This week in Press Gazette – Journalism Weekly: Walsh ‘humbled’ by recognition of 13-year investigation

In this week’s Press Gazette – Journalism Weekly (CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE):

1 Walsh ‘humbled’ by recognition of 13-year investigation. David Walsh was given a rapturous reception at the first British Journalism Awards on Tuesday night as he picked up the prizes for Sports Journalist of the Year and Journalist of the Year.

“This is the story I always knew was going to define my life as a journalist and I knew from a long way back I was right to go down the route I’d gone.”

3 Vice celebrates ten years in UK. Vice magazine marked the tenth anniversary of its UK launch this week.

“I think there’s a much needed role for us as an organisation that’s not bogged down in decades of bureaucracy and can actually speak to young people in an honest and interested manner.”

4 Statutory underpinning not on editors’ agenda. National newspaper editors said last night they will put in place the broad proposals of the Leveson Report – apart from the call for statutory underpinning.

“The editors of all national newspapers met yesterday and unanimously agreed to start putting in place the broad proposals – save the statutory underpinning – for the independent self-regulatory system laid out by Lord Justice Leveson."

6 Heroes of journalism celebrated at awards. A day that began with Fleet Street’s finest being summoned to Downing Street for urgent talks on the future of press regulation by the Prime Minister ended with a celebration of all that is good about modern British journalism.

“Congratulations to Press Gazette on a timely, welcome initiative. Press Gazette is one of the institutions that, yes, underpins our industry – much in vogue these days – and what you have done is very important for us all.”

8 Journalists blame Leveson for police reluctance to name Savile probe suspect. Journalists are blaming the impact of Leveson for a police refusal to confirm the identity of the latest high-profile suspect questioned in relation to the Jimmy Savile child abuse investigation.

“The Met just won’t give you any guidance. They say there’s no such thing as off-the-record anymore. A year ago you’d say, ‘would I be wrong if I wrote x’. They won’t do that now.

9 How to stay safe covering previous. Journalists sometimes phone me and say: ‘I’m covering a crown court trial, and they’ve just mentioned the bloke’s previous convictions! How can that be right?’

The best advice is: don’t risk it, especially with Dominic Grieve QC, the current Attorney General, in charge of media contempt prosecutions. He’s rather free with his summonses.

10 The term ‘living legend’ did not come close to describing Noel Botham. Noel Botham was laid to rest this week. He was the undisputed master of a school of journalism which would have given Lord Justice Leveson the vapours.

“In eulogies, the words original and legend are thrown around. But Noel really was a legend and a force of nature. His loss may be the end of an era in British publishing.”

12 Why journalism and politics should remain independent. As newspaper editors are put under pressure by David Cameron to conjure up rapidly a Leveson-like press regulator that doesn’t require legislation, there is still much confusion around what Lord Justice Leveson’s voluminous report actually means, write Index on Censorship's Kirsty Hughes.

"It is hardly new to point out that politicians care about their media image and how the press report on them, and do what they can to spin good coverage. Good coverage can help to keep them in power, impacting on what voters think and how they vote."

13 Lord Black: The industry will put its house in order – statute is not needed. Now Lord Justice Leveson told us all that he did not want his report to gather dust on a shelf. I think he need have no fears on that score – as at four volumes very few people will have a shelf big enough to take it.

"I think there are so many arguments against statute – arguments of high constitutional historical principle, and arguments of practicality – but at the end of the day one will triumph."

14 Dominic Ponsford: Awards remind us why we should be proud of journalism. From new journalist of the year Emma Slater to journalist of the year David Walsh, the first British Journalism Awards were a timely reminder that journalism is a trade we can be proud of.

"To those who hark back to a golden age of investigative journalism being in the 1970s – the heyday of Sunday Times Insight and World In Action – I think the British Journalism Awards provide evievidence that sort of work is enjoying a boom right now."

16 How to get a trainee job at… The Guardian: Show commitment to a career in journalism. Guardian Media Group no longer runs a formal trainee programme, having stopped in 2008. It does, however, occasionally take on young trainees and the paper also runs a work placement scheme. Managing editor Elisabeth Ribbans gives tips on what the she looks for in trainees and how to impress.

The key things we’d look for in a journalist are curiosity, tenacity, abundant interest in people and current affairs, a keenness to communicate and the ability to do so in a clear and compelling way.

18 Colvin honoured by colleagues at British Journalism Awards. Marie Colvin was honoured by her colleagues this week as she was awarded a special award at the inaugural British Journalism Awards.

“She wouldn’t have wanted us to be gloomy on her account tonight. She had a terrific joie de vivre and she loved awards ceremonies – especially when she won.”

19 Eyeballs: The best bits. Private Eye has combined its Commentatorballs and Dumb Britain section into a new book, Eyeballs. We’ve got 5 copies of 2012 Annual and Eyeballs to give away – visited our Facebook page to be in witha chance of winning.

“There was literally two heads on me, I had literally two heads…”

24 Axegrinder: Times, Guardian & ITN given special Leveson treatment; Leveson ensures no more Metworking; Sun reporter says no to seat in dock; Everyone’s been bad (except us).