News International and the death of ethics in journalism

Fresh allegations that private investigators paid by the News of the World hacked into the phones of families of victims of the 7/7 bombings as well as relatives of the girls killed in the Soham murders have plunged British journalism deeper into crisis.

The phone hacking scandal escalated on Monday when The Guardian reported the phone of murdered teenager Milly Dowler had been hacked and some of her messages deleted by an investigator hired by the News of the World while she was still missing.

Now, the Metropolitan Police have contacted the families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were murdered by Ian Huntley in Soham in 2002, the same year as Milly Dowler, to say their phones might also have been accessed by the tabloid newspaper.

The House of Commons was due to discuss the developments in an emergency debate today (Wednesday) as a campaign for a public inquiry is launched in the House of Lords.

“What has happened is News International has built up a surveillance system that is more potent than anything the police have available. I’m very distressed by what’s happened, it’s appalling. It’s even worse that it has taken since 2002 to come to light,” says Duncan Williams, chairman of Independent News Ltd, the regional newspaper and magazine publishing company which operates a positive news editorial policy.

“Something has gone wrong and people are actually appalled by the latest allegations. It’s an outrageous abuse of the privilege of working in the media.”

In an exclusive interview with Seeker News’ online video channel, Mr Williams highlighted the serious implications for British journalism.

“The media today is going through huge changes, but this kind of activity is actually detrimental to freedom of speech. There’s nothing wrong in investigative journalists unearthing valid stories, without that we’d be an even more censored society, but it’s how that story is treated and relayed to the reader, the citizen or the viewer. Too often the story is scurilous or gossip and it’s hard to claim interest.”

Police have reportedly widened their investigation to include every high profile murder of a child since 2001.

David Cameron’s former director of communications Andy Coulson resigned earlier this year amid allegations that phone hacking was rife at the News of the World during his time as editor. His predecessor, Rebekah Brooks, who was editor during the Soham murders and Milly Dowler cases has said it was “inconceivable” she knew Milly Dowler’s phone was hacked and has refused to step down.

“Ford has already pulled its advertising from the News of the World and other companies like Halifax, Orange, nPower and T-Mobile are reviewing their position, this is having a major commercial effect on News International,” says Seeker MD Steve Cook.

“Newspapers need quality journalism, but they also need the support of advertisers and if they’re losing major clients then maybe it’s about time our newspapers had a close look at how they operate. When the Washington Post journalists Woodward and Bernstein broke the Watergate scandal they were acting in the public interest, ultimately protecting American democracy from a President who was lying.

“What possible comparable public interest is there in hacking the phones of murder victims and their families?”


Reprinted from the Business Page of SEEKER NEWS, 2011 (c) copyright.
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View the full length interview online. Photography by Steve Cook.

Vision Talk -

VISION TALK -

a report from the Alpha International Conference by Duncan Williams.

Nicky Gumbel was in engaging form at the Alpha International Conference, held in London at Holy Trinity Brompton from the 6th to 10th of June.

This was the first time I had heard the evangelical reverend speak in person; and was immediately impressed by a gift for simple delivery coupled with a powerful message.

Nicky's welcome to the many Catholics who had attend end the Conference for the first time was heartfelt, as was his introduction to his Vision Talk that openly acknowledged the benefits Christianity had gained from last year's Papal visit to the UK.

Through focus upon a reading from Isaiah 61:4; The Vision Talk went on to encourage those of us working in the media to inspire and unite and rebuild the communities, people and religions of the world. Using our media skills to build a bridge of communication towards a better understanding and peace.

Media is a message bearer, and the minds and spiritual vision of thousands can be enhanced by taking active responsibility for its appropriate use.

I was reminded that we are in a most privileged position to encourage transformation.


"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastate; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations" - Isaiah 61:4

The Good, The Bad and The Unfunded

Organised jointly by theMediaNet and Christians in Journalism, there were certainly some bemused faces at BBC Radio's spiritual home, All Souls Church in Langham Place, on Saturday morning of February 19th.

"It is time we were all weaned from the begging bowl and started to earn our keep," began the wake up call.

"The tyranny of positive thinking is definitely not what is required from Christian do gooders in this age of economic austerity. Compulsory funding, grant stalking and donation dependence are all things of the past. It's time we learnt to stand on our own two feet..."

So proclaimed radical media investor Duncan Williams at the recent UPLOAD: Standing Together conference held in Central London.

