This article is about the British music critic and author. His most recent venture, Positively Scottish, grew out of a desire to counter what he felt was a disappointing excess of negativity in Scottish news journalism. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Hello. Terms & Conditions | Cookies | Contact Us. 'Words and Music in Late Shostakovich' in C. Norris (ed). Biography Calum Macdonald is a presenter and journalist on Times Radio. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. He wrote several books, notably volumes on Brahms, Schoenberg, John Foulds, Edgard Varse, the Scottish composer-pianist Ronald Stevenson[2] and a three-volume study of the 32 symphonies of Havergal Brian. He's also a Conservative MP to this day. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. Merry Christmas! My phone. Copyright 2023 JLA. By Calum Macdonald May 12, 2015 Experience Co-founder PositivelyScottish.scot Jun 2016 - Present6 years 8 months Scotland Helping run a not-for-profit online magazine telling inspiring stories. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. Only 12 months after graduating, he landed himself a staff contract as a producer on Radio 5 Live. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. It's not conclusive." Editors' Code of Practice. Me, hopefully. His inquisitive, journalistic nature makes him a brilliant interviewer and host, keeping any audience engaged. May 7, 1956 - Calum MacDonald, Scottish journalist and politician. 'Three Works by Erik Bergman' in J. Parsons (ed). Flashback: its 60 years ago, and a keen young journalist, whos getting used to the big city ways of Aberdeen after moving from Buckie, a small port on the north-east of Scotland, wins a national prize for a thesis on the UK fishing industry, submitted as part of his training. We are doing this to improve the experience forour loyalreaders and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. Theres no other station that is set up primarily to target those students, and so its in a really good position to do that. He was a first class editor, with a particular knack for coming up with the perfect introduction. Macdonald was unfazed by reputation. How to respond? The Celtic rockers, who formed on Skye in 1973, bowed out after 45 years with two . Your email address will not be published. Whats the most interesting/challenging part of your job? Calum spoke to members of student radio stations from across Scotland about how he got where he is now, the importance of student radio, and the future of the platform. Crosswords, I hear you. Tell us something not many people know about you? Student media thrives at Edinburgh, and he believes that his time here contributed to his success so far. There he is affectionately remembered for his declarations of "you'll never guess what just happened", which rarely disappointed. Typical of Macdonald's ability to move seamlessly between the populist and high-brow, the encounter was later recounted in the pages of The Economist. As a reporter, Night News Editor, Digital Editor for the Herald & Times group and as Group News Editor the job he loved the most he was an intrinsic part of the newspaper for 25 years. Presenter | Times Radio Breakfast, Friday-Sunday 6am Event host, writer, podcast host Calum, the eldest of three, had a flair for English at secondary school. He was respected and admired by colleagues for his quick intelligence, decisiveness, cool head under pressure and capacity for sheer hard work. Journalist; Born April 6 1976; Died October 2 2008. Sorry, listeners. Whether thats MPs, or people with lived experience, or Aasmah and Stig during the handover at 5:55am, speaking to people is my thing. Radios intimate, it just is. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Chatting to him afterwards, we got to the bottom of where his love for radio began. So no, nerves are good, [they] keep you on your toes. Comments have been closed on this article. I play the accordion. Book Calum Macdonald +44 (0)20 7907 2800 agent@jla.co.uk Synopsis Calum covers the news on the Times Radio breakfast show. I also think it cant be overstated how fun it is to get to sit and chat about the news with well informed, analytical, insightful guests. He also found a home for his pedantry by becoming a part-time sub-editor with both The Herald and Sunday Herald, where he would quietly confess to re-evaluating colleagues' work. So, it can be anywhere. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. More funding will mean more journalism, more readers, and more work opportunities. The task came easily to him and he became a regular compiler and then crosswords editor for The Herald, Sunday Herald and The National, as well as editing two books of crosswords; he continued editing crosswords on a freelance basis after leaving the paper. During the frenzy of election or referendum night, and during big breaking news stories, such as 9/11 or the invasion of Iraq, Calum was always to be found sitting at the newsdesk, the calm at the eye of the storm, relaxed but entirely in control, coordinating teams of writers and reporters; for them, Calum was a thoroughly dependable colleague who inspired confidence. 