Magazine of the Chartered Institute of Journalists Spring 2017 TheJServingournal professional journalism since 1912 Prison whistleblower fights on to Supreme Court

By Tim Crook he Belmarsh prison whistleblower, whether accepting money from Trinity Robert Norman, is appealing to Mirror for stories was “serious criminal Tthe UK Supreme Court over his conduct”. His lawyers say that historically conviction under Operation Elveden the payment of money to sources has for taking money for stories on Britain’s been compensation for the risks of prison crisis. providing information and has operated He lost at the Court of Appeal in as an established contractual method of November 2016, but his campaign for investigative journalism. exoneration, which is supported by the The Supreme Court Justices have been Chartered Institute of Journalists, has informed that paying sources is on been taken up by Press Gazette and occasion the only method used to obtain the Guardian columnist and professor information for many of the stories that of Journalism at City University, Roy appear in the press. Norman’s legal team Greenslade. has cited the Daily Telegraph’s scoop on Robert Norman told Press Gazette he MPs’ expenses as one example, when was “arrested at 5.45 in the morning by 16 the paper paid more than £100,000 for Metropolitan Police officers barging into information which led to several successful my house – all that was missing were the criminal prosecutions. helicopters and the napalm.” The trauma led to a catastrophic Suicide rates breakdown in his wife’s health, the Since November’s Appeal Court ruling loss of his house to pay legal costs and the crisis in Britain’s prison system – which imprisonment for leaking stories that he Robert Norman predicted – has worsened believed amounted to no more than staff considerably. There have been repeated employment misconduct and dismissal if reports of growing suicide rates among The Supreme Court found out. inmates, riots, murders and widespread His barrister, Keir Monteith, has drug-taking. submitted appeal papers which argue In February 2017, the BBC’s Panorama information over five years. The judges that upholding the conviction is having programme broadcast footage gathered said Trinity Mirror and News International a chilling effect on freedom of speech by an undercover reporter who spent two revealed him as a source to the police by deterring sources from providing months in HMP Northumberland. He because they voluntarily wanted to report information to journalists. discovered widespread drug use, poor serious crime. regimes, door alarms not working, a hole News International was “keen to be Freedom of expression in a security fence and a failure by the staff able to portray its position to the Leveson Norman’s case is that the Daily Mirror to exercise proper control of the prison. Inquiry as one of full cooperation in the breached his Article 10 freedom of Norman told Press Gazette that all the light of the widespread public concern at expression rights by volunteering his stories he gave Daily Mirror reporter that time about the activities of the press identity to the police instead of waiting for Stephen Moyes, who later went to work and how they obtained their information.” the police to make an application under for the News of the World, were “true, in Yet even the trial judge had conceded: the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. the public interest, highlighted dangers to “On all the available material I accept that Montieth says the effect of the case is the public and dangers to staff, and were there is a reasonable inference that they that “potential sources will not contact or later confirmed by the Prison Service press did so not for altruistic reasons but rather co-operate with the media and journalists office.” in the hope that by so assisting the police, will not contact those that are or might be The Lord Chief Justice was pre-occupied there was a likelihood that any possibility public officials.” in his Court of Appeal ruling that Norman of prosecutions at a higher level would be The Supreme Court appeal will question was paid £10,684 for sharing 40 pieces of avoided.” Continued on page 5 Andy Smith Editor’s Comment Editor or journalists who felt relieved that by the former High Court Judge Sir Alan the iniquitous Leveson process had Moses, enjoying the support of the entire Fcome to an end, and hopeful that industry and showing that we are well able the threat to Press freedom in Britain had to police ourselves and to tackle abuses. abated for the time being, the startling We have enjoyed freedom of the Press in reality in 2017 is that the danger of this country for over 300 years, since the suppression is greater than ever. Assorted reign of King William of Orange. In the celebrity political activists, through their 21st Century this freedom is being nibbled front organisation Hacked-Off, and the away at continually by a multitude of legal misleadingly titled Campaign for Press & and legislative threats, and could so easily Broadcasting Freedom, are stepping up be snuffed out completely. their attempts to muzzle the Press. Their Under most intense pressure is the Assistant Editor: Stuart Millson tame, State-approved, regulatory body, British tradition of fearless investigative Production Editor: Dominic Cooper Impress, is forcing the pace – even though, journalism. Think of how many scoops as yet, not a single national newspaper has might not have been possible if the sort signed up to it, and there is huge opposition of controls now being mooted, and to to this semi-official quango being given some extent already creeping in by the In this issue: any authority whatsoever. We should not back door, had been in force at the time. Dates for your Diary p 4 underestimate the ability of Impress and its Almost certainly there would have been millionaire backers to get their way. no revelations about Thalidomide, and Snoopers’ Charter p 5 Financed chiefly by ex-Formula One no MPs’ expenses scandal. The failures Freelance Division p6 boss Max Mosley, son of Fascist leader of the Police over the murder of Stephen Sir Oswald Mosley, Impress is a bizarre Lawrence would never have come to light, International News p7 rainbow coalition of far-left agitators and and the Rotherham sex-grooming cover-up business tycoons. Its goal is to ensure would never have been exposed. And these The Institute’s Charities p 8-9 that vested interests take precedence over are just the tip of the iceberg. New Literary Trail p10 the public interest. That is why we in the Appallingly, Max Mosley and his gang Chartered Institute of Journalists must are being aided and abetted by the quisling Trump and the Fourth Estate p 11 redouble our own efforts to safeguard National Union of Journalists. Whilst the Press freedom and defend the rights of NUJ has long been more concerned to The Off-Duty Journalist p12 journalists. Thankfully, we are not alone. pursue a political agenda than defend the Book Reviews p 13 The opposition to Impress includes rights of journalists, even I was surprised virtually anyone of any consequence in to see that the union had sunk so low as Obituaries p 14-15 the Press: all major newspaper groups, to be a willing accomplice in Hacked- The News Media Association (which Off’s campaign to gag our free Press. But Writers’ Centre p 16 represents most UK newspaper and this is the reality in 2017 Britain – a trade magazine publishers), The Society of union that is actively opposed to its own The views contained in The Journal are those of the Editors, Index on Censorship, and the members’ interests and a powerful political Editor and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the journalists’ magazine Press Gazette. And movement working to block our free Press views or policy of the Chartered Institute of Journalists. we have an industry-financed Independent and thwart the public interest. All rights reserved. © CIoJ 2017 Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), run Andy Smith

