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Matthew Mulligan Image

Name: Matthew Mulligan
TCD Qualification: B.A. Sociology & Social Policy (2015)
Title: Editor of Trinity News 2015-16

About: Trinity News is a student newspaper of Trinity College, and the oldest student newspaper in Ireland. It is an independent newspaper which reports on the news and views of the students and staff of the University.

Tell us about how you became editor of Trinity News?

In second year I transferred from Maynooth into Trinity’s Sociology & Social Policy Degree. I got involved in the University’s newspaper Trinity News and in third year I became Online Editor for that publication and our arts and culture sister magazine tn2. In my final year I juggled my positions as Editor-at-large of Trinity News and deputy editor of tn2 with doing a dissertation and passing my finals. I must have done a good job, because that March I was elected by staff as Editor of Trinity News.

What makes Trinity News different from other University newspapers?
In comparison to other college newspapers Trinity News is run independently. Although we fall under the remit of Trinity publications, we are completely run by students. As editor, if I don’t bring in the required amount of advertising to fund going to print, then we don’t go to print. It is a huge responsibility because Trinity News is an opportunity to improve University life for all students. Additionally, our independence means that we as students learn to use technical equipment, software along with gaining camera and video skills.

How do you think student journalism fits into the wider landscape of national media?
Student journalism is extremely important for training the journalists of the future who want to enter the national media landscape. In a lot of ways, writers and journalists in student publications have the freedom to be more experimental with their writing and to develop their own style. On another note it is becoming clearer to journalism students that the national media landscape does not offer a lot of paid opportunities for those beginning their career. It is disappointing for people who work voluntarily in university media, and feel this experience is not transferable to the job market once they graduate.

Where do you get your ideas for articles?
One of the best places is national media and seeing where hyper-local student journalism can tell a deeper story. Looking at different student publications in the UK and America is also a good source for ideas. As editor I haven’t written as much as I would like to, since my responsibilities are broader and the successful publication of Trinity News comes before my own personal interests. However I do make time to work on a few enjoyable freelance pieces.

What do you most enjoy writing about and why?
Trinity News has published a lot of important pieces on mental health over the last two years which I’m very proud of. When I was Deputy Editor of tn2 I enjoyed writing essays about personal and social interactions through a sociological lens. We’ve done a lot of good sports pieces this year which highlighted the lesser known campus clubs and their achievements. The varying types of pieces carry with them a different enjoyment when writing. Reviewing music or film is liberating because it allows you to be emotive in a publicly accepted way. I find the coverage of live events and talks exciting, there is a momentum in getting the story out and read and you feel some adrenaline when the piece is finished.

As editor, what do you do to ‘fix’ an article?
I don’t think any piece ever needs fixing, just refining. As editor, most of the work happens before the article reaches me. I help the section editors develop articles at the concept stage and guide them in researching and writing their pieces. I connect them with individuals who I know would be good to interview, which strengthens their articles. We also ensure quality photography or illustrations accompany the piece. When structural problems arise for young writers my role as editor involves explaining how edits are made which facilitates a valuable learning experience for them.

What are your plans for after graduation?
When I finished up my final exams I knew I wanted a job in media and journalism. I had gained great experience in Trinity News leading both print and digital based teams which opened up a lot of opportunities for me. At the start of the summer I got offered a position in an Irish company called Storyful, and am now preparing to move over to work for them in London. Storyful is like a wires service for the social media age, we discover and verify content from people across the globe, trying to get their stories heard.

Tell us something we didn’t know about Trinity News?
People do not realise how old Trinity News is, our first edition was published in 1953. In 2013 the staff hosted a 60th anniversary launch with alumni visiting from across the world. It is notable that a lot of our former Office members are now working abroad but stay engaged through our internet presence. The Trinity Publications Office has archived material from the 1930s and 1950s and every issue of Trinity News from 1953 to 1970 is viewable online. If any alumni have Trinity publications from the 1980s and 1990s we would love them to get in touch alumni@trinitypublications.ie so we can house them in our collection.