year which will be remembered for sport.

FOI Friday: Truancy figures done properly, the data protection FOI strikes gold again, and a greater focus on public transport crime

  10 good examples of FOI in action from the local, regional and national press: 1. The injuries caused to postmen by dogs – Wales On Sunday Dog bites postman may not be the most original story of all time – but the injuries postmen in Wales receive when attacked by dogs was certainly eye-opening

Newspapers: Marketing with bottle

This is a little random, but it worked for me.

On Boxing Day, at my parents, I saw this advert on the side of a milk bottle.

And here’s the thing – it reminded me to buy the newspaper.

FOI Friday: Private detectives, bus lanes, stray dogs and mental health abscondees

Spending on private detectives A different take on how councils snoop on people – how much one council spent on hiring private detectives. Answer: £100,000 at Carmarthenshire Council, reports the Swansea Evening Post. Bus lane fines Fed up of FOI requests about speeding tickets or parking fines? How about asking how many bus lane infringements

FOI Friday: Council employee compo, eating disorders, gypsy education and spying

 1.  Employer liability claims against councils Lancahsire County Council paid out £1,250 to a member of staff who got a bad back from carrying a heavy refreshments tray while on duty. That was one of 179 claims made against LCC, reported by the Lancashire Evening Post, over the past four years – payouts have totalled

Cage-fighting kids: A handy reminder of the value of YouTube for journalists

The video of two children fighting inside a cage while 250 cheering adults watched on had been sat on Youtube for several days before the Lancashire Evening Post was tipped off to it. The LEP splashed on the story last Wednesday and by Thursday, it was the talk of the media town, at times the

FOI Friday: Speaking clocks, hospital parking fines, gagging orders and snooping on council staff

1. Court cases dropped for ‘not being in the public interest’ Some fascinating numbers reported in the London Evening Standard as a result of an FOI request to the Crown Prosecution Service, which was asked to reveal how many prosecutions in London were dropped ‘because they were no longer in the public interest’ – often