Staff Writer - Rhythm

Last week, a job requiring you to play the guitar - this week, you're on drums.

Monthly drum magazine Rhythm is looking for a staff writer, to do news, features and interviews. And yes, you need to be able to play, as well as know the music industry. Journalism experience is less important - it's described as a 'first step into journalism'.

Rhythm is in fact a sister publication to Total Guitar, part of Future Publishing, so you'll be based in Bath again.

Apply online - and sorry, but it's extremely tight, as we've only just spotted this. Deadline 4pm TODAY.

Staff Writer - Information Age

Monthly IT industry magazine Information Age is recruiting a staff writer.

You'll be writing news, features and analysis for both the print magazine and the website, and will also be helping out with the editorial side of the events programme. Some experience of business-to-business publishing is preferred; experience and knowledge of the IT industry is 'highly desired'.

Unusually, the ad does specify an actual salary rather than the usual 'competitive' flannel - it's £23,000.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. Apply with CV and covering letter to pete.swabey@vitessemedia.co.uk.

Trainee sports reporter - Wiltshire Gazette & Herald

If you think journalism's competitive, try specialising in sports journalism - dozens if not hundreds of trainees out there are scrambling for the privilege of covering Aldershot Town against Lincoln City on a cold wet Wednesday evening. So expect this one - despite the rural location - to be hotly contested.

The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times - Newquest publications - are recruiting a 'bright and energetic' trainee sports reporter.

You'll need 100wpm shorthand, your NCTJ prelims, and a full driving licence. You'll be based in Devizes.

Apply with CV to the editor Gary Lawrence, at:

Gary Lawrence,

Editor, Wiltshire Gazette & Herald

14 Market Place

Devizes

Wiltshire SN101HT

Deadline Friday 6 November.

The price of my soul

Our recent post about the large number of new journalism students - and tiny number of new journalism jobs - hit a real nerve. And as well a stream of angry comments, we were sent this, by a recent journalism postgrad, who's asked to remain anonymous.

+ + + + + + + + + + +

In my final year of university I went along to one of those careers fairs that all finalists are encouraged to attend. It was there I met a BBC reporter, with his trendy glasses and his self-assured confidence that we, mere undergraduates, would be hanging off his every word.

As I listened to him talking about how he always carried a black suit in his car in case the Queen died, I found myself drawn into this glamorous world of journalism and imagining my name, up there, on the byline.

So, after graduating, I worked non-stop for six solid months to raise the cash I need to do a postgraduate diploma with the NCTJ.

Like many recent, and exceptionally naive graduates, I invested all the money I had earned into the course because I believed that after 18 weeks I would be a journalist, with a portfolio of stories and shorthand to show for it. Wrong.

This is perhaps more a criticism of the particularly dubious educational institution I chose to complete the NCTJ.

What kind of moron promises five budding reporters jobs after 18 weeks? I paid this joker more than a grand to teach me the basics of journalism and after five months he failed to teach his students anything.

Are four hours required to teach trainees about ‘death knocks’? Did we really need to take part in those ridiculous role plays? I NEVER want to play the girlfriend of a motorcyclist knocked off his bike again.

Instead, twice a week, this man chose to present slideshows of the stories he wrote, hmmm, over a decade ago. They weren’t even very good stories.

Unsurprisingly, all of my fellow journos left without employment and subsequently joined the queue at our nearest Jobcentres. My portfolio, my pride and joy, which once represented a trophy, now resembles a ‘better luck next time’ rosette.

I am now trapped in a job where my degree and journalism training count for virtually nothing.

UK journalists on Twitter: the final list

By our count, the list - still a work in progress - is now at 246 journalists.

If you're not one of them, get in touch @fleetstreetblue or at fleetstreetblues@hotmail.co.uk if you'd like to be added.

It now lives permanently in the top nav bar, and we'll be trying to keep it updated.

Calm down dearest

We're a little late to this, but a headline this brilliant, this chauvinist, this perfectly Daily Mail, cannot go unremarked.

Look at the four of them, just sitting there, drinking. Gagging for it.

Trainee Reporter - Warrington Guardian

Newsquest title the Warrington Guardian is recruiting a trainee reporter.

You'll 'ideally' have undergone NCTJ pre-entry training, or equivalent, and in return they're promising help with the NCE exams courtesy of Newsquest's internal training scheme. The ad also notes that you must have no social life 'a flexible attitude to working hours'.

Email Helen Buckley for an application form, at helen.buckley@guardiangrp.co.uk. Deadline Friday 6 November.

Battle of the superpowers

OK so it's not strictly journalism, but here's an idea on how to solve the whole internet free-speech/censorship issue in the world's biggest country, courtesy of the Daily Telegraph's Shanghai correspondent, Malcolm Moore.

We like. We're backing Google.

Political reporter x 12 - BBC

We don't often cover jobs with the BBC, and judging by this ad, that's probably a mistake. They're hiring 12 - count 'em, 12 - political broadcast journalists for different regions around the country - and each paid at a very reasonable £26,000 plus 'flexibility allowance.'

So, they're after experienced journalists, with an 'in-depth understanding of local and national politics', although they're a bit vague on exactly how much broadcast experience you'll need. (They say you need an 'understanding of the logistical requirements of TV, radio and on-line newsgathering and output, and the latest techniques of TV, radio and on-line production', but that's far from conclusive).

In any event, you'll be working in a truly multimeeja fashion, covering everything politics inthe run-up to the general election across TV, radio and online, and will report directly to the managing editor of the local station. The vacancies are spread out, based in Dorset, Cornwall, Sussex, Somerset, Berkshire, Essex, Lincoln, Derby, Stoke, Sheffield, Merseyside and Tees.

Full details in the ridiculously lengthy job ad (this is the BBC after all) - apply online. Deadline next Monday 2 November.

The archive never lies

Despite our rather unpopular defence of the Daily Mail over Janmoirstephengately-gate, never let it be said we're a fan of its politics.

And this detailed deconstruction of those politics by the Enemies of Reason blog gets right to the heart of the problem, comparing the Mail's faux outrage over the 'BNP backlash' with a series of its classic stories including 'Britain Builds A Jail - In Nigeria!', 'Next Stop UK' and the rather brilliantly-headlined science story 'Why blue-eyed boys (and girls) are so brilliant'.

Perhaps surprisingly though, it's the Daily Express which actually comes off worst. Look at this photo of a BNP rally.

Wonder where they got that catchy slogan from... oh look!


And our favourite of the bunch? No wonder there's so few journalism vacancies out there at the moment..

And the winner is...

Total Politics - the magazine published by Tory blogger Iain Dale, a man who likes his lists if ever there was one - has launched an epic poll to find and rank the Top 100 Political Journalists.

Interestingly, there are actually two polls - one private, invitation-only one for lobby journalists and parliamentarians to rank their peers, and a public one for the hoi (but generally well-informed, blog-reading) polloi.

