Kingston University student paper scoops award

The River, a paper worked on by students on the NCTJ-accredited MA at Kingston University scooped publication of the year at the 2010 Guardian Student Media Awards with judges describing it as a “great tabloid with a punchy mix of features and comment.”

The River was started in 2005 and was originally modelled on the Independent but moved to a more tabloid approach that proved more successful with readers. Editor-in-chief of The River is Dan Townend, a NCTJ qualified journalist from Cardiff University who still works regularly as news editor on the Daily Express. The paper is distributed every fortnight during term time and 4000 copies are printed each time.

“We are so proud of the students who worked on the paper. They showed professionalism and commitment in everything they did from story getting, to finding advertising to layout. The paper broke a string of fantastic exclusives and cutting-edge features and comment.” Dan said.

“Many of the students who worked on the paper now have jobs in the industry and there are some real stars of the future among them.”

An online version of the paper can be viewed here.