Journalists face a day of being unable to file any articles after online reference site Wikipedia shut down in protest over US anti-copyright theft legislation.
Regional newsrooms are worst affected with reporters unable to check facts or add background to any stories without access to the digital encyclopedia.
Some editors prepared for the industry-wide paralysis by instructing staff to file up-to-the-minute breaking news two days ago.
Sally Smith, deputy chief sub-editor of the Gateshead Guardian told The News Grind: “It’s weird in here this morning. Nobody knows what to do.
“Luckily there’s an assistant editor who still remembers how to use the phones, so he’s been training reporters in how to get information by talking to people.”
Rumours that several journalists have been instructed to go into the field and talk to sources face-to-face are thought to be wide of the mark.
