That was the decade that was

As anyone who's been reading any newspapers at all over the past month will be painfully aware, from the endless space-filling reviews of the year and lists of the decade, it's 2010 tomorrow. And while FleetStreetBlues won't be doing its own retrospective - to be honest, when the Millenium struck, some of us were still in school - it's worth mentioning a few older and wiser hacks' attempts to sum up ten years of epic change in journalism.

So, in no particular order... POLIS Director Charlie Beckett believes the big lesson, now learnt, is that digital cannot be 'put back in the bottle' - but investment is key. Phil Clark, digital director for UBM Built Environment (now there's a title that couldn't have existed ten years ago), remembers covering the aftermath of the World Trade Centre attack for Building magazine - and is likewise struck by the transformative change in technology. 'I wasn't quite bashing out copy on a typewriter ten years back but it almost feels like that.'

Marc Reeves, until recently editor at the Birmingham Post, takes an even longer view, reflecting on why tomorrow will be the first New Year's Day for 25 years when he's not employed as a journalist.

And Craig Lewis, deputy editor at the Milton Keynes Citizen, has a dead-on, if depressing, journalistic Christmas Carol ('Bob Hackitt trawls through PR pomposity and pastes it onto ill-constructed websites, wishing to persuade the 'reader' to pay £1.50 to learn about how the council has put up new toilets').

There are more, lots more, but somehow that seems an appropriate note on which to say farewell to 2009. Happy New Year everyone. Let's hope 2010's a little better.

The London Weekly. Fail.

We're not the first to comment on the dodgy headlines gracing the website of new London freesheet the London Weekly. Journalism.co.uk and the Guardian's Media Monkey have been there already. But even if there is no place for sub editors in the brave new world of Journalism 2.0, this is just offensive. (So offensive, in fact, that we've checked to see the whole thing's not a wind-up. It doesn't appear to be, although we're still not entirely convinced)

We're sorry to say this, because we wished it the best, but it's not just the misspelt headlines. The whole site's an absolute shambles. Rubbish design. Sketchy layout. Questionable editorial priorities.

From a one-man-and-his-blog operation, acceptable. But from an outfit with 50-odd staff planning to distribute a 250,000-circulation newspaper? Please don't let this be the future of journalism...

Reporter - JCPA Press Agency

The JCPA Press Agency, covering East and West Sussex, is recruiting a reporter to cover news and features.

They want an NCTJ qualification 'or similar', a good working knowledge of the newspaper industry and some experience on a local paper. In return, they're offering £19,000 - £22,000, plus commission on any of your own features ideas that are published, and the chance to learn the trade before moving on to the nationals.

Apply with CV and covering letter to news editor Justine Smith at justine@jcpa.co.uk. Deadline Saturday 30 January.

Deputy Editor - Grow Your Own

Alright, we'll admit it. When we first read this ad on Gorkana, we thought it was an instruction to plant some seeds in a little pot in the centre of the newsroom, in the hope that it would one day blossom into a beautiful plant capable of commissioning features and taking news meetings.

Turns out if you read the ad with the comma, however, it makes more sense. Grow Your Own magazine - which bills itself as 'Britain's best-selling kitchen garden mag', and impressively already seems to be trailing its February issue on its website - is recruiting a deputy editor.

You'll need two years' experience on a relevant title and a 'passion for and sound knowledge of fruit and vegetable production', which probably narrows it down a bit. You'll also need subbing, design, feature writing, commissioning and copy editing skills. The job's based in Colchester, Essex.

Full ad on Gorkana, not directly linkable. Email CV and covering letter to the editor, Lucy Halsall, at lucy.halsall@aceville.co.uk.

Paul Dacre plays Santa

Every year at this time local papers are on red alert for any heartwarming tales of festive cheer - and now we journalists have one all of our own.

Playing Bob Cratchit is freelance journalist Pitching the World. For the Christmas turkey anonymously sent to Mr Cratchit, we have one overdue freelance cheque.

And in the Ebeneezer Scrooge role? None other than legendary Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre. Henceforth to be known among his fellow journalists - for Christmas at least - as a 'good egg'.

Stat(s) of the Day: 28 December 2009

Or of the week, or of the month, or of the year, or hell, of the decade for that matter. Looks like digital is here to stay...



