The New Statesman has unveiled its ‘eye popping’new columnists, who
include former BBC correspondent Rageh Omaar, the economist Noreena
Hertz and TV comedian Julian Clary.
Editor John Kampfner set
himself the task of ‘turning radical journalism into a treat’when he
took over as editor of the left wing weekly a year ago.
Current
columnists remain on the title, which also adds human rights activist
Clive Stafford Smith and author and environmentalist Mark Lynas to its
list of contributors like John Pilger, Lindsey Hilsum and Peter Wilby.
Clary’s
slot will run on the inside back page of the magazine, alternating on a
bi weekly basis with fellow TV comedian Rory Bremner’s column.
On
the arts, Rosie Millar will be the title’s theatre critic, Ryan Gilbey
takes over on film and there will be a new arts diary, written by Ben
Dowell.
The New Stateman’s circulation has been falling slowly
since 2003 and has been flat since Kampfner took over –the ABC figure
for the last six months of 2005 was 24,740.
The relaunched title goes on sale 8 June.
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