Headline that sings is out of tune

The Sun has always enjoyed plundering the back catalogue of pop songs for its headlines. Over the years there have been some classics, as you can see below. But today's splash was just too cryptic, even for experienced tabloid watchers. The story about the Rev Paul Flowers, the former Co-op bank chairman, dabbling with drugs and rent boys was given the headline Sorted for he's and whizz. Geddit? Probably not. Its origins lie in a song, Sorted for E's & Wizz, by Pulp which made it to No 2 in 1995. Judging by the Twitter reaction, I am not alone in thinking it doesn't work as a headline though. He's as a euphemism for young males is stretching it and the apostrophe is wrong (it's just a plural). It is needed for the headline to have any chance of being read correctly though. And the song, albeit a hit from 18 years ago, is just too obscure for most readers. Hardly surprisingly, it was changed for the Monty Python Circus reunion in later editions. It was too clever by half. Song titles do often work as tabloid headlines though, as The Sun has long proved ...  

A memorable headline on George Michael's early sexual indiscretion

A neat tribute to The Sound of Music

Mary Poppins song provides the sub with a touch of brilliance

Barry Manilow is the inspiration for the Pope's visit to Brazil



Pink Floyd's tribute to the late Syd Barrett - Shine On You Crazy Diamond - was the source of this headline about banker Bob Diamond. Clever but, perhaps, verging on the obscure again.

Great use of space ...

Here's a clever headline from the redesigned Independent on Sunday today. The Tardis Scandal: More inside. Brilliant. 

Have I Got Homophones For You ...

And so to homophones. Last night, BBC's Have I Got News For You used the most common homophone of all - lead for led. The problem is that it looks right, it sounds right and the spell check won't spot it. Newspapers, particularly those without vigilant subs, are littered with homophones. I sometimes wonder if anybody even notices. In my collection are: 

The MP climbed the greasy poll

Topless dancers stripped to the waste

John Prescott peddled his bicycle

The Pope rung his hands.

The foreign secretary received a wrap across the knuckles

There are hundreds of them but those most commonly found in copy are: 

allowed/aloud

bail/bale

berth/birth

complement/compliment

discreet/discrete

elicit/illicit

faint/feint

fair/fare

flair/flare

lightening/lightning

palate/palette/pallet

passed/past

principle/principal

sight/site

stationary/stationery

waiver/waver

And don't get me started on it's/its…

Journalists need to take care. It's a maze (not a maize) out there...

Worst juxtaposition of the week award goes to

... the Straits Times in Singapore. Although I do sometimes wonder if mischief is at play. Other dodgy relationships can be found here.
HT Jasper A. LimJasper A. Lim

Final newsquiz: Mehreen gets top prize

Farewell to the trainees: From left, Tony Johnston (head of PA Training), Oliver Duggan, Camilla Turner, Laurence Dodds, Mehreen Khan, Raz Akkoc, Greg Walton, Mike Watson (trainer) and me

The Telegraph trainees finished the first stage of their training yesterday (see previous post). We finished as always with the news quiz. Congratulations to Mehreen Khan who scored 16 out of 24. It was a remarkable performance giving her 102 points over the seven weeks, an average of 14.5 a week. She finished 17 points ahead of second placed Raz Akkoc who pipped Oliver Duggan by half a point. Mehreen was presented with a book on the history of The Telegraph. That's it with the newsquiz till February ... but no excuse for you not to read the papers. If you beat Mehreen's 16, well done. She has set a high bar. 

