Nov 17 2010
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Journalism

Audioboo’s mailbox is great news for hacks

Audioboo have launched private digital voice messages on the internet and it will soon been on iphone and android

Private messaging from Audioboo

I must admit that I have been very lazy about putting Audioboo to good use. That could all change with the recent introduction of private messaging via its web service.

One of Audioboo’s drawbacks until now is the fact that you have to share your boo with the world. Today, I received an email saying that Audioboo has now introduced private messaging and when I logged into my account I found a private boo from Audioboo fan Stephen Fry explaining the changes. Continue reading →

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Nov 01 2010
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Education, Journalism

The unexpected impact of spending cuts

Originally uploaded by iwouldstay.

Now that last month’s spending cuts have been thoroughly digested, it’s a good time to look at the implications for media training.

The impact of the Browne Review has been looked at by the Wannabe Hacks who rightly point out that there may be more demand for fast track NCTJ courses as students opt for traditional subjects along with more cost effective vocational training.

However, I believe that even if this shift happens, the academic route into journalism will remain strong particularly at post graduate level, despite fee increases at undergraduate level. And ironically, I believe it will be the public sector spending cuts that boost the numbers of Journalism MA Programmes and other professional post-graduate courses.

It has been predicted that the public sector in the UK will shed around one million jobs over the next few years. Few of these people will be able to find new jobs in the public sector, leaving them with the option of finding work in the private sector, starting their own business or retraining. Continue reading →

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Oct 23 2010
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Journalism

This Gun’s for Hire – the joys and pitfalls of freelancing

Uploaded by Nadaone2.

It’s a fortnight since I learned that my future in journalism would not involve a monthly pay cheque and the coziness of a contract.

So far, it’s not been as scary as I thought. In my first week I had two shifts. In the second week that doubled and regrettably I have had to turn down shifts because of clashes.

This is certainly a good start and the fact I will earn at least enough to replace my staff earnings relieves some of my initial anxiety about freelancing. However, the challenge will be to match this next month – October’s spending review has been good for me in the sense that it has provided me with more work (probably only in the short term though).

In the past few weeks I have learned a lot about freelancing and a few things about myself: Continue reading →

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Oct 12 2010
5 Comments
Journalism

A sudden turn in the road

Originally uploaded by Aztec West.

A few weeks ago I wrote a guest post for Wannabe Hacks about my work on New Start magazine and my background in the trade press.

Well, little did I know it at the time, but my stint at New Start (and possibly in the trade sector) was coming to an end. Over the weekend, I learned that the company that publishes New Start was winding up with the October issue the last one. As a result, along with a handful of other staff members, I am out of a job.

The reason for New Start’s demise as a print title and its future as an online service for Manchester-based think tank Cles is set out in this article. Essentially, it is linked to the spending cuts which have had an impact on some of the company’s more lucrative activities. Continue reading →

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Oct 07 2010
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myramblings

A towering disappointment: the sequel

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my disappointment on missing out on the chance to sample views from London’s BT Tower as part of Open House London. Little did I know that three weeks later, I would unexpectedly get the chance to achieve this ambition.

Today, I was invited to an event at the BT Tower and afterwards got to go up to floor 34 and have an amazing vantage across the capital. It was a beautiful autumn day – perfect for unspoiled views of London.

I’ve been up the Gherkin, Centrepoint, Tower 42 (at night) and one of the Canary Wharf buildings, but I have to say that The BT Tower tops them all. The reason for this is that its location in the West End provides some great views of the square mile’s skyscrapers in the distance. Continue reading →

Sep 16 2010
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myramblings

A towering disappointment

Originally uploaded by Joffley.

I am a naturally nosy person. And nothing appeals to me more than getting a chance to snoop round buildings (and building sites) from icons to long neglected eyesores.

As a result, London Open House weekend – the annual opportunity to get a peek inside the capital’s buildings – has become a red letter event in my diary. But this year it will be tinged with disappointment.

Over the years I have been inside HM Treasury, St Pancras Chambers and Channel 4’s Horseferry Road building. But the one building I have longed to view is the BT Tower, or more specifically the viewing deck at the top.

Maybe it is because it has been off limits for most of my lifetime after its closure for security reasons, but the BT Tower has always appealed to me more than any other tall building in London. But it has never been included in the Open House London programme – until this year. Continue reading →

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Aug 27 2010
9 Comments
Journalism

Rewriting history?

Today I tried to dig out a few press releases from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website dating back to Peter Mandelson’s tenure as business secretary.

I was a little surprised to find that any press releases dating from before the last election had been archived.

Department for Business Innovation and Skills press release section

Historical revisionism?

When I visited the archive, I found that I could not longer view the press releases I wanted to read. When I clicked through all I found was a blank page with the following text:

Browse Archive http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=412943&NewsAreaID=2 not found Continue reading →

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Aug 25 2010
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Journalism

Best of both worlds

UCB, Berkeley, school of journalism

Originally uploaded by bobcrazybear.

Last week’s A-level results signalled the start of the annual clamour for university places. But the shortage of university places this year and the growing burden of debt on students has led some to question whether it is worth going to university at all.

One area that has been singled out for particular criticism is vocational courses, which includes journalism. As I said in my last post, I did not do a journalism post-graduate qualification. I did not do a journalism degree either.

While I am pleased I opted for a more academic BA programme (Modern History and Politics), I can see three advantages of a journalism degree: Continue reading →

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Aug 23 2010
5 Comments
Journalism

What? My Name Is – Who? My Name Is … (via Wannabe Hacks)

When I entered the profession at 21, I was fortunate to find a job on a specialist magazine fairly soon after leaving University. But I have my doubts about whether it would be as easy now. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but as we all know, there are fewer graduate jobs in traditional journalism these days.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that there are many different paths into journalism. I’ve recently been advising career changers to do a vocational journalism course. But seeing how start-ups and hyperlocals have acted as a launchpad for their founders’ careers, I started wondering whether a journalism course is necessary for a motivated graduate.

I was therefore interested to read about four recent graduates who are going to test drive some of these diverse career paths. Their blog Wannabe Hacks will document their attempts to break into the media industry. Continue reading →

Jul 13 2010
2 Comments
Journalism

Raising young lions

World Cup: Germany 4, England 1

Originally uploaded by krmcguire.

As the vuvuzelas are put away and the England flags returned to the loft for another year, the serious business starts for English football fans – asking the question ‘what went wrong?’.

Of course we know part of it: England were outplayed by Germany, with Rooney and Co upstaged by Özil, Mueller and an eight legged fella called Paul. And I’m not even going to mention Uruguay’s most myopic referee (ooops just did!).

However, the seeds of defeat were sown well before a ball was kicked in South Africa – some would say years before. And it will certainly be a challenge for Sir Trevor Brooking and the blazers at the FA to put right the mistakes that were made over such a long period of time. Continue reading →

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