Julian Horn visits Rotary Club

THE MEDIA-PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Watton Rotary had a very interesting speaker on 18th April when Julian Horn, the former editor of local newspaper The Wayland News was our guest speaker.

Julian spoke from many years experience of editing The Wayland News since 1996, and which he reluctantly had to close after publishing the Farewell Copy, Issue no. 306, in October 2022. The decision was taken as readership was sadly declining largely due to difficulties in getting the paper to it's readers as a result of measures introduced during Covid lockdown. This, combined with soaring production costs made the publication of the paper unsustainable.

The final front page featured a tribute headed 'A Mother and her Son' following the sad passing of our Queen. The article included a very appropriate photograph of Queen Elizabeth ll and the then Prince Charles hand in hand at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords in June 2017.

Julian opened his presentation by reading an article which appeared in the Downham Market Gazette on Saturday 11th July 1914. Headlined 'Disastrous Fire at Watton' it was a report of a fire at the International Stores in Watton. Julian used the article to illustrate the type of prose and detailed unambiguous reporting common in those distant days, and also the wealth of historical information contained within the article.

He then went on to talk about the ethos and history of The Wayland News and the regular contributors of articles and advertising supporters, who included some Rotarians.

His concluding remarks focussed on the gradual modern day takeover of local, national, and international news by social media, which the majority of the population now turn to for their news, rather than radio, TV or newspapers. This is not helped by most radio and TV stations now changing their ethos, which was previously 'To be correct and impartial' to now 'Be the first'.

Julian has been a good friend to Rotary over many years, supporting us by publishing our press releases, and we owe him an everlasting debt of gratitude.