As we go to press, news has just come in that the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has been appointed Editor of the London Evening Standard. For the Standard’s proprietor, Evgeny Lebedev, to hire a politician (some might say “failed politician”) as Editor, and to have passed over numerous TheJournal professional journalists who would have been far better qualified and suited to this key editorial job, is a massive insult to our profession. Worse, for Osborne to ISSN 1361-7656 tell us that he can easily edit our capital city’s daily newspaper while remaining a News or views intended for publication Member of Parliament and also continuing his consultancy role with the American should be sent to: asset management company BlackRock (giving him combined earnings of well The Chartered Institute of Journalists over £1m a year!) – plus, in all likelihood, his highly lucrative after-dinner 2 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, speaking engagements – is a monstrous slap in the face to all of us! London SE16 2XU E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7252 1187 Your Council members are: Fax: +44 (0)20 7232 2302 CIoJ Council Norman Bartlett Web: www.cioj.co.uk Andy Smith Twitter: @CIoJournalist and PPB Keith Lockwood Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Michael Evans pages/Chartered-Institute-of- Officers of the Institute: Journalists/108017897514 Mark Croucher, President LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/ Michael Hardware, Honorary Treasurer Your PPB members are: groups/Chartered-Institute- Janice Shillum Bhend, Vice-President Tim Crook, Chairman Journalists-63500 Paul Leighton, Immediate Past President Campbell Thomas, Vice-Chairman Tim Crook, Chairman, PPB Janice Shillum Bhend Norman Bartlett Printed by Cool grey display & print Ltd Institute officers are ex-officio members of Council Tel: +44 (0) 1444 474646 Jim Filbin 2 Andrew Kelly The Journal - Spring 2017 edition News at when? Scotland’s new BBC channel he Chartered Institute of TJournalists has expressed concerns over ITV’s decision to move its iconic brings new opportunities News At Ten programme to make way for “entertainment and trivial By Professor Nick Higgins programming”. This is the second he recent announcement about the time the programme has been moved Tfuture of BBC Scotland is good news, within ITV’s schedule. The first was in both for Scottish television and for our 1999. ITV claimed then that it would film industry. For years the sector has photo: Brian Sweeney boost ratings but it had the opposite been crying out to receive more back from effect. the licence fee funds, so the additional “The 1999 decision was a disaster and £40 million that will now come back to the same will happen again”, said CIoJ us, whilst still less than the funds Scottish President Mark Croucher. “All it will do viewers pay into the licence fee, is a very is to further diminish the audience for welcome boost to the production sector. high-quality television news. ITV lost It is encouraging to see a commitment to millions of viewers to the BBC 18 years 80 new journalism jobs that clearly marks ago when they decided entertainment out an ambition to significantly increase was more important than news at news coverage, but this comes at a time 10pm. There is a public interest in when a dedicated national local news quality broadcast journalism and in service is also about to launch in the form the Institute’s view the ITV network Professor Nick Higgins of STV2, the result of a combination of should be supporting investment and STV’s successful bids to run local television scheduling that promotes this.” licences in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, whereby some of our best film directors Aberdeen and Ayr. This is obviously and screenwriters will at last be given the good news for students of journalism chance to work on the small screen. and television at UWS but it does raise an Equally, the commitment to more factual Recruitment interesting question for the broadcasters; production is very positive news but raises The Institute is offering a referral fee how will these news services be distinct? questions as to what kind of documentaries Where there is even less clarity is will be commissioned. Will they all be in- to any member who can help recruit surrounding the new funds for drama and house BBC? Will they need to be on Scottish new members. factual television. Ever since the demise subjects? Or could this be the moment when Every Full Member you sign up will of Waterloo Road, the network drama Scottish documentary filmmakers, at last, earn you £50. The new member will filmed out of Gourock, the quest to secure a are able to make films about international returnable Scottish drama has been ongoing stories and events that, whilst not featuring need to be sponsored by you and and given the nature of our new Netflix Scottish characters, would be of significant will have to satisfy our accreditation and Amazon Prime media landscape, this interest to Scottish audiences. Perhaps it will procedures. also help those audiences to see Scotland as is a challenge that members of the film Contact our Chief Executive for sector are also keenly interested to answer. a nation interested in the world and not just Drama however, is notoriously expensive what is happening in its own backyard? more details - memberservices@cioj. and commissioners are risk averse and it Nick Higgins is Professor of Media co.uk . remains to be seen if the extra funds will Practice at The University of the West of lead to a new era of Scottish commissioning Scotland. UEA scholarships nurture creative writers he University of East Anglia, in from the UK but worldwide,” said Sutton. With well over a third of graduates TNorwich, which is home to a world- “Some scholarships are aimed specifically going on to have their work accepted by leading creative writing programme, is now at international students, one is directed at leading publishers, the course has the offering eight postgraduate scholarships, students from the Republic of Ireland, and highest success rate in the country, and meaning more than a quarter of the 30 others are open to anyone.” the University’s innovative approach available places in 2017 are funded. He added: “Creative writing is a powerful contributes to keeping it that way. “Our “Our aim is to widen opportunity for vehicle. The world revolves around courses are intense but it’s also important the most talented writers, which is why empathy, and an appreciation of literature to us that they’re accessible, so we deliver scholarships in this field are so important,” is culturally invaluable because it enriches our MA in Crime Fiction largely online,” said co-director Henry Sutton. “Up to half us and gives us understanding.” said Sutton. “It means there’s even more of our students are from overseas and their The programme at UEA was founded opportunity for talented writers to follow average age is 30. in 1970 by novelists and former UEA their passion.” Many have had careers in different professors Sir Malcolm Bradbury and Sir The deadline for course applications fields, which means they bring a wealth Angus Wilson, and well-known alumni is May 1, 2017, and for a scholarship of experience in addition to their desire to who regularly return to speak to students application May 15. hone their creative writing skills.” include Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan. For further information go to: Competition for places is extremely Leading UK literary trust the Booker Prize https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/ tough, so the standard of students is high. Foundation and London literary agency postgraduate/scholarships/arts-and- Their background is also diverse. “Our aim David Higham Associates are among those humanities/literature-drama-and-creative- is to nurture the greatest talent, not just funding scholarships. writing

3 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Shouting out for press freedom New Executive Editor for and the Rory Peck Trust Associated Press he Associated Press announced Ttoday that AP Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief Sally Buzbee has been appointed as the news agency’s executive editor. Buzbee, who joined AP in 1988 as a reporter, has spent the last six years in Washington D.C. as chief of bureau, where she has overseen AP’s coverage of the last two U.S. presidential elections, the White House, Congress, the Pentagon, and polling and investigative units. In her new role as senior vice president and executive editor, Buzbee will be responsible for leading AP’s global news operations and overseeing news content in all formats from AP journalists based in more than By Tina Carr, Director, Rory Peck Trust rights, environmental stories, local politics, 260 locations in 106 countries. She photographer is taking pictures of a national politics, corruption, organised will relocate from Washington to AP Acrowd. For no reason, he’s knocked crime. Freelance journalists are crucial to headquarters in New York. to the ground and kicked by the police. the telling of these stories. Brave, dedicated, “Sally’s leadership and extensive Six journalists are covering an angry street professional, they are the backbone of a history with the AP make her the demonstration when they’re arrested, free press and operate at the sharp end perfect candidate to take the helm as detained and charged with felony. Three of news. Like their corporate colleagues, executive editor,” said AP President of these journalists are freelancers. All have many of them are being targeted and and CEO Gary Pruitt. “Sally’s focused been exactly where they should be on this threatened – by governments, by factions, vision will guide our news content in day and all have been doing their job – it is, by gangsters – by anyone who doesn’t like all formats well into the future.” after all, the inauguration of the President what journalists do, anyone who wants to “The AP’s mission of strong, of the United States. control the agenda. impartial, fact-based journalism has Elsewhere, a photographer accused of The Rory Peck Trust works with and never been more important,” Buzbee crossing a border illegally is beaten and helps freelancers every day, and for them said. “My colleagues are the most arrested; a cameraman films a policeman it’s very tough – and getting tougher. We talented and committed journalists in letting his dog loose on an asylum seeker. provide practical support that helps them the world, rededicating themselves to Menaced by the same dog, he’s forced to continue working, remain safe, become that mission each day. It is a privilege to delete the tape. Journalists covering resilient and keep their families together. to be a part of this team as we dive into refugee camps and anti-refugee protests are This is what we do. Quiet work that the future.” detained, denied access, fined, and under supports independent journalists in a very Buzbee began her career with AP as attack. Where? Serbia, Hungary, Greece, real and effective way. a reporter in Kansas in 1988. During Macedonia, France.... Many of you will have seen Meryl Streep’s her tenure as a reporter, she covered What’s going on here? We’ve been talking shout out for press freedom at the Golden immigration and border issues in San about freelancers under attack in repressive Globes recently. Well, we don’t have a Diego, and foreign affairs and national societies for years – but have we been Meryl (yet), but if ever there was a time to security after the September 11 attacks. smug? Is this the future for independent shout out and support the work of the Rory She holds a journalism degree from journalism in our own democracies? In the Peck Trust, it’s now! The Trust has spent its the University of Kansas and a Master face of increasingly permissible intolerance entire life – more than twenty one years – of Business Administration from in the West, our worst fears are being supporting freelance journalists who others Georgetown University. realised – and press freedom is struggling try to silence – THIS IS NO TIME TO STOP. Her predecessor as Executive Editor, – under its biggest threat at a time when it The Rory Peck Trust will continue to Kathleen Carroll, stepped down at the is most needed. give freelance journalists the support they end of 2016 after serving as AP’s top There are many frontlines all with their need and deserve way, way into this oh-so editor for 14 years. own stories: war and conflict, human uncertain future.

