World first reporting round announced by NT News
IN A break with recent tradition, the NT News is splitting the prestigious crocodile and UFO reporting rounds with new journalists given guernseys for the roles. But the real news is the announcement of a world first in news reporting
Northern Territory
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IN a break with recent tradition, the NT News is splitting the prestigious crocodile and UFO reporting rounds with new journalists given guernseys for the roles. But the real news is the announcement of a world first in news reporting.
NT News editor Matt Williams said there was no higher level a reporter could climb in Australia than reporting on crocs or UFOs at the NT News and said he was proud to reward the two reporters who have Gold Walkleys awaiting them.
“Traditionally in newspapers the UFO reporting would probably fit under border security but here in the NT, with such a busy green nomad season, it needs its own reporter.”
As often quoted NT UFO-ologist Alan Ferguson says: ‘UFOs, like Swedish backpackers and Canberra politicians, nearly always come to the Top End during the Dry season’.”
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In 2016, now NT News deputy editor Jill Poulsen was appointed the dual croc and UFO roundsperson, but cracked under the pressure and was parachuted into the Chief of Staff role for a break.
Williams said newspapers need to keep innovating so that was why he was announcing the world’s first barramundi reporter, which in a controversial move has been awarded to a barra-catching virgin.
There has been no decision on what happens in the case of croc — barra crossover stories, which often happen, but it will probably be a fight to the death between reporters, the way it is handled in the river.
Judith Aisthorpe, who has been at the paper since 2015, is the new croc reporter. Aisthorpe has been the police reporter and will continue in that role, squeezing it in among the croc yarns.
She has form for reporting on crocodiles, with this recent Croc and croc and croc eat croc number.
“Crocodiles are part and parcel of living in the Territory and I’m excited to bring you the very best in croc news in my new round as croc reporter,” Aisthorpe said.
“I will be doing the sort of stories journos at The Oz, The Guardian and New York Times and the Betoota Advocate could only dream about.
“I would not be sad if I got eaten on the job because I am doing what I love. And I would film it as it happened.
“So if you’ve had an encounter with a croc and care to share, get in touch, it just might make it to the front page of the paper.
Lauren Roberts, the paper’s health reporter has taken the next logical step into the UFO round — she also has UFO form with this: AB-DUCK — TED: I’m not quackers, but aliens stole my feathered friends’.
Meet @jill_poulsen, @TheNTNews' newest 'Croc and UFO' reporter! #9Today https://t.co/RSb3FjcG78
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 5, 2016
While there are synergies with the rounds — think anal probing — there could be a future merging of the UFO and political rounds, if, as the NT News has long predicted, aliens do eventually invade.
This reporter, for one, would welcome our new alien overlords.
“I’m thrilled to take over this amazing gig, it’s a lifelong dream to write about UFOs for the NT News,” Roberts said.
“Jeez, my mum is proud. Might even get off my back about having grandchildren because I’m kicking such impressive work goals.
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“It’s great to see aliens and UFO yarns are staying with a strong, female reporter — I mean, we all know the only reason anything got solved on the X-Files was because of Scully.
“Yes, I will do a better job than Jill but she had to handle two major rounds.
“Juggling both crocs and UFOs is a tremendous amount of pressure. I’m really excited the NT News has split them off, our readers deserve dedicated reporters in each very special area.
RELATED: How the Gerrymeter UFO sighting credibility scale works
“The truth is out there, and you should absolutely get in touch if you see an alien, or get abducted, or have some missing animals that you suspect were pinched by an alien.”
Will Zwar began with the NT News last February and has been on the council round but was bound for far greater things than roads, rates and rubbish reporting and now he can throw fish into the mix.
“Becoming the inaugural NT News barramundi reporter is an honour I will treasure and I’m lucky to have snagged such a sought after position,” Zwar said.
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FISHOS stuck up tree for two days in remote river while circled by crocs
“I believe if you don’t have barra, you don’t have the Territory. Screw the crocs, barra reporting is where it is at,” he said.
“I can’t wait to delve deeper into the world of barramundi and see what stories I hook.”
“Boof the barramundi is a Territory icon and I’m looking forward to working with Boof and coming across some hidden gems in the NT.
“Not only will this round send me on the right career path, hopefully it will pay dividends when I wet a line and will see me eating sweet, sweet, free fish all year round.”
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