And while in themselves such lists are fairly meaningless, of course, comparing the two could be interesting. Good journalists are not often popular journalists.

UPDATE: And talking of meaningless popularity contests, this caught our eye yesterday - Mashable's 3rd Annual Open Web Awards, which, coincidentally, has a category entitled 'Best Site For Journalists'. There's a number of American sites doing well so far - Overheard in the Newsroom in particular - with some honorable mentions of Journalism.co.uk.

A cynic, of course, would suggest we had some ulterior motive for flagging this up. You might very well think that. We couldn't possibly comment.

Trainee reporter - Pontypool Free Press

Fancy working in south Wales? The Pontypool Free Press is recruiting a trainee reporter.

They want someone who's passed all the NCTJ pre-entry exams, including 100 wpm shorthand. And it's an old-school application process, so you'll need to fill in not just an application form, but an application pack.

Email editor's PA Caroline Stock (caroline.stock@gwent-wales.co.uk) for said pack. Deadline this Friday 30 October.

Quote of the Day: 26 October 2009

Peter Preston on one possible solution to that ongoing problem - how the hell do you make online journalism pay?

'Don't fret over little pay walls for this and that – build a great wall and let surfers roam free within it. It's an idea that keeps on coming.'

Broadcast journalists on Twitter

The last in our series... Read the introduction to journalists on Twitter here, our list of national newspaper journalists here, regional journalists here, magazine journalists here and freelancers and others here.

We've had quite a few people we'd missed off get in touch since we've started the series - a full list, including everyone who was missed out in the first round, will be posted in the top nav bar in the next couple of days.

BROADCAST JOURNALISTS

Adam Blenford - World news journalist, BBC News Online
www.twitter.com/adamblenford
Ruth Barnett - Twitter correspondent, Sky News
www.twitter.com/RuthBarnett
Nicky Campbell - Presenter, BBC Radio Five Live
www.twitter.com/NickyAACampbell
Rory Cellan-Jones - Technology correspondent, BBC
www.twitter.com/ruskin147
Declan Curry - Business journalist, BBC
www.twitter.com/declancurry
Chris Doidge - Broadcast Journalist
www.twitter.com/chrisdoidge
Jon Fildes - Technology journalist, BBC News Online
www.twitter.com/jonfildes
Stephen George - Senior broadcast journalist, BBC South East
www.twitter.com/stevengeorge01
Krishnan Guru-Murthy - Presenter, Channel 4 News
www.twitter.com/krishgm
Faisal Islam - Economics correspondent, Channel 4 News
www.twitter.com/faisalislam
Will Jordan - Broadcast Journalist, ITN
www.twitter.com/willjordan
Dave Lee - Technology journalist, BBC News Online
www.twitter.com/davelee
Tim Marshall - Foreign affairs editor, Sky News
www.twitter.com/ITwitius
Daisy McAndrew - Economics Editor, ITN
www.twitter.com/daisymccandrew
Maz Nadjm - Social networking and vlogger, Sky News (and Sky)
www.twitter.com/Mazi
Cathy Newman - Political correspondent, Channel 4 News
www.twitter.com/cathynewman
Richard Quest - London anchor, CNN
www.twitter.com/richardquest
Richard Sambrook - Director, BBC News
www.twitter.com/sambrook
Keir Simmons - Crime correspondent, ITN
www.twitter.com/keirsimmons
Alex Thomson - Chief correspondent, Channel 4 News
www.twitter.com/alextomo
John Young - Broadcast journalist, BBC
www.twitter.com/bbcreporter

Reporter - Insurance Insider

Insurance Insider, a subscription-only monthly trade magazine, is hiring a reporter due to 'rapid expansion'.

You'll be based in the City of London, and ideally they'd like you to be a 'keen student of the financial world', although experience on financial publications is not essential. Maybe you just read the FT for fun.

They're offering a 'competitive salary' - which in the City is likely to be more competitive than most - 25 days' holiday and private medical insurance.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. Email the editor, Mark Geoghegan, at mark@insuranceinsider.com.

Staff Writer - Edge

Games industry magazine Edge is hiring a staff writer.

The lengthy job ad doesn't have much in the way of specifics, but it's Future Publishing, so you'll be based in Bath. You'll be writing reviews, previews and features, and visiting and interviewing game developers in the UK and overseas. They do want experience - they say 'ideally you will have an extensive track record of published work'.

Apply with CV, covering letter, salary expectations and a 750-word opinion piece on a gaming topic of your choice via the Future Publishing website. Deadline Monday 2 November (at 10am).

The triumph of hope over experience

So, university journalism course acceptances for journalism are up 15.7%. 2,675 students accepted this year - and that doesn't count all those studying other subjects who'll go on to do postgraduate courses or apply for journalism jobs anyway off the back of a History or English or languages degree.

Who are these people? Do they not read the papers? Do they not check the job ads? Have they not read FleetStreetBlues? Or Roy Greenslade, or Freelance Unbound, or Playing the Game?

Sorry people. It was a great career, once, with opportunity, ambition, prospects - and jobs. But that was then and this is now. Journalism's full.

Sub-Editor - The Bolton News

The Bolton News is hiring a sub-editor 'with a flair for layout and eye-catching headlines'.

Naturally, given you'll be working on a Bolton paper, you'll actually be based in a centralised production hub in Blackburn - other titles produced by the same team include the Bury Times, the Lancashire Telegraph and the Westmorland Gazette.

You'll need to be experienced and qualified - NCTJ NCE or equivalent. In return, they're offering an impressive 33 days holiday.

Apply with CV and covering letter to the editor's secretary, Lisa Schofield, at lschofield@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk. Deadline Friday 30 October.

Not in our name

No, we are not now nor have we ever been members of the BNP. Yes, we think they're racist scum.

But journalists' job is to report the news, not make it - or censor it.

BBC Director General Mark Thompson says:

'It is a straightforward matter of fact that ... the BNP has demonstrated a level of support which would normally lead to an occasional invitation to join the panel on Question Time. It is for that reason alone ... that the invitation has been extended.'

The alternative - to refuse to report anything the BNP does for fear of giving it publicity - doesn't bear thinking about. Nick Griffin is an elected Member of the European Parliament. 6.2% of the electorate at the last European elections voted for his party. Almost a million people, before the idea of him going on Question Time had ever been mooted.

Like it or loathe it - and 99.9% of journalists will loathe it - the rise of the BNP is a real story. You can wash your hands of a few racist nuts. You can't wash your hands of a million people.

Thankfully, in the wake of strong political pressure on the BBC to do just that, the NUJ has stepped in to reassert the cornerstone principle of basic journalist impartia... oh, wait a minute.

NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear says:

'We believe the BBC is wrong to invite the BNP to appear on Question Time and will support any member who refuses to work on this week's programme in line with the union's code of conduct and conscience clause.'

Bear with us...

A very quick note on the Twitter lists - many thanks to all of you who've got in touch, and apologies if for some reason you've been missed off so far.