1. A blonde girl called Maria was discovered living with a Roma family in which Greek city?
2. According to Tesco, 68 per cent of what type of food never makes it to the plate?
3. Education minister Elizabeth Truss was under fire for misspelling a word in a tweet on literacy and numeracy. What word did she misspell? 
4. Which university's union has banned fitness classes which offered pole dancing because  they 'contribute to an atmosphere where women are viewed as sexual objects'?
5. A comedian whose characters included Sebastien the gay Yardie gangster and Aubrey Duboisson, a posh bloke from the Cotswolds, died at the weekend. Who was he?
6. A new nuclear power plant is to be built at Hinkley Point. In which county is Hinkley Point?
7. As hundreds of bush fires broke out in Australia,  a state of emergency was called in which state?
8. Rihanna was asked to leave a Grand Mosque for posing for inappropriate photographs? In which city?
9. Sally Bercow paid out £15,000 as her libel settlement over her Lord McAlpine tweet. To which charity was the money donated?
10. Which country has rejected a seat on the UN Security Council in protest over America's policy in Syria?
11. In his autobiography Alex Ferguson said of his former captain Roy Keane: 'He believed he was ______ ________.  Nobody is.' Which fictional character was he comparing Keane to?
Bonus, which journalist ghost wrote Sr Alex's book?
12. Britain's biggest petrochemical refinery in Grangemouth is under threat of closure. Which company owns the plant? 
13. Apple's chief executive unveiled the new iPad Air and the iPad mini. Who is Apple's CEO?
14. Which quiz show is being dropped by ITV after 15 years?
15. A woman died after falling 80ft in a Primark store in which city?
16. What forced the Dean Academy in the Forest of Dean to close on Wednesday?
17. The Great British Bake Off was won by 31-year-old Frances Quinn. Which is the higher number - a) the collective age of the three finalists or b) the age of judge Mary Berry? 
Bonus, next year's GBBO will be moving. To where?
18. How many Godparents did Prince George have in total?
Bonus, Prince George was dressed in a replica of the gown worn by the eldest daughter of which monarch?
19. The chief medical officer for England has advised all children should be given free vitamin C because of the fear of a return of which bone disease?
Bonus, who is the chief medical officer for England?
20. Arsenal lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday on the birthday of their manager Arsene Wenger. Which birthday was he 'celebrating'?

Answers here.

Telegraph looking for multi-media trainees

The Telegraph trainees in Victoria yesterday. From left - Mehreen Khan, Greg Walton, Raz Akkoc, Laurence Dodds, Camilla Turner and Oliver Duggan

Yesterday I said farewell to the latest Telegraph editorial trainees. After seven weeks at Press Association Training's Manor House in Howden, East Yorkshire, they finished by delivering a multi-media presentation to the paper's executives in the Telegraph's London newsroom. They are now off to placements on big regional dailies and PA before returning to the Telegraph next year. 

Meanwhile, the hunt for the next intake has begun. If you are looking for a career in journalism with the Telegraph, you have until November 28 to apply. The training starts in September with seven intensive weeks designed to equip the trainees for life in a multi-media national newsroom. The full details are here. You might also take a look at an interview with former trainee Jonathan Liew and there are some general interview pointers here. Good luck.

Chris bows out after 20 years as editor

Chris Bright, one of Britain's longest-serving editors, has announced today that he is to retire. Chris has been at the Jersey Evening Post since 1970 and editor since 1994. During that time the JEP has held on to its circulation better than almost any other daily newspaper in the country. I first met Chris, who is now 61, just after he had taken over the editor's chair. I travelled over at his request to run a series of courses looking at the paper's content and design. I became a frequent visitor after that. The paper developed in a thoughtful and intelligent way under his leadership - and a whole raft of talented journalists gained their skills with his help. It was, and still is, a hugely professional newspaper, always in tune with the island. Jersey became one of my favourite work destinations, not just for the obvious reasons but because Chris was one of the friendliest and most generous editors I have ever met. The same can be said of the team, including his long-standing deputy, Rob Shipley, who also retires next month. Chris's shoes will be filled by the paper's deputy news-editor, Andy Sibcy, who has been appointed editor-designate and will take over the full title next year. I wish all three of them well.

Regional newspaper Hall of Fame

Eric Price

In the last few weeks, we have lost three giants of the regional Press. Former Western Daily Press editor Eric Price's death last week came only two weeks after Walter Greenwood died and a month after the death of David Williams,  the campaigning editor of the Evening Argus in Brighton. In five weeks the Regional Press's Hall of Fame lost three of its members. The Hall of Fame was put together in 2006 when Ian Reeves, then editor of the Press Gazette, asked me to chair a panel to select the 40 people who had made the most significant contribution to regional journalism in the last 40 years. It was to celebrate the Press Gazette's 40th anniversary. The first challenge was the panel. Its members had to have seniority, they had to be long-serving and be representative of geographical areas and newspaper groups. There were seven of us: Manchester Evening News editor, Paul Horrocks, former Cumbrian Newspapers editorial director Keith Sutton, Trinity Mirror editorial director Neil Benson, former Western Daily Press editor and editors' code committee secretary Ian Beales, former York Evening Press editor Liz Page who was with Archant at the time and Johnston Press editorial executive David Rowell.