Dates for your diary 27 July 26 April 2017 Summer drinks at CIoJ Head Bank of England visit To book contact Diane at head office Office - 020 7252 1187 or [email protected]. Event will include a tour of the we will need some idea of your 14 October bank’s museum and an address by outlets so that we may pass them on CIoJ AGM - Goldsmiths, the bank press chief Mike Peacock. to the organisers . London

4 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition What the snoopers’ charter means for journalists By Tim Crook ew people have anything good to law. Journalists and everyone else will have say about the Investigatory Powers to get used to the idea that 48 intelligence, FAct 2016, otherwise known as the police and investigatory bodies now have Snoopers’ Charter. Not even the present access to one year of anyone’s online, web government seems very enthusiastic and communications data at any time. The about the Law Commission’s consultation bodies include the security and intelligence document for a new Espionage Act to services but also NHS trusts, the Food protect official data. Standards Agency and Information This threatens to reform all the Official Commissioner. Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 with no public The spooks at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, interest defence for either journalists or and all of the country’s police forces, whistle-blowers, and a criminal offence now have the legal power to engage full carrying a maximum jail sentence of 14 content communications surveillance, and years. It would mean that any public official something known as electronic network wanting to leak a story and the journalists exploitation. That is effectively turning an GCHQ Cheltenham receiving it would be treated in the same individual’s computer, tablet or smartphone way as enemy spies. into a covert surveillance device. It has attracted universal condemnation Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation says the from the press, and media freedom NGOs Tracking devices Investigatory Powers Act is “a victory for such as Index on Censorship who say the Intelligence experts have the ability to democracy and the rule of law”. Edward proposed legislation is “a body blow to activate the microphone and camera on Snowden tweeted: “The UK has just public interest journalism.” digital portable devices without the owner legalised the most extreme surveillance in In the face of headlines such as “This having any idea as well as using them as the history of western democracy. It goes assault on whistleblowers exceeds even the precise tracking mechanisms. further than many autocracies.” draconian 1911 act” from the Guardian, and The UK and USA agreement on sharing The legislation does nothing to preserve or “Britain’s free Press has never been under intelligence information means that encourage the free-flow of journalist source threat like it is today” from the Sun, Theresa American spy agencies such as the NSA information to public interest publication. May and her ministers have tried to deflect and CIA can check out everything stored It is worse. It adds to an overwhelming blame for the move onto her predecessor and gathered on UK citizens. As Private chilling effect generated by the blatant and David Cameron. Eye has observed: “Donald Trump now has secret interception of journalists’ metadata access to more data on British citizens than over many years. Public official journalist Official Secrets he currently has on any of his own.” sources have no protection whatsoever. The Official Secrets Act 1989 was Applications for confidential journalistic The Judicial Commissioners will be introduced to abolish the notorious Section or source data have to be approved by a operating as rubber stamps. They certainly Two offence that criminalized any non- Judicial Commissioner. But journalists have no opportunity, recourse, or method to authorized leaking of official information have no right to be informed about the be informed of the case for either journalists and the journalists receiving it. That carried applications, or access to their information. or their sources before sanctioning the only a maximum sentence of two years. Everything can be conducted in secret with worst kind of state snooping imaginable. It criminalized describing the colour of no public scrutiny at all and absolutely no the walls of civil service buildings, or the due process of legal representation. writing on government toilet paper. Protections for sensitive categories such It was discredited when juries refused to “confidential journalistic material” and convict even when told to do so by trial “sources of journalistic information” are Whistleblower judges. This is what happened in the case of invalidated where the “information is Continued from 1 Ministry of Defence official, Clive Ponting created or acquired for the purpose of in 1985. He had leaked information on the furthering a criminal purpose.” Criminal Robert Norman says being paid was not sinking of the Argentine battleship, the activity is defined as a situation where an a driving factor in his whistle-blowing. He Belgrano, during the Falklands War, to the accused “who has no previous convictions was more motivated in exposing problems Labour MP Tam Dalyell. could reasonably be expected to be undermining the safety of Belmarsh prison. In recent years the state has cunningly sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 3 This included high category prisoners being used the common law offence of misconduct years or more.” downgraded simply to ease overcrowding in public office to resurrect the old Section This means any public official trying and the failure to properly search inmates. Two power under another name. The to leak anything to a journalist will be Former Daily Mirror editor Roy careers of at least three senior police officers furthering a criminal purpose because the Greenslade says the board of Trinity Mirror were destroyed when they were arrested maximum sentence is life imprisonment for should resign. He expressed outrage that under Operation Elveden for simply misconduct in public office and will be 14 in sacrificing one of the cardinal principles briefing journalists without any suggestion years for leaking info under the proposed of the profession, “it set in train events of payment on criminal investigations. Espionage Bill. that have wrecked the life of a confidential The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is now David Anderson QC, the Independent journalistic source.”