Mammon and God have never been easy bedfellows and in the provocative talk by Williams which followed, entitled simply, "Money, money, money!", there were sure to be a few ruffled feathers amongst a flock of Christians all too used to receiving donations and charity for their good works and public service.

Williams stormed in with the suggestion that; "Go to any beauty contest and what do you hear the contestants proclaim?... That they want to help the poor, educated underprivileged children and work toward world peace... So what? We all want to do that!" he snapped. "The real skill is in being able realistically actualise and FUND that vision."

"Creating worthy projects and charities that do not have a self funding dimension in this age is simply contributing to the problem. All too often you unwittingly or otherwise are designing a debt machine which is not a public service at all, whose primary function is leak a salary to a small clique of, so called, 'charity' workers or employees."

By this point a stunned silence had broken out. Then suddenly questions were being fielded thick and fast. Even event co-ordinator Andrew Graystone felt compelled to remind the speaker that donations, service and giving freely were cornerstones of the Christian faith.

Undeterred in making his point, Williams insisted that; "The genius of someone like Bob Geldof is that he saw a problem and had provided a workable answer. Creating an offshoot of good works in the process. Good causes that do not have a sound and sensible business plan in order to successfully raise their funding source are redundant and ultimately damaging."

One voice spoke up at the back. A fitting comment considering the location; "What about the BBC? That is a public service that has successfully found a way of providing funding for itself..."

Another moment of uncomfortable quiet. At a time of multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-everything media, the justification of a compulsary licence fee is being seriously questioned.

Andrew Graystone himself had been employed by BBC religion for over a decade.

Duncan Williams is known to advocate the introduction of commercial funding and pay per view faith channels.

Perhaps this debate would be better held at another time and in another place? Hallowed ground and within earshot, criticism of BBC funding is still regarded as a sacred cow.


(Pictured at top: Duncan Williams and Andrew Graystone )

THE SON - Christian tabloid newspaper

Open publication - Free publishing - More the son

What Makes a Good Media Business?

Want to be your own boss?

Back in September, we reported that the City University of New York (CUNY)was opening a centre of 'entrepreneurial' journalism at its Graduate Journalism School. The idea of entrepreneurial journalism, as opposed to a more traditional model of journalists working through large, established outlets, doesn't seem to be going away. As many media professionals find themselves made redundant by shrinking papers and production companies, the idea of setting up a business is becoming more and more mainstream. But what is a good idea? Adam Westbrook, author of '10 New Ways to Make Money in Journalism' has kindly let us reproduce his top tips.

Fill a gap

Any concept (entrepreneurial or otherwise) has to service a need that a large enough group of people have, in order to survive and thrive. So a good place to start is to ask ‘is there a product or service which is not being provided right now?‘ Murdoch’s much anticipated iPad only newspaper The Daily can be viewed in these terms. The iPad’s been around for just over a year, and yes, there are plenty of magazines and publishers with their own iPad apps…but there is no single dedicated iPad news product. It’s a gap. And News International appear to be trying to fill it.

Scratch an itch

Great business ideas ‘scratch an itch’, by which we mean solving a problem that a group of people have. The best place to identify an itch is on your own body. What’s bugging you right now? What do you see which can be done faster? Cheaper? More accurately? More locally or more beautifully? TheBusinessDesk, a successful online news startup in the UK, clearly scratched an itch its founders had: there was no good source for regional business & finance news. They scratched their own itch, and in doing so created a thriving business. Scratching your own itch has a big advantage: because it’s your itch, you are best placed to tell whether your solution is scratching it properly.

Improve something

If that doesn’t work, why not try improving on someone else’s idea? There are plenty of magazines, websites, services we all use which get us grumbling. “This coverage stinks!” “Their infographics are rubbish” “They could have done that website so much better!” If there’s something out there which is not up to scratch – make your own, improved, version.

Begin with you

Instead of looking for a business idea straight away, start with you and your strengths and passions. What do you love doing? If you could wake up tomorrow morning and commit one act of journalism, what would it be? Designing? Writing? Data interrogation? Once you’ve identified that, you want to wrap a business around it. Look for markets for your passion, and build a business from there. This philosophy sums up the approach taken in my book Next Generation Journalist, which starts with a look at your real interests. After all, there’s no point in pursuing a business idea you’re not interested in, just because it looks like a workable idea. I have a brilliant idea for an environmentally friendly kettle. But am I going to make it? No. Because manufacturing, retail and, err, kettles, don’t do it for me right now.