If you contacted us since we started publishing the lists (ie last Thursday) you may not have been added on yet. Rest assured, once the broadcast journalist section has gone up on Friday, we will be publishing a final directory for posterity, and will make sure we add everyone in at that point.

Sorry for the confusion. This is too much like hard work...

Staff Writer - Total Guitar

A bit different this one - Total Guitar magazine is looking for a staff writer.

You'll be doing everything a staff writer would do on a busy consumer magazine - writing and commissioning features, album reviews and interviews and building contacts - as well as organising the front section of the magazine, Monitor, and taking the lead online and with social media. A busy brief then, but they do suggest this could be the suitable candidate's 'first step into magazine journalism'.

Knowledge of the subject area is crucial - you'll 'preferably be a proficient guitarist'. The magazine's Future Publishing, so the job's based in Bath.

Apply online here. Deadline Friday 30 October (at 9am).

Trainee Reporter - Retford Times

The Retford Times, a small paper in north Nottinghamshire currently leading on a jewellery heist in Ordsall with some graphic and slightly unrelated descriptions of the victim's medical history, is recruiting a trainee reporter.

You'll need NCTJ prelims 'preferably', and as this is a small paper, other skills such as feature writing or even photography would also be a big plus.

Email managing editor Nick Purkiss at nick.purkiss@retfordtimes.co.uk. Deadline Friday 30 October.

Freelance and other journalists on Twitter

Nearly there. Today's it's freelancers and 'other' journalists on Twitter (our lazy, catch-all term which includes online-only publications, wire-only journalists and anyone else who wouldn't easily be categorised).

Read the introduction to this ongoing series here, our list of national newspaper journalists here, our list of regional newspaper journalists here and our list of magazine journalists here. Broadcast journalists to follow...

FREELANCERS

Ben Bland - Journalist
www.twitter.com/benjaminbland
Louise Bolotin - Journalist
www.twitter.com/louisebolotin
Paul Bradshaw - Journalist
www.twitter.com/paulbradshaw
Chris Brennan - Journalist
www.twitter.com/allpointsnorth
Adrian Bridgwater - Technology journalist
www.twitter.com/ABridgwater
Heather Brooke - Journalist
www.twitter.com/newsbrooke
Kat Brown - Online and arts journalist
www.twitter.com/malkinbister
Phil Chamberlain - Journalist
www.twitter.com/philchamberlain
Martin Cloake - Journalist
www.twitter.com/MartinCloake
Rachel Colling - Content editor and writer
www.twitter.com/rachcolling
Stieve De Lance - South East Asia correspondent
www.twitter.com/stieved
Stella Eleftheriades - Journalist
www.twitter.com/stellamedia
Juliana Gilling - Journalist
www.twitter.com/jgilling
Mike Hills - Journalist
www.twitter.com/mikewhills
Chris Jefferies - Journalist/Sub-editor
www.twitter.com/ChrisJeff
Benji Lanyado - Travel journalist
www.twitter.com/benjilanyado
Kristine Lowe - Journalist
www.twitter.com/kristinelowe
Christina McDermott - Journalist
www.twitter.com/MissCay
Graham Parker - Journalist
www.twitter.com/grahampar
Jon Pratty - Journalist
www.twitter.com/jon_pratty
Priyal Sanghavi - Journalist
www.twitter.com/priyal
Roger Ratcliffe - Journalist
www.twitter.com/ratcliffe
Mike Wright - Journalist
www.twitter.com/Ovidus

OTHER

Simon Bisson - Technology journalist
www.twitter.com/sbisson
Victor Caballero - Designer, Vectart
www.twitter.com/vectart
Damian Clarkson - Content Editor, MSN Money
www.twitter.com/MSNmoneyDamian
Michael Haddon - Journalist, Dow Jones
www.twitter.com/michaelhaddon
Stephen Leng - Journalist, Online agency
www.twitter.com/Thechurnalist
Paul McNally - Subeditor, Connexion
www.twitter.com/PaulMcNally
Rich Simcox - Editor, Activate
www.twitter.com/richthehack
Patrick Smith -UK correspondent, PaidContent.org
www.twitter.com/psmith
Matt Withers, Political correspondent, Media Wales
www.twitter.com/mattwithers

Calling redundant journalists

A quick plug for a new survey which was launched last week by the University of Central Lancashire and Journalism.co.uk, looking at what journalists do next after being laid-off.

Here's what the blurb says:

Journalists who have left newspapers in the UK are invited to contribute to the study, led by François Nel, who previously worked as a journalist in the US and South Africa and now runs the Journalism Leaders Programme at UCLAN.

'Who gets cut, and what happens next to the survivors, many of whom are assumed to be middle-aged professionals who have lost not just a job, but a career?' asked Nel, who intends to keep the study running for five years. "

'I'm also wondering about the gaps that the layoffs leave in the industry. Gaps in experience. Gaps in professional memory. And gaps in perspective. For example, do we know what the impact of the layoffs has been diversity in newsrooms?'

If you're unfortunate enough to have been made redundant lately, you can take the survey here.

(And a quick appeal - our very own resident Redundant Journalist seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. We're hoping this means he found a job - but if you're reading this Morpork, please do get in touch...)

Magazine journalists on Twitter

Read the introduction to this ongoing series here, our list of national newspaper journalists here, and our list of regional newspaper journalists here. Freelancers and broadcast journalists to follow...

We're aware this list is less comprehensive than some of the previous categories, with a bias towards B2B. If you're a magazine journalist and would like to be included, let us know @fleetstreetblue or via fleetstreetblues@hotmail.co.uk and we'll add you when the final combined list is published.

