Since Alan Rusbridger announced on Twitter that he will be stepping down as The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, speculation about his replacement has been rife. The search for its new editor has been going on for about a month.
Will step down as editor in chief of the Guardian after 20 years next summer 3/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
Admittedly the role may be quite out of our reach at the moment (and applications closed on Sunday). Yet some Interhacktives could not help but wonder – what would they do if somehow they bagged the illustrious position? Here are the cover letters of five Interhacktives on why they would be a good editor and their vision for the global news organisation. Vote at the bottom for your choice of editor.
Ben Jackson
I’m perfect for the role of The Guardian’s editor because I’m basically Alan Rusbridger 2.0. Evidence: My costume for Halloween 2013 was Rusbridger with a hammer and a laptop.
I’m not afraid to smash a few motherboards to make a point. In fact, I relish the idea. But that’s what I do for fun. What would I actually do as editor? I’ve made a handy listicle, which I think sets the tone very nicely:
1) De-electrify the headquarters. Currently, the building is made for giving you electric shocks. Some people say the builders were Sun readers. Others blame the cheap carpet. I’ll put the investigations team on the case.
2) Let’s have more news conferences. The finest minds in journalism can battle it out every hour, on the hour. Who cares about producing a paper, most copies are distributed around the newsdesk anyway.
Guess who I’m going as for Halloween… cc: @arusbridger @guardian @gdnstudents pic.twitter.com/tuHp7dNWhZ — Ben Jackson (@bjacksonuk) October 31, 2013
3) We need a statue of Charlie Brooker outside Kings Place. It’s about time we immortalised that scowl in bronze. Just look at him.
4) A festival where we burn a giant shed to commemorate that weird Guardian Weekend advert – “shed’s on fire.” VIP guests will include those insurance fraudster pigs from another weird (but exceptional) advert.
There you have it then, the whole picture.
Doug Bolton
The world of journalism, now more than ever, is in constant flux. New technologies that can revolutionise our jobs are being created every single day, and the leader of a fearless and prolific media company should be able to adapt to these innovations. Alan Rusbridger is 61 (although he doesn’t look a day over 50). He’s done a good job, but if The Guardian wants to stay relevant, they need a youngster at the helm, someone who can bring new energy to the organisation, while still safeguarding the core values of the Scott Trust. I look a little bit like a young Alan Rusbridger, and that’s why you should give me the job.
The unkempt hairdo that screams ‘iconoclastic liberal media dude’, the glasses that give a whiff of middle-class intellectualism – like Alan, I’ve got all the core Guardianista qualities and more. And I’m 40 years younger. What more could you ask for? At the end of the day, I can rule with an iron fist, eat 7 kilos of quinoa in an hour, and most importantly, I can destroy a laptop that contains top secret leaked documents with an angle grinder better than any of those schmucks in MI5. Please hire me.
Jonathan Frayman
I feel my appointment as editor-in-chief of the Guardian would be a left field selection, but think of the selection of Darren Pattinson or David Luiz’s innovative approach in the world cup semi-final. Different never goes wrong. As a devout Guardian reader, I understand the mindset of a Guardianista. To feel that you care and are distressed by the plight of the poor and needy, while ensuring nothing happens to threaten Tarquin’s private school and the bi-weekly Ocado delivery.
The Guardian’s current content is too serious. I want to change it to one shaped by memes, cats, and half rate internet humour. Who cares about Snowden when you can have a very doge, much funny approach. Business cat agrees that this is a purrfect way for the new media age.
As a failed BNOC in all aspects of life, my stature is somewhat lacking. So I would stamp my authority by immediately sacking Patrick Wintour and replace him with Alastair Campbell because why not? Anybody who questioned this decision would also be provided with a cardboard box and accompanied to the exit.
To boost moral amongst staff there will be unlimited quinoa and chai on offer from a newly created mind expansion zone.
Sam Walsh
Whaddup, Alan, As a straight, educated white male, I think my appointment as editor-in-chief of The Guardian would bring some much needed diversity to the newspaper industry. As a slightly recognisable figure around the City University journalism department, I believe I could finally bring the credibility and fame that the role really deserves.
There was this one time I was an editor-in-chief before, of the Sheffield Tab, an online student newspaper. This was basically the same as The Guardian, only smaller, and with more banter. The banter was really popular, so I’d really like to get some of that going.
Of course, one of the biggest problems facing The Guardian right now is profitability. To make the publication more profitable, we must do just one thing: Change the fonts, both in print and online, to Comic Sans. I’ve been doing some research and it’s easily the most profitable of all the fonts. Ever. Finally, I don’t currently own a cute dog, but if I am chosen for the post, I hereby promise to buy one and post the most adorable snaps on Instagram to follow Rusbridger’s shining example of how to do social media.
Backseat drivers A photo posted by Alan Rusbridger (@arusbridger) on
Edith Hancock
Alfred Powell Wadsworth, Jeremiah Garnett, William Percival Crozier. These are the names of The Guardian’s editors in its first 100 years. Regal, powerful names. Each one the name of a royal (or in Garnett’s case, a precious gem). These names are hard to rival in a Hall of Fame.
Sorry guys, but Jon, Ben, Sam and Doug don’t really stand a chance against an Edith. While Jon is a strong name, it won’t stand up to The Guardian’s founding editor, John Edward Taylor. Benjamin and Samuel will slip into the background next to the other biblical names on the list. There may be no Douglas, but I don’t think yet another masculine name will stand out against the likes of Alfred and Alan.
Edith is a strong name. Edith is a royal name. Edith is a girls’ name.
The first instance of a royal Edith dates all the way back to 1066 with Edith Swanneck, consort to Harold II of England. The name has since been connected with power and influence; from First Ladies to authors and poets. Today, Ediths work in the media, with Edith Bowman being a popular member of the BBC team.
Ediths have always flirted with power while keeping an observational distance, but now it’s time we brought our namesake back to the seat of power. No more will we be shunted to the side-lines – our name is too cool to ignore.
So who would get your vote? Have your say:
Featured image vapour trail via Compfight cc
Once Features Editor of the University of Nottingham’s Impact Magazine, Emily is now at City to add all things digital to her story-telling. Her aspiration is to become a reporter who can work on a beat and behind a screen.