Becoming a member of the UK Press

Hi guys!

I know this is a little off topic - but as you will possibly know I am starting a new site dedicated to all media news, covering a wide range of topics from music and films to the latest digital tv technonlogy. In order for us to provide the best news possible, it would be great if we could become members of the UK Press. Does anyone know how we'd go about this and if so how?

Cheers,

Jonnie

EDIT: I am dreadfully sorry for my punctuation error. I was not aware that I was conforming to English dictionary standard!

NJU whats that?

Approach your local NUJ Chapel and they'll explain all about spelling, proof checking and accuracy.

Once you've joined, you'll get an NUJ card and you'll be an official member (with an m).

The NUJ is the National Union of Journalists.

To be honest though I'm not completely sure that being an NUJ member would help you in any way at the moment.

One of the great things about journalism is that most people can have a go at it and in that respect, joining the NUJ or BECTU won't transform you into an industry insider.

Most people in the industry will be happy to help you out if they like what you are doing, caring little if you are a card carrying member or not.

So if you want to interview someone, be courteous and polite, explain who you are and what you are doing and then ask your questions....

Hey Presto! you've joined the club!

Thanks. But I was meaning how do I manage to get access to Press sites? Bit useless running a news site when everyone has access to it before you do!

Jonnie

Alternatively, you could contact your local newspaper and see about setting a website in association with them. I'm sure they'll be owned by one of the big groups, (Northcliffe, Newsquest etc) and depending on the region, they are often interested in ideas for new ways of revenue.

You usually need to be a trained or training journalist to join the NUJ, BAJ or IOJ. (or, if not, earn your living primarily from journalism)

The industry standard training course is run by the NCT J (National Council for Training Journalists) and you can qualify for their industry proficiency certificate by doing a one-year post graduate diploma or an 'on the job' three-year programme of block release (combined with working in journalism).

Although it's true that 'anyone can have a go at a bit of writing' it won't make you a journalist (just as 'doing a few sums now and then' won't make you an accountant).

If you are running a news site, you might want to go about getting your news in the same way that journalists do ... through research, interviews, bulding up industry contacts, registering for press releases from the PR depts of relevant firms, etc, etc.

You do also need 'additional members' to help because it would be impossible to monitor every site and read every release sent out. You can't watch the latest details of kidnaps in Iraq while also looking at a derailment of a train in central london, for example.

If I'm also correct in thinking agencies like Reuters run a service where you pay to get access to their reports and images etc?

It's an entertianment site btw!

Jonnie:D

How would one go about getting access to image sites such as Visual Media, Big Pictures etc?

By paying an awful lot of money!!!