by joker on Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:18 am
Before this thread dies completely and is lost forever in the unfathomable realm of cyberspace I think I better have a say.
When the thread appeared last week I was fairly shocked since:
1. The paper's much better now than it was at the end of last year, and no one complained then.
2. I had heard a lot of good feedback personally.
So therefore, my thoughts, in no particular order:
My article on drug use in town was a brave and bold step for me personally and for the paper. I chose to cast my scope wide and the result was not perfect by any means but was well researched and well written. If you don't believe that drug taking goes on here I have the facts to prove you wrong, however I never said there was a massive epidemic or nowt like that.
There is some very poor spelling in this post, but surprisingly not all of the bad spelling in the paper is my fault! When we're close to deadline it doesn't seem to matter so much to any of us but I do take the criticism on board. Must try harder!
Ben knows that if he ever tried to tell me what to do he'd get a slap. I never listen to gingers anyway - especially not ones who hang round the Union all day.
I wont harp on about 'getting involved' and helping us make things better - you're perfectly entitled to criticise the paper even if you have no desire to write for it. The Saint needs readers and critics even more than it needs writers (but not more than it needs In Design and a new computer). However I would ask you to stop expecting us to be professional journalists. Most of my editorial team are third and fourth year students with essays and dissertations to worry them on top of the paper. Half the time we're running around like sleep deprived zombies trying to get an issue out, and making it up as we go along.
Don't expect perfection just enjoy the paper for what it is: an ambitious, entertaining, oft controversial, and fun read.
When we're real journos you'll be able to read our proffesional controbutions to print media. Until then give us a break - we are learning!
As far as setting up you're own paper... A 7 step plan of greatness follows for any of you with aspirations higher than the rightwing piece of nonsense that is The Mitre:
You will need.
1. £1100 per fornight for printing.
2. Two or more computers with high quality monitors and all the page makery, photoshoppy greatness that i still cannot wholly understand.
3. A team of around 35 dedicated staff members and a wider pool of writers to put the paper together.
4. An editor, deputy, and production manager willing to put in a combined total of around 80 hours per week.
5.a business team that is savvy to local and national advertising - no ads? no paper!
6. A unique ethos for your student rag. Can't go copying The Saint, and if you want to rival us it better be darn special.
7. Journalistic and legal knowledge; contacts in the national press; understanding tutors, and parents, and flatmates.
8. Someone who makes good flap jack and will sub you money for pints of tea.
As a very wise man recently told me, it's a lonely life being a journalist, and I've definately experienced that in the last year. It's been bloody good fun though, and I hope you enjoy (at least a part of) our last two issues. Here's to student journalism... andgin!
[hr]
[s]fly like a mouse, run like a cushion, be the small bookcase, dare to believe.[/s]
[s]fly like a mouse, run like a cushion, be the small bookcase, dare to believe.[/s]