Before becoming the Newspaper Licensing Agency’s MD I worked with the Telegraph Group, launching its first website, the Electronic Telegraph. It was the beginning of the rapid shift in publisher demand for young, tech savvy journalists who could adapt to the frenetic pace of the online news cycle and create news for a variety of media formats.
So I am very aware that encouraging young new talent is vital to the future of the newspaper industry. 20 years on, competition for entry level positions is fiercer than ever in the digital age, as a squeeze on publisher revenue impacts their businesses.
There are plenty of fledgling journalists out there seeking to carve out a career. But the tough economic times mean that even if they have the raw talent many cannot afford to work for free, or to gather the education and experience necessary to make it in the industry.
That’s why publishers support the NLA to use some of the money raised from its licenses to support the Journalism Diversity fund. Back in September last year, we announced another £100k grant to the JDF to help aspiring journalists, bringing our total contribution to £800,000 since the fund launched in 2005.
This money is now being put to good use in paying tuition fees and living costs for aspiring journalists. I am delighted to report that the JDF has just announced a paid internship scheme which will provide recipients with a 1-3 month work experience placement at a regional newspaper in order to gain hands-on experience within the industry.
This really steps up JDF support for young people from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to get on the first rung of the ladder for a career in journalism. Diversity Fund bursary recipients will now be able to put college theory into practice, build their CVs – and have an opportunity to impress a regional newspaper editor! This scheme will help provide the industry with highly trained, diverse graduates who will reflect the communities which they serve.
It is great to see the NLA’s donations put to such good use.
David Pugh
Managing Director, NLA
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