Start making something – right now

Finally, once you’ve got an idea – or maybe if you still don’t – start creating, right away. Ideas are one-a-penny, but they don’t count for anything until you’ve turned it into something tangible. So if you’ve got an idea for an online magazine, get the webspace and domain, upload a WordPress theme and get creating. Why? Because you’ll only know if your idea is any good once it’s real. If you don’t have an idea yet, then start creating anyway. Whatever it is you feel like. If you think you’d like to start a business making infographics but aren’t sure what gap it would fill or itch it would scratch, keep going. Start designing infographics and put them online. See what the feedback is. Are people biting? This way you can develop your business idea organically. Only once you’re making something can you know whether it’s got legs.

Have you got a business idea not you're not sure where to go with? Would you like to link up with others and play with ideas? Then come along to UPLOAD//Standing Together on the 19th February and attend the strand session 'Money Money Money: Being Commerically Christian'. You could also contact other members through their profiles, write a blog asking for input or contact your sector connector.

"The successful multidimensional media project needs financial profitability, as well as a beneficial message, as a key ingredient... To invest means to increase outlay. In monetary terms this ought to be investing money for good willed purposes so as to reap further dividends. Money and goodwill need not, and must not be alien. The alignment of the two is the right use of financial expertise."

Duncan Williams - Christian Media InvestorSpeaking at UPLOAD : Standing Together - Christians in Journalism and theMediaNet.org

More details of the 'Money, Money, Money' strand of UPLOAD and a full list of the contact information is attached in the link below:

www.box.net/shared/ygfilrypvr
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London Calling - The Son reaches the capital!

"Join us in beating a path for tabloid reform," says Duncan Williams

The Son has been successfully distributed throughout one of London's major boroughs during the winter period.

Warmly received by all Christian churches in the local community following a brief presentation of the visionary tabloid title at Holy Trinity Brompton's acclaimed Alpha Course, demand to stock the paper at neighbouring churches quickly grew in momentum.

"It really has been great to see this positive news redtop so well received by our community," says local churchgoer and Christian media campaigner, Duncan Williams. "Particularly in the wake of the demand for ethical reform engulfing the popular press in the UK, I feel that The Son really is beating a path for a change for the better."

In addition to copies going out in Catholic, C of E and Methodist Churches all across the Royal Borough, Christian outreach services, such as The Trust and the Salvation Army, have also reported favourable responses to the good news tabloid.

"It's a welcome breath of fresh air," says retired Corporal Roy Turner of the World's End Estate's Salvation Army group. "I think people are getting very tired of negative stories and need a little bit of uplifting news."

Patients at the nearby Chelsea and Westminster Hospital also appeared to agree. When copies of The Son were distributed throughout the wards by the Chaplaincy team over the Christmas period, the general was hugely favourable. One nurse even saying to the team; "Thank you to The Son this is a real tonic for people who are unable to celebrate their Christmas at home and need a little bit of uplifting news."

The Son - We Love Him!

http://www.theson.org.uk/

THE SON - why not become a reader... or even a Partner?

THE SON - Additional tabloid evangelists are required to help bring about more positive news in our papers.

Plymouth born media entrepreneur Duncan Williams said he was 'immensely impressed and delighted' when he discovered a radical new red-top being produced in his home city.

Says Duncan; "As a former tabloid hack it really was an instant hit with me! The Son is a welcome broadside shot at all those negative news stories that seems to dominate our British press. I simply love this paper's outlook!"

Duncan and his company Independent News Ltd. have pledged to get hundreds of copies of The Son distributed on London streets in time for Christmas...

"This is a really great little paper and I hope more people will get to read it!"


Read All About It!

The Son is a proactive, provocative and uncompromising newspaper which aims to put Jesus back at the centre of society. Written and presented in an easy to read tabloid style, based on the UK’s biggest circulation newspapers, The Son is an ideal tool to reach believers and unbelievers as well. As well as exclusive news, showbiz and sport from the paper, we bring you some groundbreaking exclusives and insight from The Son’s brilliant team of columnists.

Mission Statement

We have a simple goal at The Son:

"To use what God has given us, to share him with others."

The Son doesn't belong to us… or even to you! It's God's and we will humbly obey him and serve him in this ministry for as long as he wants. If you love the Lord and The Son, get involved.