Graphic by Online Education, spotted via Joanna Geary.

Poll result: Was the BBC right to ask 'should homosexuals face execution'?

Once again, the panel seems to have it about right. No, it wasn't the gay-bashing outrage some of the anti-BBC coverage would have you believe. But on balance, not too clever.

Assistant Correspondent - Jiji Press

A common problem with ads for journalism jobs at the moment is that whoever advertises is simply inundated with applications - we hear that the plum investigative reporter roles with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, for example, attracted more than 500 CVs. So this one comes with a welcome twist.

The employer in question - Jiji Press, which is a Japanese international news agency - apparently tried advertising on the Guardian jobs site, but still hasn't had many respondents. As the agency's John Dennen puts it: 'I would describe this as a good first paid job in journalism, but I have not yet been hit by the flood of aspiring journos' CVs I was expecting. Perhaps they're on holiday.' Or sunk in drunken post-Christmas mid-recessionary despair...

Anyway, here's the deal. Jiji Press' London bureau is after an 'assistant correspondent' to help cover economic and political news. Knowledge of current affairs is essential - journalism experience and (this may be what's prevented the flood of applicants so far) Japanese ability prefered.

Even if you don't speak fluent Japanese though, it sounds as if you're keen, job-hunting and in London, it may be worth a shot. Email CV and covering letter to John Dennen at dennen@jiji.co.uk. Deadline Sunday 10 January.

Happy Christmas

Online reporter x 2 - Sky News

Even for a decent-sounding gig like this, you'd have to pretty desperate or unemployed already to want to apply for a job with only a three-month guaranteed contract. If you're in a paid journalism role already, you're probably not going to want to risk it.

But it's a shame, because working as an online reporter for Sky News as part of its general election coverage sounds interesting.

You'll be based out of the Sky News centre in Osterley in London, ideally starting 1 February, although we'd guess there could be some travelling involved, following around battle-buses, that kind of thing.

No specific experience requirements, but you'll need to have an 'understanding of multi-platform output' and be into all things online.

Apply via the Sky News website here.

Reporter - Professional Beauty/Retail Jeweller

Sometimes job adverts are clear about what they want from a successful candidate. Sometimes, there's an unwritten subtext. So we're going to take a wild punt and guess that whoever gets this job as a reporter for Retail Jeweller and Professional Beauty magazines, it's going to be a girl.

Both are monthly trade titles over at Emap, and they're looking for a demonstrable commitment to business journalism in the successful candidate. She (or he, they insist) must 'be comfortable with a significant amount of travel and out-of-hours working'.

Apply with CV, covering letter and salary expectations to jobs@emap.com. Deadline Monday 4 January.

Should the BBC World Service's Africa bureau face execution?

We're divided on this one.

On the one hand, the idea that gay people should face any kind of violence or discrimination is in our opinion - and the opinion of the vast majority of people in Britain at least - morally repugnant and completely wrong. To have any publication - let alone a licence fee-payer funded website - promote and publish the views or people who think homosexuals should be executed looks very, very wrong.

On the other hand, in quite a few parts of the world it's a tragic and very real fact that homosexuals do already face horrific discrimination and violence, including, in some cases, state-sponsored execution. Surely the BBC World Service has to cover that in some form? And if it's being debated as a possible new law in Uganda's parliament, isn't it important to have it debated in a wider forum, if only so that what we see as common sense can prevail?

Or, let's boil the argument down to its bare essentials - is it journalists' job to help make the news, or just to break the news?

Hot on the heels of Jan Moir, Nick Griffin and taking photos of the royal family, it's another ethical head-scratcher. We've a strong suspicion we know which way this one's going to go, but let us know what you think in the poll at the top left.

Quote of the Day: 17 December 2009

As the year draws to a close, much will be written about how journalism developed in 2009 - the challenges brought by cutbacks, the great paywall debate, the slow metamorphosis to a digital medium.

But if you want to know what 2009 was really like for journalists, ask Playing the Game - who's back, and full of Christmas cheer.

The papers were constricted, in both pagination and editorial space, morale was at an all time low and it was the best we could do was to cling on by our fingertips to bring out papers that weren't total shit.

