News360.co.uk

Hi guys,

Ok so I know your thinking "Oh god, please not another of his daft ideas!" but I beleive this one can actually work. For anyone whoe doesn't know, so thats about everyone, I wish to be a Journalist and you will probably know that Journalism is an extremley competitive career field. So I was thinking to myself, what could I do that would allow me to showcase my work. And then it came to me, I want to start a news site with no frills, no added forum that no one would use or nothing just news as it happens with regular updates. However with exams and all it would be merley impossible for me to run this all by myself. So I hope to assign "editors" or "correspondents" if you wish. So my question to you is.. please can you help? I am looking for anyone with specialist knowledge on any subject from Politics to the British Monarchy. If you think you'd like to be involved then please let me know either via this thread or by PM. I am also looking for name suggestions so leave those here also.

I hope this will be an intresting and exciting project that many of you can get involved with.

Cheers,

Jonnie

I had a similar idea a year or two ago, but decided it probably wouldn't work.

You're either going to have a site full of big interesting news that's mostly going to be recycled from other sources... therefore what exactly would be the point?

Or you're going to stick to real journalism where the journalists come up with their own stories, and while potentially it would be a showcase of talent, there's probably not going to be much interesting to read.

It's a nice idea, and I think Steve Naylor (one of the forum's long serving members) actually put it into action - youngjournalists.co.uk was the address I think. However, I agree with dvboy that it won't work. You'd probably be better getting some hospital radio work if you want to go into broadcasting, or newspapers if you want to go into print journalism.

Or rather than taking on the whole world, why not set up a news and information site for your local community?

Try and do something that taps into an unserved or under-served market.

Thanks for the comment. I have taken your advice on board but what newspaper is going to employ a 16 yr old still at school?

Jonnie

A Welsh one.

You have to get work experience - they won't be wanting you to write articles straight away. You have to start out at the bottom in most professions, even if that does mean making the tea for a while! Hospital radio is useful as they usually start people off as request collectors.

Yeh we have already done Work Exp at school and I, funnily enough, wrote an article and had it published in the students mag!

Jonnie

I mean more than 2 weeks, though. You must try to get some more permanent work at a proper organisation to show your commitment to what you want to do. Many people who go into journalism have extensive experience under their belts, and if you don't, you'll find it hard to compete. Of the journalists I've had dealings with, they've all said the same thing: experience counts more than academics.

Yeah, I had never really thought of that but I suppose someone may agree to take me on weekends. My firends dad is editor of the Daily Record (Scottish Newspaper) so I've e-mailed seeing if they could offer me anything there.

Please forgive me for being ignorant but I really like this idea. I know it is a long shot but it's something I'd love to do. If it dies on its feet you can say "I told you so!"

Cheers,

Jonnie

Yes, it is a good idea. Perhaps follow Londoner's advice and do it locally, rather than nationally or internationally. That way, you're not biting off more than you can chew.

Well thats another idea. We get different people to cover different topics
so I could do local news or another topic making it less work. So I've got quite a few mates interested if anyone else would like to help then we'd be more than happy to have you and if you can suggest any names that'd be great too!

Cheers,

Jonnie