Son Evangelists Required!

If you think The Son is awesome and you want to get involved, here's how you can become a partner.

This is your paper and we’d love to offer you the opportunity to get more involved. We are looking to set up a network of people that can get involved in this growing ministry by promoting The Son in their church, village or area.

People ask us, “How can we get involved?” – well here’s 3 ways:

Prayer

We believe this is a great ministry that enables people to read about the Christian life in a relevant, interesting and non-patronising way. Please pray for those involved in writing, producing, promoting and financing this project.

Buy It!

The Son is currently quarterly but our readers would like it monthly. For £30.00 per issue (plus postage) you can buy 100 copies. Some people buy them and stick them through letterboxes, others give them out at libraries, cafés, businesses, etc. Be creative! It’s a great way of sharing great news! If you'd like to buy copies of The Son, call us on 01752 225623.

Sign Up!

Just click here and complete the contact form. Don’t worry, you’re not signing your life away. As a Son Partner* you will be informed about news and events as well as developments and future plans.

If you have any questions (or ideas!), please give us a yell on 01752 268635 or email theson@cornerstonevision.com

*I agree to be a Son Partner. This commitment has no binding or legal consequences. It simply means I am keen to be involved in supporting this ministry and I’m happy to have relevant information sent to me. If I have signed up as a Church, I have permission to do so from the Church leadership.

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Thousands Turn Out To Welcome Pope In London

Thousands of people have turned out in London to welcome the Pontiff as he continues his Papal tour of the UK with a series of public events in the capital.

The west London suburb of Strawberry Hill near Twickenham has been turned into a riot of colour as schoolchildren and members of the clergy descend on the area.

But the huge security operation surrounding the visit has led to unusual scenes outside a college where Pope Benedict XVI will address thousands of children.

Streams of bemused nuns waited in long queues to go through security scanners at St Mary's University College.

Their veils were inspected and rosary beads removed from handbags as they negotiated security.

One monk looked on incredulously as his crucifix was inspected and his habit frisked by police.

The Pope began the second day of his official Papal Visit with a private mass in Wimbledon after flying into London last night.

He then travelled to St Mary's University College, where he performed a special service for young people in an event to celebrate Catholic education.

Protests have also been planned to coincide with the Pope's visit to south west London, with humanist groups planning to demonstrate outside the college.

Among those gathered, some held banners reading "Holy Joe Ratzinger" and "From Hitler Youth to Papacy".

Later the Pontiff will head to central London, where he will address the Houses of Parliament and meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

In the evening Pope Benedict will attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

Yesterday, his Holiness was greeted by an estimated 125,000 well-wishers in Edinburgh who lined the streets for a glimpse of the head of the Catholic Church.

Shortly after his arrival in the UK, the Pontiff gave a speech in which he said the UK remained "a key figure politically and economically on the international stage".

"May it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate," he said.

"As we reflect on the sobering lessons of atheist extremism of the 20th century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society and thus a reductive vision of a person and his destiny."

The Pope also took time on his earlier flight from Rome to speak of his "sadness" over his church's handling of child abuse scandals.


Source (c) Sky News 2010

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The era of the 'new media baron' dawns at Camelot Castle, Cornwall

Camelot Castle Hotel in Tintagel, Cornwall, plays host to celebrities, business owners and media leaders; where talks are held, sometimes late into the night, to uphold the values of positive news reporting

The names John Mappin and Duncan Williams are synonymous with local media.

Both men have strong links to Cornwall, and both have been pioneers of positive news reporting; pledging to use media as a tool to improve understanding, communication and peace.

Lately, John Mappin is just as well known for his remarkable restoration of Tintagel's Camelot Castle Hotel; now an international focal point for members of the celebrity and media worlds. In fact, Camelot has once again become a global round table where decisions are made.

Nicolas Cage, Kate Winslet, Buzz Aldrin, Donald Pleasence, the Emir of Quatar, key business leaders, politicians and even a Russian Oil Oligarch, have all enjoyed visits and talked into the small hours at Camelot Castle.

Williams himself recalls his first memorable visit to the hotel, some years ago, when it was being used as a movie set for a big budget adaptation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.

"Some while later John Mappin and I were working together on a small newspaper," says Duncan. "Which, at the time, was one of the very few in this country to make a brave stand against the pressured political cries for an invasion of Afghanistan."

