A leading regional publisher has effectively banned its reporters from writing up press releases, with PRs now urged to upload them direct to its websites.

National World wants to put an end to what it calls the “industrialised approach to churning releases” and free-up its reporters to focus on original story content.

From today, editorial staff have been told to respond to emailed press releases with a stock reply asking them to upload their news via the company’s story submission service, Your World.

The move means all content from PR firms and other external organisations will now be posted directly to National World websites, although the company says this will be subject to “legal and editorial checks.”

Journalists were informed of the change on Friday in an email from deputy editor-in-chief Gary Shipton, pictured, which has been seen by HoldtheFrontPage.

It reads:  “From Monday, with the exception of breaking news and some crime and travel reports, no reporter should process press releases or contributed material.

“All releases and contributions must be sent via the portal and you should socialise the ones that are likely to drive more than 5,000 page views  – especially business, retro, schools.

“This should enable all reporters and specialists to focus on what you do best – going out and getting original, unique stories and video from the communities you serve that you believe readers will be most interested in.”

In the email, Gary goes on to argue that the move will “liberate” journalists to create the stories and video that are most “professionally rewarding.”

“This is why we are journalists. This is why we came into the business. This philosophy underpins the company’s editorial policy,” he wrote.

“It brings to an end the industrialised approach to churning releases and returns us to making the most of our expertise, our local knowledge, our great contacts, and our brilliant story-telling – whether it is in words, photos, audio, or video.

“Of course, some releases might inspire you to explore topics – there’s nothing wrong with that – but the releases themselves must go through the portal.

“For example, if a cafe wins an award for being the most dog friendly do contact them and do some video and chat to their dog-owning customers.

“There will also be releases – perhaps details of a road closure – that are time sensitive and likely to drive big audiences so you should handle them in the normal way.

“But if contributors choose not to use the portal then we will NOT publish their material.”

“Any exceptions – and there will be very few – must be approved by your editorial director.”

After we approached Gary for further comment, he insisted that all external submissions would continue to be checked by professional journalists with no reduction in editorial standards.

He told HTFP: “As I said in my note, we all came into this profession to write great, relevant, unique stories that would make a real difference to the communities we serve. That story-telling today is not just in words but audio and video too.

“Our portal means that contributed reports, including those from clubs, societies, theatres, and community sports groups, can be handled more efficiently than ever before, freeing up reporters to spend the time on the journalism that can make the biggest difference and be most rewarding for them.

“Every submission will continue to be fully checked by a professional, specialist team under a highly experienced editor so there will be no reduction in standards.

“I am old enough to remember persuading contributors not to hand-write their submissions but to use a typewriter; and later to use e-mail. This is a further extension of the evolving benefits of technology.”

National World originally launched its story submission service ‘Your World’ in December 2022 with the aim of “streamlining” the process of journalists dealing with contributed material.