Political, social and cultural commentary
As a monthly columnist for North East regional online news organisation The QT where Bethany Usher writes mostly about political, social and cultural affairs. The QT is a growing force-for-good in regional journalism, working with a subscription model.
Comment and features: journalism cultures-of-practice
Bethany has written a range of pieces on how contemporary digital news media works and the (un)ethical practices of leading organisations for the Press Gazette, the leading British journalism-industry publication. Most recently this has focused on the practices of “producing crime journalism ” crime as clickbait”. Other pieces include one of the first critical analysis of the shifting working practices of MailOnline after it’s relaunch and the impacts of the Leveson Inquiry.
Attack journalism features and commentary, with Byline News
Since speaking at the first Byline News Festival in 2018, Bethany has produced a range of work with then on her research subject “attack journalism” including co-editing their “State of the Media” political pamphlet (2018), pieces in light of Prince Harry allegations against the mainstream press and in a podcast in relation to demonisation by the press
Cultural Features
With a passion for popular culture and cultural history, Bethany has written a vast array of features including in relation to David Bowie for David Bowie Glamour Magazine, the once popular pastime of “nightwalking” for The Crack, and regional cultural history for the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette and Northern Echo.
Reach PLC
Bethany worked as both a freelance and as a staff news reporter for Reach PLC (then Trinity Mirror) working on the flagship Daily Mirror as well as the Sunday Mirror and The People. She was later Northern Editor working for Sunday newspapers and specialised in crime, campaigns and investigations.
News UK
Bethany first worked for the national newspaper press as Northern Reporter for News UK, then News Corporation, working primarily on breaking news stories, crime news and celebrity news and features. Bethany has also written for The Times 2 supplement.
Johnston Press
Bethany began her career as a trainee reporter at The Sunderland Echo, for Johnston Press. She quickly progressed to the busy role of Crime Reporter, covering court, breaking crime news and revisiting archival histories to create true crime features. She was named Johnston Press trainee of the year and won several awards at the Cordner Awards which celebrated northeast journalism.
Author / Journalist / Academic / Educator 