NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

Informedissue 33 Nov 2020

journalism at its heart: tax credits for Jobs An unprecedented for Journalists, for local businesses taking out advertising, and for people taking out print or digital news subscriptions. year for the NUJ The Scottish government set up a short-term working party to examine the future of public interest journalism and the Welsh culture and communications committee took evidence from the NUJ on supporting the media. The Welsh Executive Council is holding a town hall event on Wednesday 9 December to discuss a recovery plan for Wales with Michelle and actor and activist Michael Sheen. The general secretary and Seamus Dooley, assistant general secretary, made a presentation of the Northern Ireland Recovery Plan to junior ministers at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy Minister. In the Republic of Ireland, after much lobbying, a working journalist and, as it happens an NUJ It was the last meeting of the year furlough scheme to March (reviewable member, was appointed to the Media for the union’s national executive in January) and announcement of a third Commission (page 6). committee (NEC) – and what a year it self-employed income support grant John Barsby, honorary treasury, told has been for the industry, the union came too late for many. Rishi Sunak the NEC that finances were stable and everyone’s lives. also failed to use this opportunity to albeit with constrained underlying As the coronavirus’ second wave remedy his lack of support for the many circumstances. The combination of battered the globe, England went into a freelances who had fallen through the robust recruitment in workplaces second lockdown, following the greater cracks of the financial aid schemes. undergoing consultations over job restrictions imposed by the rest of the That is why the union is launching its losses, savings from having to move the UK, Ireland and Europe. Newspaper #FairDeal4Freelances campaign for union’s work and business online and industry leaders said they were braced better rights and protection for the self- distributing The Journalist digitally had for another freefall in advertising, just employed, calling on the government helped offset increases to the union’s as fortunes appeared to be on the turn and companies to stop giving freelances pension deficit programme and reduced following the depredations caused by the such a shabby deal. rent from tenants in Headland House. first lockdown. Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, Another important piece of the The NEC praised the work of union told the NEC the union’s News Recovery union’s work has been taking part in officials who had spent recent months Plan to help the industry out of the the government’s National Committee dealing with redundancies across all crisis was gaining traction. Ministers for the Safety of Journalists; a survey of sectors. More than 2,000 job losses are and officials at the Department for members showed the startling levels at risk at the BBC, a further 1,000 across Digital, Culture, Media & Sport have of violence and abuse experienced by local and national newspapers, and held discussions over the NUJ’s three- members (page 4). This, together with a thousands of freelances have had work pronged tax credit proposal to undo the set of recommendations, formed a hard- cancelled and seen commissions dry up. damage caused by Covid-19 and to reboot hitting report which will feed into the The Chancellor’s extensions to the the media industry with public interest committee’s action plan.

Also Michelle’s Safety Freelance in this Message Report Charter issue: Page 2 Page 4 Page 9 02 Informed Michelle Says

pay, hours and conditions from now on We’ve reminded all newsgatherers to in. Our members and reps deserve praise carry their press card, and print off the for their doggedness and determination, NPCC guidelines from the NUJ’s website ploughing on in the face of the usual to serve as a reminder to any officers shenanigans from the company, to who claim not to have seen the memo. achieve this victory. All those newsgatherers who have Something positive to focus on is the kept the show on the road throughout launch this month of our new campaign lockdown and ongoing government for a Fair Deal for Freelances – with its ten restrictions across the NUJ’s nations and point Charter, this is the NUJ’s response regions deserve our collective thanks, to the unvarnished failures of the not least for reinforcing the role of government to cast its safety net across journalists in the suite of essential public all workers during this crisis. Never has sector workers. it been clearer that reforms are needed for freelances. This campaign will be a vital one, and something that all NUJ “Something positive members, whatever their employment status, should support. to focus on is the The need for freelances to have launch this month of the best chance of getting work and Despite being commissions back up and running our new campaign a union of is something we’ve highlighted in for a Fair Deal for the course of our discussions with communicators, government, over the need to grant Freelances – with its it would be quarantine exemptions for journalists ten-point Charter, the having to cross borders in the course of fair to say that their work. Despite support from DCMS NUJ’s response to the sometimes we’re it’s been a slog getting traction with unvarnished failures the Cabinet office but we’re hopefully of the government not fulsome enough heading in the right direction. We’ve in trumpeting our proposed using the UK Press card and to cast its safety net the IFJ press card as a key mechanism in across all workers many successes identifying appropriate newsgatherers during this crisis. ” and wins. who could qualify for such an exemption. The important role of the press card – and with that, the need for journalists After lots of hard work and organisation to use it appropriately – has been That’s why we’re continuing to on the part of Local Democracy reaffirmed during this crisis. When lobby hard around all of the measures Reporters across Newsquest, the Central officers at the recent lockdown protest contained within the NUJ’s News Arbitration Committee decided this in London wrongly told reporters and Recovery Plan. week to grant NUJ recognition without photographers that if they didn’t have We’ve been brilliantly supported the need for a ballot of members. authority from the Met press office, in that by the new chair of the NUJ’s It’s a great result, and means that they would be treated as members of Parliamentary Group, Grahame Morris Chris Morley, the NUJ’s Northern and the public at an illegal gathering – the MP, who has been working hard to raise Midlands Senior Organiser who has NUJ sprang into action. Within hours we awareness of our plan, and seeking led the effort along with our reps, can held a meeting with the Met, and liaised meetings to build support for the focus on populating and agreeing with the National Police Chiefs Council – changes we’re seeking. A meeting of the recognition agreement over the receiving assurances that fresh guidance the group is planned later this month coming weeks – a house agreement that would be issued to all police officers to set out our key priorities. As well as acknowledges that LDRs across the to remind them of the vital role of the our work on safety and the Freelance business are a distinct bargaining unit media, and to ensure that our members Charter, a significant focus will be on that will have rights to negotiate over can go about their work unimpeded. protecting public service broadcasting. Informed 03

