Until recently, Ken worked as a journalist for the Glasgow Herald compiling the Diary.
This is a five days a week Diary column distilled amusing input
from Herald newspaper readers.
It looks for funny moments and overheard comments in the
office, pub or train and even includes occasional smiles about politics.
The Diary looks for short submissions which catch the
attention of the reader in the first paragraph. They are not works of
literature or even short stories. They could be gags or jokes that the reader
has recently observed.
Poking fun at celebrities can be acceptable, but it must be
funny rather than offensive. Ridicule over people’s religious background is not
welcomed. The accepted input tends to reflect the readership. ie more towards
the older generations.
Filling the column every working day is a struggle and the
decision on which items to include or not include, always depends on the
journalist’s idea of what is funny. (Almost impossible to define.)
Letters written to the editor of the Herald for publication
outwith the Diary, tend to be longer and more structured. They are often more
formalised versions of what might otherwise have been submitted as a comment on
an article in a previous edition of the newspaper. Sometimes these can almost
be rants against individual people or the world at large.
The world of newspapers is changing because of on-line news.
The readership is now worldwide instead of local. The advertising is not as geographically
focussed. Advertising revenue is shrinking with an obvious effect on staff.
There are now plenty statistics available on what parts of the newspaper are
being browsed, but this does not necessarily mean they are being read.
Hilary thanked Ken for a wide ranging talk and interactive
discussion.
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Next week:- Christmas
party Adjudication and readings from
both Poetry Competition and Children’s Short Story Competition.
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