We have recruited a new community reporter as part of the latest phase of a national journalism project aimed at strengthening local journalism.
National training body the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) has welcomed six trainee community reporters in the latest stage of the Community News Project (CNP), a major initiative to improve newsroom diversity across the UK.
Grace Price, pictured, will join our news team for the Monmouthshire Beacon as part of the project.
The selection process was highly competitive, with over 500 applications received for the six available positions. This followed an extensive marketing campaign involving around 250 titles from 18 large, medium and smaller independent publishers previously involved in the project.
Applicants were shortlisted and interviewed by the NCTJ, and final interviews and appointments made in partnership with the publishers.
The trainee reporters have been employed by publishers on two-year contracts and will train for their NCTJ Diploma in Journalism while working in their respective communities. They will be mentored by former CNP reporters currently working as senior journalists.
New talent
Day-release training will be provided by Darlington College and trainees working in England will be registered as apprentice journalists.
News UK has opened its apprenticeship levy fund to pay the training costs of small publishers involved in the programme.
The new recruits are:
- Jennifer Cartwright, Yorkshire Evening Post
- Evie Flynn, Southwark News
- Emily Gray, Newcastle Chronicle
- Dorota Lukasik, Kent Messenger
- Grace Price, Monmouthshire Beacon
- Safiyyah Tayyeb, Lancashire Telegraph
This marks a key milestone for the CNP as it enters a new phase following Meta’s decision not to renew its funding.
To continue this important work, the NCTJ has designated £450,000 from its charitable reserves to establish the Community Reporting Fund (CRF), with plans to secure additional funding from external partners in the coming years.
Each publisher has been awarded a grant of up to £65,000 from the NCTJ to contribute to the costs of funding a traineeship.
The new recruits meet one or more diversity criteria agreed at the project’s outset and will play a crucial role in enhancing local news coverage, strengthening community engagement, and bringing fresh perspectives to the industry.
Valuable experience
Some of the new recruits have shared their excitement about their new roles.
Grace Price, who is joining the Monmouthshire Beacon, said: “‘Being a part of the Community News Project will enable me to gain valuable experience as a trainee community reporter, enabling me to connect with and amplify the voices of the community.
“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn and grow, eager to contribute meaningful stories whilst developing my skills and gaining new insights along the way.’’
Evie Flynn, recruited by Southwark News, said: “I am super excited to begin my career in journalism at Southwark News and study for my NCTJ. I applied to the CNP because it’s an incredible opportunity to overcome some of the barriers journalism has as an industry. It puts community stories at the centre of reporting, which is so important especially in large cities.
“I’m really looking forward to making a meaningful impact and building strong relationships within my local community as part of this project.”
Emily Gray, working at the Newcastle Chronicle, said: “When the CNP opportunity came about I was excited to get involved in a role I feel passionate for.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the other community reporters, starting training and especially giving shorthand a try! As the MOBO awards head to Newcastle for the first time this February, I’m already enjoying getting stuck in chatting to local organisations on the importance of community inclusion.”
Publisher support
Joanne Forbes, chief executive at the NCTJ, said: “It’s fantastic to see these six new reporters joining the legacy of the Community News Project, gaining hands-on experience while working towards the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Their appointments mark an exciting new phase of the programme.
“We are proud of the project’s impact so far and, with the support of the publishers, we remain committed to sustaining this vital work, enhancing local journalism, and improving newsroom diversity.
“However, securing additional funding partners is crucial to ensuring its long-term future. That’s why we are calling on government and others to join us in supporting the next generation of journalists.”
Toby Granville, the editorial development director at Newsquest said: “I am thrilled that the NCTJ has successfully revived the CNP as it was highly effective in attracting journalists from diverse backgrounds into our industry.
“It is essential for us to have more inclusive reporting, and I am hopeful that, along with the NCTJ’s support, additional investment from other stakeholders will contribute to the future success of the scheme.”
- Click here to find out more about contributing to the Community Reporting Fund.