A recent financial presentation from BBC management made for gloomy Delegate Meeting listening, not least the widening Covid-19 funding gap which means As the virus increased its grip it soon the already massive £800million cuts became clear that April’s DM would programme has grown to £1billion. News have to be postponed. As this week that take up of TV licences time has gone on, it is clear that the for the over-75s is also slow will be no only way to hold a meeting – which Herrmann Paul doubt be inducing panic that income draws delegates from all parts of the will be further compromised. Already union, across multiple jurisdictions, the way in which the cuts are happening with differing restrictions and Delegates at Southport DM 2018 risk undermining quality news and quarantine regulations in place – is to journalism – particularly across BBC hold it virtually. in ways that reach out to the wider England where cuts are taking place The union’s Standing Orders membership more effectively, including across frontline newsgathering roles. Committee, with help from a report by fringe meetings on a range of topics, our A global pandemic has underscored chair of Finance Chris Frost, has been celebration of Members of Honour and just how important trustworthy news exploring the practicalities of a virtual union sectoral meetings. and information is – our public service DM. Rather than simply recreate the We aim to programme a range of broadcaster has shown how critical core business of the conference, we events and initiatives, ideally over its role has been, and yet we are have decided to see it as an opportunity the course of a week, building on work witnessing cuts that risk compromising to do something different and more done for previous Local News Matters what it does best. A well-resourced BBC, innovative. Rather than a death-by-Zoom weeks, and before that Standing up free from political interference and event, we are hoping to hold a series of for Journalism events. It could be influence, is an economic driver for the virtual activities over a week in Spring under a broad banner of, say, A Media broader creative industries – a sector with the aim of bringing our DM to the Reimagined, following on from the News on its knees right now – and part of the wider union. The advantage of this is Recovery Plan. solution in tackling disinformation and that will open up debate, discussion and We would invite branches and chapels fake news. networking far and wide, rather than a to host particular events – widening the As well as protecting public service smaller number of delegates spending a pool of participation and providing an broadcasting, a key overarching plank long weekend in Southport. opportunity to highlight the excellent in the Recovery Plan is the need for the We all experienced a virtual TUC work and victories they’ve been tech giants to finally pay their way. I think Congress and have had constructive driving over the past year. Our work it’s fair to say that in initial conversations discussions with the National Education on international solidarity and safety around this with politicians and Union over their recent virtual could be properly showcased, with policymakers, there was a fair degree of conference of 800 participants – their participation from sister unions around scepticism about the likelihood of that investment in a bespoke weighted voting the world who ordinarily cannot be with demand being met. However, it strikes system is one that they’re willing to us in person. Other high-profile speakers me that this is changing and the political make available to sister unions which will may be able to be secured in the same will is beginning to build. I’ll be working massively help in our planning. vein, with an appearance via Zoom or on developing our approach in this area The core business of the DM of making pre-recorded contribution an easier form in the coming weeks. NUJ members decisions which set policy for the of commitment than a schlep to the engaging in lobbying around the plan forthcoming cycle will be timetabled in north-west. can help, by reiterating this call in all manageable sections, perhaps over two Our fund-raising events and socials or the discussions taking place around the days. The bulk of motions can be adopted even another comedy night, such as the union’s nations and regions. The tech in accordance with standing orders, Mark Thomas concert, could also take giants are almost unique in having had leaving a core group of about 38, plus place virtually, this time with a much a very good crisis – building a consensus late notice motions, to be voted on. The wider NUJ audience. around it being time for them to pay weighted voting system would also deal We’ll also showcase a package of their fair share shouldn’t just attract with the various elections that take place training seminars and professional skills supporters of tax justice, it should appeal in the course of DM. sessions, including collective bargaining to every politician’s sense of fairness and That would leave us able to approach and organising remote workers, and common sense. the usual DM agenda differently and mental health and wellbeing training. 04 Informed News Update Survey showing violence to NUJ members will inform safety plan Matt Kenyon One in five journalists who took part annual survey of journalists, supported in an NUJ survey said they had been by employers and the NUJ. physically assaulted while doing their • Create and host a free online toolkit/ job, with 27 per cent saying they had support pack for journalists. been threatened with violence. • Engage with the UK police and NCTJ Michelle Stanistreet said: “Such abuse to review training offered and improve and harassment goes beyond the awful understanding of the safety challenges personal impact – it also risks silencing facing journalists. journalists and censoring debates.” • Explore how to support an emergency Those surveyed reported knife attacks, safety fund for journalists. firebombs thrown at their homes and On the international day (2 November) been punched, pushed or kicked. Others to end impunity for crimes against were spat at, had eggs thrown at them journalists the International Federation and their addresses published on social of Journalist demanded governments media platforms. The perpetrators take urgent steps to put an end to that of the violence and threats included impunity and protect press freedom. In paramilitary members, the police, news undermined trust in journalism the past decade almost 1,000 journalists security guards, far-right demonstrators, and increased hostility towards have been killed (30 this year) . members of the public, political journalists. “minders” and criminals. A third of those surveyed said Key findings More than half (55 per cent) said employers could do more to protect • 21% of respondents reported the abuse had affected their mental journalists at work. Patricia Devlin, a physical assaults or attacks and 27 health and well-being and they had crime reporter working for Belfast’s per cent said they had been physically been forced to make changes to the way Sunday World newspaper, complained threatened. they worked, with 19 per cent saying to the Police Ombudsman of Northern • 51 % said they had experienced they moved address. More than half Ireland after the police failed adequately online abuse in the past year. (51 per cent) said they had received to investigate a serious threat made to • 78 % said “abuse and harassment online abuse in the past year, with one her, despite her supplying the name has become normalised and seen as in five experiencing it on daily, weekly or of the perpetrator. She said that, as part of the job”. monthly basis. a journalist exposing criminals and • 55 % said the abuse had affected Journalists were vulnerable paramilitaries, she became used to their wellbeing and mental health. when covering sectarian activity, being threatened: “But, when I received • 96 % said that abuse and demonstrations, football and, a threat to rape my new-born baby, also harassment risked silencing increasingly, court cases, with members identifying my grandmother and the journalists and censoring debate. being threatened for reporting the location of where the sender believed • 94 % agreed the polarisation of sentences of rapists. she lived, I’d had enough,” she said. debate and public discourse in the Those surveyed agreed the political The NUJ and Amnesty are supporting UK put journalists at risk and that polarisation caused by , the Patricia’s her case and her details, plus politicians had a role in defending Scottish referendum and the coarsening the survey, were used to compile a press freedom. of public discourse in the UK had report for the government’s National • 93 % said social media platforms had an adverse impact on the safety Committee for the Safety and Protection did little to deter and stop abuse. of journalists. The failure of social of Journalists – the NUJ general secretary • 33 % agreed employers could do platforms such as Twitter and Facebook is a member of the committee drawing more to protect journalists at work. to stop the abuse led to journalists being up an action plan and it will be discussing Survey details: www.nuj.org.uk/ seen as fair game. Most respondents proposed measures such as: documents/nuj-safety-report-2020/ agreed that disinformation and fake • Collaborate in an industry-wide Informed 05 News Update Action at BBC threatened

