Guardian Readers’ Editor offers advice to students

By Ricki Dewsbury

Readers champion Siobhain Butterworth believes reporters should never be afraid to admit they are wrong.

“Newspaper readers understand that journalism is a fallible thing and that truth sometimes emerges incrementally,” she told third year journalism students. “It's futile for journalists to pretend otherwise and acknowledging mistakes will gain you the respect of your readers and audiences.”

As Reader’s Editor of The Guardian newspaper she speaks from a position of authority.

Siobhain was in Preston to talk about her role which involves dealing with 25,000 letters, emails and phone calls a year. The queries touch on everything from the picture desk’s use of photographs to reporters misspelling names.

Triple check facts

Her regular weekly column, which she says is free from editorial or management censorship, appears in print and online. Siobhain says she double checks, sometimes triple checks facts – and so should student journalists.

The former lawyer took over from Guardian veteran Ian Mayes just over a year ago and is one of only three readers’ editors in the national press. One of the others is UCLan journalism lecturer Michael Williams of the Independent on Sunday.

Siobhian was the latest industry expert lined up by senior lecturer Delwyn Swingewood for student taking the journalism ethics module. Third year broadcast student Katey Meaney said: “The lecture was really interesting – definitely my favourite so far.”

Third year print student Dimitri Pesin said: “It was a nice insight into a part of a national newspaper. I’m looking forward to reading Siobhain’s next column.”

More info
BA (Hons)Journalism
The Guardian

Related news
Award winning reporter teams up with third year students

Extra and related information

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.