Epigram (newspaper)

Infobox Newspaper
name = Epigram


type = Fortnightly newspaper
format = Compact (Tabloid)
foundation = 1988
owners = independent
circulation = 6,000
headquarters = University of Bristol Union
editor = William Irwin
website = [http://www.epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk]

"Epigram" is the independent student newspaper of the University of Bristol. [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk Epigram Online - Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper ] ] It was set up in 1988 by James Landale, now a senior BBC journalist, who studied politics at Bristol. [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1434 Epigram Online - Scaling the heights of the BBC ] ] The current editor of The Daily Telegraph, William Lewis, was a writer for Epigram in its early years. [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1350 Epigram Online - Fleet Street's rising star ] ]

Epigram is produced fortnightly during term time, and as of April 2007 the newspaper had reached 191 editions. It is available as a paper edition distributed freely around the university, with articles and discussion also appearing online. The paper follows a traditional newspaper layout: the front of the newspaper is devoted to news issues, particularly those concerning students at the university. The other sections are: Music, Film & Television, Arts, E2 and Sport.

The paper has a 25-strong editorial team consisting of students from the second year and above (formal recruitment is carried out in the last term of an academic year). All students at the University are encouraged to write for the paper and each section of the paper has a weekly publicised meeting to discuss and allocate stories for the next edition - there are opportunities to join each section team at the Freshers' Fair at the beginning of the year or by emailing the relevant section editor [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/contactlist.php Epigram Online - Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper ] ] .

Political stance

Epigram takes a strong pro-student stance, and often places itself as the voice of the students in a debate. In November 2006 Epigram published appeals from history students decrying the new teaching system that was to be implemented. This brought the issue to a much wider stage including several national broadsheet newspapers.The story first published in Epigram was picked up by The Times newspaper and the BBC [ [http://e-paper.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/news/article640320.ece News and Views from The Times and Sunday Times | Times Online ] ] [ [http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityteachinginspection/story/0,,1943335,00.html Bristol students angry at tuition cuts | Special Reports | EducationGuardian.co.uk ] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6132108.stm BBC NEWS | Education | Tutorials 'hit by staffing cuts' ] ] The Telegraph cites Epigram in stating the History students were made aware of the courses structure before starting the course. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/09/nbristol09.xml Students protest as Bristol cuts tuition to two hours a week - Telegraph ] ]

The paper took a similar pro-student stance when an Epigram story focusing on students becoming lap dancers and one Bristol University student selling their eggs to fertility clinics to reduce levels of student debt was picked up by the BBC. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2512087.stm BBC NEWS | Education | Students lapdance for fees ] ] An Epigram report into drugs use at the University was similarly was picked up by the BBC. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7385023.stm BBC NEWS | England | Bristol | Cocaine found at university bars ] ]

Recent Epigram campaigns have ruffled University feathers and successful use of the Freedom of Information Act led to a front page story on accommodation rents and the decreasing food budget among the halls of residence. [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1342 Epigram Online - The high price of hall living ] ] .

Relationship with University of Bristol Union

Epigram bills itself as "Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper", and stresses that it is not affiliated with the university's student union. [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/contactlist.php Epigram Online - Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper ] ] There have been occasions in the past when Epigram has published articles which criticise the union's administration or decisions (for example during the university's change of admission policy [ [http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1583 Epigram Online - Understated ] ] ). However, because Epigram's offices are situated in the union building, it is unlikely that Epigram's editorial stance will ever become too radically against the union.

Awards

Epigram is frequently nominated at the Guardian Student Media Awards in a number of categories, indicating that it is among the top four publications in the country [ [http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/awards/020918guard2.shtml Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk ] ] [ [http://media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards/story/0,,1038690,00.html The shortlist in full | Media | The Guardian ] ] [ [http://media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards/story/0,,1303344,00.html The shortlists in full | Media | The Guardian ] ] . It has been shortlisted for the 2007 "Guardian student newspaper of the year" award.

However, it has failed to win any award outright, although Murray Garrard was named the runner-up in the student travel writer of the year category in 2002.

Garrard was also nominated in the Best Student Arts Journalist category at the NUS Student Journalism Awards in 2002 [ [http://education.independent.co.uk/higher/article132099.ece Media stars of the future - Higher, Education - The Independent ] ] . Other Epigram writers were nominated in the 2005 awards [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16303466&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=student-journalist--oscars---name_page.html Student Journalist 'Oscars' - Mirror.Co.Uk ] ] .

Well-known Epigram contributors

*William Lewis
* James Landale

References

External links

* [http://www.epigram.org.uk/ Epigram's website]