BBC fails to see the funny side of spoof website

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 11 August 2011 at 09:18
Tags: BBC, Journalism, New Media, Online, People

The BBC is said to be unimpressed with a spoof website which reported Gordon Brown supposedly admitting his affair with Ann Widdecombe.

The Telegraph reports that the news-bbc.net address navigated users to a page which looked identical to the BBC’s bbc.co.uk/news site.

The fake website, which had been running for two years, is also said to link to actual BBC stories. It has now been taken down by its creators.

The Telegraph reports that other celebrity stories published included one about Philip Schofield being kidnapped by a gang demanding £5 million.

The BBC said: “The website is not authorised by or connected with the BBC and we are considering our options.”

Murdoch set to duck phone-hack questions at News Corp results call

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 10 August 2011 at 10:21
Tags: Agencies, International, Journalism, Media Business, National Newspapers

Rupert Murdoch will answer questions from analysts and journalists today during a New York conference call as News Corp releases its fourth quarter results.

The Telegraph reports that analysts are likely to probe News Corp on its succession plans, corporate governance and its handling of the hacking scandal.

It reports that analysts will also push for information on the scandal rather than the company’s financial performance. (more…)

Call for NCTJ students to enter Awards for Excellence 2011

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 9 August 2011 at 11:26
Tags: Journalism, Student Journalism

The National Council for the Training of Journalists is calling journalism students to enter this year’s Awards for Excellence. (more…)

London riots local press round-up: Trusted sites work round the clock to counter Twitter ‘lies’

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 9 August 2011 at 10:15
Tags: Journalism, New Media, Newspapers, Online, People, Photography, Regional Newspapers

Following three days and nights of rioting and looting which has spread from London to Birmingham, local and regional newspaper journalists have in many cases been working around the clock to cover events.  

Newquest’s Croydon Guardian, has a series of timelines, videos, and live coverage from Croydon on its website as events unfold, as have sister papers the Enfield Independent and Haringey Independent with a dedicated London Riots 2011 section. The Croydon Advertiser has also been providing live updates throughout the night and early this morning. (more…)

Yorkshire journalist raises money for research after face operation

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 9 August 2011 at 08:03
Tags: Journalism, Newspapers, People, Regional Newspapers

Two Yorkshire Evening Post sports journalists are preparing to embark on a 25-mile challenge to raise funds for the charity British Skin Foundation.

Gary Walker, 47, and wife Wendy, 41, will trek along a section of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in September after Wendy underwent an operation to remove a tumour from her face last year.

Wendy said: “Even after going through the procedure the pathologist reports were inconclusive. I still didn’t know for sure whether it was benign or malignant.

“Consultants tell you the probabilities but as a journalist who deals in facts I found that difficult to accept.”

Wendy said that more research is needed into all types of skin diseases.

She added: “Rather than sitting around fretting, I thought I would try and do something about it.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor the Walkers can do so by logging on to: http://www.justgiving.com/Walkers3

Ofcom research shows Smartphone boost for news

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 5 August 2011 at 10:33
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, Journalism, Journalism Technology, Media Business, Mobile, New Media, Online

The number of people using smartphones to browse for news and information has more than doubled over the last year according to new Ofcom research.

Ofcom’s latest Communications Market Report states that in April 2011, 23 per cent of mobile internet users claimed to access news and information every day compared to 10 per cent a year previously. (more…)

Video: AOL launches daily personalised iPad magazine

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 4 August 2011 at 10:34
Tags: Consumer Magazines, International, Journalism, Journalism Technology, Magazines, Media Business, New Media, Online, People

AOL launched its daily Editions magazine Ipad app in the US yesterday and revealed that it has plans to launch a UK version at some point in the last quarter of this year.

Described as “the magazine that reads you”, it claims to learn readers’ interests by selecting articles based on keywords they select as they read.

Content is taken from AOL-run websites including Huffington Post, Moviefone, Patch, Engadget and Stylelist. AOL also syndicates content to Editions from sources such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Tree Hugger. (more…)

Ad agency Beta in third lifestyle website venture

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 2 August 2011 at 11:47
Tags: Journalism, New Media, Online

Advertising agency Beta has re-launched online community TopTipsForGirls.com with Tatler editor (and founder of the site) Kate Reardon.

The user-generated site is the third editorial venture by the agency this year, having already launched High50.com and DaddyBeGood.com.

Originally founded four years ago, the website offers advice to women of all ages.

Roni Dutta, former editor of iVillage, is the editor.

TopTipsForGirls.com currently claims 20,000 active users.

Killing of BBC journalist investigated by Nato

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 2 August 2011 at 09:17
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, International, Journalism, People, Television

Nato-led forces in Afghanistan are investigating the death of a BBC journalist after fears that he may have been killed by international forces.

According to the BBC, Ahmed Omed Khpulwak, 25, was one of 19 people, including 12 children, killed in attacks on a TV and radio station in Tarin Kot, in the southern province of Uruzgan last week.

The BBC reports that it has asked for an inquiry due to conflicting reports which came to light as to who had fired the fatal shots. (more…)

NYT: Phone-hacking scandal defence letter was ‘re-written’

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 1 August 2011 at 10:21
Tags: International, Journalism, Law, Media Business, National Newspapers, Newspapers

A letter written in defence against allegations of phone-hacking at the News of the World was re-written to satisfy News International, it has been claimed.

The New York Times, reports that the law firm Harbottle & Lewis produced the letter in 2007 after the firm was hired to review the emails of the tabloid’s former editor Andy Coulson and Clive Goodman, the former royal reporter jailed for phone hacking in 2007. (more…)