Submit a sketch

Make sure you read our rules before you start sending us your material...

1. Download the template(s) below

2. Write your name and email address plus twitter username (if you have one) at the bottom of the document

3. Write in your sketches or one-liners - Please DO NOT submit sketches or one-liners in block capitals

4. Attach your sketches or one-liners in an email and send to: newsjacksubmissions@bbc.co.uk
(You will receive an auto-response confirmation from newsjacksubmissions@bbc.co.uk)

Templates:
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/newsjack/NEWSJACK_ONELINERS_RENAME_THIS_FILE_WITH_YOUR_NAME.rtf
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/newsjack/SKETCHES_RENAME_THIS_FILE_WITH_YOUR_NAME_AND_SKETCH_TITLE.rtf
These are .rtf files - compatible with both MAC and PC, if you’re having trouble opening it please try opening in another programme. Please do not send in a pdf of your submission.)

Example:
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/newsjack/NEWSJACK_ORIGINAL_SECURE DATING.pdf
(This is an example of what a formatted sketch looks like - Arial 12pt, double line spacing, indentation hanging by 4cm. If you are having real problems with the template above please just get your sketch looking as close to this as possible)

Deadlines:
Submissions open at midday on: Friday 19th February
Sketches: Midday Monday 22nd February
One-Liners: Midday Tuesday 23rd February
Then at the same times each week, for 3 weeks.

Submissions after these times will NOT be read.

Sketch Guidelines:

Please write an introduction to your sketch for Kiri to read, your introduction should clearly outline the news story that your idea is from, providing clarity for our listeners.

Try to think outside the box with your sketch ideas. Look for new angles to cover a story and delve deep for topics you find fun and interesting. The types of topical stories Newsjack sketches normally cover fall under the following categories:

Arts & Entertainment

Business & Economy

Politics

Science & Technology

Sport

World News

Our sketch limit per episode is two sketches per person.

One-liner guidelines:

Each episode will contain one-liners in the following forms ONLY:

Breaking News

A one-liner ideally linked to a current news story.

Example:
A photo of Donald Trump showing his badly blended foundation went viral this week. Not pictured was his rolled up school skirt and Jane Norman bag.

Students in Durham have been told not to come into the University for Lectures and Tutorials this week over coronavirus fears. This is yet another blow to the students, all of whom had previously been told that they weren’t allowed to study at Oxford or Cambridge either.

Good Week / Bad Week

Who in the news has had a good or bad week? Who has benefitted or suffered as a result?

Example:

It's been a bad week for KFC, who had to drop their 'Finger Lickin' slogan due to Corona Virus fears
It's been a good week for American Express who just had to change 'Don't leave home without it' to just 'Don't leave home'

It's been a good week for white tigers after the world's first white tiger sanctuary has been set up in India.

It's been a bad week for other endangered tigers, who are putting up with yet more white privilege.

Fees:

There is a flat fee that we pay to writers for all non-commissioned material (regardless of the writer's previous experience):

£45.50 per min for sketch
£22.75 per 30 seconds for sketch
£22.75 per one-liner

If your material is used in the broadcast show, this fee will take in all rights for the work on a non-exclusive basis.

Accessibility:

We are committed to accessibility for all. If you encounter any issues with submitting material, please do email us newsjacksubmissions@bbc.co.uk with your query and we will aim to provide this information in an alternative/accessible format.