At reception, my point of contact - the News Editor - is unavailable. Not surprising as I'm 20 minutes early and it's lunchtime. The receptionist asks if I'm there for a freelance shift. Of course I am.
One of the Picture editors comes and collects me, and sits me down in front of a computer. Given that it's my first time in a national newsroom, I'm a little starry eyed, trying to take in the atmosphere and intimidation as well as the excitement. I read the news for half an hour before the News Editor turns up with the Editor - who shakes me hand. Intimidation increases. I'm shown how to use Wordwing and the rest of the system.
Since it's the start of the week, my first brief is to just look through the news and try and find something of note. Everybody complains about the weather, which to be fair is awful. Recommendations for where to find news seem to revolve around Google far more than the wires, although given that I'd never previously had the chance to access them I spend most of my time going through the copy of the regional news agencies, as well as the big guns. Some of the stuff is very raw.
I quickly discern that I'll be expected to contribute something to the paper and that I should be writing soon, if not sooner. I feel very trusted, and very excited. It occurs to me that he might think I'm more experienced then I am, in spite of the fact he did see my CV. I gave him a couple of my ideas, and I was encouraged to see what I could do to pursue them.
I type up an outline on a piece on child abuse, clearly with little idea of what it is that he wants me to produce. After sending him an early draft, we discuss the legal implications of the story, and agree that it's best to avoid. I make a note to read some McNae's when I get home. I concentrate on a softer piece, much to the dismay of my ego.
The people in the newsroom seem to snack a lot, although very few like the canteen ("I'd rather eat poison"). Also by far and away people are white and middle aged, and also mainly middle class.
I'm left to my own devices largely, which was quite gratifying, although my production level is not what I wanted it to be. I need to be more proactive. And bring headphones. And food. And use the phone.
I note my quote of the day after overhearing it in someone else's conversation:
"Sometimes you just have to start a war with the Mail"
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Day 2 - 1000-1900
After being collected from reception I'm told to get a pass so that I can come and go more freely.
More people are turn up today and the place seems busier. I read the news websites and wires, meet a few more people and feel a little more relaxed.
I speak to the health correspondent. She asks me to help her find some expenses stories on NHS Trusts.
I spend nearly all day going through the Annual Reports for Foundation Trusts. It took me a couple of hours to really get the hang of what I was doing. I was forced into using the phone much more, and quickly realised just how important an instrument it is for sourcing stories.
I overhear a guy sitting across from me on the phone dealing with a source clearly emotionally traumatised. He deals with it very capably and just about gets what he wants. I was very impressed, and told him as much afterward. He then makes me tea. Also very capably.
After having what I consider to be a very unproductive day, I give yesterday's softer story another hour before I leave. I didn't get a lot done myself, but feel that just watching everyone else go about their jobs has taught me much.
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Day 3 - 1000-1930
I bring in biscuits to the office in a very transparent attempt to increase my popularity. It goes down well, although it's a relatively hollow victory.
The morning further affirms the importance of contacts for journos. Everyone is calling this or that person they know. I feel a little feeble for knowing few people, but try to put that in perspective whilst noting the need to get a little black book and make more of an attempt to get phone numbers.
I find a few interesting stories on the wires, but the News Ed seems stressed and busy. I'm wary of approaching him after he stopped me from reading the Mail on the News desk this morning.
The relationship between nationals and news agencies has more light shed on it as I converse with one of the guys as to how he got particular info on a story. News Ed explains how to approach possible stories: "News desks are macho - lesbians and mid-air romps are perfect. If it's salacious, it's news."
Turns out the reporters are highly frustrated. Editorial team lacks vision and nous, not to mention commitment to stories produced by staff. Morale consequently suffers. Often news will just be regurgitated from elsewhere, even at the expense of stories worked on all week. Proprietor involves himself without "involving" himself. News desk is underfunded and understaffed. The paper wants to compete but doesn't want to pay for it.
