The "Diss Express" Editor responds

I recently discussed with a teacher about finding out some information directly from a local newspaper, which we have sucessfully managed. Below is a copy of the email that was sent to "The Diss Express" they were very quick and helpful to reply which has meant that i have a lot more knowledge which i have found hard to obtain. I managed to easily gain an email address from not only their website but also from the newspaper it self, this is where i liked the idea about including the contact details for them, as it made it so much easier for my self and i imagine it would be the same for other readers.


Below is a copy of the email that was sent to the editor.

Dear Mr. Penny,

I hope you are well. My name is Warren Holmes and I am one of the media studies teachers at Wymondham High School. I am currently working with a student who is creating a new local newspaper for her final piece and is conducting a case study of your publication. As a result, I am writing to see whether you could be kind enough to answer the questions below, so as to provide Hannah with information that could be used in all stages of production.

1. What are the aims of the newspaper?
2. Who are your target readers in terms of age and gender?
3. In what ways do you hope the publication contributes to the community it seeks to serve?
4. What do you aim to achieve with each edition?
5. How do you prioritise/organise newspaper content?

I appreciate that you are busy, but any feedback would be greatly received.
Thank you
With best wishes, Warren


In response to the email that was sent from Wymondham High below is the email that we received back. Some of the information was very interesting and i am pleased that we carried this task out. I have analysed this data and i have put it into an easier format of a spider diagram, this means that i can easily look at my data without having to read through every time.

Dear Mr Holmes,
Thank you for your email. In response to the questions - purely from an editorial point of viewrather than advertising:

1. What are the aims of the newspaper?
To provide information and news to readers and web users throughout the 500 square mile area we cover and beyond.

2. Who are your target readers in terms of age and gender?
Typical readers are aged 45-70, equally split between male and female, but we try to provide a balanced news, features, information and sport menu to appeal to a much wider range.

3. In what ways do you hope the publication contributes to the community it seeks to serve?
We provide news and information that is not readily available, pass on other items of interest to a wider audience and also get involvedactively with local events.

4. What do you aim to achieve with each edition?
To provide interesting and stimulating content, supporting the community but also provoking discussion and acting as a watchdog for public bodies and services. The fact by doing this we increase sales is obviously a major part of keeping a successful business going.

5. How do you prioritise/organise newspaper content?
We aim to include anything and everything that comes into news desk -either proactively via our team of reporters or passively fromcorrespondents and readers. The news team, ultimately me as editor, make the decision as to how much importance to give to each item.

The easiest way to see how the newspaper is organised would probably be to come in to the office for a few hours. Feel free to contact me if this would be of interest.
Please pass on my good luck wishes to your student with her work.
A copy of her case study would make fascinating reading to see how weare viewed from the outside if that would be possible please? Kind regards,

Yours sincerely,
Steven Penny

EditorDiss Express
01379 658015
Norfolk & Suffolk House,
Mere Street,Diss,
Norfolk, IP22 4AE


The information that Mr penny had provided for me is very interesting and i know i will find it very helpful and hopefully from this i will end up with a local newspaper that people will enjoy buying.