Under Tony Blair, most major newspapers and indeed old school 'press barons' toed the line and printed the lie. Now look at what has resulted!

Duncan Williams went on to form his own ethical publishing company, printing 1000s of copies of a successful self help book, then created a series of regional newspaper and magazine titles.

Mappin and Williams hold the view that society and survival are in grave danger when false reporting or incorrect data are used to justify an unsound government agenda.

Media then has a duty to report the truth. Positive reporting is ethical reporting. Transmitting a fact without recourse to negative spin.

"It is sad to read so much negativity about the work that goes on at Camelot Castle," says Duncan. "John Mappin, his wife Irina and resident artist Ted Stourton all contribute a huge amount to Cornwall. They offer their home as a base for debate about issues concerning local and national media."

And these are issues that still concern us all ...

To find out more about the real Camelot Castle Hotel follow these links below;

http://www.camelotcastle.com

http://vimeo.com/13887539
# # #


Independent News Ltd. - Established publisher of UK regional newspapers and magazines. Offering distribution and marketing opportunities in key locations throughout Great Britain.

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The era of the 'new media baron' dawns at Camelot Castle, Cornwall

Camelot Castle Hotel in Tintagel, Cornwall, plays host to celebrities, business owners and media leaders; where talks are held, sometimes late into the night, to uphold the values of positive news reporting

The names John Mappin and Duncan Williams are synonymous with local media.

Both men have strong links to Cornwall, and both have been pioneers of positive news reporting; pledging to use media as a tool to improve understanding, communication and peace.

Lately, John Mappin is just as well known for his remarkable restoration of Tintagel's Camelot Castle Hotel; now an international focal point for members of the celebrity and media worlds. In fact, Camelot has once again become a global round table where decisions are made.

Nicolas Cage, Kate Winslet, Buzz Aldrin, Donald Pleasence, the Emir of Quatar, key business leaders, politicians and even a Russian Oil Oligarch, have all enjoyed visits and talked into the small hours at Camelot Castle.

Williams himself recalls his first memorable visit to the hotel, some years ago, when it was being used as a movie set for a big budget adaptation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.

"Some while later John Mappin and I were working together on a small newspaper," says Duncan. "Which, at the time, was one of the very few in this country to make a brave stand against the pressured political cries for an invasion of Afghanistan."

Under Tony Blair, most major newspapers and indeed old school 'press barons' toed the line and printed the lie. Now look at what has resulted!

Duncan Williams went on to form his own ethical publishing company, printing 1000s of copies of a successful self help book, then created a series of regional newspaper and magazine titles.

Mappin and Williams hold the view that society and survival are in grave danger when false reporting or incorrect data are used to justify an unsound government agenda.

Media then has a duty to report the truth. Positive reporting is ethical reporting. Transmitting a fact without recourse to negative spin.

"It is sad to read so much negativity about the work that goes on at Camelot Castle," says Duncan. "John Mappin, his wife Irina and resident artist Ted Stourton all contribute a huge amount to Cornwall. They offer their home as a base for debate about issues concerning local and national media."

And these are issues that still concern us all ...

To find out more about the real Camelot Castle Hotel follow these links below;

http://www.camelotcastle.com

http://vimeo.com/13887539
# # #


Independent News Ltd. - Established publisher of UK regional newspapers and magazines. Offering distribution and marketing opportunities in key locations throughout Great Britain.

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Good Bloggers Not Bad Blaggers!

Citizen Journalism by Duncan Williams

Following the thought provoking discussions held at this year's Church and Media Conference in Derby, I went away, feeling optimistic for the beneficial future of Citizen Journalism.

There was a shared vision of the many expanding opportunities opening up, daily, for aspiring Christian and free thinking journalists. Citizen Journalists seeking to make an impression in the competitive world of mass media have never had it so good.

When a young delegate quizzed me during a question and answer session; "What would be the best way forward is for someone wanting to start a career as a journalist?" I replied, simply; "Start blogging!"

Blogging costs nothing and you can have a voice and 'be present' on the world wide web in 30mins. Less in fact, if you can think and type fast...

So, okay, there are good voices and bad voices. But if you've got the right stuff within you, you'll soon be read and heard by the right people.

The key is to be a good blogger and not a bad blagger.

Credible, bright and fact based content will separate the goodies from the baddies.

We need people who have a real vision to share with their blog followers.

