Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

February 2007 News

February 28, 2007

News in brief
Plus: New eReader from Associated Northcliffe Digital, Moto contest - and more news in brief

Journalist delivers own baby as wife goes into labour at home
Deputy sports editor finds a knack for midwifery to deliver baby Geordan

New editor-in-chief for Courier Media Group
Regional daily's deputy to take on role after retirement of Roger Watkins

Work experience nightmares revealed by journalists
Would-be hacks complain over treatment as they pursue their career plan

February 27, 2007

News in brief
Photos were from "reliable source". Plus: Conference hears digital media dangers - and more news in brief

Free newspaper owner eyes Trinity Mirror titles
Observer Standard series could get new stable-mates as owner prepares to bid for midlands papers

Editor set for new career after 20 years at the top
News man hoping for a slower pace of life as he swaps journalism for tourism

February 26, 2007

Editorial staff work through the night to secure rail crash coverage
Newspaper journalists called back in to work to cover region's big story

Post & Times reporter in training for charity run
Journalist Dave reveals the secret helping to get him through his training regime...

Five hours unpaid overtime per week claim from journalists
New survey highlights problems of working in the media, as union campaigns on hours

Police investigate after bogus reporter tries to gain entry to pensioner's home

Former editor to host Highland games
Honour for Willie Morrison as he is invited to play key role at annual event

Death of former editor and MEN journalist
Writer also known as "Lance-Jack" enjoyed a career spanning more than 45 years

February 23, 2007

'Quality journalism' plea for Trinity Mirror's midlands titles
MPs and business figures will be guests at breakfast meeting to discuss future of key newspapers

News in brief
Paper gets no response. Plus: Bowdler to speak at MediaFinance conference - and more news in brief

Media firms exploiting work experience placements to be 'named and shamed'
NUJ publishes code of best practice and calls for action after questioning 500 students

Gazette & Herald in neck and neck finish at charity pancake race
Find out who lifted the trophy as news team battled undertakers and other local Shrovetide talent

Reporter makes waves as he floats in to get the story
Times man donned his waterproofs to get the low-down on flooded village

February 22, 2007

Highlands title targets Polish community with bilingual newspaper
Around 20,000 copies of first issue of Gazeta z Highland will be distributed this week

Press day pancake race leaves news team with a sense of déjà vu
Times staff miss out on frying pan prize for second year - but pass the finishing line before deadline

Reporter goes undercover with hidden video camera to 'expose' strip club
Journalist posed as a debt-ridden would-be lap dancer for investigation

February 21, 2007

Africa trip reporter's video plans scuppered as equipment is stolen
Echo journalist spent ten days reporting from Uganda - but coverage was hit by theft

News in brief
Plus: former Yorkshire Evening Post editor tells of new book - and more regional press news in brief

Johnston closes Lincoln Chronicle
Six staff are made redundant as free weekly ceases publication

Victorian editions of the Gazette are auctioned
Bound volume is sold for £160 after going under the hammer

February 20, 2007

Death of long-serving Argus reporter
Journalist was famed for his ability to write countless stories from the edge of a bar stool

Echo helps to save music festival
Promise of "top-level sponsorship" and change of venue cuts cost of event

News in brief
Plus: Evening Standard snapper scoops FA Cup prize - and more news in brief

Buhagiar takes editor's post at Observer and Review
Luton on Sunday man is hoping to boost off-diary exclusives as he moves to new titles

February 19, 2007

Reporter's surprise as noise meter shows her city is the loudest
Journalist took to the streets for experiment - and found shockingly loud "background" noise

Past and present Packet staff set for reunion
Event set for March has already attracted interest from around the UK

Mail takes centre-stage in controversy over elected mayor for city
More than 100 readers and politicians make their views known at debate organised by paper

February 16, 2007

Murder drama pulls community together as SLP covers all bases
In-depth news and background meets reader demands as killings dominate SLP's pages

Skateboarding Dave in the record books after Australia crossing
Former editor of student newspaper makes the news himself...

Romanian trip sees reporter 'step back in time'
Standard girl checks up on results of popular campaign

'Emotional' return to Falklands for Royal Navy officer turned press man
Picture editor retraces his steps of 25 years ago for coverage marking conflict's anniversary

Stranded bride rescued by press photographer in Valentine's day dash
Snapper becomes knight in shining armour for medieval wedding emergency

February 15, 2007

More than 50 staff apply for voluntary redundancy at Express & Star
Hope that compulsory job losses can be avoided following 30-day consultation

News in brief
Call for fans to show support. Plus: wannabe hack tells of seven-hour round trip to train - and more briefs

Buckingham Palace trip for Bowdler to collect CBE
Newspaper boss receives his medal from the Queen

New slot for Midlands press ball
Annual event moves to the spring. Plus club organises 'Managing the Murder Media' event

