Big Issue global network seeks ex-Reuters journalists

The Street News Service (SNS) is the news agency of the International Network of Street Papers, a Glasgow-based charity which supports street papers like the UK's Big Issues. Reuters editor-in-chief David Schlesinger is honorary president and former managing editor Tom Thomson is honorary editor.

Street papers, with a global circulation of more than five million, exist to tackle homelessness and poverty. Vendors buy their street papers at cost price and sell them at the cover price – generating an income for themselves. Street papers offer homeless and marginalised people the chance to earn a living. At the same time they are a distinctive and quality independent media.

The news service is expanding. In particular, it wants to develop its English, Spanish, and German operations and is seeking editors either in the United States, Germany and Latin America or with a feel for current issues in these areas no matter where based. The role would involve:

• reading through a selection of street papers in each region, sent by pdf.
• picking the top three to five best articles from the region, appealing to an international audience
• editing them where needed for an international audience
• sending the edited story to the Street News Service Editor, ideally twice a month (but other periods negotiable)
• helping advise SNS on future developments on an ad hoc basis.

The SNS is also interested in hearing from any former Reuters journalists who might like to help with articles or high-profile interviews.

If anyone would like to help, SNS editor Danielle Batist would love to hear from you at d.batist@street-papers.org or +44 (0)141 225 8037. Tom Thomson can also answer any questions at tom_thomson@hotmail.com or +44 (0)7961 069307. ■