Sophie Allcock - Editor, Hospitality
www.twitter.com/sophspeckish
Anna Arco - Journalist, Catholic Herald
www.twitter.com/AnnaArco
James Ball - Senior reporter, The Grocer
www.twitter.com/jamesrbuk
Matt Ball - Editor-in-chief, MSN UK
www.twitter.com/thisismattball
Gemma Charles - Journalist, Brand Republic
www.twitter.com/gemma_charles
Graham Charlton - Senior reporter, Econsultancy
www.twitter.com/gcharlton
Denise Chevin - Editor, Building
www.twitter.com/denisechevin
Phil Clark - Journalist, Building
www.twitter.com/ZeroChamp
Tony Collins - Executive editor, Computer Weekly
www.twitter.com/tonyrcollins
Luke Coppen - Editor, Catholic Herald
www.twitter.com/lukecoppen
Helen Crump - Assistant Editor, Local Government Chronicle
www.twitter.com/helen_crump
Tim Danaher - Editor, Retail Week
www.twitter.com/timdanaher
Neil Durham - Deputy Editor, GP
www.twitter.com/neildurham
Jonn Elledge - Senior reporter, GP
www.twitter.com/jonnelledge
Javier Espinoza - London correspondent, Forbes
www.twitter.com/javiertweet
Gabriel Fleming - Online Editor, Nursing Times
www.twitter.com/gabefleming
Sally Gainsbury - Chief reporter, Health Service Journal
www.twitter.com/sallygainsbury
Josh Gardner - Sub-editor, Guitarist
www.twitter.com/joshgardner
Eleanor Goodman - Chief sub editor, Bizarre
www.twitter.com/eleanorgoodman
Rupert Goodwins - Editor, ZDNet.uk
www.twitter.com/rupertg
Will Heaven - Contributing Editor, Catholic Herald
www.twitter.com/WillHeaven
Arun Marsh - Content producer, LocalGov.co.uk
www.twitter.com/arunmarsh
Jess McCabe - Journalist, Environmental Finance
www.twitter.com/jester
Roxanne McMeeken - Assistant Editor (Global), Building
www.twitter.com/RoxanneM
Laura Murphy - Community manager, Cosmopolitan.co.uk
www.twitter.com/lookyouinnit
Laura Oliver - Editor, Journalism.co.uk
www.twitter.com/lauraoliver
Brianna Ragel - Editor, Complete Wedding
www.twitter.com/briannaragel
Carlton Reid - Editor, BikeBiz.com
www.twitter.com/carltonreid
Sarah Richardson - Features editor, Building
www.twitter.com/sarahr100
Charlotte Santry - Reporter, Health Service Journal
www.twitter.com/CharlotteSantry
Miriam Shaviv - Foreign editor, Jewish Chronicle
www.twitter.com/Miriamsh
Alex Smith - Web editor, Building
www.twitter.com/AlexSmith68
Martin Stabe - Online Editor, Retail Week
www.twitter.com/martinstabe
John Thompson - Publisher, Journalism.co.uk
www.twitter.com/johncthompson
Victoria Thompson - Assistant Online Editor, Nursing Times
www.twitter.com/VicThompson
Adam Tinworth - Head of Blogging, Reed Business Information
www.twitter.com/adders
Judith Townend - Reporter, Journalism.co.uk
www.twitter.com/jtownend
Sarah Wild - Features editor, Independent Nurse
www.twitter.com/Wild_Sarah
Mark Wilding - Reporter, Planning
www.twitter.com/mark_wilding
Emily Wright - Deputy features editor, Building
www.twitter.com/Emily39

Work experience - Sunday Times

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine is advertising two week work experience placements.

You'll be working at their offices in Wapping, east London, and are promised a mix of admin duties, fact-checking and 'some writing experience'. They're offering expenses for lunch and a contribution towards travel expenses.

The full ad's on Gorkana, not directly linkable - and impressively, for a job ad with just five lines plus contact info, manages to rack up three typos in the process. The correct email address to apply to is laura.golden@sundaytimes.co.uk.

FleetStreetBlues. The best jobs in journalism. Subbed.

Trainee Reporter - Suffolk Free Press

Paid-for weekly the Suffolk Free Press is taking on a trainee reporter.

The key question with any trainee position is whether they demand that you've taken the NCTJ pre-entry course. Here, it's listed as 'preferred', rather than 'essential'. However you will definitely need a full, clean driving licence.

Email the editor Phil Minett for an application form, at philip.minett@suffolkfreepress.co.uk. Deadline Friday 30 October.

'Citizen journalism' which actually works

Forget crowd-sourcing and all that other nonsense - this is how 'citizen journalism' will actually change traditional journalism, for the better.



As we saw at the G20 protests, the presence of cameras, everywhere, combined with the internet, changes everything. Even a year ago, this kind of appalling but very brief, workaday incident would have gone entirely unremarked - now, it's national news within 24 hours. We're all journalists now.

In defence of Jan Moir and the Daily Mail

First Carter-Ruck and Trafigura, now Jan Moir and Stephen Gately. The Twitterati vigilantes have got their tails up.

Look, the original column, even by the Daily Mail's usual high standards, comes across - at least to a group of university-educated, liberal-leaning journalists - as unpleasant, sneering, homophobic bile.

But somehow the universal internet-based outrage - chiefly on Twitter and in various articles in the Guardian - leaves us cold.

Ask journalists, serious journalists, which national newspaper they most respect, and chances are it will be the Mail. Likewise with politicians, for that matter. It's a grudging, regretful respect. We may not like the Mail's politics, or its socially conservative views on gay Muslim asylum seekers. But it's respect nonetheless, because it's a paper which knows its readership, warts and all, and caters to that readership exceptionally well. Paul Dacre, its much-feared, legendary editor, is untouchable.

We've never met Jan Moir, so for all we know, she might be a hateful, bigoted, evil woman hell-bent on destroying the memory of a boyband singer. But she might be just like the other Mail journalists we do know - very good at what she does, which is writing for one of Britain's most influential newspapers.

The Daily Mail's line isn't one its journalists always personally believe in, but they're pros, and how many of us can honestly say we've never written a story with an angle we didn't personally support? Journalists are mercenaries, after all. Whisper it, but Jan Moir used to write for the Guardian.

The point is that the Daily Mail connects with millions of ordinary people, and it does that by reflecting their views, telling them what they want to hear about and yes, playing on their prejudices. Read the rest of Jan Moir's column - sheer dresses, the Nolan Sisters, autumn weather, pumpkin scones and the evils of maternity leave. For better or worse, this is what Mail readers want, and the Mail delivers.

In all the current hand-wringing about the future of journalism, declining circulations and how to make online journalism work, here's something we forget at our peril. The Daily Mail is a great paper, because its every article is written single-mindedly for the benefit of its readers. Not its journalists.

Quote of the Day: 16 October 2009

Work experience people, listen up - never mind Playing the Game's ten-point guide, this is all you need to know about how work experience works.

(It's from an excellent new site we've discovered, Stuff Journalists Like, which although American, works pretty much for UK journalism too.)

#22, Interns states:

Interns are essentially used as mops to wipe up the day’s dullest news, allowing the professional paid journalists who get paid to focus on items that will wind up in frames and earn them the name recognition they so crave. Interns also allow journalists to pursue time worthy efforts such as griping about the death of newspapers or to write personal blogs.

So true...

Chief Reporter - Knutsford Guardian

The Knutsford Guardian is hiring a chief reporter. (Knutsford is in Cheshire, for those of you south of Watford).

You'll need all the usual skills for what FleetStreetBlues still maintains is the best job title in the business - self-starter, great at building contacts, nose for the off-diary splashes. They'd prefer you to hold the NCE.

There's also a slightly ominous line about your web responsibilities: 'The successful candidate will also be responsible for ensuring the Knutsford website reflects and enhances the printed publication.' They may also want you to play web editor...

To get an application form contact Helen Buckley on 01925 434 040 or at helen.buckley@guardiangrp.co.uk. Deadline Monday 26 October.

Regional newspaper journalists on Twitter

Read the introduction to this ongoing series here, and read our list of national newspaper journalists here.

Thankyou for all the people to follow you're still sending in - when we're done publishing in installments, we'll be putting the whole list in one place, and will add in anyone we've missed out at that point.

