Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

February 2006 News

February 28, 2006

New political role for Journal's Zoe

York Evening Press hit by job cuts
Fewer editions and the closure of a district office also follow wide-ranging review

News in brief
More public bodies are now covered - plus: new lay member for the PCC and more news in brief

Mail wins praise over cash machines probe
MP applauds lead taken "exposing unfairness" over charging

Daredevil lake plunge for action-girl reporter
Big adrenaline rush for journalist in freezing 5am swim

February 27, 2006

Death of former Wilts, Bath and Derbys journalist

Opinion poll fix attempt discovered by paper
Large number of "yes" votes were traced back to one office in weekly's Internet poll

PR guru entertains journalists at charity lunch
Max Clifford joins supporters for Journalists' Charity event

February 24, 2006

Stop Press! - It's the end of an era
Final papers roll off the press at Northcliffe's Lincoln site as production moves to Grimsby

News in brief
Plus: University hosts open day for budding women sports writers - and more news in brief

News & Star sportsman takes on ice rink challenge
Reporter slips up as he takes to the ice with a brush and stone to emulate Olympic stars

Gazette throws open its columns as it celebrates the big 150
Anniversary feature will help charities raise funds through extra publicity

February 23, 2006

T&A marathon man runs for quitting smokers
Former smoker is hoping to help others with London Marathon charity bid

District offices set for closure in cost-cutting move
Concern as reporters are told they will be transferred to head office

Editor speaks out after 'corrupt paper' jibe
Councillor's comments are dismissed as "demented ravings"

MPs call on newspaper bosses to invest in quality journalism
Early Day Motion tabled to express "grave concern" at industry job losses

February 22, 2006

City's nightspots take action on drugs after Mail exposé
Testing kits to be given to pubs and clubs as paper finds evidence of widespread cocaine use

News in brief
Plus: Claims journalists work an hour of unpaid overtime every day - and more news in brief

Massage in work time to relieve the stress for reporter Jones
Writer unwinds with the help of some 'stillpoint' therapy

Pledge on trains follows fortnight of pressure from the Echo
Welsh trains boss faced tough questioning from readers during forum organised by paper

February 21, 2006

Sporting theme for Local Newspaper Week
Week of celebrations will offer chance to promote community sport as well as role of regional press

Councillor barred from vote after letter to the editor
Published letter demonstrated "pre-determined views" - claim

Journal editor Mary says farewell after six years in the hot seat
"Well-earned retirement" for journalist who took a campaigning stance

Burning desire for a story keeps fire walking reporter on her toes
Mind over matter for journalist who walked barefoot over burning embers

February 20, 2006

Journalists and police draw up new crime scene guidelines
Nine-point guidance aims to help police and press work better together

News in brief
Plus: Google man talks to Newspaper Society, and more regional press news in brief

'Test the reporter': Observer man sits Mensa test

Newspaper's investigation team finds cocaine in eight venues
Reporting team heads to city's bars and clubs to test for danger drug

February 17, 2006

Editor-in-chief role for Feeney as editorial changes are announced
Company considers moving more staff to Swansea and appointing a joint editor for weekly titles

'No deal' on Northcliffe - regional newspapers to be retained by DMGT
"Bids did not fully reflect the long term value of the business"

News in brief
Plus: New role for newspaper man Calvert - and more regional press news in brief

Impossible mission accomplished as reporter gets a thorough makeover
Citizen's Matt is a new man after colleagues sent him for a new look

Union ballot suspended as 25 volunteer for redundancy at MEN
Compulsory job losses likely to be avoided - but NUJ members still have concerns

February 16, 2006

Post's sales surge in wake of police officer shooting
5,000 extra copies sent out as readers clamour for news on PC and multiple death crash

New Leicester City boss is former regional press journalist
Football manager still prefers asking the questions to answering them...

February 15, 2006

News in brief
Brand extension boosts industry - plus: One World Awards launched, and more regional press briefs

Post and Echo agree £2m Capital of Culture deal
Key regional newspapers announce move to become official partners on 2008 celebrations

Tributes paid to former editor whose career took him to the Caribbean
Cambridgeshire newspaper man who went on to edit the Nassau Daily Tribune has died, aged 83

Health reporter Jane in cig quit bid under full gaze of her readers
Weekly column from Evening News girl will follow highs and lows of kicking £2,000-a-year habit

February 14, 2006

Mercury drops its Stevenage edition
Herts and Essex Newspapers makes changes to retain local news after poor sales