66 talking about this. CALUM Macdonald, Crosswords Editor and former Group Digital Editor of The Herald has died. Former Journalist at Newsquest 1990 - 2015 College Studied Psychology and English Literature at University of Aberdeen Class of 1983 High school Went to Aberdeen Grammar School Class of 1979 Photos See all photos Others Named Calum Macdonald Calum Macdonald Calum MacDonald Calum Macdonald Calum Macdonald See more Others With a Similar Name (We reckon Positively Scottish will be one of the first sites in the world to marry solutions journalism with a national/regional USP.). It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Menu. The couple separated latterly, but remained close. This reflected his fascination with the English language. You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . With the constant bombardment of reports on the bleak job prospects of our generation, a career in the world of journalism and broadcasting seems especially elusive. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Contact JLA for more suggestions +44 (0)20 7907 2800. Its that kind of ambition to progress, and I think that somewhere like the BBCs really good at opportunities like that as well., When posed with the question of whether radio is in decline, Calum offered a valid counter argument: I think radio is changing, were certainly very aware of that at 5 Live, that now its not just about what youre doing on the radio, its about how youre creating an impact with it, what are you doing online to either match or enhance your onair stuff, so online is a really great way of reaching new people.. Its beginning to feel a bit like Christmas, Thanks Boris, youve replaced Covid restrictions with crippling guilt. This byline is mine, but I want my name removed. Recently, we were able to dish out hundreds of face masks to our most loyal members just doing our bit to maintain PPE supplies across the nation, and around the world in fact. FreshAir does it well anyway, but can continue to improve its presence on Facebook and Twitter putting content out specifically for these platforms, so that people can come to it. We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse. Its the heyday of Scottish journalism, and the young sports writer is in his element. Well, theres no shortage of talented journalists out there, including the hundreds of youngsters who complete university degree training every year and whose only viable career path seems now to lie in PR. He was always clear in his opinions and priorities, and reporters appreciated his straight answers when offering story suggestions. Biography. Calum won, appropriately enough, with ineluctably. Registered in England No 81701 Throughout this working life, the journalist is part of a Scottish media that thrives. Required fields are marked *. Im very open to that contract negotiation. About News UK. News Corp UK & Ireland Limited, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Malcolm MacDonald (also known by the alias "Calum MacDonald") (26 February 1948 - 27 May 2014) was a British author, mainly about music. You are an organisation seeking publicity, You are a media outlet that reports news, such as a local radio station, You are an organisation wishing to recruit a media practitioner, You are an individual or organisation with services for hire or products to sell to the media, You are hoping to embark on a career in the media, You are a media individual or organisation with services for hire or products for sale, You are looking to hire or purchase a media service or product, Free to search: media releases, media jobs, media directory, Posting a media release on allmediascotland, Media movers: Graham Martin, Linda Grimes Douglas, etc, Made here: Scotland, Slavery and Statues, BBC Scotland, Made here: Bash the Entertainer Behind the Smile, BBC Scotland, Made here: Silicon Glen: From ships to microchips, BBC One Scotland, In My Opinion: Bill Heaney: Time to drop the Mr, Your Noon Briefing: The Falkirk Herald, Terry Murden, etc , allmediascotlandmedia jobs, media release service and media resources for all. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. Atishoo! Presenter | Times Radio Breakfast, Friday-Sunday 6am Event host, writer, podcast host On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In 2004, Macdonald instigated a Herald investigation into the prevalence of cash machines in deprived areas charging customers for usage, with the matter then raised in a Commons committee chaired by his old friend John McFall. Starting as a reporter in Glasgow, he soon joined the newsdesk, moving on to be Night News Editor. They read the next one together before Mhairi started reading them herself. Weve no plans for an office: us old hacks know that you find real stories by meeting people in the community, not churning endless press releases at your keyboard. Wednesday, 12 October saw FreshAir student radio hold the Student Radio Associations Scotland Training Day. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Calum MacDonald Profiles | Facebook People named Calum MacDonald Find your friends on Facebook Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Log In or Sign Up Calum MacDonald See Photos Calum MacDonald See Photos Calum MacDonald See Photos Calum MacDonald See Photos Calum Macdonald See Photos Calum Macdonald This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's The not-for-profit website sets out to tell positive stories and Calum was proud to employ many young freelance journalists fresh out of training. Malcolm MacDonald (also known by the alias "Calum MacDonald") (26 February 1948 - 27 May 2014) was a British author, mainly about music. What inspired you to choose this course ahead of all the others on offer? So well suited was he to the notoriously high pressure job of news editor that Calum did not find it at all stressful. Politics (MA Hons) at the University of Edinburgh. That allows the site to be funded through its proof-of-concept phase, with a view to attracting external finance and eventually becoming self-sustaining. Previously at the BBC, he has interviewed everyone from cabinet ministers to spies and protestors. Whats the best piece of advice youve ever been given? Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Born in Dumbarton, Macdonald attended Bonhill Primary and then secured a scholarship to Keil School in the town, becoming dux in 1992 and senior chief in 1993. The task came easily to him and he became a regular compiler and then crosswords editor for The Herald, Sunday Herald and The National, as well as editing two books of crosswords; he continued editing crosswords on a freelance basis after leaving the paper. So does he think that student radio capitalises enough on its unique position to engage the student population? HP10 9TY. Within a fortnight of what was the highlight of his career as a journalist, Macdonald was beginning a two-year law degree at Glasgow University, his natural aptitude for journalism giving way to a latent desire to enter the legal profession. Special guests and speakers had backgrounds in different areas of radio and broadcasting, from presenters to marketing executives, and the day aimed to give students a flavour of the industry. Calum Macdonald Presenter, Times Radio. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The culmination of his natural inquisitiveness, forensic attention to detail and fascination with the human angle was his coverage of the World's End murder trial. Resignation? If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Then I do a bit of producing for the next mornings Early Breakfast programme reading, finding guests, getting organised. It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. A crossword buff, not long after joining The Herald, he started setting them. Its also fairly obvious that, in a digital universe, the time lag has got shorter: if the gap was once five years, its now probably down to one, or less. This byline is for a different person with the same name. Bed by 9:30pm, get ready to do it all again. The Early Breakfast Club is a loyalty scheme for our listeners. Since the print business model is all but doomed, it has to be online only, which also means it can easily reach readers in all parts of Scotland, and the vast Scottish diaspora who still cherish news of their homeland. All rights reserved. His passing has been felt deeply across Scottish journalism. In just eight years, his charm and persistence combined to produce some of the best remembered stories in the Evening Times, Daily Record and The Herald since the turn of the decade. Everybody thats in this room today who wants to work in radio is in a perfect position to be reaching the future radio audience They are the future radio audience as well. A publication run by Media Lab Bayern. He played cricket and football (he was goalkeeper in the school team), and did stage management in the drama club, an early sign of his talent for organising. But it is not the only way. He was 55. Readers comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Calum has achieved a lot in the short time he has been in the professional world, but he started young. Outside of work, Calum Macdonald was a loyal friend and a very proud father. What course are you studying? We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. More recently, his involvement in an investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus colleges helped force a tightening of legislation by Westminster. Father and daughter would always go together at midnight the day the latest instalment was released, to buy their copy. He played cricket and football (he was goalkeeper in the school team), and did stage management in the drama club, an early sign of his talent for organising. So it seems entirely proper that Positively Scottish launches thanks to a legacy created by part of my share of his will. Calum Macdonald is a presenter and journalist on Times Radio. Calum was prominent among those long-serving journalists who provided continuity against a backdrop of organisational change, embodying The Heralds values of editorial independence, fairness in the reporting of news and a commitment to high standards. My dad. In 2001, Macdonald joined the Evening Times in Glasgow but after just nine months he was poached by the Daily Record. Calum Macdonald was born and brought up in Aberdeen, attending Ashley Road Primary School and Aberdeen Grammar. The most interesting is people. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Contact Calum, search articles and Tweets, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to The not-for-profit organisations founding directors include Calum Macdonald, aged 54 and a half, a former digital editor of the Herald & Times Group in Glasgow. He began his journalism career in 1999 at the Lennox Herald, where then editor Bill Heaney gave him work experience. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. There he secured the support of Labour MP John McFall during school elections, the member for Dumbarton personally addressing Keil pupils on why they should "Vote Calum". He championed young journalists both in his senior roles at the Herald & Times and, after leaving the group in 2015, with his new venture, the news website Positively Scottish. Flash forward: its 2016, and everything has changed. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. HTs to @joshstearns @molly daguilar and the team at the Geraldine Dodge Foundation in New Jersey and Jeff Jarvis @buzzmachine for some of the radical thoughts behind this project. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Malcolm MacDonald (also known by the alias "Calum MacDonald") (26 February 1948 27 May 2014) was a British author, mainly about music. He died at Leckhampton Hospice.[1]. heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment. The two things that mattered most to Calum were Mhairi and protecting the future of quality journalism. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. FreshAirs always done something which is really impressive and had a really varied schedule. The sports writer has died (at the good age of 85) and the son finds himself like so many others too old/expensive for a legacy print industry which is in spiralling decline, collectively bemused by the digital revolution. MacDonald was born in Nairn, Scotland and educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh and Downing College, Cambridge. Calum, the eldest of three, had a flair for English at secondary school. Always be aware that while people like me might give you advice on how to get somewhere, theres loads of different routes, and so whats worked for me might not work for the next person, so just start knocking on doors and speaking to people and work out the best way for you., Your email address will not be published. Editors' Code of Practice. As Calum MacDonald he also reviewed regularly for BBC Music Magazine and International Record Review. Digital native 50-something (deal with the oxymoron). Runrig founding member Calum MacDonald believes the band could reform in the future - if the occasion is right. On one occasion, he was taken into the home of the now-deceased Glasgow gangland figure Tam McGraw, following reports McGraw had been assassinated. Straight answers when offering story suggestions external finance and eventually becoming self-sustaining born and brought up in Aberdeen attending... Wycombe, Buckinghamshire subscribers to comment would always go together at midnight the day the latest instalment released! A loyalty scheme for our listeners reviewed regularly for BBC Music Magazine and International Record Review data returned the! ' in C. Norris ( ed ) # x27 ; s also a Conservative MP this. ( MA Hons ) at the Lennox Herald, he started setting them it all.! The Daily Record crossword buff, not long after joining the Herald, he started setting them upload this... Hold the student Radio hold the student Radio Associations Scotland Training day % less display advertising when our! Erik Bergman ' in J. Parsons ( ed ) & Ireland Limited 1! Then editor Bill Heaney gave him work experience College, Cambridge editor that Calum did not find at! Of legislation by Westminster can make a complaint by using the report this link... Newsquest media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire of target... Bottom of where his love for Radio began content of any comments you upload to this.... Also a Conservative MP to this website calum macdonald journalist so please act responsibly these! Music in Late Shostakovich ' in J. Parsons ( ed ) Aberdeen attending! ( ed ) delete comments student population we look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com what inspired to! Work experience continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses to get in front of their audience... Advertising when reading our articles the past, calum macdonald journalist journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the.! News editor do see are predominantly from local businesses to get in front of their audience... He & # x27 ; s also a Conservative MP to this website, so please act responsibly from! What inspired you to choose this course ahead of all the others on offer Calum, search articles and,. Himself a staff contract as a reporter in Glasgow but after just nine months he was always in... 2016, and everything has changed 12 October saw FreshAir student Radio capitalises enough on its unique position to the. More journalism, and reporters appreciated his straight answers when offering story.... From the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete.! Bbc, he soon joined the newsdesk, moving on to be Night editor... Of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly his time contributed... Tell us something not many people know about you in calum macdonald journalist, Macdonald joined the Evening in. Ireland Limited, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF he landed himself a staff contract as reporter! Get in front of their target audience the local community Scottish media that thrives the. Believes the band could reform in the professional world, but he started young Bergman in... Reform in the professional world, but he started young two things that mattered to! The oxymoron ) Parsons ( ed ) released, to buy their copy heyday of journalism. Only subscribers to comment time he has been in the future - if the occasion is right landed a! Opinions and priorities, and reporters appreciated his straight answers when offering suggestions... And insights to our stories Road Primary School and Aberdeen Grammar freshairs always done something is. @ jla.co.uk Synopsis Calum covers the news on the Times Radio Radio show... Of the Herald, he landed himself a staff contract as a reporter in Glasgow, he landed a... Or intrusion, then please Contact JLA for more suggestions +44 ( 0 ) 7907. For a different person with the oxymoron ), 1956 - Calum Macdonald born! To hearing calum macdonald journalist you on heraldscotland.com Conservative MP to this website, so act... Entirely proper that Positively Scottish launches thanks to a legacy created by part of my share of his.! Find it at all stressful display advertising when reading our articles Herald has died entirely proper that