Broadcast journalists, magazine journalists and freelancers to follow...

Michael Bailey -Journalist, Eastern Daily Press / Norwich Evening News
www.twitter.com/michaeljbailey
Pete Bainbridge - Reporter, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/pbainbridgeMEN
Jonathan Barnes - Journalist, East Anglian Daily Times
www.twitter.com/jonbarnesblog
Sam Blackledge - Online reporter, Surrey Advertiser
www.twitter.com/samblackledge
Sarah Booker - Journalist, Worthing Herald
www.twitter.com/Sarah_Booker
Graeme Brown - Journalist, Birmingham Post
www.twitter.com/graeme_brown
Greig Cameron - Chief reporter, Business 7
www.twitter.com/greigcameron
Steve Carley - Sports journalist, Worcester News
www.twitter.com/stevecarleyWN
Ian Carter - Editor-in-chief, Croydon Advertiser / Surrey Mirror
www.twitter.com/CroydonAd
Matt Chorley - London editor, Western Morning News
www.twitter.com/MattChorley
Russell Claydon - Reporter, East Anglian Daily Times
www.twitter.com/russclaydon
Paul Cockerton - Web editor, Lancashire Telegraph
www.twitter.com/paulcockerton
Matt Cornish - Editor, St Neots News & Crier / Huntingdon & St Ives News & Crier
www.twitter.com/GingerElvis
Simon Donohue - Journalist, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/SimonDonohue
Steve Dyson - Editor, Birmingham Mail
www.twitter.com/stevedyson
Katherine Faulkner - Journalist, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/k_faulkner
Jonny Fordham - Sports journalist, Reading Post
www.twitter.com/JonnyFordham
Bernard Ginns - Business editor, Yorkshire Post
www.twitter.com/BernardGinns
James Goffin - Online journalist, East Anglian Daily Times
www.twitter.com/jamesgoffin
Alison Gow - Executive editor, digital, Liverpool Daily Post
www.twitter.com/alisongow
Martin Hamer - Digital Editor, Lancashire Evening Post
www.twitter.com/martinhamer
Mary Hamilton - Journalist, Eastern Daily Press / Norwich Evening News
www.twitter.com/mary_hamilton
Tristan Harris - Editor, Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard
http://www.blogger.com/www.twitter.com/Tristanharris76
David Higgerson - Head of Multimedia, Trinity Mirror
www.twitter.com/davidhiggerson
George Hopkin - SEO journalist, Johnston Press
www.twitter.com/georgehopkin
Mike Hughes - Executive editor, Birmingham Post
www.twitter.com/mikehughes
Mike Keegan - Oldham and Rochdale reporter, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/mikekeeganmen
Vicki Kellaway - Reporter, Liverpool Echo
http://www.blogger.com/www.twitter.com/Vicki_ECHO
Murray Kelso - Digital Editor, Worcester News
www.twitter.com/murraykelsoWN
Dan Kerins - Journalist, Southern Daily Echo
www.twitter.com/dankerins
Tony Larner - Content Editor, Sunday Mercury
www.twitter.com/tlarner
Deborah Linton - Reporter, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/Deblinton
David Maclean - Journalist, Shields Gazette
www.twitter.com/DavidMacLean
Tim Nixon - Journalist, Lancashire Evening Telegraph
www.twitter.com/NixOn_Tim
David Ottewell - Chief reporter, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/davidottewell
Richard Padgett - Assistant sports editor, Sunday Mercury
www.twitter.com/richardpadgett
Graeme Patfield - News Editor, The News, Portsmouth
www.twitter.com/gpatfield
Keith Perch - Editor, Leicester Mercury
www.twitter.com/tipexxed
Miriam Phillips - Journalist, Dorset Echo
www.twitter.com/Miriamrose
Victoria Raimes - Reporter, Edinburgh Evening News
www.twitter.com/victoriaraimes
Marc Reeves - Editor, Birmingham Post
www.twitter.com/marcreeves
Tom Scotney - Finance editor, Birmingham Post
www.twitter.com/TomScotney
Samantha Shepherd - Online journalist, Bournemouth Daily Echo
www.twitter.com/SamShepherd
Amar Singh - Reporter, Evening Standard
www.twitter.com/amarjourno
Martin Smith - Multimedia Editor, Coventry Telegraph
www.twitter.com/martinsmith1979
Dan Thompson - Reporter, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/DanThompsonMEN
Jo Wadsworth - Web editor, Brighton Argus
www.twitter.com/BrightonArgusJo
Andy Walker - Sports journalist, Birmingham Mail
www.twitter.com/andywalker82
Kevin Ward - Editor, Worcester News
www.twitter.com/kevinwardWN
Paul Waugh - Deputy Political Editor, Evening Standard
www.twitter.com/paulwaugh
Jon Welch - Reporter, Eastern Daily Press / Norwich Evening News
www.twitter.com/JonMWelch
Kate Whiteside - Web editor, Westmoreland Gazette
www.twitter.com/wgwebed
Steve Wollaston - Multimedia Editor, Sunday Mercury
www.twitter.com/stevewollaston
Ian Wylie - Journalist, Manchester Evening News
www.twitter.com/ianwylie

National newspaper journalists on Twitter

Read the introduction to this list here.

National newspaper hacks up first - broadcast journalists and those on regional papers, trade magazines, consumer magazines and freelancers to follow...

