When new media meets old media, there’s bound to be a few stories up for grabs. Hence, why so many mainstream organisations are keeping close tabs on social networking sites to mine for potential tales. Evidence of its value comes in a cautionary revelation in today’s Daily Record of an Aberdeen University student who worked as a 'posh vice girl', utilising Twitter. Exposed by the paper, she now intends to resume her studies.
There’s news of a campaign to give the traditional Lorne Sausage protected status, providing special protection under EU Law. Staying with meat, and surely, the most stomach-churning revelation of the day comes from Scottish actor, Ewan McGregor, of the time in Mongolia when he “ate a very small goats' testicle”. Apparently, it was in a stew. Which makes it OK then....
The Record carries an exclusive tag on its tale of the £1 million treasure trove uncovered by the assistant manager of Blair Drummond Safari Park, near Stirling. Using a metal detector, David Booth found “four stunning 2000 year-old gold neckbands,” which the paper claims is “Scotland’s most valuable treasure find ever.”
Buried trinkets of a different kind on Shetland, where local islanders have been stripping off for yet another calendar. The latest in the genre, however, will raise funds for a cancer support centre in Aberdeen.
On the Glasgow North-east by-election campaign trail with ex-BBC reporter, David Kerr, the Record puts the SNP candidate in his ‘plaice’. The paper recounts a visit to the fish counter of an Asda store, in the company of SNP leader and First Minister, Alex Salmond. Kerr asked: "What are you selling here?" The sales assistant, rather obviously, replied: "Fish". Former Beeb colleagues will wonder what has become of Kerr’s once-incisive journalistic skills.
The online edition of the Record trumpets its new podcast by columnist and broadcaster, Tam Cowan, featuring the owners of the ‘award-winning Cross Keys Inn’ at Kippen. A good listen but it illustrates the learning curve of online staff at newspapers with its slightly dodgy sound quality. Early days yet in the brave new multi-media world.
