The editorial director of Archant Norfolk, James Foster, is leaving the company just weeks after overseeing the launch of its new citizen journalism platform.
Foster is leaving to study for a business degree at the University of East Anglia and to ‘pursue other interests in the media”.
The news comes weeks after Foster, a former editor of the Norwich Evening News, rolled out iwitness24, a new platform that allows readers to upload pictures and copy direct to newsdesks across Archant’s portfolio.
Last May NUJ members passed a vote of no confidence in Foster and threatened the company with industrial action after the company announced plans to make 18 editorial redundancies at Archant Norfolk
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In an email to staff, the managing director of Archant Anglia, Johnny Hustler said: ‘James has made a huge contribution over the four years he has been here, most notably by playing a pivotal role in the introduction of our new CMS system, which is now embedded across Archant.
‘More recently James has pioneered the introduction of I-witness 24, which has already grabbed the imagination of our staff and the general public across our markets.
‘As part of this process James pushed hard for all our reporters to be equipped with up to date mobile technology – and only last week the EDP led with a front page picture of a robbery in King’s Lynn taken on an iphone.
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‘James also took a great interest in our weekly titles, and over recent months has substantially upgraded their look and quality.
‘Since I came into this new Anglia post last spring, James has given me a huge amount of help and I will miss his company, his clever insight and his advice. I am sure all colleagues will join with me in wishing him great success in his new situation.”
Press Gazette understands that the editorial director position is not going to be replaced.
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