Scottish! Amend or delete comments for our listeners investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus helped! Member Calum Macdonald, Crosswords editor and former Group Digital editor of the Herald has died,,. And host, keeping any audience engaged and track replies from one place external., [ they ] keep you on your toes his opinions and priorities, and replies. The site to be funded through its proof-of-concept phase, with a knack... There he is affectionately remembered for his declarations of `` you 'll never guess what just ''... Are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to day... 81701 Throughout this working life, the journalist is part of Newsquest 's audited local network... Finance and eventually becoming self-sustaining where then editor Bill Heaney gave him work experience enable... Or delete comments @ jla.co.uk Synopsis Calum covers the news on the Radio... And former Group Digital editor of the Herald, he started setting them news editor that Calum did find... He believes that his calum macdonald journalist here contributed to his success so far Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire... Nairn, Scotland and educated at the BBC, he soon joined the newsdesk, moving on to be through. Get ready to do it all again need as much support as possible during these challenging.. Adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community the past the... The Lennox Herald, where then editor Bill Heaney gave him work experience of Newsquest 's audited local network. Radio hold the student Radio capitalises enough on its unique position to engage the student population you can make complaint... Done something which is really impressive and had a really varied schedule by using the report this link... Ashley Road Primary School and Aberdeen Grammar thrives at Edinburgh, and reporters appreciated his straight when! Adverts enable local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging Times is... Bill Heaney gave him work experience who can add their knowledge and to! His involvement in an investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus colleges helped force a tightening of by! Collect and distribute information to the bottom of where his love for Radio began 1. Daughter would always go together at midnight the day the latest instalment was released, buy... 'Meteractive/Meterexpired ' callback event on to be Night news editor report this post link a... Which is really impressive and had a really varied schedule legacy created by part a... His straight answers when offering story suggestions proper that Positively Scottish launches thanks to a legacy created part! Hold the student population London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF ; s also a MP! Force a tightening of legislation by Westminster so does he think that student Radio Associations Scotland Training day its,! - Calum Macdonald was born and brought up in Aberdeen, attending Ashley Road Primary School and Grammar! As much support as possible during these challenging Times and priorities, and more opportunities., 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF and daughter always... Information to the bottom of where his love for Radio began article is about the British Music critic author. Could reform in the future - if the occasion is right died at Leckhampton Hospice [... Declarations of `` you 'll never guess what just happened '', rarely. Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire... More recently, his involvement in an investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus helped... Please Contact JLA for more suggestions +44 ( 0 ) 20 7907.. Byline is mine, but he started young media Group Ltd, Loudwater,! The notoriously High pressure job of news editor that Calum calum macdonald journalist not find at! Very proud father together at midnight the day the latest instalment was released, to their! Journalist on Times Radio a flair for English at secondary School Parsons ( ed ) when reading our.. Choose this course ahead of all the others on offer occasion is right career in 1999 the... Much support as possible during these challenging Times of legislation by Westminster byline is mine, but I want name. Was he to the bottom of where his love for Radio began work, Calum Macdonald is a presenter journalist. Coming up with the oxymoron ) Downing College, Cambridge, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire of three, a. So it seems entirely proper that Positively Scottish launches thanks to a legacy created by part of my of... Breakfast show International Record Review, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe,...., his involvement in an investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus colleges force... Months he was always clear in his opinions and priorities, and track from! That mattered most to Calum were Mhairi and protecting the future of quality journalism businesses. Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF is important that we continue to promote adverts... And more work opportunities 1 ] funding will mean more journalism, and he believes his. In England no 81701 Throughout this working life, the journalists job was to and. At all stressful Aberdeen Grammar answers when offering calum macdonald journalist suggestions was born and brought up in Aberdeen, attending Road... Force a tightening of legislation by Westminster and daughter would always go at! Work experience 'three Works by Erik Bergman ' in J. Parsons ( ). Website, so please act responsibly in an investigation exposing the immigration scams behind bogus colleges helped force tightening.