A national meeting of over 90 BBC and cases of botched redeployment. The M/FoCs were also asked to M/FoCs were told to go back to their Michelle Stanistreet said: “This discuss whether to challenge the BBC’s chapels and prepare for industrial meeting offers full support and solidarity corporation-wide pay freeze with action over compulsory redundancies to all members facing compulsory their chapels. at the corporation. redundancy and reaffirms its standing Michelle Stanistreet said the unions In the latest round of cuts, 2,000 policy to take all action, including strike had not been consulted over the BBC’s people are set to leave the broadcaster. action if necessary, to defend that new social media guidelines, which had Paul Siegert, national broadcasting principle.” The NEC gave contingency caused an outcry across chapels, and a officer, said there were a couple of dozen authority for industrial action. forthcoming meeting was planned with people who had not been redeployed who BBC members have voiced concerns director general Tim Davie. Following face being made compulsorily redundant that the sheer scale of the cuts – 450 their publication the BBC was forced from January. jobs, one in six, are going in the English to insist that the DG had not meant It is the union’s policy to take industrial regions – will have a severe impact on the people working for the BBC could not action over compulsory redundancies at corporation’s remit as a public service support Pride marches (see page 10). the BBC. The meeting heard examples broadcaster, and investigative journalism Meanwhile, consultation has started on from many chapels of individuals who would be a casualty. One rep said: “We the future of the cost of the TV licence had been refused voluntary redundancy have lost some damn good journalists.” following 2022.