Lucia Adams - Web development editor, The Times
www.twitter.com/luciatimes
Murad Ahmed - Technology correspondent, The Times
www.twitter.com/muradahmed
James Anthony - Culture journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/jimboeth
Charles Arthur - Technology editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/charlesarthur
Emma Barnett - Technology and digital media correspondent, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/Emmabarnett
Claudine Beaumont - Technology editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/claudineb
Martin Beckford- Social and religious affairs correspondent, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/martinbeckford
Emily Bell - Director of digital content, Guardian
www.twitter.com/emilybell
Kate Bevan - Technology journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/katebevan
Tim Bradshaw- Digital media correspondent, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/tim
Benedict Brogan - Chief political correspondent, Daily Telegraph www.twitter.com/benedictbrogan
Stephen Brook- Deputy editor, MediaGuardian
www.twitter.com/SDBrook
Ian Burrell - Media editor, Independent
www.twitter.com/iburrell
Riazat Butt - Religious affairs correspondent, Guardian
www.twitter.com/riazat_butt
Sally Cameron Griffiths- Journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/Salcg
Edmund Conway - Economics Editor, Daily and Sunday Telegraph
www.twitter.com/edmundo
Giles Coren - Columnist, The Times
www.twitter.com/gilescoren
Kate Day - Communities editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/kate_day
Ian Douglas - Head of digital production, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/IanDouglas
Emily Dugan - Reporter, Independent
www.twitter.com/emilydugan
Sarah Ebner - Education writer, The Times
www.twitter.com/schoolgate
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson - Media editor, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/Edgecliffe
Andrew Ellson - Personal finance editor, The Times
www.twitter.com/andrewellson
Matthew Garrahan - West Coast correspondent, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/MattGarrahan
Joanna Geary - Web Development Editor (Business), The Times
www.twitter.com/timesjoanna
Catherine Gee - TV writer, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/catherinegee
David Gelles - Social media correspondent, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/dgelles
Ruth Gledhill - Religion correspondent, The Times
www.twitter.com/RuthieGledhill
Bryony Gordon - Feature writer, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/bryony_gordon
Toby Green - Foreign desk, Independent
www.twitter.com/greentoby
Natalie Hanman - Deputy editor, Comment is Free, Guardian
www.twitter.com/NatalieHanman
Toby Harnden - US correspondent, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/tobyharnden
Sarah Hartley - Local launch editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/foodiesarah
Iain Hepburn - Digital Editor, Daily Record
www.twitter.com/iainmhepburn
Gaby Hinsliff - Political editor, Observer
www.twitter.com/gabyhinsliff
Alice-Azania Jarvis - Diary editor, Independent
www.twitter.com/aliceazania
Bobbie Johnson - Technology correspondent, Guardian
www.twitter.com/bobbiejohnson
Sam Jones - Hedge fund correspondent, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/samgadjones
Ian Katz - Deputy Editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/iankatz100
Lucy Kellaway - Management Columnist, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/listentolucy
Maev Kennedy - Journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/maevesther
Jemima Kiss - Writer, Guardian
www.twitter.com/jemimakiss
India Knight - Columnist, Sunday Times
www.twitter.com/indiaknight
David Leigh - Investigations editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/davidleigh3
Perri Lewis - Journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/PerriLewis
Will Lewis - Editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/WilliamLewis
James Lyons - Political correspondent, Daily Mirror
www.twitter.com/MirrorJames
Kevin Maguire - Political correspondent, Daily Mirror
www.twitter.com/Kevin_Maguire
Daniel Martin - Health reporter, Daily Mail
www.twitter.com/MCLegolas
Neil McCormick - Music writer, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/neil_mccormick
John McKie- Journalist, Daily Record
www.twitter.com/johnmckie
Gabriel Milland - Political correspondent, Daily Express
www.twitter.com/gabrielmilland
Malcolm Moore - Shanghai correspondent, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/MalcolmMoore
Michael Moran - Film journalist, The Times
www.twitter.com/blockbusterbuzz
Todd Nash - Community moderator, Guardian
www.twitter.com/toddnash
Chris Nuttall - West Coast tech correspondent, Financial Times
www.twitter.com/ftchris
Jane Perrone - Gardening Editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/janeperrone
Gideon Rachman - Chief foreign affairs commentator, Financial Times www.twitter.com/gideonrachman
Amol Rajan - Assistant Comment Editor, Independent
www.twitter.com/amolrajan
John Rentoul - Chief political commentator, Independent on Sunday
www.twitter.com/johnrentoul
Shane Richmond - Head of Technology, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/shanerichmond
Simon Ricketts - Journalist, Guardian
www.twitter.com/SimonNRicketts
Edward Roussel - Digital Editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/edwardroussel
Alan Rushbridger - Editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/arusbridger
Michael Savage - Political correspondent, Independent
www.twitter.com/michaelsavage
Jack Schofield - Computer Editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/jackschofield
Rob Sharp - Features writer, Independent
www.twitter.com/RobbieSharp
Jon Swaine - Reporter, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/jonswaine
Jerome Taylor - Reporter, Independent
www.twitter.com/jerometaylor
Damian Thompson - Blogs editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/holysmoke
Martin Wainwright - Northern correspondent, Guardian
www.twitter.com/mswainwright
Tim Walker - Features writer, Independent
www.twitter.com/timwalker
Harry Wallop - Consumer Affairs Editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/hwallop
Fiona Walsh - Business editor, Guardian
www.twitter.com/_fionawalsh
Graeme Wearden - Business reporter, Guardian
www.twitter.com/graemewearden
Matthew Weaver - Junior reporter, Guardian
www.twitter.com/matthew_weaver
Tom Whitwell - Assistant Editor, Online, The Times
www.twitter.com/MusicThing
Justin Williams - Assistant editor, Daily Telegraph
www.twitter.com/justin_williams

Journalists on Twitter

We'll be honest. We've been using it for a while now, at @fleetstreetblue, and we still don't get it. The idea of instant communication is great - in practice, that communication seems to consist mainly of aggressive self-promotion combined with being witty to your mates.

That said, Twitter isn't going away, and for journalists it's becoming an increasingly essential tool. Even if it's mainly used for aggressive self-promotion and being witty to your mates, well, isn't that 90% of journalism anyway?

So here's a resource we thought you might find handy. A simple list of journalists who Tweet. Browse it, dip in, follow a few, find out how the pros are doing it.

The only criteria for inclusion are a) that they're a 'proper' journalist, b) that they work, either on staff or as a freelance, for a UK publication/news organisation and c) that they do at least occasionally Tweet... there's no point in including dead accounts.

If you're not on the list and would like to be added, let us know, either by Tweeting in our general direction @fleetstreetblue, commenting below or emailing fleetstreetblues@hotmail.co.uk.

(Equally if you are on the list and would prefer not to be, well, we're struggling to get our heads around why you'd want Twitter in private. But anyway, let us know and we'll obviously take you off.)

So, what did we find?

1) There are lots of journalists now on Twitter. We got as far as 226 and gave up counting - there are undoubtedly lots more out there. This may be the last time it's practical to manually compile such a list - this time next year, Twittering might be part of NCTJ training.

2) Most of them work at the Guardian or the Daily Telegraph. And most - but not all of them - don't work in general news. There are, as you'd expect, a disproportionate number of tech journalists and columnists on our list.

3) They don't use it that much for work. Sure, there are some out there looking for leads and engaging with readers - but many more use it more to vent or gossip with other journalists. (Not that there's anything wrong with that - gossipping with other journalists is FleetStreetBlues raison d'etre, after all...)

4) People like it. For all our carping, we've stuck with it, and it's a familiar pattern. Looking at this list it's striking how many journalists started out hating it (oh well, can't fight progress, grumble grumble) and stuck with it anyway.

5) We still don't know what it does yet. Campaigns such as #welovetheNHS and #Trafigura are interesting, but they're not journalism.. And it's important whenever we're talking about the future, not to forget that crucial 10 million, and millions more casual users. But as a tool of instant worldwide communication, there's no doubt Twitter is unrivalled...

It's just no one's worked out what the point of it is yet. Or if it has one.

Trafigura: the way ahead

So the fall-out from the Trafigura/Carter-Ruck affair continues. Roy Greenslade's column in the Evening Standard gives the whole notion of the 'super-injunction' a thorough going-over, with some interesting points - notably that the Guardian's story on Tuesday disclosing the existence of the injunction, guarded though it was, probably went against legal advice.

