Liverpool Post Editor Mark Thomas met the next generation of reporters at JMU Journalism this week, telling them about the big stories he has covered down the years.
Thomas, who spoke to journalism students at the Liverpool Screen School, has covered major news stories like the election of Derek Hatton as Liverpool’s Deputy Council Leader in the 1980s, and footballing disasters such as Heysel and Hillsborough, during his journalism career.
One particular story, the murder of James Bulger in 1993, is something he spoke about at length.
With a full lecture theatre in attendance, he said: “It was something that captured public imagination, and actually became an international news story. They reported it in every country throughout the world and I was one of the few people who covered it all.”
Having studied at Preston Polytechnic (now the University of Central Lancashire), he broke into the industry working for Wirral Newspapers, before moving to the Liverpool Echo.
He then worked for the Press Association, before moving back to the Echo in 1997. In 2003, he joined the Daily Post as assistant editor, before becoming editor in 2007.
While he didn’t want the Liverpool Post to become a weekly publication, he emphasised that it is now “much better” value for money and is making a profit.
For the benefit of those present, he explained what he, as an editor, looks for in potential employees: “Shorthand is important, as well as a good understanding of public administration. The media landscape has changed a lot now, but the fundamental skills are still essential.”
There was instant reaction on Twitter, with LJMU student Jack Birch tweeting: “Interesting lecture from editor of the Liverpool Post, @Mark_Thomas today. Gave great insight into his work on the James Bulger case.”