How sweet Brian Williams’ reply to The Sun reporter who was offering him a deal must have sounded to the regional newspaper that had first run his story. “I’m not signing anything with you – I’m with The Evening Leader.”
Williams was on the ‘most wanted’ list of most nationals after the Wrexham paper first told of his engagement to a 17-year-old girl – and then syndicated the story. His loyalty to his regional paper, despite not being paid, is heartwarming.
How sweet too the cheque must have felt, that was handed to the paper’s journalist and photographer who got the scoop in the first place.
Related
That’s because The Evening Leader’s new syndication scheme has been set up to benefit its own staff – who take a cut of any fee the newspaper can earn by selling on its stories. The more scoops the reporters bring in, the better the paper – and the more they can earn in fees. Sounds like a win-win situation. And, like Williams’ loyalty, those are a rare commodity.
Content from our partners
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
