Durham21

Durham21

URL	http://www.durham21.co.uk
Type of site	Student News and Opinion
Available language(s)	English
Owner	Independent
Created by	Tom Rowson, Leon Chevalier, Jonty Rodgers, Matt Perkins
Launched	2000
Revenue	All proceeds go to local charities

Durham21.co.uk, or d21 for short, is an independent online newspaper and lifestyle magazine for students from Durham University.

Averaging over 38,000 pageviews per month,^{[citation needed]} durham21 is the current Student Website of the Year at the NUS National Student Journalism Awards,^{[citation needed]} having also won the award in 2001^[1], 2002^[2], 2003, and 2005^[3], despite only being founded in 2000.

Completely independent and financed entirely by its own fundraising and advertising (with any proceeds going to local charities), d21 is led by a team of editors who manage and contribute to their own sections of the website while encouraging contributions from any student in Durham. Indeed, it has recently opened the door for people outside of the University of Durham to contribute as it aims to diversify the scope of opinion it carries.

The aim of d21 is to combine all the recognisable features of a print newspaper, such as the latest news, views, music, arts and reviews, whilst also exploiting the internet medium to bring such things as a virtual tour of Durham, webcasting of Durham's student radio station Purple, a fully searchable listings system, web polls and an interactive comments system. Durham21 is entirely run by students.

Durham21 is being relaunched in March 2009 after being taken over by a new editorial team. This aims to see a new team of editors and content writers on the site, as well as a redesign take shape over the coming year.

Accolades

In 2003 the site was labelled by judges “the complete package” and has since been praised for its “clear and consistent navigation, enjoyable and timely features.” Donald Macintyre, chief political commentator from The Independent remarked that d21 “explored the unique possibilities of the web, rather than simply ‘hosting’ their union’s newspaper or magazine.” When d21’s Laura Swinton won the best Student Critic Award in 2006, the judge commented that she “displayed a fluent, confident and witty style that made her work really stand out.”

Editors

• 2000-01 Tom Rowson
• 2001-02 Alex Dudas
• 2002-03 Matt Killeya
• 2003-04 Ian Thomas
• 2004-05 Barney Britton
• 2005-06 Roger Jeffery
• 2006-07 Richard Benstead
• 2007-08 Narayani Menon
• 2009 Robert Bownes
• 2009 Stevie Martin
• 2010 Amy Annette

References

1. ^ Did they have some news for us?
2. ^ Student media awards: Cheers for the students
3. ^ Student media Oscars 2005

External links

• Durham21