Epigram (newspaper)

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Epigram

Type	Fortnightly newspaper
Format	Compact (Tabloid)

Owner	independent
Editor	William Irwin
Founded	1988
Headquarters	University of Bristol Union
Circulation	6,000

Website: epigram.org.uk

Epigram is the independent student newspaper of the University of Bristol.^[1] It was set up in 1988 by James Landale, now a senior BBC journalist, who studied politics at Bristol.^[2] The current editor of The Daily Telegraph, William Lewis, was a writer for Epigram in its early years.^[3]

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^[4].

1 Political stance
2 Relationship with University of Bristol Union
3 Awards
4 Well-known Epigram contributors
5 References
6 External links

[edit] 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^[5]^[6]^[7] The Telegraph cites Epigram in stating the History students were made aware of the courses structure before starting the course.^[8]

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.^[9] An Epigram report into drugs use at the University was similarly was picked up by the BBC.^[10]

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.^[11].

[edit] 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.^[12] 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^[13]). 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.

[edit] 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^[14]^[15]^[16]. 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^[17]. Other Epigram writers were nominated in the 2005 awards^[18].

[edit] Well-known Epigram contributors

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Epigram's website

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