ANY self-respecting journalist will shudder at the prospect of getting a terse ‘no comment’ from the subject of their latest exclusive. It’s bad for the reporter (s/he looks easily fobbed off); bad for the story (it looks unbalanced); and bad for the subject (s/he/it looks like they have something to hide). Our advice to any [...]

LOCAL newspapers have become amongst the first victims of the global recession with major job losses, pay freezes and closures announced. Some commmentators are already predicting that the future for local papers is bleak, almost terminal, as they are hit both by the economic downturn and the march of the internet. Editorial quality is always one of [...]

Did Barack Obama snub wounded troops in hospital because he he couldn’t take the press with him for a photo opportunity?

RADIO 4′s Today programme has been broadcasting a new series of special reports on the care of elderly people. This morning’s report provided a powerful reminder of exactly why the BBC is still the best public service broadcaster in the world. Reporter John Manel told how he had enlisted a 70-year-old woman to go ‘undercover’ [...]

[Please download Flash Player to view this video] A FASCINATING experiment in using digital communications to engage with readers was carried out today by one of the North West’s leading daily newspapers. The Liverpool Daily Post used the internet to break new ground and reach out to its readers by becoming the subject of its [...]

A SURVEY from America may give us an insight into the future shape of communications here in Britain. Despite prophets of doom forecasting that the days of the traditional media are dead – or at least rapidly dying – are US cousins appear more optimistic. Almost two thirds of the 1200-plus American journalists surveyed by [...]

How-Do, the North West web site for the media industry, features Sound Communication founder Matt Finnegan as guest editor. Matt takes a look at changes at Granada TV, the death of Greater Manchester Chief Constable Mike Todd, Peel’s plans for MediaCity:UK in Salford and the rise and rise of citizen journalism. Click here to read [...]

MEET the Sound Communication team: Matthew Finnegan – former Director of Communications for Liverpool between 1999-2006, Matt was part of the team which helped win the Capital of Culture title for the city. A respected journalist in the North West for 20 years – 15 at the Guardian & Manchester Evening News – he is [...]

THE modern media is obsessed with celebrity, sensation, cutting costs and increasing advertising revenue. Getting your story in the papers, on radio and TV is more difficult than ever before. But media coverage can make a huge difference to morale, teamwork, profit and loss. It can affect how you are viewed by potential funders, customers, [...]

A LOT of nonsense is talked about ’spin’ and so-called ’spin doctors’. But now, thanks to the beloved Guardian, you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Step Inside the Spin Room at the New Hampshire primary in America, earlier this year. It was the development of these ’spin rooms’ in US [...]