News Editor - Belfast Telegraph

A top-notch regional paper opportunity this, if you're based in Northern Ireland or are willing to relocate - the Belfast Telegraph is looking for a news editor.

They're asking for experience to match, with two or more years on a busy daily or Sunday news desk, and a track record of campaigns and investigations. You'll also need a driving licence.

Email personnel@belfasttelegraph.co.uk for an application form. Deadline is Christmas Eve, which is - unbelievably - a week tomorrow.

The wheels of Carter-Ruck grind slowly...

... but they grind exceedingly fine. The New Statesman tonight reports that the BBC has been forced to pull a video of its investigation into the Trafigura affair.

Bloggers like Iain Dale are predictably up in arms, and planning a second Twitter uprising. But even assuming there wasn't another valid reason to remove the video, the problem with viral internet-based campaigning is that it has a very limited halflife. If you're a major libel law firm it makes a lot of sense just to wait until everyone who's making fuss gets bored and goes off to talk about X-Factor or something.

Will be interesting to see if and how the Guardian covers this, but Carter Ruck are clearly in it for the long haul. Exceedingly fine.

Quote of the Day: 15 December 2009

Trish Hagood, president of Oxbridge Communications (which owns a company called MediaFinder, apparently the largest online database of US and Canadian publications), on the current media climate Stateside.

'This is not a propitious time to launch a magazine.'

367 US magazines have closed this year, with a further 64 going online-only. Who says Americans don't do understatement?

Senior Reporter - Northern Scot

The Northern Scot - which proudly bills itself as the fourth-biggest selling weekly newspaper in Scotland - is hiring a senior reporter.

They want someone with qualifications (although NCTJ is not specified), and you'll need a driving licence, shorthand and an eye for a local story. Being Scottish and/or local is not listed as a job requirement, but it would help, we'd imagine. The job's based in Elgin, in Moray, in northeast Scotland.

Apply with CV and covering letter to the editor Mike Collins at editor@northern-scot.co.uk with 'Job Application' in the subject line. Deadline Thursday 31 December.

Flat Earth Jedward

If Twitter has taught FleetStreetBlues one thing, it's that every web-savvy journalist in Britain is unhealthily obsessed with the 'reality' show we all know is anything but. So we really wish we didn't feel compelled to bring this up.

But... one thing struck us yesterday as we took a quick, guilty look through the final week-by-week X-Factor voting results. John and Edward, Jedward, the love-em-or-hate-em pop culture phenomenon that dominated office cooler conversation and Simon Cowell's profit forecasts in the autumn of 2009, never came higher than fourth.

And this we found confusing, because we could have sworn we'd read otherwise.

Reporter - Broadcast

Emap B2B Broadcast magazine is looking for a reporter or senior reporter to join its newsdesk.

No surprises in the advert - they want someone with a nose for exclusives and the confidence to grill senior industry figures, with pre-existing knowledge of the sector a 'bonus but not essential'. You'll be writing for both print and online, with the website www.broadcastnow.co.uk now largely subscription-only.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. Send CV and covering letter to chris.curtis@emap.com.

Watching the watchers

Given the ongoing debate about the rights of journalists - and non-journalists, for that matter - to take photos in public places, it's compelling viewing watching the Guardian go undercover and test those rights to destruction (even if, as the article admits, there is a slightly 'adolescent' tone to the video).

The young Guardian reporter in question, Paul Lewis, is making a bit of a name for himself doing this sort of thing, and rightly so. But while it might have won him a Rat Up a Drainpipe award, focusing just on police malpractice, incompetence and brutality rather than working a more traditional crime or social affairs beat takes a special sort of bravery.

Here's hoping he never dabbled in something he shouldn't have at university, never gets behind on his taxes, and never creeps above 30 in a 30mph zone. Keep looking hard enough at them, and they're going to be looking at you.

Production Journalist - Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph's city desk is recruiting a production journalist to work on both print and online.

City experience is desirable, but what they're really looking for is simply a great sub - 'the ability to sub stories quickly and accurately; a flair for writing great headlines, captions and standfirsts and laying out vibrant engaging pages.'