Could this be you?...

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The Son - Christian tabloid newspaper

Open publication - Free publishing - More tabloid

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From the darker side of Grub Street to the lighter side of positive publishing: Profile of a Media Career...

Duncan Williams, tabloid dirt digger turned positive media guru : An article by Liz Hunter for theMediaNet.org

Duncan Williams has seen the very worst of the media world. Working as a tabloid ‘dirt-digger’ in the late 90s he spent his days seeking out celebrity stories in a culture where bribery, blackmail and stealing rubbish was the norm. Even born again Christian Jonathan Aitken once phoned to call him "a lying, underhanded s++t!." Now, though, Duncan owns his own ethical publishing company with a keen vision of building up struggling local and regional titles, and helping them to keep giving a voice to communities who are often drowned out in the noise of globalisation. He deliberately employs a proportion of ex-offenders and those recovering from addiction - and insists on a strongly positive editorial policy. In a nightmare market, the company is going from strength to strength. So how did he get from one to the other?

Duncan’s first contact with the media was through editing his school magazine, which he quickly renamed Bronco after a notorious brand of toilet roll. Writing gave him and his rebellious school friends a chance to let off steam, and he was hooked. At age 17 he moved from the West Country to London to attend film school, and went on to have a career in new media and film advertising throughout the 90s boom years. It was a destructive environment, with a heavy drinking culture, but even then Duncan says “writing was really a form of prayer, a way of getting in touch with my real myself when I couldn’t always express things well verbally".

A move into print at the end of the decade proved lucrative - whilst selling advertising for a series of high profile London magazine titles, Duncan realised that the real money was in sensationalist news and set himself up as a freelance investigator for all the major tabloids.

Kept on retainer, he would be given a brief by an editor and set about finding, or creating, a story about them. One well read middle England title, he recalls, would particularly like tittle tattle about society women and would pay very handsomely for insider gossip. It’s wasn’t just journalists that are paid by the papers - behind the staff whose names appear on by-lines there is a huge network of contacts receiving a monthly fee for feeding in stories, from celebrities’ close 'friends' to hairdressers and even doctors. It was not unusual to see suitcases of cash changing hands. Duncan had regular dealings with ‘Benji the Binman’ who made his fortune hunting for scandal in rubbish, and would also employ covert surveillance. Even if all that failed it didn’t mean the story was dead. “I clearly remember one day seeing a front cover of renown Sunday tabloid, a story about Robbie Williams, and knowing that 90% of it was distorted from fact, because I had engineered most of these embellishments. Robbie went on to sue and win a large out of court settlement, but most of the time, for the papers, it was worth it”. As several recent revelations about tabloid reporting practice confirm, he doesn’t think much has changed.

"Today, one rewarding amend for me, " says Duncan. " Is that I am able to commission the very celebrity targets of my past life to write positive pieces for my own publications. Obviously, celebrities have feelings too... and fortunately forgiveness is often one of them!"

Duncan says that there was no blinding light epiphany for him, just a realisation over several years that his life had “bottomed out”. He sought help with his heavy drinking and excessive lifestyle, and became a committed Catholic Christian. Not long after he made the decision to use all the money he had made to set up his own independent news company. With the support of some old tabloid colleagues, angel investors and some big hearted celebrities, this step forward seems to have worked out.

Duncan thinks it’s the most exciting time to be in papers, and that the laments over the death of journalism are misguided. Change is inevitable, but not disastrous, and can be a chance for good. There are huge opportunities for those who want to be influential people of integrity. He was able to buy shares in several large media companies after the price had dropped by 90% last year and is now on the board of five of these; “There are huge opportunities for those who want to be influential people of integrity. The digital revolution will eventually provide far more readers for local titles once they’ve embraced new platforms; Things like Kindle and the iPad provide an amazing way to get positive, ethical stories out there, and we’re showing that there is an audience for it.”

The titles owned by Duncan, and his group of positive independent news companies, are trying to make a stand against the “propaganda of negativity” that he thinks so shapes our thinking. Like many of us, and even having seen the very darkest side to the media, he passionately believes it can be a force for good.



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YAZZ-tastic - 80's pop princess finds God!

Singer Yasmin Evans finds peace through her faith.

"The only way is up!" promised the bleach blonde model turned singer in the summer of 1988, which she soundtracked with her international smash, becoming one of the UK's biggest music stars. But what happened to Yazz? We caught up with her and found out the music industry can go down as well as up.

