By Sarah Hayhurst
THIS morning Sarah Edmonds, General Manager for Editorial UK, Ireland and Nordics, Thomson Reuters took to the floor to discuss editorial collaboration and global voices.
She stated how “proud and privileged “she felt to be there. Adding not only is she an “avid reader, but a devout fan” of the Big Issue UK.
After a brief introduction she led on to how leaner returns on the magazines due to the recession are decreasing advertising revenue. Since the peak in 2000 there has been a 30% fall, with global circulation falling for the first time last year.
This has led to papers finding it harder to cover the basics as they have little or no resources to spare. But, as Sarah said INSP must find these resources to “give a voice to the voiceless”.
INSP has a global reach and collaboration, with articles being translated into over 24 languages, which precious few media outlets can do.
INSP is in an enviable position, with its mission not to secure profit for its self but to secure profits for the less fortunate; it can make a change with its educated, socially aware and usually well off readers.
Sarah ended on the point: “ethical practices should be part of the DNA of any organisations”. As the media becomes more strictly regulated INSP has the make-up that can bring their “readers into the fight for change”.
This speech was followed by Danielle Batist, Street News Service Editor giving a short review on what the SNS has achieved in the past few years.
Carrying on from Sarah’s idea of the INSP being in an invaluable position, she said: “We are indeed powerful, with 5-7 million readers each publication and 100 million readers a year from so many different directions.”
Prince William, who in December wrote an opinion article for INSP, stated: “Street newspapers inspire me.” His article was the most republished in the story of SNS and the ultimate example of SNS can reach prominent people and organisations around the world.