between some women at the Equality watchdog’s BBC BBC and the organisation has broken down.” Women Tim Dawson report was “a whitewash” were not listened to and the process “took a heavy When hundreds of women this report and feel it Gracie, the former BBC China emotional toll”. made unequal pay claims doesn’t address their lived editor who won backpay after Michelle Stanistreet said following publication experiences. The fact finding she was paid less the BBC needed to heed of a 2017 list of top BBC that so many individual than the male international the report and address earners showing two- settlements, including editors, who said: “The report outstanding issues such thirds were men, the equal Samira Ahmed’s NUJ- feels like whitewash”. as pay progression, great pay watchdog was called in backed tribunal win, have The report concluded that transparency and the gaps to investigate. taken place the BBC’s recent pay and overlaps in the new pay But there was disbelief, underlines structure reforms had bands, with the unions as a when the Equality and the clear resolved problems matter of urgency. The ERHC Human Rights Commission problems caused by its said there should be equal (EHRC) reported this month that have former complex pay audits every five years. that the BBC was not guilty existed. and decentralised The result was a relief for of unlawful discrimination. And, where remuneration BBC management, as it Its report said individual settlements scheme where appointed former Court of cases had been investigated have been managers had too Appeal president Lord Dyson and cited the importance of agreed, much discretion to investigate allegations a tribunal’s finding in favour it’s taken an over an individual’s that religion editor Martin of the unequal pay claim enormous amount of pay. The corporation was Bashir, currently unwell brought by presenter Samira effort and persistence criticised for the slowness of after contracting Covid-19, Ahmed, right with Michelle. on the part of individuals its complaints procedures secured his famous Michelle Stanistreet determined to hold the BBC and Caroline Waters, interim Panorama interview said: “There will be many to account.” chair of the EHRC, said: with Princess Diana by NUJ members who read BBC reps echoed Carrie “It is easy to see why trust subterfuge. 06 Informed News Update

and Environment appears to represent Commission on Irish a more strategic approach to media policy. The NUJ voiced concerns at the impossible workload involved in a media finally launched Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. A commission on the future of the It began life as the Commission on the On November 17, a union delegation Irish media has finally got down Future of Public Service Broadcasting, led by Dara Brady, co-chair of the NUJ’s to work. with the appointment of Prof MacCraith IEC, with Siobhan held a virtual meeting The original make-up of the as chair announced on December 10 with minster Catherine Martin to stress commission, chaired by Dr Brian 2019 by the then minister Richard the need for a stimulus package for the MacCraith, recently-retired president Bruton stating it would report by meeting in line with the union’s News of Dublin City University, was heavily September of this year. Recovery Plan. criticised for the exclusion of NUJ Earlier this month, Séamus Dooley, representation and the absence of assistant general secretary, addressed relevant Irish media industry and the parliamentary committee dealing experts in journalism education. with media matters warning it that That deficit has been rectified with urgent intervention was needed to the appointment of Siobhan Holliman, address the multi-faceted crisis in the co-chair of the union’s executive council industry. and NUJ representative on the Press He also reminded TDs and senators Council of Ireland. that last March the union called While Siobhan has been appointed No further action was taken on for a forum on the crisis facing in her own right, her contribution will establishing of the commission until the media industry and that as far reflect her experience as a newspaper after the general election. The NUJ back as September 2014 the NUJ journalist and trade unionist with a successfully argued that the terms requested for the establishment of particular knowledge of the regional of reference of the commission should a government commission on the media, print and broadcasting. be broadened to include the future of future of the media in a submission to The commission is due to report all media. a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in September 2021. The NUJ’s Irish The decision of the new government seminar, Ensuring Plurality in the Executive Council (IEC) is seeking to take on board the NUJ call, combined Digital Age. The commission will make submissions from branches, chapels and with removing responsibility for media recommendations on the role and individual members in preparing the policy from the sprawling Department financing of public service broadcaster NUJ submission to the commission. for Communications, Climate Action RTÉ.

