In wanting to start my own news source?

[Valerrie]

I'm a teacher by profession but I'm not working at the moment for various reasons. I have time on my hands and need something I can do from home.

I'd like to set up an online news source for my local area. We have a local newspaper but it's selective in what it reports on and I'd like to do more positive community news and events rather than shocking and negative big stories. I think this would appeal to the local people.

Are there any rules of journalism? Can I literally just set up a Facebook page and Twitter and start posting news? Am I allowed to interview people, take photos etc? What can and can't I post about or am I free to post anything?

Also, am I allowed to approach companies or police etc for comments? Do I need a qualification to do that?

It would be completely non moneymaking too. I'm not looking to make a penny, I just thought it would keep me occupied as I like writing and want to become involved a bit more in the community, in a positive way.

I really, really don't want to undermine any actual journalists as I realise I am not one and it would be more of a hobby. I also know I have no experience whatsoever and journalists have tons of training and experience. I'm not expecting to be paid for anything, I just want to help the locals promote charity events and get their news out there.

Am I being an idiot in thinking this could work?

You can set up pages, I would be surprised if you get quotes from the police though. You will probably find there are online pages for your area already.

How would you find the news to report on it, what would your sources be?

Get a copy of this and get suitable insurance.

The only online pages for my area are the one linked to the actual newspaper and a "Spotted" group which mainly posts about lost phones and the "pretty girl in the shop"

The police thing is just speculation. I was just wondering how actual journalists get their information. Do they just call and say they're a journo or do they need to show some sort of proof?

My sources would be heavily reliant on trawling Twitter for people posting about things with local key words, then asking for more information or interviews. I was thinking that as more people share and follow, they'd contribute ideas. It's a Welsh rural community and people generally have a lot to say

There's lots of shortish training about. But yes a press card would be useful, if you want to cover local events properly.

It depends what you're intended scope is.

Thank you @Battleax that's brilliant.

What would I need insurance for? Thanks

Your.

To cover you for legal actions mainly, I'd guess, if you're tiny and covering local goings on.

There was some starter kit type stuff for youth journalism projects around somewhere. If I find it I'll PM it to you. It would be applicable to all start up projects.

That's fantastic, thank you so much!

I've just been googling and there seem to be a lot of online courses too, even one with the BBC, so I'll sign up for some of those.

I can write academically but have never written in a press release style, so will need to look into that side of things too.

Journalists don’t write ‘press release style’. They aim to do the opposite

Cardiff Uni have a good source of information for community news providers Here

It would be a good idea to look at some of the better hyperlocal sites to see what they’re doing well. BlogPreston is good as well as South Leeds Life.

Bear in mind whatever you do you will be heavily, heavily criticised by the people who read your stuff. It’s hard to read that criticism, especially if you’re not getting paid for it.

And as Battleax said, get insurance. Libel is a real threat.

Journalism is one of those thing that everyone thinks they can do, but few actually can.

News sense cannot be taught. Many "citizen journalists" write in an overly convoluted sense instead if getting to the point.
There are also laws that must be adhered to.
It's a lot more than simply trawling social media.

I love the fact that one can simply wake up one day and decide to be a journalist because they have time on their hands.

The profession has changed significantly in the last ten years. A wee bit of training is still useful though.

How would you feel if someone said they fancied being a teacher because they were bored? You’d probably laugh and say do some proper research and training.

Thanks both!

I'm under no illusion that I can just start doing it, or even that I'll be able to write well at all. It's completely different to what I'm used to and I'm sure it's mostly talent and natural aptitude.

I'm just inspired to do it because honestly, our local journalists are awful. They make me want to get my red pen out! Local reports are disjointed and hard to read.

Again though, I don't want to do proper "stories" as such but rather informing people about charity events, positive community efforts, achievements of local groups etc.

Perhaps more of a community newsletter type thing.

How would you feel if someone said they fancied being a teacher because they were bored? You’d probably laugh and say do some proper research and training

Absolutely! I've already said I really don't want to undermine the profession as I know it takes skill, dedication and talent. I don't just want to wake up and be a journalist, perhaps journalist is the wrong word to use. I just want to share local news and events in a positive way and boost the community, not full on reporting on everything that breaks.

I will definitely start enrolling on a few courses though, I'd like to learn more, even if I don't decide to go ahead with anything.

We have a local "Community" page and it's very well-used for both news and other events. It's run through Facebook, which sounds like it could be perfect for your needs.

The community FB page covers things like local roadworks and diversions, what shops are opening/closing down, lost cats/dogs, recently they put up pictures of the Remembrance day parade, links to other items of news locally etc etc etc.

Well done Valerrie, I think it sounds great and good on you. Bet you'll end up with a loyal following! Agree Facebook or instagram are probably the easiest way to get a following without any printing or distribution costs.

I think you are setting yourself up for a fall by not getting formal training/advice on these questions. You could massively expose yourself if you take an amateur approach

Your local journalists won’t be awful, they will be overworked, underpaid and totally demoralised.

That's more like what I want to do Poppy, thank you! Thanks Turkey :)

Expose myself to what, Happy? I will definitely look into formal training.

Fairfax - really? Is it that bad at the moment? How awful

Have a look at hold the front page to see how many are amalgamating editions and cutting staff.
Seven years ago Edinburgh had separate staffs for The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News. Now they have a single, smaller staff working on the three and have moved to the office out of the city centre.
Across the water in Fife and three papers from the same group are now sharing an office and no longer have their own photographer.
Some local papers have the editor doing page layout (a job normally done by sub editors) and proofreaders are a defunct job (used to be en extra later after journalists, News desk and subs)
Staff photographers are rare and even the Nationals are relying on freelancers, news agencies and stories lifted from local papers.
Fewer staff are still expected to fill the same number of pages.
And despite many journalists having a degree level education, many only make an average wage. Some less.

Exactly what Fairfax said. For reference, I have 14years of experience in local journalism. I’m well-regarded (multi award-winnng) and diligent. I have a degree, a PGDip in print journalism and all the relevant industry quals (NCTJ and NCE as they were then).i earn 26k per year and in the past six years have gone from covering an area along with 16 other reporters, a features desk, subs bench, photography department and many, many support staff to doing the whole shebang with three reporters.

So please don’t start publicly saying that your local journalists are awful. They’re doing their best. Try to get along with them. You may we’ll be seeing a lot of the .

May well

I had no idea, that's terribly sad. Is that due to lack of newspaper sales because of the internet?

I do apologise. I was thinking about the grammar but I didn't realise how much pressure they are under and they don't have proofreaders any more. I've met our main local journalist a couple of times and he's a lovely person.

You’re rich Janice!
I know of one agency paying £12k to new grads and expecting 8-6 out of them - that works out at less than minimum wage but still with all the legal responsibilities. Less hassle (and more money with overtime) stacking shelves.

How is that even legal?!

So many teachers have left for the same reason. 16 hour days and not much thanks. I know a few who work in retail now and are much happier.

Sales and consequently advertising. People want the news for free, so no one has worked out how to make money from online. Producing quality content costs money.

People think they are enlightened if they don’t read “MSM” (cos they “only print lies” and are “Tory rags”).
North of the border there are folk who think Wings over Scotland is a legitimate, unbiased news source.