Somewhat randomly, a Norwegian media lawyer has popped up on Journalism.co.uk with an interesting take on the whole affair. His tale is convoluted (and still a little Norwegian in places) but essentially, he relates how in a landmark case the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation ignored a court injuction on human rights and public interest grounds, won a subsequent appeal, and in doing so effectively killed the injunction as a tool to muzzle the press.

He writes:

Since then (2007), injunctions against the press are in practice not possible to obtain. To my knowledge no later attempts have been successful, either. Even in cases where the court has found that the publication in question most likely contains untrue, defaming allegations, applications for injunctions have been denied, with reference to the above-mentioned Supreme Court Rulings.

It's a bold approach, and one that would require some editors with some serious balls. But as a way of fighting back after the Max Mosley debacle, it's promising. Publish and be damned.

Sub-Editor - Scarborough Evening News

The Scarborough Evening News keeps the job description in this ad for a new sub-editor commendably short, at just three lines. We'll try and do better.

They want an experienced sub/page designer, three days a week, initially on three-month contract. Job done.

Apply with CV and covering letter to Steve Bambridge at steve.bambridge@yrnltd.co.uk. Deadline this Friday 16 October.

Reporter - Gorkana

Can't find a job on Gorkana? Never mind - why not work for them instead?

You'd be working as a PR and media news journalist on the company's news portal, gorkanapr.com, and be covering all things media. You'll need to have knowledge of the sector, be an experienced journalist and also be able to write 'illuminating and engaging profiles and interviews.'

Full details on Gorkana (and if you get the job, will you please make them make their job ads directly linkable...). Email recruitment@gorkana.com if you're interested for a full job description.

The Twitter directory - an update

Just a quick note to thank everyone who's been in touch - even if we haven't directly acknowledged your response, you have been added. The plan had been to put it up today, but we've been deluged in responses and it's still a work in progress - we're at 150 and counting.

In any event, we're nearly there. So if you're a UK journalist on Twitter and haven't already let us know, please do. It should be up tomorrow. Shouldn't we get paid for this kind of thing?

Trainee Reporter - Cambridge News

The Cambridge News - when exactly did it stop being the Cambridge Evening News? - has a rare opportunity for an entry-level journalist, with this trainee reporter vacancy.

While it may be entry-level though, you'll need to be well on the way to be being fully trained - they're insisting on you having passed all your NCTJ prelims and in particular the 100wpm shorthand. You'll be doing a spell on community news and working in a district office as well as general news.

To get an application pack email Vanessa Whitworth at vanessa.whitworth@cambridge-news.co.uk. Deadline Monday 19 October.

Stat of the Day: 13 October 2009

And just as were feeling all guilty about falling for the evil that is Twitter...

10 million.

That's the number of adults in the UK who have never used the internet.

Not dipped a toe in, logged on once, reluctant silver surfers, seeing what it's all about...

That's the number of adults in the UK who have never used the internet, who have never ever been online.

Something for the editors and publishers and 'digital content managers' to mull over next time they're they're dreaming up this week's latest multimeeja wheeze.

Are you a journalist on Twitter?

Because if you are, chances are you want to tell the world.

FleetStreetBlues will shortly be publishing our beginners' guide to, and directory of, journalists on Twitter - and we want to include as many people as possible. So while we know that technology journalists have lots of geeky followers (step forward @bobbiejohnson, @charlesarthur), and we know that big-name journalists have dipped their toe in to prove how 21st century they are (hello Mr @arusbridger), what we're really interested is the unsung heroes.

Maybe you're a local journalist on a weekly rag struggling to drag Nowhereville into the digital era. Or maybe you work on a trade magazine, or the subs desk, or you freelance. If consider yourself a 'proper' journalist, we don't already follow you and you want to be included, say hi. You can leave a comment, email us a fleetstreetblues@hotmail.co.uk, or twitter in our general direction at @fleetstreetblue.

We still hate it...

Cry freedom

This is important.

The Guardian has been prevented from reporting parliamentary proceedings on legal grounds which appear to call into question privileges guaranteeing free speech established under the 1688 Bill of Rights.

Today's published Commons order papers contain a question to be answered by a minister later this week. The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found.

Forget the mounting privacy laws, the libel mission creep and the anti-journalist agenda we're seeing more and more of. Sometimes there arises a case worth fighting, worth making a fuss about.

And for all you new media enthusiasts out there, here's a chance to show your mettle as well. Blog it. Tweet it. Retweet it, and spread the word. Guido Fawkes is already on the case, but we need more - a cacaphony of internet noise and anger to prove that this unprecedented move to gag the Fourth Estate ain't gonna work. Information wants to be free.

Reporter x 2 - City AM

This one we like. City AM - which, for the benefit of anyone who doesn't live in Central London, is a daily financial free newspaper aimed at City types - is recruiting two reporters.

One job is partly focused online, with an emphasis on early starts and getting the website up to speed early on. The second is more print-based - they're looking for 'a dynamic force on the newsdesk'. Both jobs require relevant experience - ie financial and/or business journalism - but there are no qualification requirements. They won't be entry-level positions though.

Full details on Gorkana (not directly linkable). Apply to editor Allister Heath at allister.heath@cityam.com or deputy editor David Hellier at david.hellier@cityam.com.

Grassroots comment is where you find it

Not sure what to think about the latest BBC-BNP shenanigans - clearly, the BNP's views are hateful, but does that mean they don't deserve to be heard? Taxpayer-funded journalism should represent every demographic, shouldn't it?

But on one point we definitely do have sympathy with the BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat reporter. The report has been criticised widely for introducing two interviewees as 'two young guys who are members of the BNP' without stating that they were prominent party members and one was the BNP's publicity director.

No, it's not great journalism, but we've all done it. Interviewed a 'Man Utd fan' who turns out to editor the Man Utd fanzine. Quizzed a donkey-loving member of the public who turns out to run a donkey sanctuary. Sought grassroots student comment from the local student union.

The news editor wants authentic BNP comment and he needs it by 10am? Sorry, going for comment via organisations and then dressing it up as someone we just happened to meet on the street is what reporters do. You don't give us time for anything else.

Reporter - East London Guardian series

The East London Guardian series - a group of Newsquest weeklies covering areas such as Walthamstow, Waltham Forest, Wanstead, Woodford and other places not beginning with 'W' - is hiring a reporter.

The ad is generic, with the key point being that they're not specifically looking for someone with an NCTJ qualification - an appeitite and aptitude for off-diary news is the main thing.

To apply, send a covering letter and CV to group editor Amanda Patterson at apatterson@london.newsquest.co.uk. Deadline Tuesday 20 October.

A sceptical hack's guide to social meeja: Part Three

BLOGOSPHERE

One piece of advice regularly given to junior journalists is that they need to maintain a blog. How can you convince employers that you're serious about being published, the reasoning goes, without giving a platform to your work?