News in brief
Evening Post man does his bit for charity

New editor for Dewsbury Reporter
First editorship for Wakefield man as successor to John Wilson is announced

Spanish half-marathon target for Bury Times runner
Reporter is limbering up for Torrevieja test next week

February 13, 2006

Chronicle pays tribute to true sporting legend
Paper publishes 48-page special to mark Shearer's historic 201st goal

New pull-outs and platforms as Gazette boosts its offering
Popular BMDs section inspires new addition as What's On and Family Life become bigger and better

Mercy killing journalist answers critics
Writer reflects on a week in the spotlight after euthanasia confession

February 10, 2006

Chatroom perverts descend on reporter posing as young teen
Paper conducts investigation to show how easy it could be to catch online perverts

News in brief
Plus: Animal charity hits fundraising milestone with publisher's help - and more news in brief

February 09, 2006

News in brief
Plus: Paper puts up £10,000 reward to catch killer - and more regional press news in brief

Trinity's Benson gears up for marathon - 17 years after his last big race
Regionals man is running more than 40 miles a week in preparation for latest challenge

Glasgow gangs unmasked by Evening Times investigation
Month-long probe prompts debate as location of more than 100 gangs is revealed

Staff face jobs threat as reshuffle is announced at Newsquest weeklies
District office closure and new central features unit on the cards

February 08, 2006

Charities benefit to tune of £10,000 thanks to sister papers' team effort
Weeklies joined forces for fundraising event and raised record total

Bride-to-be reporter shares her plans for the big day in Star's new column
Excited writer gives readers an insight into preparations as she pens light-hearted diary

Free sister paper for Argus in bid to boost paid-for sales
New 'Lite' paper will be aimed at introducing commuters to The Argus brand

February 07, 2006

Life-saving op journalist warns: 'Smoke and you die'
Writer has his voice box removed after smoking 15-a-day for 23 years

Support floods in for pool appeal as readers raise £127,000 in nine months
"Life-saving" hydrotherapy pool a testament to readers' generosity

New role at Archant for ex-Trinity Mirror chief Graf
Former chief executive joins the board of directors to help develop the business

Publisher's £38,675 charity donation
Matched funding scheme doubles news group's staff money-raising effort

Reporter's 'lurch of fear' during blind experiment
Guardian's Richard is forced to relinquish his independence during a day of darkness

February 06, 2006

Fear over potential editorial cuts at York
Answers sought as review gets under way at Evening Press

Reporter tells of mercy killing of terminally ill relative
Police probe as journalist admits: "I killed my great aunt with an overdose of morphine"

Stand-in editors get to splash it all over
Business leaders put together their own version of the Press - but did it look anything like the real thing...?

Film legend's widow flies in from LA to tell of life with star
Evening Times arranged two-day trip after Kelly's widow accepted invitation from features editor

February 03, 2006

News in brief
PA links up with trainer for new venture, plus lunch date for Govt minister - and more news in brief

Tributes paid to popular former editor
Jack Brennen edited the Wiltshire Times and also worked for the Bath Chronicle

Editorial dilemma prompts TWO front pages for weekly
Two cracking stories but only one front page - what would

February 02, 2006

N Yorks newspaper press set to close
Up to 11 jobs at risk in Johnston Press plan to send printing work to other centres

Nick and Nic complete County Times line-up
New editor and deputy editor for Welsh weekly

35 editorial jobs to go at the Manchester Evening News
One fifth of editorial jobs will go as company gears up for "digital future"

Unfair dismissal case costs bid dropped by newspaper
Former employee could save up to £75,000 on a technicality - but paper fights on

Local weekly wins first interview with disgraced Lib Dem MP
Editor is interviewed by newspapers, TV and radio as the Chronicle gets the exclusive they all wanted

May launch date set for North West Enquirer
20,000 circulation planned for region's newest newspaper

Job axe fears for Scottish titles
Major review sparks job fears for Glasgow Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times staff

Paper helps catch thieving couple who targeted pensioners
Evening News played "vital part" in capture as police were inundated with calls from readers

February 01, 2006

'Double red top scoop' for press club
Well-known journalists are lined up for celebrity events

More regional press editorial jobs to go - this time at Archant
Up to 17 could lose their jobs as newsroom departments are merged

News in brief
Plus: Evening Leader gives cricket club a cash boost - and more news in brief

'Blair kidnap plot' man rejects interview cash to speak to local paper instead
Weekly was trusted to tell story "without any spin"

Editor donates his 75th pint of blood
Newspaper man celebrates 37 years of giving - but is upstaged by the "bleeder" in the next bed...