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News Archives
News archives are an invaluable source of information about prospects. Which is hardly surprising, really, given the depths to which journalists will stoop to get the information they want. Depths, of course, to which we more moral researchers would never plumb. But that doesn't stop us from using their ill-gotten gains, especially if there's a chance of a major donation in it.
If money is no object, there are three major sources of news archives available.
Thomson's NewsRoom
Each of the three products has a comprehensive archive of national and regional newspapers, specialist magazines and journals, as well as other useful sources of news from around the world. The archives for some sources go back over 30 years, although it is worth noting that The Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited were not available on Thomson's previous news product, NewsResearch, which was a rather serious omission, and so may not be available on NewsRoom.
In late 2007, VIP, the monthly magazine of business information products and news, carried out an in depth comparison of the "big three" which is well worth reading.
In early 2006, I carried out my own small comparison of the big three, which you can read here.
All three products cost thousands of pounds a year, which puts them beyond the budget of many smaller charities, but there are cheaper alternatives.
Provides an archive of international, national and regional news, combining the most popular British newspaper titles in one database. Does not have the breadth of coverage of the 'big three' above, but is substantially cheaper.
Boasts an archive of more than 35 million documents from over 3,000 sources some going back 20 years. Intended by its creator to fill the gap between Google and Lexis Nexis/Factiva.
Provides access to "millions of articles from thousands of top publications" with archives dating back to 1984 (although some of the content is fee-based via HighBeam). FREE-ISH
Online coverage of regional, national and international news stories from Aunty Beeb going back almost ten years. FREE
Allows one to search and explore historical archives and can automatically create timelines which show selected results from relevant time periods. FREE-ISH
Local, National & International News
All the major newspapers have websites and many have searchable archives going back several years. Most require a subscription to access past stories, but a subscription to all the major newspapers would still be cheaper than a subscription to one of the 'big three' above.
An admirably flexible search facility, but the archive only goes back to January 2000. FREE
Offer several options including specialist company and financial news but only a 5 year news archive.
Has an archive going back some 10 years (a more restricted archive goes back decades). FREE
News archive going back to January 1999. FREE
Archive of The Times and The Sunday Times going back to 1985.
Another flexible search facility, going back to 1996. FREE
Scotland's National News Archive
Compiled from news stories in The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times, this archive offers access to thousands of articles dating back to 1998.
News archive going back to January 1995. FREE
The Daily Express does not appear to have an online archive, but does have an irritating number of popups when you open their website, so no link for them!
British Newspapers and News Online has a comprehensive list of British newspapers publishing online news and information, including more than 800 local and regional papers in the UK and Ireland.
Local papers and their websites are also listed at MediaUK, The Newspaper Society and the UK site of Paperboy. MediaUK also have a list of specialist magazines (with websites) which could prove handy.
Topix.net has a comprehensive list of local UK news stories listed by town and "continually updated from thousands of sources on the web."
For lists of English language newspapers and magazines from around the globe, check out world-newspapers.com and Paperboy. For local news from around the world, organised by country and city, use Topix.net.
NOTE: Regarding the "big three", before parting with your hard earned cash, I strongly recommend that you read Paul Pedley's Tips on Negotiating Licences for Electronic Products. And always, always read any contract thoroughly and make sure you understand it before you sign on the dotted line. Specifically,