It's sage advice, but as an unintended consequence the web is now packed to the rafters with vacuous undergraduate blogs devoid of any merit. Let's be clear: signing up to Blogger and writing a cheesy, third-person profile about how much you love journalism and it's in your blood will not help your career. Nor will posting inane, poorly written observations that belong on your Facebook wall.

No, the kind of blog that will grab the attention of employers will be one that demonstrates an acute awareness of the to-ings and fro-ings of the media industry, while also exemplifying skills that are directly transferrable to a newsroom (i.e. writing and newsgathering). At the risk of sounding sycophantic (no, please do be... - Ed), FleetStreetBlues is an excellent example of a blog that pulls this off successfully.

Until you're confident that your offering will invoke similar praise, you'd be well advised to put it on hold and spend some time exploring the various media blogs out there. For younger journalists, this will be a valuable introduction to the industry; while for more-established hacks it will update your knowledge of what may well seem an entirely different business to the one you first joined.

And so, in the third and final part of this series, I present a selection of my personal favourite media blogs. If you want to add to the list – or if you have any general feedback about my guest posts – please leave a comment below.

- Buzz Machine – probably the most widely-read media blog out there. Guardian columnist and nu meeja goliath Jeff Jarvis gives a tech-oriented perspective of the changing landscape of journalism. Expect convoluted analyses and enough Web 2.0 jargon to send old-school hacks running for the hills.

- Playing the Game – the polar opposite of Buzz Machine. This unadorned blog is written by an anonymous newspaper editor with a penchant for foul-mouthed diatribes. His anguish over the current state of print media is plain for all to see; as is his utter disdain for PR girls, advertising folk, and any classically-educated, academic hacks.

- The Engine Room – one for the subs. A haven for Grammar Nazis and other like-minded pedants who enjoy nothing more than picking fault with poorly-worded headlines. Blog editor JD also maintains an entertaining Flickr stream where he snapshots the best of the worst of what the media is churning out.

- The Guardian's Media Monkey – despite being hosted by a media behemoth (something that always dampens the appeal of a blog) the Guardian's monkey does a noble job of staying impartial. Its weekly 'Media Monkey's Diary' series is a particularly good read, often seeming reminiscent of Private Eye's brilliant 'Street of Shame' column.

- The Media Blog – the latest in a recent influx of blogs seeking to strike the right balance between new media innovation and old media reverence. Concise, well laid-out, and drawing from the expertise of a range of contributors, the Media Blog offers a worthy introduction to the industry.

- Gentlemen Ranters – self-styled as 'the last pub on Fleet Street', this is a place for more-mature hacks to reminisce about the good old days. Expect lashings of rose-tinted nostalgia from media stalwarts such as Ian Bradshaw (The Times) and Revel Barker (Daily Mirror). So authoritative it's even given rise to its own publishing wing: BooksAboutJournalism.com.

Martin Rivers is a freelance journalist, news editor for a travel media firm and blogs at RiverScrap. You can follow him on Twitter here.

A sceptical hack's guide to social meeja: Part Two

REDDIT

In August I wrote a short article on my politics blog about President Obama and the Israeli lobbies in America. Within 24 hours of being posted, it had been read more than 4,000 times and had received over 300 comments.

So I have a popular blog then? Well no, not really. According to FeedBurner I have fewer than 100 subscribers. But that specific article was able to go viral – as have several others I've written (one of which surpassed 10,000 views) – and its success was entirely down to an oft-overlooked site called Reddit.

Many of you have probably tried promoting your writing on sites such as Digg, del.icio.us, and StumbleUpon, and I'll wager than most of you have had limited success. The problem with these sites is that (as their name suggests) they work around a model of tightly-knit social groups sharing mutually-desirable content. First you have to build up a vast network of friends (ugh), and then (double ugh) you have to spam them mercilessly. It can work, but it frankly feels dirty even trying it.

Reddit is not social. In fact, given that you're not even allowed to create a profile, I'd go so far as to say it's veritably anti-social. But by peeling away all the bullshit of other social media sites, all that's left is a beautiful concept: content is king.

Reddit doesn't care how many friends you have. Nor does it care what domain the content you're submitting resides on – timesonline.co.uk is equal to your crappy little TypePad blog in its eyes. All Reddit cares about is that your content gets more upvotes (nods of approval) than downvotes (shrugs of dismissal) within its various communities. It is a truly meritocratic environment, powered by complex algorithms which ensure that every submission is given equal footing.

I'm sold! How do I promote my articles on Reddit?

The first thing to bear in mind is that meritocracies work both ways. If you're a good writer and you produce news content that has a unique angle to it, then great; Reddit will serve you well. On the other hand, if you're a churnalist who simply regurgitates other people's work, expect to receive a torrent of abuse.

Secondly, as with any online community, there is a relatively complex code of etiquette (or reddiquette) governing how you should conduct yourself. The full guide is available here and should be considered compulsory reading for any newcomer. Note that the guide explicitly allows for 'some self promotion' (i.e. posting links to your blog or work website), but only alongside broader engagement with the community. That means you will be expected to comment on other submissions and post links to articles which you have not yourself written (this is less arduous than it sounds – once you see the merit of the site, believe me, you will be hooked).

So, you've browsed through Reddit; you've built up a feel for how the voting system works; and you're now ready to submit an article. Follow these steps:

1. Pick a subreddit for your article. Reddit is comprised of thousands of channels (or subreddits) which categorise topics. #worldnews is perhaps the most popular, with 150,000 regular readers, while others such as #politics, #technology and #wtf all have similarly-sized audiences. #unitedkingdom sadly trails way behind with just 2,000 subscribers, so you're better advised to pick a topical, rather than regional, subreddit.

2. Write a provocative and engaging headline. The standard rules of journalism headlines don't apply here. While Redditors are largely anonymous that doesn't mean they don't enjoy arguing, and nothing whips up a debate like a pugnacious title. The headline for my Obama article was 50 words long and was anything but objective. This formula works.

3. Don't double up someone else's content. If you work for a local paper and you have a scoop of your very own, this won't be a problem. However, if like me you're covering international stories then bear in mind that you're competing with the likes of AP, Reuters, CNN and the BBC. If their coverage of the event has already been submitted to Reddit, don't bother pushing your article – it won't work and you'll look like a blogspammer.

It really is that simple. The cynics among you will probably question whether I'm affiliated with Reddit, but before you slate me I'd urge you to experiment with an article of your own. Even if it doesn't go viral, your website will record a noticeable spike in traffic as the community evaluates your submission.

A final caveat: don't expect to make money off traffic coming from Reddit. Social media referrals are notoriously bad for AdSense, and Redditors in particular will be savvy enough to ignore your ads. This is about gaining an audience for your writing; refining your news sensibilities; and showing prospective employers that you're a social meeja-type. If you're after quick cash, look elsewhere.

Martin Rivers is a freelance journalist, news editor for a travel media firm and blogs at RiverScrap. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Tomorrow: a brief introduction to some of the best media blogs...