h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There is an entry in one of the threads from Nikki who was contemplating taking her own life, it's from a journalist wanting her story. Is this allowed? It feels a bit to me!

Hi Tabitca.

There's nothing wrong with journalists approaching *anyone* to ask them if they would like to work with them on a story; it could happen to you in a bar (though one wonders why that would be happening!), it could happen (and does) in the street, and it can happen online.

Mark, the reporter, did ring us to ask if this would be acceptable, and we agreed that it was fine, because at the end of the day it's Nikki's choice. We were satisfied that this wasn't a sleazy, sensationalist reporter looking for a ratings boost, but that actually a story like this, sensitively reported, could have a very positive effect.

Also, remember that it's perfectly legal for them to print a link to the whole Conversation in their paper (though it's not legal for them to reproduce content from the site without permission, which would need to be given by Nikki in the case of her posts).

At the end of the day it's up to Nikki; she is perfectly entitled to say no, and then that's all there is to it.

Not all journalists are hacks, you know. We should know; Mark, Sam and Ashley are from a journalistic background!

(PS We're going on holiday for a couple of weeks, so apologies if you ask a question and we don't reply for a while... but those who are still here will be back on Monday.)

I think an h2g2 researcher is probably a journalist without any of the negative bits. I'm sure Mark the reporter will prove this to be true.

I think I agree with Kaeori's assertion that all h2g2 'researchers' are journalists, dot.journalists if you like, following the conversation earlier in the week on a suitable name for the special type of internet community and friendship which has developed quite spontaneously on our Thread "British English - the sequel".

This thread has followed in the footsteps of "British English" - which is STILL awaiting re-release from pre-BBC days ->> c'mon guys, please help us with this repository of knowledge and 10 months of our lives here - especially now a national newspaper is interested in the relationships originally fostered there.

I've checked my Consise Oxford (new ed. just purchased), and the definition seems too narrow now (I'll write to them!). It describes writing for printed or broadcast media, and seems to have forgotten the internet.

One of the key elements to my turnaround, the catalyst in fact, was writing. I have done this for pleasure, but have aspirations. As I mentioned on my "It's time to go" thread, the Monday after the turaround I received news that a trade paper I read has expressed interest in a series of articles I've written, so I guess that would (just about) make me a journalist in the traditional sense. BUT, I could have used my energies to write Guide Entries - the difference is rather small.

I am cautious. I will consider the offer before leaping in, and I certainly appreciate Kaeori's suggestion to talk to Max Clifford first - I could do with the money just now !!

Being realistic (which is in my nature) I recognise that my story wouldn't be shock-horror-tabloid stuff (hence no fat fee !), but is much more likely to be of interest to one of the two 'serious' papers (my definition for the Guardian and the Independant).

I will decide over the weekend, being guided by my instincts, my friends here (who have been so intimately involved too) and my friend from 25 years ago (mentioned last Monday, Post 40 of "It's time to go")

Thanks to Tabitca and the 'h2g2 editors' for their input and explanation of the h2g2 position on these things.

I'll post a copy of this back into my thread so my friends can find it there too.

Thanks to all. Nikki