Speaking at a Women in Journalism event in conversation with its deputy chair and The Mail on Sunday’s associate editor Kate Mansey, Victoria Newton told of her pride in the news brand’s readers in getting behind its campaigns
From The Sun’s high-profile Jabs Army drive to helping raise awareness of Women’s Aid’s campaign to keep refuges open during the coronavirus lockdowns, Newton expressed how the news brand’s readers contribute to its campaigns’ success.
“I’m really proud of those readers that want to make a difference”, she commented in response to the 175,000 signatures the Women’s Aid petition had received after being supported by The Sun.
She also stressed how the news brand’s audience is not only very responsive to the causes it advocates but is also proactive in suggesting campaigns The Sun should get behind.
Mentioning the recent successful campaign to ensure cancer research fundraiser and Sun columnist Deborah James was awarded a damehood in recognition of her work to raise awareness, she pointed out the idea had come from a reader who had contacted The Sun to make the suggestion. “I love these things when the best stories come from the readers”, she said.
The event, organised by Women in Journalism and held at The News Building in central London, also touched upon Newton’s career so far, some of her biggest scoops, as well as how she has worked to foster an environment where women and those from minority groups can thrive in journalism.
Explaining the difficulties she has experienced in retaining women in senior roles after maternity leave, she emphasised the progress the news brand has made in increasing female representation across various senior editorial roles.
“It’s really important to have role models that you can see doing jobs that you didn’t think were possible and I think newsrooms have changed drastically”, Newton said.
