A hyperlocal news website has boosted its ranks with six new citizen reporters after they completed a training course it runs.
West Leeds Dispatch has unveiled the new reporters following the course, which covered topics including basic photography, writing articles, headlines, ethics, law, video and podcasting.
Those attending received community reporter press cards, a certificate and badge.
The six – Vincent Blackwell, Susan Denton, Helen Fay, Martin Heaton, Andy Parnham and Iola Shaw – have been praised by Dispatch editor John Baron.
John, who ran the course, said in a message to readers: “Our new community reporters have learnt a lot during the course, and are certainly an enthusiastic and talented bunch.
“Keep your eye out for their stories over the coming weeks, and if you see one of them out and about, don’t hesitate to say hello.”
The Dispatch is now looking to run a further four courses, with the first starting after the summer.
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You have to hope these new enterprises succeed but please remember journalism is a trade and “citizen reporters” won’t help the industry in the long term.
In fairness neither have the likes of the big owners.
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