Simon Kelner launches Journalism Society

By Jill Robinson

Tales of how toothpaste inspired a newspaper revolution entertained journalism students in Preston on February 8 as Simon Kelner became their patron.
 
Mr Kelner, editor in chief of The Independent, learned his journalism at the former Preston Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire. He is patron of the newly formed Journalism Society, representing 530 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

He commented on how good it was to be back in Preston as he met the societyís committee members and Department of Journalism staff, adding: "Itís great to see how much the journalism department has taken off since I was last here. A great seat of learning has developed immensely."

After a welcome from society chairperson Kelly Sage he talked about his achievements to the audience of 150 students. He said: "To be an editor of a broadsheet and not to have gone to Oxford or Cambridge was practically unheard of."

Under his control The Independent has won nearly every award going over the past year and has increased circulation by 20%, which is unprecedented.

Key factors

He went on to describe the key factors that make up a good journalist: "Desire, hunger and instinct, thatís what I look for in a journalist and itís very hard to find. These three things are just as important as your education and academic knowledge."

He told the students it was important for a journalist to keep in touch with their public, and that Independent readers had indicated that a change in the shape of the newspaper would be welcome.

"People wanted the same information from us but in a tabloid format, the question was just how we could do it," he said.

The answer came to him in a supermarket: "As I was looking at all the different shapes and sizes of toothpaste, I realised that newspapers are the only consumer product that doesnít offer a choice. Thatís when the penny dropped and the idea for the same edition to come out in two different sizes was created."

Mr Kelner went on to answer a number of questions from the students before thanking the society for making him patron: "Iím very proud and honoured to be asked, journalism has been a fantastic career to me and I hope it is to all of you. I look forward to seeing how the society develops."

More info:
Journalism Society webpage >

Related stories from UKJournalism:
Journalism Society recruit Simon Kelner >
Students form Journalism Society >

See also:
The Independent website >

Extra and related information

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