The full ad's on Gorkana, not directly linkable, although that's all there is to it really. Apply with CV and covering letter to janette.wolf@telegraph.co.uk.

Deputy Clinical Features Editor - GP

Given the recent redundancies at other Haymarket publications, it's a little surprising to see GP magazine hiring again already - you'd have thought that any vacancies would be filled instead by those fresh out of a job. But a quick glance at the job requirements confirms why - this deputy clinical features editor vacancy requires specific scientific knowledge.

You'll be commissioning and editing clinical articles aimed at GPs and overseeing the magazine's education section, and so need a scientific background and a 'very good understanding of the medical terminology and data'. They also would like experience in medical or scientific publishing, and an understanding of the GP readership.

Salary is £30k, dependant on experience, and as it's Haymarket, you'll be based in Hammersmith, west London. However, looks like your ultimate boss won't be Michael Heseltine any more.

Apply via the Haymarket website.

FOI: a shield for lazy press officers

The Freedom of Information Act is a wonderful thing. It allows journalists to ask probing questions to public bodies in as much detail as they like, as many times as they like. There are lots of ways public bodies can get out of answering those questions, of course, but if you ask the right question, in the right way and of the right person, you can hit the jackpot.

But there has been an unintended side-effect of introducing FOI - and it's perfectly illustrated by this little story (spotted via David Higgerson, who's probably going to be showcasing another ten things we've learned courtesy of FOI a little later today).

The Weston and Somerset Mercury carries a story about how North Somerset Council has been overwhelmed with FOI requests, with 'hundreds' of questions submitted over the past month.

Obvious next question - what are they all about? And the council's you-couldn't-make-it-up response?

'A spokesman for the unitary authority said: 'You would have to use the Freedom of Information Act to find out.'

Funny? Yes. Unusual? No. Across the country thousands of press officers for local councils, education authorities, NHS trusts and Government departments have pretty much given up answering all but the most simple requests, insisting instead that the journalist submits a Freedom of Information request. (Not all of them, obviously. But it's definitely an increasing trend).

It's annoying for the journalist, of course, and in the short-term, it gives the press office an easy life. But in the long-term, it's short-sighted in the extreme. If they won't answer press enquiries, what exactly is the point of a press office? It's your own job you're doing yourself out of.

Trainee Reporter - South Wales Argus

Newsquest daily paper the South Wales Argus is hiring a trainee reporter, in the briefest of adverts over at HoldTheFrontPage.

You'll need to have passed your NCTJ pre-entry exams, they say. And, er, that's about it.

To get an application pack, email caroline.stock@gwent-wales.co.uk. Deadline Wednesday 23 December.

The future of journalism. Maybe.

Ever wondered what journalism will look like in the future?

No, not how we're going to make it pay, or how we will be paid, or whether it's going to pay at all. Forget micropayments, paywalls, and all that nonsense. What about what it's actually going to look like?

Well, this might not be it... but it's a start. Google News, the New York Times and the Washington Post have been beavering away at a brand new format they call the 'Living Story', and it's revolutionary stuff. Don't take out word for it - no lesser authority than Paul Bradshaw calls it 'jaw-dropping' over at the Online Journalism Blog.

Essentially, rather than reporting the news as a series of separate stories, the plan is to let you search by topic, with each topic having its own consistent URL filled with dynamic content. Within that page you then have ordered content - new developments at the top - combined with every different way you can think of telling a story - video, audio, user-generated content... oh, never mind, we can't explain it properly. It's a bit like Wikipedia. Just watch the video.

Here at FleetStreetBlues, we regularly and proudly scoff at all things multimeeja - but in doing so, we're scoffing not at the concept of multimedia journalism, just the cack-handed process-led top-down way it's normally implemented on the journalistic frontline.

Ordering your reporter to meet a daily Twitter quota, sending out a trainee with a tripod to shoot video epics, or search engine optimising every story to within an inch of its life is not the future of journalism. This - or something like this - just might be.

Work Experience - Loaded

We find it impossible to believe that in the two days this Gorkana job ad's been up, the position hasn't been filled a hundred times over already. But it's worth quoting in full:

Loaded’s work experience chap didn’t turn up for his duties this week, which consist mainly of learning the old journalism ropes, scouring the Internet for Loaded’s famous ‘pornalikes’ franchise, writing bits and pieces for the website, reviewing lager and hanging out with half naked Page 3 girls. Perhaps he hadm something more exciting on.

