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Former editor bounces back in new training role

A former weekly editor who lost her job in a round of cutbacks two years ago has been appointed leader of a new journalism masters degree course.

Mandy Leigh took voluntary redundancy from the role of editor of the Stockport Express in May 2009 in the same week her paper won the Newspaper of the Year award from North-West media website How Do.

Now she is joining Manchester Metropolitan University as programme leader for its new Masters in Multimedia Journalism.

Mandy, also a former editor of the Salford Advertiser, has been working with MMU to develop and write the course since leaving MEN Media.

She said:  “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Programme Leader on this exciting new course.

“The programme has been written with employability as a key factor, and we aim to give our students the best possible, all round multimedia training, to equip them for jobs in all areas of the media marketplace.

“These are challenging times for journalists, considering the streamlining of the traditional press and the current daily revelations emanating from News International. But they are also fascinating and exciting times and I believe journalists with integrity and professionalism still have a huge amount to offer.

“I am looking forward to instilling those values in our new students and letting them see that life as a hack – in the best possible sense – is still a terrific job worthy of pride and respect.”

Jonathan Willson, acting head of information and communications added: “Mandy brings valuable industry experience that complements our expertise in digital media and communications.

“Our market research identified a demand for a city-based journalism degree in Manchester and we believe that we have devised a programme that is relevant to the needs of a rapidly evolving media marketplace.”

MMU is aiming forNCTJ and BJTC accreditation for the new course, which will be based in the University’s Department of Information and Communications and will utilise its state-of-the-art broadcast and digital facilities.

There are still places available on the course which can be taken full-time or part-time from this September, and anyone wishing to apply can do so via the University website.

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