5 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Researchers Freelances go nuclear get help with scientific publishing

photo: © Ken Brookes MJ, formerly British Medical BJournal and now one of the world’s leading medical knowledge providers, has launched the Author Hub, a new platform to assist researchers in every field at every stage of the publishing process. The Author Hub is a comprehensive platform aimed at researchers who not only want to publish their work, but also understand how to design their study, promote their paper or identify the right journal for them. The platform is packed with interactive features, videos and “how to” guides to solve each problem individually. The majority of the content has Organiser Ken Skehan (front left) with the CIoJ freelance group and hosts been written by established scientists, t near-end 2016, newly appointed I’ll just pick one more important area, editors and publishers, who share Freelance Division visits organiser called RAL Space (Rutherford-Appleton their knowledge and expertise in an AKen Skehan launched the new Laboratory Space) and opened in 2015. approachable style. programme with a proverbial bang. It’s a Space Integration Facility based in a So, whether you are an experienced The visit was to Harwell Campus, for modern multistorey building, with lots of researcher wanting to create a video many years headquarters of the UK vacuum and environmental test chambers abstract for your paper, or a young Atomic Energy Research Establishment to support the national space programme. scientist needing help with designing and currently a science park devoted to Don’t worry if you don’t understand your study, you will find something to cutting-edge research, from super-energy much of this. That applied to all of us before help you. laser radiation to advanced techniques for the visit, but I’d guess we could all pretend The platform has a clear and user- additive manufacturing. friendly structure, designed to allow Guided by some of the world’s users to easily jump from one topic outstanding physicists, our group studied to another, and instantly address the some mind-boggling apparatus and needs of their particular situation. developments. Code-named DIAMOND The site is fully mobile optimised, and located in a vast circular building and is an excellent resource for opened by the Queen in 2007, the most authors who need answers on the go,

imposing is Britain’s national synchrotron photo: © Ken Brookes providing comprehensive guides, science facility. Producing intense beams tutorials, examples and tips. of light like a conventional laser but Roberta Cucuzza, Strategic Marketing incredibly more powerful, it can be used to Manager at BMJ said: “We are investigate the structure and properties of committed to providing a first-class an incredibly varied range of materials. The publishing experience for our authors. facility cost £260 million in a building 738m Electronic greetings to CIoJ visitors We are delighted to be making this in circumference. exciting resource freely available to researchers across the globe to help Speed of light them get published, discovered and The particles used by Diamond are we understood at least part of it by the cited with BMJ.” electrons travelling near to the speed of time we left. All due to the brilliance - and For more information, please visit light. They travel not in a circle but in a patience - of those who showed us around. authors.bmj.com 48-sided polygon equipped with magnetic Finally, I know the famous RAL (see accelerators or diverters at every corner. above), which owns or runs many of these Each diversion facilitates the release facilities, is based in Cambridge, where the of high-energy x-rays into beamlines, Isis river runs, and I appreciate its part- the experimental locations where the ownership of the river name (applied to Did you know? synchrotron radiation is employed for projects, buildings and locations), but I Your annual subscription to the experimental purposes. We were able to still find the sign illustrated in just a tiny see the internal structure of the accelerator amount disconcerting. Chartered Institute of Journalists ring as well as some of the beamlines. There Look out for more and widely differing is tax-deductible? This applies to are expected to be 32 of these by end 2017, Freelance Division facility visits in the any Institute member who is a UK and there are also an impressive collection coming months. taxpayer, whether you are a staff of other laser apparatus, each with a catchy Ken Brookes journalist or a freelance. codename.

6 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition New project to support independent Nobel Laureate journalism in Ukraine joins exodus from The two-year project Russian PEN will build the resilience of freelance journalists in Ukraine and their ability to work safely and responsibly. Image credit: Dmitry Serebryakov - freelance photographer/ former RPT beneficiary Volodymyr Shuvaev is pictured.

Svetlana Alexievich he Rory Peck Trust has started work country with guidance and information to Ton a new project, funded by the United help them work safely and responsibly. obel Literature Prize winner Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) to Freelance journalists in Ukraine are facing NSvetlana Alexievich is the latest strengthen independent journalism in threats and violence from multiple sources writer to have quit the Russian PEN Ukraine. Entitled “Supporting independent and in multiple forms – both physical and Centre as part of a widening split journalism in Ukraine by building online. Most freelancers lack the skills, within the organization. freelance journalists’ resilience and ability support and resources to adequately Alexievich, who won her Nobel Prize to work safely and responsibly”, it will protect themselves, making them especially in 2015, said that she was leaving the help freelancers in Ukraine gain the skills vulnerable. As a result self-censorship is organization to protest against the and support they need to continue their spreading and independent voices are expulsion of journalist and activist vital contribution to an informed civil being extinguished. Sergei Parkhomenko. society. This is the second RPT initiative Her statement came a day after to be funded by UNDEF, following the Safety prominent Russian writer Boris recently completed “Strengthening skills The Trust’s experience and expertise Akunin, whose real name is Grigory and improving safety for independent supporting freelance journalists’ safety and Chkhartishvili, announced he was journalism in Libya.” welfare makes it uniquely placed to address leaving the Russian PEN Centre, The project will be implemented by RPT this issue through the UNDEF-funded saying that the organization did not alongside Ukrainian partner, the Institute project. defend persecuted writers and so of Mass Information (IMI). Freelancers UNDEF has funded more than 500 had “nothing in common” with the will receive training through a series of projects in over 150 countries in the global PEN movement. The previous workshops in digital and psychosocial areas of rule of law, media, community day, poet Lev Rubinshtein and writer safety, risk assessment and responsible development, women’s empowerment, and Aleksandr Ilichevsky had quit the journalism. An online resource based on youth participation. This project was signed group in protest at the expulsion of the curriculum will then be launched, in UNDEF’s new Tenth Round of Funding. prominent journalist and activist providing freelance journalists across the Sergei Parkhomenko. Officially, Parkhomenko was expelled from the group for Aiding grass-roots reporting in Africa “provocative activity” but he wrote on the website of Ekho Moskvy radio atherine Kreuter has been appointed cost-effectively than previously possible. that he was punished for criticizing Kto the board of Media Matters for Educated in the US, Kreuter holds an MSJ the Russian PEN Centre for failing to Women. MMW is a US-registered NGO from Northwestern University’s Medill support Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh founded by Sharon Bylenga. They have School of Journalism, and has worked in Sentsov, who is serving 20 years in a pioneered the use of Bluetooth technology the US, Hong Kong, London, Brazil and Russian prison after being convicted of and local journalists to address the unmet South Africa. As a board member at MMW plotting terrorist attacks. information needs of women and girls where MMW has begun a pilot project Sentsov, a native of Crimea, was a in rural Africa. Their team of female with a Millicom Foundation Grant in vocal opponent of Russia’s annexation journalists produces original audio content partnership with the Swiss NGO Women@ of the Black Sea peninsula. He in professional podcast format in multiple TheTable. For further information, go to denies the allegations of terrorist languages which is then delivered via www.mediamattersforwomen.org involvement. The European Union, Bluetooth to last-mile women and girls via Amnesty International and others in mobile phones. the West have all condemned his arrest A journalist herself, Katherine Kreuter and imprisonment. is keen to promote this type of grassroots Speaking to the Interfax news agency reporting. While there is great need for E-mail address on January 10, Russian PEN Centre better information among third world President Yevgeny Popov denied women and girls, there are also great If you are not receiving regular claims of a split in the organization, messages from us via e-mail it challenges to overcome in providing is likely we do not have your saying there are more than 400 traditional print or broadcast journalism. up-to-date details. Don’t miss members of the organization and This projects takes advantage of leapfrog out. Update your details today - “only one Parkhomenko”. [email protected] . technology to meet those needs much more