The idea was if you could fill in this week, to email a CV and 25 words on why you wanted the job to jeff_maysh@ipcmedia.com. If you're interested, it's probably now worth asking if you can come in another week instead. Prepare to be disappointed.

Dale street blues

This almost certainly isn't a representative sample, but in our personal experience, journalists' blogs are used at least a quarter of the time solely for the purpose of griping about incompetent PRs. (We're not saying this is a bad thing mind - it helps lift the lid on the cosy media industry compact for the average reader and besides, it's immensely satisfying...)

Anyway, this is a classic of the genre, from David Bartlett, City editor at the Liverpool Daily Post, on his blog Dale Street Blues. Great name...

David explains exactly how things worked when Treasury minister Ian Pearson came to town, and it's an informative read, instantly recognisable to anyone who's covered a similar state visit.

Personable politician, check. Lone and slightly bored local journalist, check. Incompetent press officers who couldn't organise a simple page lead in an understaffed local paper, check. Let's do some politics.

Senior Reporter - Aberdeen Evening Express

The ad for this job starts in classic local paper mode, and is worth quoting in full: 'It's home to one of Europe's biggest fishing ports and even managed to lure X Factor star Alexandra Burke...'

Quite how Peterhead, a small Scottish town north of Aberdeen, managed to lure Alexandra isn't specified - we assume she's not living there full time. But, the implication is, you should consider it, working as a senior reporter in a district office of the Aberdeen Evening Express.

They're asking for an NCTJ qualification, 100 wpm shorthand and experience on a weekly or a daily.

Apply with CV and covering letter to deputy editor Richard Prest at richard.prest@ajl.co.uk. Deadline Wednesday 16 December.

Fantastic Mr Fox

We told you that a good journalist always has a camera to hand - and right on cue, BBC journalist Kate Arkless Gray shows us why. Just as well it's not a corgi.

Reporter - Property Week

Property Week - the big winner at the recent PTC young journalist awards - is hiring an online reporter.

Although it's advertised as a Property Week vacancy, it's actually a slightly unusual one, in that you'll be working not for the magazine or its main website, but for a new website being launched early next year aimed at public sector property managers - local authorities, schools, hospitals and so on.

You'll need a flair for writing, but they're also keen on multimedia prowess, such as shooting video, using social media and managing 'podcats', whatever they are. Subbing skills don't get a mention.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. To apply, send a CV and covering letter to web editor Iain O'Neil, at iain.oneil@ubm.com. Deadline Friday 18 December.

Business Editor - Hull Daily Mail

Northcliffe title the Hull Daily Mail is recruiting a business editor.

You'll be responsible for business content across one daily page covering industry, a weekly supplement to be relaunched shortly and the website. (This last they're particularly keen on, describing themselves as 'digital trailblazers'.)

You'll need to be experienced in business journalism, passionate about all things multimeeja and also be 'commercially aware' - they're offering 'at least £27,000' to the right candidate.

Send CV and covering letter to Vanessa Anthony, PA to the editor, at v.anthony@mailnewsmedia.co.uk. Deadline Friday 18 December.

One is not amused

The Times reports (and in doing so brilliantly decides to reprint one of the photos which prompted the clampdown):

The palace has let it be known that the royals will no longer tolerate long-lens prying by paparazzi even if the photographers stick to precedent by not trespassing and remaining on public roads. Members of the family are content to be photographed attending church on Christmas morning but will not stand for what they consider to be harassment.

Erm... right. So journalists' right to take photos on public roads no longer applies if you're taking photos of someone connected with the royal family.

Perhaps the palace could 'let it be known' exactly how far they've decided this rule will apply. The Queen and her immediate family are off limits, of course. But what about minor royalty, or girlfriends of royalty? What about the corgis? Just how much of a commoner do you have to be before the right to take photos in a public place kicks in again?

Reporter - Health Service Journal / Nursing Times

Respected health trade mags the Health Service Journal and Nursing Times are looking for a reporter.

