Contents February –2009

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Welcome

The tectonic plates of British media ownership are shifting. As Press Gazette approached deadline Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev paid £1 to take the Evening Standard off the hands of Daily Mail and General Trust because a Plc, even one controlled by the Rothermere press dynasty, could no longer live with losses of up to £20m a year. Lebedev has a record as a campaigner for press freedom, and deep pockets, so would seem to be an ideal proprietor. Most importantly, he is apparently driven by more than just profit. He is already an investor in one of Russia's only dissenting national newspapers, Novaya Gazeta. In this month's Press Gazette we have found that there are still rich rewards for committed press owners, who do not expect huge profits, and who can keep their nerve through the bad times. In the regional press, we spoke to three independentlyowned newspaper groups which seem far less perturbed by the current downturn than the big four publicly-listed regional press publishers. They all agreed that under the private ownership of local people who are passionate about serving their communities, local newspapers still have a solid future. And, showing Press Gazette around Guardian News and Media’s impressive new home at King’s Cross, editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger explained why his news organisation is scooping up global readers on an unprecedented scale through its commitment to remain “one of the few well-resourced, serious news organisations in the world”.

For more on the Lebedev story – see our special report at www.pressgazette.co.uk/lebedev

For a multimedia report looking inside the new Guardian go to www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian_kings_place

Looking to honour the best in regional journalism SEE PAGE 8

NEWS ANALYSIS. THE BIG STORY Over-worked and over-stretched: while media organisations rush towards digitalisation, it’s not all good news for the journalists or for journalism argues Andrew Currah in a report written for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism 05

www.pressgazette.co.uk / NEWSROOM 020 7324 2385

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MAGAZINES Twelve months can be a long time for a newly launched magazine. How have new launches fared during such difficult times? 9 REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS With the big four regional newspaper companies under huge financial pressure – independent publishers seem to be doing better 12 BROADCASTING Its launch 20 years ago shook up the UK’s bulletin-driven news industry, so what does the future hold for rolling news channel Sky News? 16 SPECIAL REPORTS Regional Press Awards 8 Fairtrade in the news 22 SPECIAL TRIBUTE Bob Warren, who worked 45 years at the News of the World 33 GLOBAL REPORT The pan European project on farm subsidies which reveals how cross border projects can benefit journalism 15 MEDIA LAW Danielle Amor on privacy. Plus: special report on family courts 19 GADGETS What can you do to improve the look of your website? 37

COMMENT. PETER KIRWAN Editor of Fullrun 27 DAISY McANDREW ITV economics editor 28 GREY CARDIGAN 29 DAVID BANKS Former Daily Mirror editor 30 DAVID SINGLETON PR pundit 30 CAMILLA WRIGHT Popbitch editor 31 LETTERS 32

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her prize-winning photographs 40 TIPS & TRAINING. FREELANCE Raj Dash on banishing loneliness, David Parsley on the when to take on staff PLUS is it best to hire an accountant or go it alone? 42 THE KNOWLEDGE Adam Boulton’s masterclass on being a visiting reporter in the US, Andrew Norfolk on his investigation into miners’ solicitors’ fees; Peter Sands on communicating strategy; Daniell Morrisey on work experience 46

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REGULARS. EDITORIAL TRAINING Richard Orange looks at London councils’ crackdown on filming in the streets 50 BOOKS Yorkshire Evening Post’s Richard Edwards on his book about the Shannon Matthews case 53

FEATURES. THE BIG INTERVIEW Inside the Guardian’s new home with Alan Rusbridger 34 DESIGN Editor of Financial Times Weekend Andy Davis on how a relaunch can encourage younger readers 38 PHOTOGRAPHY Angela Catlin talks through some of

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AXEGRINDER The column that settles scores and buries hatchets 62 FREELANCE DIRECTORY 44-45 NEWS CONTACTS 54-55 ESSENTIAL SERVICES 56-57 RECRUITMENT 58-61

PRESS GAZETTE — JOURNALISM TODAY/ FEBRUARY 2009