7 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition

the reorganisation of the Institute charitable funds It’s hard to buy insurance when the house is burning down - but the Institute can help

often use the insurance comparison Fund, the Benevolent Fund, the Pensions members of the Chartered Institute or not. to help explain why all professional Fund and the Oak Hill & T P O’Connor Equally, there are no rules about length of Ijournalists should join the Chartered Fund. Last year’s Annual Conference membership. Institute. True, the Institute is non-political, agreed to investigate a merger of the first Originally, well before the NHS was so it devotes its efforts to the needs of three of these, but not Oak Hill, for a reason founded, Oak Hill was the name of a members, rather than trying to change I’ll explain in a moment. I have the honour nursing home owned and operated by the world or organise strikes and marches and privilege of chairing the Charities the Institute for its members. Eventually for ideological reasons. Certainly, when it Committee, which in separate meetings it was sold and the funds employed to comes to the ID and press cards that every looks after both Pensions and Oak Hill & T assist members convalescing from illness journalist needs at some time – and some P O’Connor. I’d like to describe what we do, or operations. Merging with T P O’Connor journalists need all the time – the Institute whilst leaving those who run the others to a few years ago expanded its potential to provides the most prestigious, multilingual talk about their separate activities. virtually any journalist in need of urgent and widely recognised credentials. And financial support but with insufficient true again, by virtue of its Royal Charter, Pensions Fund resources. for those who value such things, it is able Institute pensions may not be as large to grant identifying letters after members’ as those you pay for all your working life, Most important names to give added status to their choice but they provide a worthwhile monthly When life maltreats you, a professional of journalism as a career. supplement as well as birthday and journalist and Chartered Institute member, But there’s more than that. The friendly, Christmas presents. when you don’t know where to turn, when efficient staff and elected officers ofthe The rules of the Pensions Fund are you can’t even afford the Institute subs, Chartered Institute will certainly look relatively simple. In summary, apart from don’t think of resignation, think of the after you when you’re prospering, but being deserving, an applicant must be over Institute’s legal, financial and professional what happens when times are hard, titles 60 and a member of the Chartered Institute advice that might get you out of the hole. closing, unexpected illness restricting your for not less than 10 years. The committee And if things are really bad, don’t neglect activities, the house metaphorically if not will choose the most deserving of all the the CIoJ charities. Needless to say, their literally on fire and the proverbial wolf applicants. And the good news: as I write sympathetic help and related activities are knocking at the door? this, there is at least one vacancy. If you always completely confidential. That’s where the Institute charities come think you qualify, ask HQ for an application Ken Brookes in. We currently have four of these, not form. fantastically well endowed by national and Past-President CIoJ international standards, but certainly well Oak Hill & T P O’Connor Fund Chairman, CIoJ Pensions Fund enough to be helpful when really needed. This is already an amalgamation of two Chairman, Oak Hill & T P O’Connor Each has a devoted, hardworking and long-standing Institute charities, and the Fund unpaid committee. The four are the Orphan only one open to all journalists, whether

INSTITUTE Our Funds as they stand are: receive birthday, Christmas, holiday grants and, The Orphan Fund: The object of the Fund is where necessary, costs of education. CHARITIES – THE to maintain, educate, support and encourage The Orphan Fund is by far the biggest in terms qualifying children of Institute members, of of value, with investments totalling just under FACTS any category, of the Institute of Journalists. £2.5 million. To be eligible to receive assistance from the Benevolent (and Widows) Fund: The object The Chartered Institute of Journalists Fund, children must have lost the support, of the Benevolent Fund shall be to relieve cases currently has four charitable funds from through death or total incapacity, of one or both of indigence or distress among all classes of which it dispenses financial support to parents. A surviving parent must be in such members of the Institute and dependants of members and their families. circumstances as to require financial assistance deceased members of the Institute in whatever With combined investments totalling in for the education and proper support of the class. excess of £3.1 million, support may be children. A child may also be considered as an Support is provided to members in financial provided for varying needs including: orphan, if the Orphan Fund Committee consider hardship, and may be provided by way of a short term financial hardship, interest- that a parent or parents are unable, temporarily grant or a loan. Grants are made ad-hoc when free loans to cover the replacement of or permanently, to provide proper support. applications are received from members or their lost or damaged equipment, support for Children shall be eligible for assistance from the dependants. Trustees may opt to provide a one- funeral expenses, support for children Fund up to the age of 18 years but, at the Trustees’ off grant, or to provide assistance spread over of members who have died or been discretion, assistance may be given during any the course of a set number of months. incapacitated in some way, monthly period of higher or further education beyond The Benevolent Fund has investments of just pensions for elderly claimants and that age, or in any other special circumstances. under £275k. support for members recovering from Currently the Fund supports three Pension Fund: The Fund provides a small illness or operations. In all cases the beneficiaries; two in statutory education and monthly pension payment, and provides extra claimant must be experiencing financial one in higher education. Monthly support is grants for birthdays and Christmas. To be hardship. provided for subsistence and for costs of living considered for an Institute pension the applicant (accommodation). In addition, beneficiaries also must be a member of the Institute, and have been

8 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Let’s develop a bolder and more effective Orphan Fund t the Chartered Institute of is proportionate. Benevolent and Pension 60% of its income for the charitable purposes Journalists’ Annual Conference last Funds had income totalling £20,000, of set out in the governing documents. That Ayear in Bournemouth, members which most was disbursed in modest grants would be a far more satisfactory situation. agreed the next steps in the consolidation of and pensions. The combined surplus was The Charity Commission has encouraged three of the Institute’s charities. Should the less than £2,000. In some years there have where possible the merging or acquisition of consolidation take place, it will be but the been shortfalls on these funds – something charities to make more viable and efficient latest in a series of charity mergers that have that has never happened to the Orphan organisations. Thus this proposal would go taken place within the Institute over the last Fund in living memory. along with official thinking. 80 or 90 years. There is a worrying aspect of the Orphan Trustees acting for what would, effectively, Conference accepted the benefits that Fund’s surplus. The Charity Commission be an enlarged Orphan Fund would no would come from a merger of the charities takes a dim view of charities that build up longer be constrained in the way the Trustees but wished there to be examination of the large balances. By law, a charity exists to help of the two smaller charities are presently. issues and more discussion with the existing its beneficiaries or promote the objectives The Trustees would be able to review the Trustees. Council has now considered the for which it was founded. A charity is not whole range of welfare needs of members matter in some depth following meetings there to generate large fund balances so and their dependents not, as at present, with the Trustees. The great majority are in the Commission has the power to direct a looking at one kind of support then another. favour of the development but a number of charity to run down its balances. Investing and providing under the umbrella Orphan Fund Trustees are less enthusiastic. of a single Fund, the Institute would be in This writer finds this difficult to understand Charitable purposes a far more logical and practical position as in any new structure it would inevitably At present the Orphan Fund uses just 55% to help its members should they get into be the Orphan Fund in the driving seat. It is of its income for its charitable purposes. By situations where they need support. not a merger of equals but of very unequals. contrast, the Pension and Benevolent Funds Would the Fund need to be renamed? The Orphan Fund has investments of almost use 91% of their income for the purposes for Possibly. Something like Orphans, Pensions £2.5 million. That generated income last which they were created. and Benevolent Fund would probably get year of around £104,000 while outgoings (of If the Orphan Fund were to have access to shortened over time to OPAB Fund. generous grants and expenses) were about the £498,000 of assets of the other two funds Let your views be known either to Council £60,000. It left a surplus of around £40,000 and to take on the responsibilities that go with in the coming months or at the 2017 Annual for the year. them, the combined fund would use almost Conference on October 14. By contrast the Benevolent Fund has Norman Bartlett investments worth £274,000 while the Pensions Fund is somewhat less at £224,000, together only about one fifth of the size of Charity merger – an alternative view the Orphan Fund. Icome and expenditure t is hard not to have some sympathy for Obviously in the event of a merger of Ithose who believe that by merging three three funds, it would be necessary to of the Institute’s charity funds into one reduce the number of Trustees from each in membership for a period of not less than ten substantial, financially robust organisation, individual fund to ensure that the revised years immediately preceding the application. there are savings for the CIoJ as a whole fund committee remained manageable, Applicants must be not less than 60 years of and benefits for members in particular. reasonably lean, and, of course, limited age or, without having reached that age, have Administration costs would be reduced trustee expenses. The downside is that some through some infirmity, become incapacitated and a larger fund would be available to committed and loyal members would no from earning a livelihood. disburse more to those seeking help from longer play as full a part in Institute affairs. The Fund currently supports four pensioners, the Benevolent or Pension Funds, if ever Previous organisational changes, but it can support up to seven in total from the required. unhappily, have tended to reduce grass- present value of fund. Conversely, it is worth pointing out that, roots involvement; for example, what The Pension Fund has investments of just at present, both of those funds meet all their happened to membership of the East and under £225k. commitments, without requiring financial West Midlands Regions when a merger was Oak Hill and T P O’Connor Fund: This fund back-up from any other source. proposed? Involvement and membership is slightly different from the other Institute However, as a longstanding Trustee of both slumped! The re-structuring of the charities because it may dispense assistance to the Orphan Fund, I share the reservations Institute’s Council, which cut the direct members and non-members alike. Because of of some of my colleagues who fear that link ensuring that Institute Regions and this, the Charity Commission sees it differently such a merger will shift the focus of Orphan Divisions were automatically represented on and it is not, therefore, part of the merger Fund Trustees. While it is true that Orphan that body, had a similarly damaging effect. proposals. Fund trustees would probably form the My previous experience of “rationalisation” This fund assists journalists who are backbone of a new Fund committee, they in the Institute – although always very well- recuperating after illness and to pay towards are concerned that the merger, inevitably, intended – does not make me sanguine medical treatment, and assists with the will dilute their commitment to our about the outcome this time. I believe we maintenance of sick and aged journalists in poor orphans. That commitment and knowledge need to tread very carefully. and necessitous circumstances. of the recipients has been built up over a Paul Leighton, The Oak Hill and T P O’Connor Fund has number of years through personal contact Immediate Past President, investments totalling just over £200k. and beneficiaries being invited to Institute Trustee, Orphan Fund. Note: please contact CIoJ Head Office for a full copy functions. of the rules regarding applications for assistance. 9 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Launch of new Literary Trail