Save union learning losing their staff jobs and will Parliamentary Group with Press cards The government has become self-employed; FEU Lib Dem peer Baroness Jane After incidents at an anti- announced it is to scrap the Training offers a vital bridge Bonham-Carter. Grahame lockdown demonstration in Union Learning Fund which to make that change. Sign has already promoted the London, the union received finances union-led training in the petition to get decision union’s News Recovery assurances from police chiefs England in April. This affects overturned: https:// Plan in Parliament, and that the media’s role as key Federation of Entertainment www.megaphone.org.uk/ the union will be briefing workers and newsgatherers Unions Training which is one petitions/uk-gov-don-t-cut- the group on the BBC, would be respected by their of the few places freelances union-learning the #FairDeal4Freelance officers. Journalists should can access free workshops campaign, the journalists’ carry their NUJ UK press card and webinars to help with Parliamentary Group safety report and the and a copy of the press-police their professional careers Grahame Morris, Labour MP Undercover Policing Inquiry, Covid-19 protocol. Press card and to acquire business skills. for Easington, has become which revealed police officers holders must use them only Thousands of journalists are the co-chair of the NUJ had spied on journalists. when they are working. Informed 07 News Update (1928-2020) Tim Dawson mores and social issues; Jilly Cooper was question. The Australian mogul bought as integral to his Sunday Times as was Times newspapers in 1981 and moved pays tribute to Phillip Knightley and the Insight team. Evans to the daily. They quickly clashed the buccaneering The son of a Manchester railwayman, over his coverage of the newly elected he entered the inky trade as a 16-year- Margaret Thatcher and he left. journalist old reporter on an Ashton-under-Lyne He reinvented himself after arriving in weekly. He won a place at the Manhattan, becoming a power couple Two years ago, Harry Evans visited University of Durham with second wife Tina Brown – the union’s headquarters for an and by 1952 returned he taught at Yale, founded NUJ Extra fundraising event. Three to journalism at Condé Nast Traveller former colleagues from his editorship the Manchester and was president of Evening News. His Random House. He days in Darlington travelled south to Photo CollectionStock Inc / Alamy Everett catch up with their old boss. Within first editorship inspired journalist a heartbeat, Harry, almost 90 at the at Darlington’s generations to come time, recalled their names before Northern Echo with his manuals heaping praise on stories they had (1961-67) on the craft of news submitted more than half a century was marked by writing and design. earlier. campaigning national He will be remembered The reverence he attracts among stories that few regional for making newspapers the journalists is rooted in the energy and titles have matched since – most relevant and exciting innovation he brought to creating pushing for NHS cervical tests part of the media just as they newspapers. His triumphs were the and the pardoning of Timothy Evans faced serious challenge from television. ground-breaking stories at the Sunday who was wrongly convicted and hanged And throughout it all, his torrent of Times: thalidomide and its victims; the for murder. energy and ideas kept colleagues and exposure of ; and publication It was his brush with Rupert Murdoch, friends panting to keep up until the very of Richard Crossman’s diaries. Less set out in his book, Good Times Bad end. It is unlikely he will ever be equalled celebrated was his interest in domestic Times, that placed his integrity beyond as a newspaper editor.

