Latest news

Training Journalists in China

Charles McGhee was back in Beijing in June to run another three-week course for young journalists with Xinhua, the state-run national and international news agency. Xinhua supplies China's booming media industry in print, broadcast and online. There is a growing demand for the agency's English language news, features and picture service and Xinhua is in the process of training many of its journalists in English-language news writing. The course run by Charles was once again delivered under the auspices of the Thomson Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation which trains journalists and other media professionals in developing countries. You can visit Xinhua's English-language news website here.

Community Service Awards

The search for the best community service projects in Scotland was unveiled by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill as part of a drive to recognise the value of community payback across Scotland.
The judging panel for the awards was chaired by author, broadcaster and newspaper columnist, Lesley Riddoch, who was involved in the Scottish Prisons Commission in 2007-08. The other judges were:
• Charles McGhee, media consultant and former editor of The Herald
• David McKenna, Chief Executive, Victims Support Scotland
• Jon Harris, Director of Corporate Strategy, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Sandy Riddell, Chair of Association of Directors of Social Work's, Criminal Justice Standing Committee
• Sheriff Katherine Mackie, Edinburgh
• Helena Scott, Executive Director, Stirling and District Association for Mental Health
• Rev. Andy Cowie, Chairman of Powis Community Project, Aberdeen
• Reg Hall, ex-offender, now Life Coach with The Wise Group

You can read all about the winners of the first Community Service Awards here and see pictures and video from the awards ceremony which was held in the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow.

Teaming up with Beattie Communications

Charles McGhee has teamed up with Beattie Communications to work on public sector projects in Scotland. "I'm delighted to be joining forces with Beattie," said Charles. "The growing importance of the public sector in Scotland reflects the maturity of Scotland's devolved nation status and we're looking forward to working together in this vital area." Charles will also continue to pursue independent projects under the banner of Charles McGhee Media Consultancy Ltd.

Trade visit to Shanghai and Beijing

China was on the travel agenda again in March with a visit to Shanghai - China's biggest city pop. 20 million - and Beijing. Charles was part of an SCDI (Scottish Council for Development and Industry) trade delegation of 25 Scottish companies who were building business links with China.

The group included a mix of educational, manufacturing, financial services, tourism, IT, design and communications companies. Some were already doing business with China and wanted to cement their relationships; others were there for the first time researching the market and identifying opportunities. None left disappointed.

Charles was researching the communications challenges facing Scottish and UK companies trying to enter the Chinese market, with a view to offering them a range of specialist public relations, communications, marketing and business development services and support.

Daily newspaper launched

The consultancy was commissioned by Nigeria's new national newspaper – the Peoples Daily (no apostrophe!) – to relaunch the title as a daily publication in November 2009.

Since its launch a year earlier, the Peoples Daily had been published weekly, but we assisted the editorial team to redesign the newspaper and successfully switched the title to daily publication within a tight timescale of less than one month.

The paper now publishes Monday to Friday and will eventually move to seven-day publication.
Read more about the relaunch.