Then there was the criteria - the nominees had to be journalists. We also didn't want this to just become a list of long-serving editors so writers, photographers, columnists, subs, cartoonists had to be considered. I asked the panel members, when they were mulling over the 120 names before us, to think about what the intro would be. If it was simply 'They served the paper for 18 years and remained committed to the Guild of Editors', it was unlikely they would make the cut. We wanted people who had made a difference. Press Gazette readers were also invited to send in nominations.

Ian Reeve said at the time: "On completion of their task, the panel winced about the shortage of women which, although uncomfortable, reflects the reality of the years in question. There were also few working editors. Is this because we halo our predecessors rather than our peers or is it that today's editors are less inclined to put their heads above the parapet? Maybe it was because the panel were uncertain, as they were only part way through their tenure, how history would judge them".

The first 25 names were easy, the second 15 almost impossible. We discussed them long into the night, had heated words, and then came back for more. We finally settled on 40 names. Those still alive were invited to the Regional Press Awards and framed portraits of each one were hung on the wall. The intention was to add someone each year.

A booklet containing a commissioned article on each of the 40 was produced. The deaths of Eric, Walter and David encouraged me to go through my old files and retrieve it. It is still a fascinating read. But it really does feel as though it belongs to a totally different age. It shows the massive changes there have been in our industry in the last seven years. If we did the exercise again, would we choose the same 40? I wonder. Perhaps the Press Gazette, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, should resurrect the idea.

Here is the list, in alphabetical order, along with the headlines from the booklet.

Mike Amos, MBE (Northern Echo columnist)

Legendary columnist and local celebrity who, for many, personifies his paper

Barry Askew (editor, Lancashire Evening Post and News of the World. Died 2012)

A colourful editor who never passed up an opportunity to shake up the establishment

Colin Brannigan, OBE (editor, Sheffield Star; md, Essex County Newspapers)

Campaigning innovator who was ahead of his time and a passionate advocate of local content

Frank Branston (founder, Bedfordshire on Sunday. Died 2009)

From sarcastic Sunday Express office boy to multi-millionaire mayor of Bedford

Roger Cross (crime specialist, Yorkshire Post; author, The Yorkshire Ripper. Died 1994)

Larger than life character and accomplished raconteur who produced a stream of Yorkshire exclusives

Ed Curran (editor-in-chief, Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life)

Ace Ulster journalist who remains on first name terms with all sides

Sean Dooley (editor, Gloucestershire Echo and The Sentinel, Stoke)

Shrewd editor who transformed Stoke daily and launched ground-breaking Sunday

Ian Dowell, MBE (editor, Birmingham Evening Mail)

People's champion who was not afraid of taking on the big guns on behalf of the readers

Geoff Elliott, CBE (editor Kent Messenger, Coventry Telegraph, The News, Portsmouth; head of journalism, University of Central Lancashire)

Pace-setter of journalistic standards with a passion for excellence, integrity and determination

Sir Harold Evans (editor, The Northern Echo, The Sunday Times and The Times; author of many books on journalism)

Possibly the greatest editor of all time, set the standard for campaigning journalism

Peter Franzen, OBE (editor, Eastern Daily Press)

Transformed an old-fashioned broadsheet into the first compact newspaper

Stuart Garner (editorial director and chief executive, Thomson Regional Newspapers)

Steely nerve and willingness to make big decisions

John Gibson (sports writer, Evening Chronicle, Newcastle; executive sports editor Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd)

The North-East's larger than life sports reporter who won the respect and trust of players and fans

Walter Greenwood (head of Thomson Regional Newspapers training centre; co-author of Essential Law for Journalists for 27 years. Died 2013)

