A senior broadcasting journalist who started his career in a Suffolk town has returned there as editor of its weekly newspaper.

Max Bennett began his journalistic life in 1988 with Eastern Counties Newspapers, now Archant, working in its Lowestoft office on both the Lowestoft Journal and Eastern Daily Press.

He is now the Journal’s new editor, replacing Russell Cook who recently moved to Archant Suffolk’s Ipswich office to be head of news and oversee the implementation of its new editorial operating systems.

Originally from Oxford, Max joins the Journal from ITV Anglia where he has been one of the news editor since 2006.

The 45-year-old told HTFP: “I loved it at Anglia, they’ve got a good bunch of journalists, but obviously there’s increasing uncertainty about its long-term future.

“This job came up and it’s the perfect job for me. I’m looking at maintaining the good work that’s been done by my predecessor Russell Cook.

“Over time I will look at bringing in my own ideas but I’ve not come in with a list of things to do – it’s a well-run paper anyway.

“It is clearly a challenging time for newspapers and the Journal’s no exception but I’ll be doing my best to maintain circulation – and try to find ways of growing sales, where possible, as well as attempting to increase traffic on the website.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. The Lowestoft Journal is one of those papers done for and on behalf on the town and it’s really at the heart of the community.”

Prior to joining ITV Anglia, Max shifted with national newspapers in London, was chief reporter at Archant’s Lowestoft office and night news editor on the Eastern Daily Press among other roles with the company.

Comments

Tom (03/03/2010 13:11:58)
If he was uncertain about the future of ITV Anglia, why on earth has he joined a local paper!
Out of the frying pan….

Amelia (03/03/2010 13:13:55)
One of the articles in last weeks Lowestoft Journal concerned some washed up driftwood and a high level investigation into where it came from (but there were at least no spelling mistakes in THIS article so I should give credit where it is due… the use of good English is somewhat sporadic at the best of times)….to say Russell has a “challenge” on his hands is understatement of the year. I wish him all the best

biter (04/03/2010 14:17:53)
At least you won’t have to go too far to get a haircut now Max.