Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

Regional press news - this story published 14 July 2008

New leisure website offers byline for student journalists

by holdthefrontpage staff

Student journalists are being offered the chance to see their work and byline published on a new website.

clocking-off.com, to be launched next month by Bristol-based web designer Robert Ede, will feature stories about activities and free-time pursuits both in the UK and abroad.

It will also serve as directory with contact details and information about a wide range of organisations.

Robert, 29, is now looking to recruit student journalists to contribute features or photographs which will be accredited.

Contributions are welcome from any students or freelance journalists and photographers but payment cannot be made at this stage.

Articles must be between 200 and 350 words and focus on any activity about which the writer is passionate, whether it is just an afternoon pursuit or a week-long holiday.

Contact details about the organisation running the activity must be included with the copy.

Robert said: "I have done market research and got the contact details of major organisations which I think would be suitable.

"I've also already brought together a lot of articles and planned the layout of the website for a launch at the end of August.

"It's difficult to have a time scale at the moment but I would like to build it up over the rest of the year and employ some paid full-time feature writers next year.

"There are already a couple of similar websites which show this kind of thing works but I'm aiming at the niche market to include unusual activities."

For more information and to submit ideas e-mail Robert on info@clocking-off.com.

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Joboxers (14/07/2008 13:18)
It's always the way with these projects - and they mean two things: 1/ journalists are working with absolutely no guarantee anyone will ever see that byline and 2/ the growing expectation that journalists will do a bit of work for nothing to help fill someone's void. Imagine asking your company's IT technicians to do a spot of work at weekends for free, in return for getting their name posted on a website.

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sasha (14/07/2008 22:33)
I would have to disagree with Joboxers. It’s a competitive world and students fresh from graduation will need all the experience they can get to make their first step on the job ladder. It’s brutal when you’re told, “you don’t have enough experience”. I myself work in media and have struggled for years to get that first television job. If it wasn’t for the 5 years I spent offering my services for free to budding film makers, I wouldn’t have gained the experience I needed to land my first paid position. They had no money to pay me, and I needed the experience. My partner is a journalist and says the same. Journalism, art, music, photography - so many disciplines require this type of experience, so if you really love what you do and want to pursue a career, I’m afraid you’re going to have to do what you love for free until you’re able to get paid for your work. And if a business gains success, then so do its employees.

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