hearing on behalf of the cosh used to harass civic Assange fate hangs union and the IFJ, said: “The activists. Extending its Act of 1917 under scope to journalists, as this Tim Dawson in the balance which he is charged has far prosecution would, is a more often been used to terrifying prospect.” will most hearing and called on prosecute trade unions and Séamus Dooley, NUJ likely take his own life, if journalists to campaign for working class leaders than it assistant general secretary he is convicted, an online his release. Former Guardian has spies. It is a discretionary and meeting chair, said: meeting attended by nearly editor Alan Rusbridger said: “The barbarous treatment 100 NUJ activists heard. “The move to extradite Julian of Julian Assange, whose sin Jen Robinson, lawyer to Assange is disturbing – as is has been to expose truth, the Wikileaks founder, told the mute response among means that this is an issue members her client “had journalists. If we allow him with which journalists cannot hardly been able to hold a to be convicted, it will have become bored. He must not conversation when he was huge implications for anyone be extradited.” in solitary confinement in who wants to do investigative A demonstration has Belmarsh”. journalism.” been arranged outside the The meeting provided an NEC member Tim Dawson, Old Bailey for the ruling on update on the extradition who observed the extradition Monday 4 January. 08 Informed

Freelances

Support our charter for Join the self-employed rights campaign #FairDeal4Freelances includes a Jan is a freelance writer. She had freelances found they fell through the charter of freelance rights which a contract for a magazine column, gaps in both packages. sets out the benefits the self- a couple of newspapers gave her The NUJ, TUC and other unions employed should also enjoy. regular commissions and she sold her pleaded with the Chancellor to put It calls for the right to organise in a interviews of the movers, shakers and things right. Keir Starmer, Labour Party trade union, to have a written contract innovators in the business world. leader, and SNP Westminster leader, with fair terms and conditions, prompt The freelancing life suited her; she Ian Blackford, took up the issue at Prime payment and equal treatment at was able to work around her childcare Minister’s Questions. Boris Johnson’s work in terms of health and safety. especially when they were young. non-answer came as a slap in the face to Freelances should get holiday pay, Magazines folded and commissioning the self-employed without a safety net. parental leave and allowances and a editors came and went, but she always The problem has been the piecemeal retirement pension. They should have found other work, even taking on some employment law that leaves the self- the right to resist companies forcing copy writing in the corporate world. employed vulnerable to employers them on to PAYE, to incorporate as But the pandemic stopped all that. placing them on unsuitable employment a limited company, or work under Much of her work disappeared and terms. They pay their taxes, but have umbrella companies. now for the first time since being a no right to holidays, sick, parental or The campaign will be asking student she is worrying about the bills. pregnancy leave. The government- employers, employer organisations, Fortunately, her partner is still working, commissioned Taylor Review set out to industry bodies, politicians and but without her earnings things are tight. explore the tax and employment rights individual supporters to sign up to The government was offering financial of freelances, but its recommendations its aims. Pamela Morton, national aid, but not to her. have been largely ignored. The NUJ freelance officer, said: “For too long Jan’s plight is very similar to the has urged the government to align the the self-employed have been second- many members contacting the union’s employment status framework with the class citizens in the world of work. freelance office saying: “I am running out tax status framework. We’re only asking for a fair deal.” The of money and struggling to pay bills and The severe hardship caused by campaign will involve working with rent. I’m anxious, sleepless and short Covid-19 for the self-employed means chapels to ensure that freelances of money. It’s made me realise that we this is a problem that must now be and casuals have voting rights and are on our own. The government doesn’t addressed. The UK economy and the full participation in union activities. care about us.” media sector are heavily reliant on They should be able to have a rep Covid-19 laid bare the precarious freelances, so why are they getting such accompany them to disciplinary and position of a major section of the UK’s a shabby deal? That is why the union grievance hearings, be included in employed sector, particularly in the has launched its #FairDeal4Freelances voluntary recognition agreements media where a third are freelance. campaign to seek redress and to ensure and collective bargaining and offered Chancellor Rishi Sunak rode to the the right to protection and benefits is not workplace training. Freelances will rescue with a Covid-19 job support dependent on employment status. agree not to cover for those taking scheme which completely left out Pamela Morton, national freelance industrial action. the self-employed. Following intense officer said: “The #FD4F campaign Branches will be encouraged to have lobbying from trade unions he later will continue to seek redress for those a freelance officer who can advise and followed up with the Self-Employment missing out on Covid-19 aid, and will represent freelance members. Income Support Scheme, but so many fight for a radical reform of our rights.”

