“American Idol” has been so successful for News Corporation’s Fox network in the US that one of its newspapers, The Sun, is trying “Column Idol” in the UK. Is this the future of journalism?
In partnership with the charity Media Trust, The Sun announced that one youngster age 16-21 will be selected to have a column published in the second-largest circulation newspaper in the UK. The contest is being promoted by rap star Dizzee Rascal as spokesman.
Six finalists will be selected from the entries. Each will get a mentor to help them hone their writing skills. The final columns will be judged by a panel of three people at The Sun, its editor and two columnists, who will select the winner.
In addition to having their column published, the winner will also get to meet Dizzee Rascal. The competition is open to anyone in England aged 16-21.
