X CIT Y
editor’s note
I
t’s been a turbulent year for journalism. We’ve seen media executives deal with claims of sexual harassment, mourned NME’s last ever print issue, gulped as BuzzFeed cut one-third of its UK staff, and learned just how little the BBC pays some of its female employees. The future might seem dark and unclear, but there are lots of bright spots if you look closely enough. This year’s cover star, Christina Lamb, told us how she remains positive despite covering some of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises (p78). It’s not just Lamb though. Journalists everywhere are finding new ways to thrive, whether it’s through podcasting (p67), launching activist blogs (p69), or reporting on video games (p41). We spoke with some of the media’s most innovative figures about their latest projects – from Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales (p93) to author and former Sunday Times dating columnist Dolly Alderton (p29). Sure, 2017 was full of challenges, such as covering an impulsive, Twitter-crazed president like Donald Trump (p108) or reporting on China’s increasingly authoritarian regime (p56). But there’s also a lot to look forward to, including a royal wedding (p35) and the 2018 World Cup (p84). To mark both occasions, we looked back at how journalists have covered these events in the past. And if you’re feeling sad about all of the retiring City lecturers (p6), cheer yourself up with a game of “spot the real indie magazine” (p27), or by reading about the first ever City Journalism blind date (p49). Needless to say, there’s a lot going in this issue – including, of course, the ever-important listings section (p113) – so be sure to give it all a look. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine half as much as we enjoyed making it for you.
Dillon Thompson
Editor Dillon Thompson Deputy Editor Megan Agnew News Editor Rob Picheta Deputy News Editors Emma Rosser Lydia Hawken Features Editor Katie Russell Deputy Features Editors Tom Faber Brooke Theis Listings Editor Rebecca Knight Deputy Listings Editors Elena Chabo Alexandra Twohey Production Editor Grace Whelan Deputy Production Editor Molly McElwee Managing Editor Alexandra Twohey Art Director Marigold Warner Deputy Art Director Ayla Soguksu Chief Sub-editor Jasper Hart Deputy Sub-editors Simon Fearn Tim Gunn Pictures Editor Zhou Zhang Deputy Pictures Editor Chrysa Simoni Advertising Manager Jack Napier
Special thanks to Annabel Snoxall (cover photo) Malvin Van Gelderen Clive Raven Frederik Burlage thenounproject.com The Guardian Press Association Illustrators: Ian Baker Aishling Caomhanach Amber Senocak
If you would like a correction or to make a comment about XCity please contaact the publisher Jason Benetto jason.bennetto.1@city.ac.uk
Writers Kanika Banwait Alex Daniel Sophia Ernesti Lucy Kehoe Lauren Kelly Nicholas Kenny Dominika Kubinyova Will Moffitt Sophia Moss Kate Plummer Molly Sequin Eliza Slawther Josh Spencer Arielle Witter Annie Simon Louisa Cavell
Deputy Advertising Manager Lucas Oakeley Publishers Jason Bennetto Barbara Rowlands XCity Magazine Department of Journalism City University London Northampton Square London, EC1V 0HB Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers www.magprint.co.uk