Reporter who won BAFTA after TV move has died
Journalist began his career in the north west before travelling to Canada and America

February 14, 2007

Former sub-editor dies in car accident aged just 23
"Hard-working and popular" newspaperman worked for Newsquest titles in Somerset

'Coconut' cash mystery keeps Journal team on tenterhooks
Anonymous cash bundle left for editor leads to P1 Valentine marriage proposal

News in brief
Dates set for key event. Plus: Ambassador award for editor - and more regional press news in brief

Journalists challenged to show off their skills on the greens
Search on for teams to tee off for charity tournament

Mail tackles bus travel hot potato
In-depth reader survey prompted an unprecedented response and revealed some surprising results

February 13, 2007

Advertiser's coverage snowballs after it is snowed under with reader pics
Paper fills 16-page supplement with readers' snow pictures - after first planning four pages of coverage

Journalist to stand as candidate in Northern Ireland Assembly elections
Political writer will run as an independent in his home constituency

Regional press news in brief
Less than 40 per cent voted in favour. Plus: deputy sports editor prepares for marathon - and more news in brief

February 12, 2007

Former Evening Star and EADT stalwart dies at 77
Career started in news but transfer to sport lasted beyond retirement

Regional press news in brief
Plus: Post's links with art and business rewarded, and more regional press news in brief

Herald business writer scoops PRide award
Communications industry nominates Herald reporter for prize

City fire prompts late edition plus online and video news from Echo
Blaze broke out on industrial estate which is home to daily newspaper

Northern Echo to go compact six days a week
Broadsheet version scrapped after success of Saturday tabloid trial

February 09, 2007

Regional press news in brief

MPs call for investment in Midlands newspapers
Early Day Motion says any new owner of Trinity Mirror titles should move to "boost editorial quality"

Scottish newspapers sale attracts attention of OFT
OFT is inviting comments on competition or public interest issues

February 08, 2007

Most iconic Western Mail front page is chosen
More than 60 per cent of voters chose P1 from September 19, 1997

Belfast Telegraph launches online television service
News bulletins will be updated three times a day and will soon also include expert analysis

Regional press news in brief
Worldwide boost for figures: Plus - hundreds mourn photographer, awards extension and more briefs

Express & Echo claims triple exclusive in armed siege coverage
Dramatic story was broken simultaneously in print, online and video

Cautious routine 'saved my life', says sub-editor after assault
Journalist recalls night she was attacked in a car park after late shift

February 07, 2007

Yorkshire title announces tabloid move after in-paper vote
New look and new masthead for the Express to be unveiled on March 16

Journalists: Get a Second Life - and explore a bigger patch
Get real work experience and earn hard cash by reporting on a virtual world

Police say press article was 'factually correct' in wake of council row
Tale of school violence hit a nerve but local authority is put back on right track

Regional press news in brief
Plus: Trinity Mirror man switches to Archant, and more regional press news in brief

Minister floats ‘vote at 16’ idea at youth media launch
Peter Hain calls for young people to be treated equally as Headliners starts work

Reporter Joanne ready to jump 10,000ft to fulfil life-long ambition
Tandem dive for Royston Crow writer pencilled in for the summer

February 06, 2007

High demand expected for tickets to Evening Despatch reunion
Former staff sought for gathering 21 years after presses stopped rolling

Regional press news in brief
Plus: Former lastminute.com chief joins GMG; new press hall for Oxford titles - and more news in brief

February 05, 2007

Sudden death of former journalist and controversial MP Fiona Jones at 49
MP who was temporarily stripped of her seat and accused local paper of ignoring her has died at home

Regional press editors join NCTJ board
Donald Martin, Alan Qualtrough and Brien Beharrell are appointed as directors

February 02, 2007

Regional press news in brief
Bristol paper invests in fresh campaign, plus more regional press news in brief

Attacked journalist recovering after reconstructive face surgery
Sub-editor badly injured in late night assault is allowed home from hospital

Reporter trapped in bedroom for three hours
Hapless Mail reporter comes up with a novel excuse to explain being late

February 01, 2007

Sam takes her seat alongside football's finest scribes
Former Hartlepool Mail hack wins role at Football Writers' Association

Sports desk staff from three local papers team up for radio phone-in
Experts take to the airwaves as promotion and relegation battles come into focus

Regional press news in brief
Richard Crabtree reached 100, plus licence fee deal is welcomed by Newspaper Society, and more briefs

Family-owned news firm marks 140 years
Weekly News still published by family firm that launched it in 1867

MEN turns front page into a fruit machine to mark super-casino win
Paper gambles on P1 image as it looks at the winners and losers of shock decision

Tributes paid to former County Times sports editor
Basil Dawson, in charge of the sports section for 24 years, has died aged 89

Lifetime shop ban for editor cautioned by police
Veteran Herald man says Tesco incident was "a storm in a teacup"