he Historic Houses Association has launched an exciting new online Properties on the Literary Trail include: TLiterary Trail. The trail features over 40 HHA member houses around the UK which have links to literary figures, books London South West and plays. Authors as diverse as D.H. 2 Temple Place Athelhampton House Lawrence, Charlotte Brontë, Roald Dahl and Fitzroy House Berkeley Castle George Eliot are all connected with HHA Strawberry Hill House Kelmscott Manor houses, each of which is independently owned and many of which have been in the The Queen’s House Tiverton Castle same families for generations. Trereife Ben Cowell, Director-General of the South East Ugbrooke House Wilton House Association, said: “It’s no surprise that Beaulieu Woodchester Mansion so many HHA houses have links to Blenheim Palace literary heroes of the past – from William Chawton House Library Shakespeare to Jane Austen. What is less Goodnestone Park Yorkshire well known is that some of our houses Norton Conyers remain the lived-in homes of authors Hever Castle today, who draw inspiration from the Restoration House beauty of their surroundings. Visiting these Saint Hill Manor North West special places helps to preserve them for West Dean College Combermere Abbey future generations. We hope you enjoy Hoghton Tower the many houses on our trail, and the East of England Hutton in the Forest literary masterpieces with which they are Holkham Hall Lytham Hall associated.” Knebworth House Mirehouse To find out more, access the trail at hha. org.uk/literary and click on the pins to The Manor Cambridgeshire Old Medicine House uncover the stories. Please check opening Stonyhurst dates and times before visiting. East Midlands Founded in 1973, the HHA is a not-for- Boughton House Scotland profit organisation that represents more Cotesbach Hall Abbotsford than 1,600 of Britain’s independently- DH Lawrence Birthplace Museum Bowhill owned historic houses, castles and gardens. Grimsthorpe Castle Cawdor Castle More than 500 of these properties open their Lamport Estate Craigenputtock doors to visitors for days out, special tours, school visits, film locations, weddings Renishaw Hall Glamis Castle and events, or as memorable places to Rockingham Castle Gordon Castle stay. HHA members range from iconic stately homes such as Blenheim Palace and West Midands Knebworth House, to more intimate houses Arbury Hall such as Traquair in Scotland, Treowen in Madresfield Wales and Belle Isle in Northern Ireland. Most are still family homes. New Chair for the Crime Writers’ Association he Crime Writers’ Association is pleased Chair of a thriving association, which now Tto announce that crime novelist Martin has more members, here and overseas, Edwards has been elected as its new Chair than ever before. It’s an honour to follow and takes over his duties in January. in the footsteps of Len Tyler, who has Martin Edwards is the author of eighteen worked tirelessly for the CWA, and many novels; the most recent is The Dungeon other distinguished writers including Dick House. Last year, The Golden Age of Francis, Ian Rankin, and Peter James.” Martin Murder, his study of the genre between Len Tyler, outgoing Chair, says: “It’s been Edwards, new Chair the wars, won the Edgar, Agatha, H.R.F. a great honour to have been Chair of the of the CWA Keating and Macavity awards, and was CWA for almost two years. They have been shortlisted for the Anthony award and the interesting years, with much to celebrate when we could. But there’s still so much CWA Gold Dagger for non-fiction. He is in crime fiction, which remains a strong to be done. I very much regret that other series consultant to the British Library’s and innovative genre. They’ve also been commitments mean that I have had to stand Crime Classics and is also President of the years during which we faced problems down earlier than expected. I wish the Detection Club. His other awards include with attacks on freedom of speech, library new Chair, Martin Edwards, every success a CWA Dagger and the CWA Margery closures and increasing problems for for his term of office and look forward Allingham Prize. writers in making a living. We’ve tried to continuing to work with him and the Martin said: “I’m delighted to become to support crime writers and speak out committee as Past Chair.’

