Alan Rusbridger, editor of The Guardian

Martin Bright, the political editor of the Jewish Chronicle, finds it ‘astonishing’. The only thing that is astonishing, however, is Bright’s astonishment.  During his long career in journalism this isn’t the first time Bright has come across nepotism in the industry, surely? 

Private Eye revealed this case of nepotism months ago in its ‘Streets of Shame’ column. The only reason the Jewish Chronicle has picked up on it is because Isabella Mackie (she, rather tactfully, uses her mother’s maiden name) had a foolish pop at Melanie Phillips in the section of comments she was meant to be moderating.

Now why am I writing about this on Lazy Students? Well, a lot of the people who write for and read this website want to become journalists. I do too and it is very annoying when you read about people getting enviable positions based largely on who their parents or friends are. Sadly, this is a part of life.

If you want to be a journalist and your mummy or daddy doesn’t run the paper, then be prepared to work hard. Get work experience. Beg for it. Make yourself useful to the point of harassment. Start a blog. Write lots. Oh, and be lucky. If you have the talent and the desire (and a little bit of luck) you will get where you want to be – no matter who your parents are.

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