Category Archives: Journalism

BBC v Local Papers – Oh no, not again…

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Russell Merryman

Sometimes it’s difficult to underestimate the sheer nerve of people – where I come from in Yorkshire it’s known as having a brass neck. The latest award for sheer brass neck must go to the local newspaper publishers who’ve reacted … Continue reading →

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Who is winning the social media war over Gaza?

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Russell Merryman

We’ve seen a lot of conjecture in the press recently about who is winning the social media war over the current conflict in Gaza, while some commentators such as Con Coughlin in The Daily Telegraph, Paul Mason of Channel Four News and Colin Daileda on Mashable are … Continue reading →

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It’s a chill wind… even in Egypt

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Russell Merryman

The decision by a court in Egypt to jail three Al Jazeera journalists for allegedly supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and false reporting has provoked outrage from around the world, with thousands of journalists holding a vigil this morning to mark the … Continue reading →

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A funny thing happened on the way to the Referendum…

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Russell Merryman

So, the Scottish referendum debate and the release of the SNP’s white paper on why an independent Scotland would be a good idea dominated the broadcast news bulletins morning, noon and night yesterday; the 648-page snooze-fest was pounced on and … Continue reading →

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May defends ‘local’ papers

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Russell Merryman

Another Tory MP fired a shot across the BBC’s bows at the Society of Editors conference this week, claiming that the corporation’s online activities are undermining local newspapers. Theresa May said that the BBC’s claims that they were opening up … Continue reading →

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A modern day Tom Paine?

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Russell Merryman

As our first year students have been getting to grip with the intricacies of Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine and their various interpretations of power and the people after the French Revolution, the last week has seen modern day versions … Continue reading →

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Looking back to look ahead

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Russell Merryman

Interesting project underway in the US where the questions of how we came to be where we are in journalism are now being examined with the benefit of hindsight. According to CNN, a trio of leading digerati are publishing an … Continue reading →

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Bucking the trend

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Russell Merryman

As newspapers across America struggle for readership, advertisers and income, one title is, according to its owners, thriving. The Orange County Register (OCR) in California has fought back against the decline in American journalism by… wait for it… hiring more journalists, … Continue reading →

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Snow Fall fall-out

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Russell Merryman

I make no apologies for my admiration of Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek, a detailed interactive, multimedia documentary put together by The New York Times; others agree and it has won a Webby award and a Pulitzer prize. Every … Continue reading →

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The accuracy of breaking news

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Russell Merryman

A new post on the Poynter Institute‘s site examines the way in which the mainstream media are still making mistakes during their coverage of major breaking news stories (in the light of the Boston Marathon bombings), and how social media … Continue reading →

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