Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> BBC and Regional Papers http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1512677707 Message started by Administrator on Dec 7^th, 2017, 8:16pm

Title: BBC and Regional Papers
Post by Administrator on Dec 7^th, 2017, 8:16pm

This is the begining of the new BBC / Regional Publisher initiative.

"55 local democracy reporters based in our (Trinity Mirror) offices throughout the UK."

 Here you can see the locations for the positions of "Local Democracy Reporters"

Job Introduction (In this case North West):-

Local Democracy Reporter – North West (5 x Manchester / 1 x Bolton)

Salaries starting from £22,000 per annum

As part of a UK-wide ground-breaking initiative between the BBC and regional publishers, we are seeking to recruit six Local Democracy Reporters based across the North West initially for a two year period.

About the Scheme:

This unique scheme is designed to increase coverage and scrutiny of local authorities across the UK. Funded by the BBC and run by media publishers, the reporters will offer in-depth coverage of our local authorities. The key aim will be to ensure deep scrutiny of the way our local government institutions operate, decisions they make and how they spend public money. Successful applicants will play a vital part in launching the scheme and ensuring it is a success, with the aim of expanding it in future years.

Acting as a trusted source of news and ambassador for the scheme, the successful applicant will be adept at identifying issues and stories buried in council agendas which need to be brought to the public’s attention. Reporting to the local Editor, this role offers the chance to get involved at the start of a high-profile initiative and help shape the future of the scheme.

(Anyone interested please apply before the 28th December 2017)

Title: Re: BBC and Regional Papers
Post by Burstner55 on Dec 8^th, 2017, 12:18pm

That is a pitiful salary for what, if done properly, is quite a technical and demanding role. It also points to a failure of editors/managers in the last two decades to maintain what, in the early days of local radio, was a staple diet of newsgathering but was shovelled aside to make way for skate-boarding-duck type stories. In the same way, local newspapers have withdrawn from council coverage for two reasons i. their accountants don't want reporters claiming overtime for evening council meetings and ii. local authorities have become rich sources of advertising income and proprietors don't want to upset them by criticising their decisions and accountability. Thus the great British public have been denied access to democracy....and given that for many people council tax is their largest single monthly out-going that is a shameful state of affairs and no wonder local election turnout is mostly less than 30 per cent. I just wish I were young enough to start again and shake them up. But I would happily give tuition on "milking the minutes" if they ask me! Done properly, local government stories are never boring!

Title: Re: BBC and Regional Papers
Post by Administrator on Dec 9^th, 2017, 5:20pm

The Press Gazette lists where the 150 new BBC funded "Local Democracy" reporters will be located.

Trinity Mirror, Newsquest and Johnston Press will have most of the new staff under this arrangement.

The London Evening Standard and Manx Radio will each host one reporter.

Here are the councils to be covered by the new posts.

H/T WDR.

Title: Re: BBC and Regional Papers
Post by Burstner55 on Dec 12^th, 2017, 11:17am

I see that <tradingaswdr> has tweeted some further development i.e. The BBC paid for reporter working for Worcester News will have to report to a "local editor"....who the firm is making redundant three days before Christmas! <bit.ly.2kmZ0pM>. How utterly unforeseeable. But at least the poor chap can apply to be his own subordinate!