FREELANCE RIGHTS CHARTER Fair deal for freelances

The Covid-19 Trades union collective Work free from pressure crisis has further bargaining to improve to operate on a PAYE terms and conditions basis, or to incorporate, marginalised already 1 6 for freelances side by side or work through umbrella vulnerable freelances with staff companies working across the media industry – Fair written contracts Equal health and safety this NUJ Freelance free from the threat protections including Rights Charter 2of disadvantage for parity of training, asserting their rights 7 demands improved insurances and security protections and provision benefits regardless of Respect for their creators’ rights and employment status. Fair fees and terms, and 3unwaivable moral rights prompt payments Support our call 8 for a Fair Deal for Equalised rights with employees including; Dignity and respect Freelances, where all sick pay; maternity, at work, free from freelances have the 4 bullying, harassment or paternity and parental leave; 9 right to: unemployment benefit; full discrimination, with parity of access to benefits and social access to grievance procedures securities Equal professional Choice over how they rights, including freelance and are taxed, 10the right to protect 5with an end to advance sources, seek information and tax payments uphold ethical standards

www.nuj.org.uk 10 Informed

Spotlight

words in 2006 at an event hosted by Maintaining a BBC governors called “Impartiality: Fact or Fiction”. Those were different times, before the explosion of social media and before Brexit. Today the debate over BBC balanced news impartiality is back shaping the future of British broadcasting – and a new director general has arrived with a sharpened set of secateurs. In his introductory speech in September,

Matt Kenyon Matt Tim Davie listed “impartiality” as his “number one priority” and the “very essence” of the BBC. “Our research shows that too many perceive us to be shaped by a particular perspective,” he warned. Within weeks the BBC published far-reaching impartiality guidelines, threatening staff with the sack if they failed to comply. They were told never to break stories on their personal media accounts, to avoid “virtue signalling” by liking other posts and to be wary of using emojis. They should never support campaigns on social media – “no matter how apparently worthy the cause” – and must “not participate in public demonstrations”, nor “become the face of a charity”. Paul Siegert, the NUJ’s national broadcasting organiser, says the guidelines provoked a lot of anger among staff: “They feel being journalists at the BBC shouldn’t prevent them from speaking out on subjects they feel passionately about. These are professional people and just because they have a personal view about something doesn’t mean that is going to taint the way that they report a story.” Outside the BBC, the furore over impartiality has – inevitably – provoked a “The first thing that happens to you as range of responses. Director general a BBC journalist,” Andrew Marr once Marcus Ryder, a former BBC news Tim Davie says told a seminar, “is that you’re taken executive and visiting professor in media down into a dank basement to have diversity at Birmingham City University impartiality is the your trousers pulled down and your Centre, told NUJ Informed that the essence of the BBC. organs of opinion removed with a pair guidelines were “fit for heterosexual, of secateurs by the director general able-bodied, white men” but failed to take Ian Burrell looks at and popped in a formaldehyde bottle. account of the “protected characteristics” his new social media You’re told you’re allowed them back – including disability, sexuality and race when you leave.” – enshrined in the Equality Act 2010. “A guidelines The BBC’s star interviewer spoke those gay person attending a Pride rally is very Informed 11