A curious one this, as it was only in August that that Emap merged the newsdesks of the two titles, making one deputy news editor redundant and forcing another one to move elsewhere. Still, hiring a brand new reporter is much cheaper a chance to invest in new talent.

Anyway, while there may be misgivings about management, if you want to be a health reporter or work your way into political reporting via a B2B then this is a top vacancy, so expect fierce competition. The job requirements are non-specific, asking only for 'a journalist with a nose for news, excellent contact-building skills and a passion for current affairs'.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable (and not yet on the Emap website, apparently). Apply with CV and covering letter to HSJ/Nursing Times deputy editor Rebecca Evans at rebecca.evans@emap.com. Deadline Monday 4 January.

I'm a journalist, not a terrorist

Stand by, because it's not often we say this, but there's an exception to every rule... the Independent's single-issue campaigning splash this morning was well worth reading.

Well, for journalists at least. Because while there's always been a bit of aggro between snappers and the boys in blue, the advent of pocket-sized digital cameras, prevention of terrorism laws and YouTube have conspired to brings things to a head. As the Indy reports, the right to take photographs in public places is increasingly being curtailed - for journalists and non-journalists alike.

A long time ago, FleetStreetBlues was taught by someone much older and wiser to always carry a camera, because you never know when news will happen. It might be worth printing off and carrying a copy of this as well.

(If you're interested, there's more over at the 'I'm a Photographer Not a Terrorist' campaign site and the website of Marc Vallée, the photographer who worked on the Guardian's G20 stuff earlier this year. Or have a quick look at the video below.)

Reporter - DIY Week

DIY Week, the weekly trade mag for DIY retailers and suppliers, is recruiting a reporter.

You'll be based in Croydon, and doing all the usual sort of things a trade journalist does - covering industry events and conferences, making contacts, digging for stories and writing features too. It's a relatively junior role, as reflected in the £18-20k salary, but proven experience of business reporting should definitely help you, erm, nail it.

To apply, send a CV and covering letter to recruit@fav-house.com. Deadline Friday 18 December.

Reporters/Sub-Editors - Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor

Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor is a new trade publication aimed at investors in the renewable energy sector, and it's recruiting - reporters, subs and production editors.

You'll need at least a year's experience, either in trade or business journalism, or in production, and they ask for a 'broad understanding' of, though not specific experience of, the renewable energy sector as well.

Interested? Email your CV and covering letter to Benjamin Chambers at bchambers@newenergyworldnetwork.com. Deadline this Monday 7 December.

Citizen subs

OK, we're a little late to this, but this is worth a mention. Forget interactivity and reader content being a web-based thing - now readers are getting to help design the front page of the Birmingham Post's print edition.

Outgoing Birmingham Post editor Marc Reeves has taken to tweeting a picture of each week's front page as page design is in progress, giving readers the chance to have their say on headlines, pictures and layout. Never mind citizen journalists... what about citizen sub-editors?

It's undoubtedly a bold move, and in practice, of course, readers' impact will be extremely limited - comments yesterday were mainly of the 'looks great' variety. But we can't help but feel it sets a risky precedent. Quite aside from the risk of giving away your splash (Marc was careful last week not to tweet a picture in case it gave away an exclusive), what about preserving journalism's mystique?

Otto von Bismarck was not, as far as we're aware, a regular user of QuarkXpress - but if he had been, he'd no doubt have agreed with us that front pages are like laws and sausages. It's better not to see them being made.

Quote of the Day: 2 December 2009

Guardian technology correspondent Bobbie Johnson, on 'paywall-happy publishers' are wrong to pick a fight with Google News.

If hundreds of people like your shop's window display so much that they come in, it's the owner's responsibility to sell your products to them - not the window dresser's.

Reporter - FinanceAsia.com

Hong Kong-based finance website FinanceAsia.com is hiring an 'entry-level reporter'.

You'll need a degree, preferably in finance or journalism, strong writing and research skills and the ability to confidently interview high-level executives. Reporting experience is a plus, but not essential - you'll be covering transaction banking, corporate treasury, financing and liquidity, foreign exchange and regulatory changes, so a head for figures probably is.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. To apply, email a CV and three clips to Edward Russell at edward.russell@financeasia.com.