Young Inquirer journalist gains exciting role - and it is thanks to you

Rebecca Johns to join BBC World Service

We hope your Sunday is going well. We apologise for intruding on your day, but we were keen to share a little positive news about one of the young journalists we have been able to encourage and mentor, thanks to you.

The promise of reading thoughtful, balanced and well researched long-read articles on subjects that matter in the city we all love, without any infuriating and unwelcome pop-ups or advertising, is why most have signed up to support us in the first place.

However, as you may also know, one of the stated aims of the Inquirer is to help inspire and prepare young journalists who want to break out of producing that self-same clickbait, junk-news diet that so many of you object to being force fed.

Sarah McArthur is now a regular contributor, and we know you enjoy her reports just as you enjoy those from other rising stars such as Oscar Lund and Ilona Amos. So, we’re chuffed to bits to let you know that Rebecca has “flitted” to London after being offered an apprenticeship with no less than the BBC World Service.

A delighted Rebecca told us: “Thank you so much again for all the opportunities you have given me; I know they were instrumental in getting this job.” We will miss her, of course, but a young journalist brimming with potential is on the rise, and in these days of uncertainty that can only be a good thing.

Of course, the credit is Rebecca’s. We - along with you - enjoyed her well written articles, highlights including her look at the crippling issue of endometriosis that affects many women, and her touching report on efforts by Edinburgh’s Spanish ex-pats to help after the devastating floods in their homeland.

You made this possible, dear readers. Without you, we couldn’t create these opportunities for aspiring young writers who want to bring you the kind of news you want to read - and the kind we all need more than ever in this uncertain world. In particular those of you who have opted to support our work through being paid members, thank you from us and thank you from Rebecca. Your support allows us to support young writers, through some careful mentoring, advice and, not least, prompt payment for their work.

If you haven’t already made the move towards paid membership, why not give it a thought this Sunday. View it this way, each of our in-depth articles costs you less than 10% of a Starbucks Cappuccino. Our only source of revenue is from those who opt to pay to support us for our journalism.

And in return, you learn more about what’s happening in your city, you help stem the rising tide of fake news and misinformation, and you also help us get more outcomes like Rebecca’s, more young journalists who care about what they write and report.

If you can help, please do. In any event, we thank you for reading.

In the meantime, we hope the rest of your day is delightful.

Thanks

Euan and David