Further conversations and advice reveal that much of what Nick Davies writes is true about so called 'churnalism' in contemporary newsrooms. But what can the reporters do with so few resources?
I seem to be doing ok, and a couple of the guys have taken a shine to me, inviting me out for lunch. I'm enjoying it.
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Day 4 - 1000-1730
Begin by reading the news as usual. I notice at least 2 stories on the website of another paper that I mentioned to the News Ed yesterday when I saw them on the wires. He dismissed them. Obviously it's different for a Sunday paper, but I still feel a little smug though I say nothing.
I continue on the NHS expenses story, but get bogged down in figures. I'm beginning to doubt the legs on the story as the info we do have seems quite explainable. My writing is too wordy and I get some help making it simpler. I call around for quotes and press office people seem to get a little aggressive, which is to be expected given what I'm suggesting to them about their Trust Board expenses.
News Ed seems angry after conference. Turns out they're only putting in 43 pages of news instead of the usual 48-50. At lunch some of the guys complain about spending all week on a story only to have it shunted out by wire copy on Saturday.
I learn my NHS story is unsurprisingly going to be bumped, though the health correspondent assures me it'll be in next week and asks me to come in then. News Ed agrees that I can come in next week. I feel a little deflated as I'm almost certain I'll get no by-line, but I'm aware that I shouldn't be angry - it's the nature of the business. And I've learnt a lot. News Ed tells me to go at 5.30 and to come in the next day at 9 so I can attend the morning's editorial conference. I leave smiling.
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Day 5 - 0900-1745
I turn up earlier after the promise of the conference. I fiddle around with news until then. Conference is very interesting and seemingly very efficient. The power structure of the newsroom becomes more obviously apparent, as does the authority of each individual.
After sitting down and then pondering what to do next, the Editor asks me to pop out and get a coffee, which is surprisingly the first time I've had to do this. I hurriedly thank him for letting me come in for the week and he tells me it's no problem before mentioning that we might have a chat later.
Upon returning, News Ed gives me some wire copy to rewrite, to try and help me get a by-line. A feeble attempt results in me asking one of the freelancers to give me some pointers (as well as Googling 'how to rewrite copy'). He sexes up the first lines of an otherwise very boring story in a way that just would not have occurred to me. I try and piece together the remaining 7 paragraphs and Wing it to News Ed.
Messenger hasn't turned up so I'm entrusted with photocopying and distributing pages to each of the Eds as well as the subs and the lawyer, before sticking them in The Book. It becomes apparent that I won't get a by-line, despite the best efforts of the News Ed. Disappointing, but predictable, I watch for another hour as the paper comes together. I browse the archives and find the front page from Feb 1998 with my mother on the front.
At 5.30 we leave for the pub. Hacks are supposedly notorious for drinking, according to what many people have told me, and by midnight I can see why. I get some informal feedback and in turn try to explain how I found the week, what I thought and what I learnt. In the process someone takes a photo of me standing in front of News Ed with my notebook open, looking like I'm interviewing him (which I hope will eventually crop up again, though I don't get my hands on it). I get a lot of sage advice as to how one should go about procuring news stories, as well as some insight into the thinking of tabloid reporters, not to mention a few phone numbers. After pint number 8 (I tried my best) I make my excuses, thank each one of them as sincerely and soberly as I can, before leaving.
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Epilogue
On reflection, I enjoyed the week tremendously; I learnt a huge amount through active participation as opposed to observation alone. I was treated very well and doubtless made some contacts that will be very useful in the future.
Having seen the endeavour and listened to the thoughts and stories of those I was working with, I'm not entirely sure that tabloid news reporting is an avenue I wish to pursue to the same extent as those I was working with. The story I was working on most of the week - NHS Trust Board expenses - was one I found hugely frustrating, and whilst I was initially overawed to be in the newsroom of a national newspaper, the novelty quickly wore off.
There was much frustration and many limitations placed on the news desk. Inevitably this will be something I will have to cope with, but I have designs on something larger in scale. Certainly though this was step forward.
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