Johnston Press puts journalists into ‘units’ working across multiple newspaper titles

Johnston Press is reportedly piloting a new scheme in which journalists work across numerous newspapers.

Journalists working in its Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire offices have been affected by the changes, according to Holdthefrontpage.

Under the pilot scheme, staff are divided into three “units” to work across around 11 weekly newspapers, the website reports.

Holdthefrontpage also reports that there will be a central unit covering entertainment, community news, advertising features and sport working across all titles.

The titles impacted will be, it reports: the Derbyshire Times, Matlock Mercury, Buxton Advertiser, Ripley and Heanor News, Belper News, Eastwood and Kimberley Advertister, Ilkeston Advertiser, Chad Guardian, Worksop Guardian and Hucknall Despatch.

Derbyshire Times editor Graeme Huston is reportedly overseeing the pilot, which is expected to last around six weeks.

Johnston Press has not responded to Press Gazette’s request for a comment, but a spokeswoman told Holdthefrontpage: “We have launched a pilot project in one area of the north Midlands, led by our editorial teams, which aims to transform the way we gather and disseminate news and information across multiple platforms.

“We are looking at ways of allowing our news teams to focus on specific areas of content and improving our reader experience.

“The pilot is a work in progress and as such we can’t – at this stage – comment on the specifics of the scheme, although do anticipate it will allow our news teams to fully embrace their community relationships whilst providing a 24/7 news and information service.”

Topics in this article : Johnston Press