Weekly NDM Story ..

Paul Dacre's old Leeds university newspaper facing closure

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/mar/21/universityofleeds-newspapers

Leeds Student, the university newspaper that Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre cut his teeth on, may close due to a funding shortfall. According to an article on the paper's website, it cannot afford the printing costs. The allocation from the student union, the Leeds University Union, has fallen short by £5,200. It states: "Despite numerous attempts by student volunteers to save the publication through external advertising, proposals were turned down on the grounds that it poses a threat to the union's own services." 

Leeds Student is published free every Friday during term-time. The only paid position is that of the editor, who is elected yearly. Some students have organised a petition, Save Leeds Student newspaper. And on the site are several heartfelt pleas from current and past students. One former student, Jennifer Hearn, writes of the paper being "one of the country's best student newspapers with investigative journalism rivaling some of the national media." 

She continues: "It is important not just for the student body, but the local area too. It also campaigns for some fantastic causes and social changes, as well as raising the profile of students clubs, societies and activities." Leeds Student has won several awards down the years. In 2012, it was nominated in two categories of the Guardian student media awards as publication of the year and website of the year. Maybe Mr Dacre will step in to save his old paper from closing. Meanwhile, I wonder if Leeds Student is the only university paper facing life-threatening funding problems.