The latest Baltic Triangle podcast speaks to the editor of the Scottie Press, Joel Hansen, who has breathed new life into Britain’s longest-serving community newspaper
First published in 1971, the Scottie Press is Britain’s longest-serving community newspaper, covering the Vauxhall area of north Liverpool.
This month’s Baltic Triangle podcast speaks to the young editor of the Scottie Press, Joel Hansen, who initially came for just a six-month stint three years ago – and quickly found himself running it.
“I was unemployed and looking for work and I saw the opportunity to go work for there Scottie Press for six months,” said Joel. “When I started I assumed there would be an editor and staff. But none of that was in place.
“The paper had been in decline for 10 years. I was 23 when I started there and I didn’t have much background in journalism. Now I was given the reins to make a go of it.”
Joel has injected a new lease of life into the publication, which is available in print and online, and recently did a hard-hitting in-depth expose of some of the failed property schemes in the area.
He added: “The Scotty Press has always investigated and said things that other news outlets wouldn’t. If there are huge issues that are affecting the area then it is your responsibility to look into it. If we don’t look into these things then who will?”