The man to turn to for expert advice on court reporting laws

Bill Heeps (chief executive and chairman, Thomson Regional Newspapers. Died 1995)  

Tireless toubleshooter who oversaw a revolution in new technology

Nick Herbert, Lord Hemingford (editor, Cambridge Evening News; editorial director, Westminster Press)

Inspirational editorial director who gave the best possible advice

Ron Hunt, MBE (editor, Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph; executive editor of EMAP newspapers; editor, Diss Express)

He brought out his evening paper single-handedly during a long strike

Bob James (lecturer, typographer, designer, author, development editor with Westminster Press. Died 2004)

He knew all there was to know about typography and kick-started a new era in training

Grenfell Jones (Gren), MBE (cartoonist, South Wales Echo. Died 2007)

South Wales's most eminent cartoonist who brought a daily smile to readers

Alex Leys (editor Lincolnshire Echo, Derby Telegraph, Leicester Mercury; founding editor UK News; editorial director at Northcliffe)

The first of a new Northcliffe breed that shook the regional newspaper world

Peter Long (launch editor, Chester Tonight; editor-in-chief of Celtic Newspapers)

His brave innovations revitalised titles in the South Wales Valleys

Toby Melville (photographer Bristol United Press, Press Association, Reuters)

Photojournalist with a natural ability to capture every mood at its fullest

Maureen Messent (columnist, Evening Mail, Birmingham)

Colourful writer who could be hard-nosed inquisitor or tearful agony aunt

Peter Moore (editor, Grimsby Telegraph. Died 2004)

Campaigning editor who always had time for his readers and staff

Jean Morgan (reporter, UK Press Gazette)

Intrepid reporter scared management and never failed to get the big stories

Chris Oakley, CBE (editor, Liverpool Echo; editor-in-chief Birmingham Post & Mail; chief executive Midland Independent Newspapers and Regional Independent Media)

Editor-turned-entrepreneur who helped transform the regional Press

Steve Panter (crime reporter and news-editor, Manchester Evening News)

Fearless crime reporter who risked jail to protect source

Ian Park, CBE (editor-in-chief and md Liverpool Post & Echo; chief executive and chairman, Northcliffe Newspapers)

Sharp, disciplined executive both feared and revered by editors

Keith Parker, OBE (editor, md Express & Star, Wolverhampton. Died 2010)

Editor whose superb standards resulted in huge rises in circulation

Paul Potts (editor-in-chief and chief executive, Press Association)

Indefatigable journalist who became boss who transformed PA group

Eric Price (editor, Western Daily Press; editorial director, Bristol Evening Post. Died 2013)

Miracle worker who transformed the fortunes of the West Country's top title

Allan Prosser (editor, The Northern Echo; editorial director, Kent Messenger Group; md of North of England Newspapers)

Powerhouse who saw off all detractors to modernise and reinvigorate a great daily

Terry Quinn (editor, Bradford T&A, Evening News, Edinburgh, Daily Record; editorial director, Thomson Regional Newspapers)

Driven editor and creative thinker who refused to take no for an answer

Bob Satchwell (editor, Cambridge Evening News; executive director, Society of Editors)

Incisive editor who has become battling leader of Society of Editors

Stephen Shakeshaft (photographer and picture editor, Liverpool Post & Echo)

An illuminating lensman capturing the biggest stars and ordinary people

Anita Syvret (editor, Gloucestershire Echo)

Pioneering female daily newspaper editor who survived by putting readers first

Tony Watson (editor, Yorkshire Post; editorial director and md, the Press Association)

Young editor presided over a new golden age for venerable Yorkshire institution

Tom Welsh (editor Evening Mail, Barrow; director of journalism at City University; co-author of Essential Law)

Co-author of the journalists' law bible and a prominent voice for Press freedom

Barrie Williams (editor, Kent Evening Post, Nottingham Evening Post and Western Morning News)

Brought a single-minded passion to his three long editorships

David Williams (editor, Brighton Evening Argus and Bury Free Press. Died 2013)

Inspired and brave editor who rolled up his sleeves and led from the front