That was then...

Born to a Jamaican father and English mother in London in 1960, Yasmin Evans was an unmistakable regular on the catwalk before being blinded by the giddy lights of pop fame. She scored a number of underground hits with Biz during the mid-‘80s. But her big break really arrived in 1988, when she supplied the vocals to Coldcut's pioneering, monster club smash ‘Doctorin' The House' (Watch the video on YouTube), hitting the UK top 10.

Later that summer, she launched a solo career under the name Yazz and the Plastic Population, releasing debut single ‘The Only Way Is Up' (Watch the 'Top Of The Pops' performance on YouTube). It went on to spend five weeks at the top of the UK chart and became the biggest hit of the year. Follow-up ‘Stand Up For Your Love Rights' went to number two, while ‘Wanted', the accompanying debut album, narrowly failed to hit the chart summit.

In 1989, Yazz made the top for the last time with ‘Fine Time' and had a minor hit in 1990 with ‘Treat Me Good', before hooking up with Aswad on ‘How Long' three years later. Her second album, ‘One On One', came out the following year to limited success, by which point Yazz had grown disillusioned with the music business. "My creative resources were drying up from the treadmill of promoting. So I began looking to other directions for fulfilment," she tells Yahoo! Music.

This is now...

Now 49, Yazz takes up the story from her new home in southern Spain. "I decided to come out of the business and try to get my head sorted. I was pretty messed up. I began a search for faith, winding through all the roads from Buddhism to New Age. It was a long sojourn but I thank God for it as truth must be found...about two years later I found it! And I became a committed Christian and life has been awesome since!"

And what has she been doing in recent years? "I travel to invited events, missions, prisons to present a story called 'Fame 2 Freedom'. Through singing songs from my latest album (Listen to 'Running Back To You' on Yazz's official website) and using interactive visuals and a band or acoustic set up, I present one woman's journey to find faith. They are fantastic evenings, intimate, fun and challenging!"

Yazz has also recorded a contemporary gospel album and teaches at professional singing workshop classes. She is currently preparing more new material alongside "a little book of women's stories that I have met along my travels. Unsung heroes I call them! Outstanding articles about women of faith and how their faith has carried them through intense storms," she explained. With so many projects on the go, a full comeback to the pop frontline seems unlikely, as she admitted: "Mmmmmm, let me think...I don't have time!!!"


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Narconon Hastings pays tribute to work of local magazine publisher and his team

A Community News report by Alison Withey
Narconon UK - Tel. 01424 420 036

We at Narconon Hastings are not only dedicated to saving lives through the Narconon Rehabilitation program but we also work and co-operate with and support other groups and people who help and inspire others to do better in life.

Fortunately there are many people of goodwill in this world and they do not always get the recognition or the acknowledgements deserved for what they do.

We would like to introduce you to someone that we recognize for the positive impact he is creating on the community. He is the editor of well known magazines ‘In Chelsea’ and ‘Your Town Your Choice’ which specializes in good news. He is also a good friend of Narconon Hastings and here is what he has to say:

(Duncan Williams and friend )

"As a magazine publisher I believe strongly in supporting positive community values that are in the best interest all. Clearly problem drinking or drug abuse is a menace to our society; to the employer, employee, to families, their health, wealth, hope and happiness. For this reason myself and all my local news correspondents are keen to endorse all worthwhile efforts to combat addiction. If the skills to provide rehabilitation and education for those attempting to recover are genuine, they deserve to be highlighted. These valuable tools can then be wisely and widely applied to handle addiction and its associated problems."

Duncan Williams




This is an excerpt from ‘The Way To Happiness’ written by L.Ron Hubbard, author and humanitarian.

DO NOT HARM A PERSON OF GOODWILL.

“Despite the insistence of evil men that all men are evil, there are many good men around and women too. You may have been fortunate enough to know some.

Factually, the society runs on men and women of goodwill. Public workers, opinion leaders, those in the private sector who do their jobs are, in the great majority, people of goodwill. If they weren’t, they long since would have ceased to serve.”

- L.Ron Hubbard -


(c) 2009 Narconon United Kingdom . All Rights Reserved. NARCONON is a registered trademark owned by the Association for Better Living and Education International and used with its permission. Grateful acknowledgement is made to L.Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L.Ron Hubbard.


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