different to someone attending a Brexit Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live with a new “orthodoxy and stability”, saying “the rally,” he said. product, Times Radio, which gives an reiteration of what exists and is familiar Davie later issued a clarification, saying audio outlet to The Times and Sunday is not so interesting as the exposition of BBC journalists could attend Pride, Times news brands. Former editor of what might be”. provided they “do not get involved in The Times Literary Supplement, Stig In 2007 a BBC impartiality review led matters which could be deemed political Abell, who set up the station and co- by author and filmmaker, John Bridcut, or controversial”. presents its breakfast show, claims “the sought modernisation by advocating a Others are apparently enthused by BBC historically gets itself in knots” “wagon wheel” of opinions in place of the the crackdown. Robbie Gibb, head of over impartiality. “What you don’t want traditional left-right “see-saw”. BBC political programmes until he left is automaton presenters who just ask Five years later, former ITV chief, to work in Downing Street in 2017, was questions as if they are somehow floating Stuart Prebble, was commissioned “delighted” by Davie’s impartiality drive. ephemerally above the fray. Nobody is to examine the subject again. David Yet Gibb is linked to GB News, a planned above the fray! Coronavirus really brings Jordan, the BBC’s long-standing director channel described (by The Guardian that home. I understand the need for of editorial policy and standards, told 29 Aug 2020) as a Fox News-style balance and not to proselytise about that review that people with “socially opinionated current affairs TV station. certain issues, but there’s nothing in the authoritarian” views felt excluded from The face of GB News is Andrew Neil, rules on impartiality that you can’t say the BBC. It was Jordan – recently involved who recently quit as the BBC’s chief ‘this happened to me yesterday and I feel in an impartiality controversy that saw political interviewer. He says it will target this way about it’.” presenter Naga Munchetty censured for “a huge gap in the market” made up of the The idea that the BBC is failing is at criticising Donald Trump – who oversaw “vast number of British people who feel odds with the audience engagement it the latest BBC impartiality guidelines. underserved and unheard by” existing has enjoyed during the pandemic. One Prebble’s review, published in 2013, well news channels. GB News would test the before Brexit, challenged metropolitan due impartiality regulations overseen by liberal group-think at the BBC and said by emulating the presenter-led “Journalists at the BBC coverage of immigration needed to “seek approach of American networks. Neil says said they shouldn’t out opinions which ‘people like us’ may that Ofcom has a “quite liberal” approach find unpalatable”. to impartiality and that Channel 4 News be prevented from Looking back now, Prebble told NUJ “clearly has a particular ideological speaking out on Informed his review was not prescient but position”. subjects they feel “complacent” and that the BBC and other Ben De Pear, editor of Channel 4 News, passionately about” mainstream outlets had been almost told NUJ Informed that this was not true. overwhelmed by the rapid polarisation He said his programme’s journalistic of news. “I just feel that battle is lost and vigour had caused it to be shunned by member of the BBC newsroom said the it is reflected up to, and including, no- politicians from all major parties, notably planned rivals were not a threat. “The platforming at universities and people Labour under its previous leader. “Jeremy statistics don’t lie – the public are coming going to news sources that will only say Corbyn and the Labour leadership to us in unprecedented numbers because things they already agree with,” he says. thought we were too right-wing and too the BBC remains the medium of choice for “The review was only seven years difficult in our interviews,” he says. “When most of Britain.” ago and what has happened since is politicians don’t like greater scrutiny, But the BBC faces a perilous year, with unrecognisable. I do think we failed to longer interviews and investigations, they growing numbers of unpaid licence foresee, but I think we could be forgiven tend to blame the organisation as being fees (encouraged by the prospect because I don’t think anybody could have ideologically opposed to them. We are of decriminalisation of non-paying foreseen, unless it was Aldous Huxley.” scrupulous in finding balance every single offenders), massive staff cuts and a yet-to- Even so, he says, the fractured news night and it’s harder when politicians be-appointed chair who may not have the landscape does make the importance won’t appear.” organisation’s best interests at heart. of the BBC greater than ever and the The British broadcast news Throughout its history the BBC has director general is right to keep struggling establishment also faces a challenge agonised over impartiality. In 1936, when for impartiality. “I think the BBC just from Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, which the parliamentary committee led by Lord needs to do everything possible to hang plans a TV news channel that builds on its Ullswater considered the first renewal of on to that and the band needs to go on quarrelsome talkRADIO outlet. the BBC’s charter, it noted a journalistic playing even as the waters lap around its For four months it has nibbled at BBC tendency to focus on social change over ears,” he said. Informed 12 News Update Rock against Racism Tim Dawson recalls his teenage initiation to David www.davidkingdesigner.com King’s iconic agitprop

Like many 1970s teenagers, a postal order dispatched to Finsbury Park, London, initiated my engagement with politics. I received by return several sheets of lapel stickers, a poster and some leaflets. All bore a five-point star enclosing the words ROCK AGAINST RACISM. As Rick Poynor’s new book establishes, the graphic identity of the 70s and 80s Left was largely the work of this one designer – David King who died in 2016. As well as his RAR and Anti-Nazi League logos, many international solidarity campaigns and various left newspapers all owed their typographic signatures to King. His work for the NUJ has never been bettered – King designed strike posters and the recruitment series based on classic film stills that hang in our offices. Agitprop was only one side of King, however. From 1965 to 1975 as designer of magazine, he pioneered an approach to words and pictures that is imitated yet. He designed book covers, album sleeves and was an internationally recognised curator of early Soviet graphics. Rick Poynor’s beautifully-produced monograph wonderfully reflects King’s work and is an evocative transport to the days when the off-set litho appeared to be history’s locomotive. David King Designer Activist Visual Historian, by Rick Poynor. Yale University Press £30. City Limits www.davidkingdesigner.com