Palatinate (newspaper)


Palatinate is the official student newspaper of Durham University and one of Britain's oldest student publications, having published its first edition on 17 March 1948 and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018. The newspaper was named Best Publication in the Student Publication Association's 2018 national awards. In the same year Palatinate was Highly Commended in the Best Publication category of the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme's Student Journalism Awards. It was NUS/Independent Student Newspaper of the Year in 2001, and Best Publication in the Student Publication Association's 2017 and 2018 Regional Awards.
The name of the newspaper derives from the colour Palatinate, a shade of purple closely associated with the university and derived from County Durham's political history as a County Palatine.
Palatinate is published on a fortnightly basis during term time, and its editors-in-chief are elected on a per-term basis. The paper reports news about Durham University, its sporting activities and individuals connected with the university, plus arts coverage, and a variety of features and a comment section. It has been freely available since 2004, as Durham Students Union pays for the publication of Palatinate, and it is distributed to locations around the main university campus. From 2007, the publication has been made available online. Queen's Campus in Stockton-on-Tees also receives copies. Each edition is also printed in full colour.

History

The first issue of the student newspaper was published on 17 March 1948. Although the paper was initially designed to "bridge the gap" between the Newcastle and Durham divisions of the University poor sales in the Newcastle college led to the paper refocussing as a Durham-only publication after just three issues. Several of the Newcastle students involved in establishing Palatinate went on to set up their own paper for Newcastle students, King's Courier.
In 1999, Palatinate was named runner-up in the Student Newspaper of the Year category of the Guardian Student Media Awards.
From 2001 through 2004, Palatinate was published in broadsheet format, before reverting to tabloid format.
In 2001, Palatinate was named the NUS/The Independent Student Newspaper of the Year. In 2003, reporter Oliver Brown was runner-up for the Best Student Reporter category of the NUS National Student Media Awards.
In January 2004, Palatinate became a free publication, funded by greater advertising revenue aided by a greatly increased circulation.
In 2005, the paper stopped receiving direct funding from the Students' Union, resulting in an increase of advertising needed. The Students' Union, however, still provides Palatinate with office space and computing facilities.
In June 2008, content from Palatinate was showcased in the inaugural issue of FS magazine as an example of "the best of student journalism." In November of the same year, Palatinate launched Indigo, an arts and features pull-out supplement, and celebrated its 700th edition.
In June 2009, under the editorship of James Thompson, Palatinate launched a new Careers section. In January 2010, a new sports supplement titled "The Locker Room" was launched, and the main paper was changed from tabloid to Berliner size. Later, in October, online video channel Palatinate TV was launched.
Later, in March 2013, a Science and Technology section was launched online and printed in the bumper 750th Celebratory Edition. In 2014, Palatinate launched a Profile section. Since December 2014, journalists from the newspaper have interviewed people such as Natalie Bennett, The Ting Tings, David Blunkett, Edwina Currie, Moazzam Begg, Owen Jones, Esther Rantzen and Norman Baker.
In November 2015, issues began to be digitised on the Palatinate website. In 2017, the newspaper celebrated its 800th edition, with guest columns by former editors Sir Harold Evans, Hunter Davies OBE and Jeremy Vine, along with an interview with George Alagiah OBE. 2017, under the editorship of Adam Cunnane and Eugene Smith, saw the paper receiving its first award in 16 years, winning 'Best Publication ' at the 2017 Student Publication Association Regional Awards.
Palatinate celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018. In April that year, under the editorship of Sophie Gregory and Cameron McIntosh, Palatinate won Best Publication at the Student Publication Association Awards. Two members of the editorial board also took home the award for Best Reporter and Highly Commended for Best Reporter.
Under editors Cameron McIntosh and Julia Atherley, Palatinate was highly commended in the Best Publication category of the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme's Student Journalism Awards 2018. In November 2018, the newspaper also won two regional awards hosted by the Student Publication Association including 'Best Publication' and 'Best Journalist'.
In March 2020 the Palatinate Podcast was launched by Editor-in-Chief Jack Taylor, with its first episode featuring the organisers of the Durham University Charity Fashion Show.

Notable Editors-in-Chief

Notable former Editors-in-Chief of Palatinate include Harold Evans, Hunter Davies, Piers Merchant, Judith Hann, Timothy Laurence, George Alagiah, Jeremy Vine,, John Exelby and Christopher Lamb