10 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Donald J. Trump and the Fourth Estate

Trump: Just do you say to our viewers at home who like CNN, right? are worried about some of your views and Sopel: On the worried about you becoming the leader travel ban – We of the free world?” he joked with Prime could banter Minister Theresa May, “There goes that back and forth relationship.” – On the travel On the surface it all seems light-hearted. ban, would Sopel tweeted that his flinty exchanges with you accept that the President had earned him a new line in that was a good business cards. example of the Trump does, of course, have his admirers smooth running and supporters in Britain. They include of government? former UKIP leader and now LBC The exchange broadcaster, Nigel Farage, and former has become Daily Mirror editor and television present rather iconic. Piers Morgan. Farage and Morgan both But was the argue that Trump is being trivialised and Donald Trump being interviewed on Fox News. Image: @realDonaldTrump President really demonised unfairly. “bantering” when He has been in office barely a few months t is something of an understatement to he compared the BBC to his “fake news” and difficult questions are being raised: say that the inauguration of Donald J. bête noire CNN? the judicial thwarting of his policy on ITrump has begun a new chapter in US When BBC Political Editor Laura immigration from seven predominantly Presidential and media relations. Kuenssberg bombarded Trump with the Muslim countries, the resignation of his The message from the new President is long question: “Mr President, you’ve said National Security Advisor and the problem getting louder and clearer. He thinks many before that torture works, you’ve praised of leaks about Russian interference in US journalists are dishonest, and peddlers of Russia, you’ve said you want to ban some politics. “fake news”. Muslims from coming to America, you’ve Trump is making it very clear how he is He has his favourites. For example, Fox suggested there should be punishment going to deal with this: News gets his approval. But as for the for abortion. For many people in Britain American networks CNN, MSNBC, the those sound like alarming beliefs. What Following where Obama left off New York Times and others, his Twitter Were there to be a heightened account @realDonaldTrump leaves no clampdown on leakers with federal room for misunderstanding: prosecutions, Donald Trump would “Journalist, Radical Centrist, and be simply following in the footsteps Public Policy Researcher”, Simon of Barack Obama. After Obama Hedlin responded with some traditional entered the White House in 2009, his US journalistic fact-checking: administration waged a war against Veteran Channel Four news-caster, whistleblowers and official leakers. Jon Snow, is arguing that Trump’s There were eight prosecutions bullying and menacing intimidation of under the 1917 Espionage Act on his mainstream news media is being toned watch, which was more than double down by BBC coverage. It is almost as those under all previous presidents if the accusation and denunciation is combined. being meant as a joke. But Snow insists: Perhaps President Trump is going “He didn’t. He meant it. He really hates to do his best to break this record? us.” Whereas President Obama pardoned What does this mean for journalists Chelsea Manning from a 35-year-jail and publishers he “really hates”? sentence for feeding Wikileaks, Trump Certainly, the protocols of courtesy ramped up the rhetoric on Edward and good manners that characterized Snowden to the extent of implying that White House media conferences under he deserves the death penalty. There previous presidents have given way to have been reports that Trump’s friend sarcasm and put downs. in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, has The BBC has been given the Trumpian been considering gifting the renegade sobriquet “another beauty”, whenever CIA contractor, currently in self- the Corporation’s North America imposed exile in Russia, to the US Editor, Jon Sopel, asks critical questions authorities, to promote future détente. of the President: In the meantime, journalists – and this Trump: Where are you from? Institute – are watching closely to find Sopel: Ah. BBC. out if the sulphurous rhetoric meted Trump: Ok. Here’s another beauty. out by the new President on the fourth Sopel: It’s a good line. Uh. “Impartial, estate ever materialises into sticks and free and fair.” stones instead of words. Trump: Yeah, sure. Tim Crook Sopel: Mr President?

11 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition The off-duty journalist… Selling honours? In this new section we take to the highways and byways to locate the Disgraceful! watering-holes and places of interest – likely to appeal to our membership! A Personal View by Norman Bartlett ew applications for membership of ast Suffolk is a land of farmland and Nthe Chartered Institute of Journalists Efields, mediaeval churches (such as St. have stalled. This is not a new situation; Bartholomew’s at Orford) and lonely coastal it seems to come round every 12-15 scenery – but with towns and villages along years. This time it has been aggravated the seaside, and by estuaries, which are by the continuing financial problems of pleasantly busy but never crowded. Orford newspapers and other media. In general, is one such spot. things are particularly acute for the Famous for its Ness and its lighthouse (the younger members of our profession, less latter featured in a famous railway poster so for the older and more established ones. series of the 1930s, “Sentinels of Britain’s Why not a revolutionary approach to beauty”), Orford attracted the artist J.M.W. subscriptions to meet this challenge? Give Turner, who painted a scene of ships at the a boost to recruitment despite the financial town’s quay in the days when such East hardship that many younger journalists Anglian coastal towns were important have to deal with today. commercial ports. Jolly sailors, no doubt, Here’s the proposal. The subscription crowded the quay, but today that spirit for all those under 50 years of age would lives on in the form of one of the town’s be cut to £2/week, or £100 if paying for best-loved pubs… The Jolly Sailor! a full year. Those older than 50 would Southwold, a few miles north of Orford, continue to pay £199/year but if they is the home of the Adnams brewery, and could show that they had been engaged in it is the local brew which draws locals and the industry for 10 years or more would be visitors alike to the cosy bar. Broadside automatically promoted to Fellow of the bitter, commemorating a battle in the Anglo- enhanced by pictures of the inn in times Institute and be able to put the honorific Dutch wars fought off the Suffolk coast, is gone by, prints of local scenes, old Adnams FCIJ after their names. Those under the one of the best-known beers, but you may signs, and maritime notices from the times age of 50, who had been in the industry want to sample – especially if a sea-mist when you were likely to find yourself long enough and who wanted to become drifts in – an equally delightful pint: Ghost pressed into naval service! Some years ago, FCIJ, could do so by paying the full Ship. And on a warm summer’s day, the soft lost under several layers of wallpaper, the subscription. fruity taste of ‘Mosaic’ quenches the thirst landlord discovered a beautifully-drawn So, what would the effects be? For of the beer enthusiast. (In fact, this might be and painted naval scene, depicting the those over the age of 50, there would a good choice for those new to real ale: the Napoleonic and Nelsonian era of sail and be no difference. They would be in the light, delicious flavour complementing the warfare. (You can buy a postcard of this same situation as now plus the dignity of Jolly Sailor’s excellent fish dishes.) remarkable wall painting at the bar. The becoming Fellows. The menu is very enticing indeed, and as painting also features on the pub’s website, For those members under the age of 50, you would expect in an area of the country so if you are on-line take a look at the work their subs would go down significantly. which proclaims its local food and drink, of a truly gifted, unknown artist: www. More to the point, many potential Suffolk specialities – seafood (scallops, skate jollysailororford.co.uk) members out there in the industry would Set in the heart of the find it so much easier to get access to the village, on the square, The benefits and privileges that come from Butley Orford Oysterage is Institute membership. an establishment devoted to the finest local and British Cries of dismay seafood. Fresh oysters, or There may be distant cries of dismay oysters deliciously cooked from the Treasurer’s department, but in a creamy sauce; fresh stay! Think for a moment. What happened cod, plaice, skate (and when the Chancellor cut corporation tax? locally-smoked fish) – not Revenue went up. What happens when to mention smoked salmon Tesco reduces prices on cornflakes? Sales (from Scotland) – the go up. What happens when Ryanair or Oysterage is refreshingly Megabus launch £1 fares? Sales surge. quiet, plain, simple and “A courageous decision, Minister” as Sir very Suffolk-minded in its Humphrey might say. But is this not the atmosphere. Local ale is time to take a bold step to transform and served, and there is a first- see the Institute reborn with a younger, class wine list. more numerous, more vigorous and wing, cod), Suffolk ham, mature cheddar If you find yourself in Orford, you active membership? cheese, and locally-smoked fish – feature can’t miss The Jolly Sailor and the Butley Risks? Of course. Such a development prominently. But you can also enjoy a pub Oysterage. Just drive or amble down from would mean a greater recruiting activity snack, and there are many pub favourites, the castle (which featured in the horror by spreading the message of modest too, such as steak or a home-made burger, film, Witchfinder General!) past various subscription plus unbeatable benefits. But or breaded scampi and chips. mariners’ cottages, toward the square and there is plenty of time to work out more of There is a good atmosphere at The Jolly the old quay. A warm welcome awaits you. the detail before 2018 when such a scheme Sailor – and the old-fashioned feel is Stuart Millson could be implemented. 12 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition

Sherlock Holmes and the Just earlier, Watson had experienced BOOKSHELF Nine-Dragon Sigil a bizarre encounter with an outlandish fortune-teller – a creature almost not of this The hero, William Gilbey, if one may by Tim Symonds. world, with a smile displaying: “… four or employ this appellation for a psychotic MX Publishing, 364 pages, paperback five teeth running together in one piece, murderer, is obsessed with solving a ISBN 978-1-78705-035-8 like a bone.” I will not spoil the plot for mystery, one which had been passed igil. Pronounced you, dear reader, but suffice it to say that on to him by his father who had been a “S‘sijil’. An inscribed nothing in the adventure if quite what it government driver. The older Gilbey was or painted symbol or seems… also the last person – claims the book – to be occult sign considered Once in China, Watson is reunited hanged in England. to have magical power.” with the great man of Baker Street, During the early part of the Second World So begins the very latest but so conspiratorial and dangerous is War Gilbey’s father drives Churchill to Sherlock Holmes mystery the situation that communication with Holyhead for a clandestine meeting with and adventure from the the outside world cannot be through the Irish Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera. At the pen of Institute member, conventional means. Instead, messages time Britain was on its knees. Some in the Tim Symonds: a writer have to be relayed via a Royal Navy cruiser British government believed the country who has immersed in Hong Kong harbour – lest infamous should sue for peace. Could the young himself in the drama and forces discover Holmes’s strategy. The republic act as a go-between with the Nazis? legend of England and the threat of death at any moment – of pitiless Might Ireland’s price be a unified island? Empire’s greatest detective; and, through power-struggles and mysterious poisons This question is set against a background of his brilliant, authentic re-creations of an – hangs over the imperial court. But what huge sums of money and valuables being era, honours the original work of Sir Arthur could possibly be the connection between despatched for safekeeping in England Conan Doyle – to the extent that one could one of the leading players in this curious for fear of falling into Republican or Nazi almost believe that a miraculous, ageless Sir world, and a meeting earlier in England hands. Upon his release from prison Gilbey Arthur was still writing today. between Watson and an oriental fellow sets about solving the mystery. But nothing With each new Sherlock adventure, dressed in a “tailored hacking jacket and or nobody is what it seems. Tim seems to find ever-more exciting and checked cravat” with a keen interest in the The principals in the author’s cast are intriguing adventures for his heroes. From countryside and flora of Southern England? Gilbey’s gang, Irish nationalists and MI5. book to book, there is simply no lessening All will be revealed in this, the most Murder, betrayal and a frisson of lust seep of either inspiration or tension. This time, elusive and inscrutable of Tim Symonds’s through this polychromatic tale. the action moves to the closed, forbidden Sherlock series. I met Colin Farrington several years celestial world of the imperial Chinese Stuart Millson ago. I recall he used to be a senior civil court – to a China (of 1906) a year in which servant. This enables him to write with the a progressive Ch’ing Emperor finds himself smack of authority about the police and at odds with the old order, in the form of the MI5’s shenanigans, even on events which Empress Dowager – guardian of tradition Mr Churchill’s Driver - A the reader might find out of the box. He and an insularity that stretches back to a captures the languid style of the Security time out of mind, and where secret symbols murderer’s story Service’s senior echelon with – and here – of mysticism and dragons – could mean by Colin Farrington the comparison is apt – the ease of another life or death. But British interests are at Matador Pubishing 2017 former civil servant, Le Carre. I loved stake, and the prospect of uprisings and the touch that masterpieces of stolen art assassinations could be catastrophic for His he cover notes for this intriguing novel might be hanging on the walls of that ugly Majesty’s Government, playing as it is, ‘The Tcompare the author, Colin Farrington, building on London’s Millbank. Great Game.’ to Peter Ackroyd or Ian McEwan. This is Although I’m sure it was unintended The Foreign and Colonial Office is treating unfair to all three. Farrington’s talent is by the author, some of the class hatred the situation in the Far East with extreme sufficiently distinctive to be judged on its expressed in his book resonates with the caution, and so Dr. Watson – experienced own merits. current Zeitgeist of millions of in the privations of warfare in remote Like many subscribers little people who feel left behind eastern climes – is sent into China, by to The Journal I am a by the Establishment, or Nobs, long-forgotten, demon-haunted mountain fast reader. On holiday as the characters in this novel call passes from Kashgar and on to the famous I can gallop through a them. Silk Road. The bold ex-army doctor is ready paperback in a couple To continue my wine analogy, for anything as the adventure truly gets of days. Perhaps on the Mr Churchill’s Driver builds underway: “I have taken to carrying my same vacation I may also towards a climatic maelstrom of Webley-Pryse revolver under my jacket. I enjoy a quick glass of some complexity which makes regret not employing a half-dozen armed wine. On the odd occasion for a heady brew. This could be convoy bodyguards…” He pitches his I even stumble across overpowering but the author, tent in – “…a sheltered spot at 13,900 feet, something surprisingly with skill and panache, carries the some 1,700 feet below a knife-edge pass. enjoyable. That’s when I reader along until the last drop of A penetrating wind blew non-stop.” Local force myself to take my a satisfying denouement. colour abounds in the story, as Watson time, stop glugging and Bravo, Farrington, I say. I look encounters passing tribesmen and (needing start sipping, all the better forward to your next book. In added protection from the elements) seems to savour what has excited my palate and the meantime I shall start saving up for a to take a leaf out of Holmes’s book: “A mafoo to anticipate eagerly what is yet to come. decent claret to accompany it. on a shaggy pony sold me a Mongolian cap, Similarly, with this book of mysteries Jonathan Rush a huge thing of red flannel, wadded and within mysteries. After reading a chunk Jonathan Rush’s political thriller, My trimmed with fur, with ear-flaps which can of three or four chapters, I had to take a Persian Girl, set in Tehran during the Islamic be tied under the chin. The cap has already breath, digest what I had read and imagine Revolution, is available through book shops, proved of great value.” what lay on the horizon. Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

13 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition CLARE HOLLINGWORTH (1911-2017) “The undisputed doyenne of war correspondents”

nstitute member Clare Hollingworth Patrick Garrett, wrote her biography, Of achieved legendary status in her Fortunes and War: Clare Hollingworth, Ijournalistic career. She lived to her 106th First of the Female War Correspondents year – quite a remarkable achievement in a (2015). profession where minds and bodies tend to She was the Guardian’s first woman burn out early. She relished being in the line defence correspondent and the paper of fire. War was her mojo. recalled that: “..the hallmark of Her first scoop was arguably the biggest Hollingworth’s journalism was her supreme of the 20th century – the beginning of the professionalism and her ability to present Second World War, no less, for which she facts objectively rather than promote a did not even get a by-line! cause or write about personalities, least of A later scoop could be described as all her own.” the second biggest of that century – Kim In work frontline danger was her home: Of her experiences in Vietnam she told the Philby’s defection to the Soviet Union on “I don’t feel frightened under machine-gun BBC: ‘I’m not frightened of shot and shell a ship from Beirut, which her editor sat on fire. The excitement of the job overcomes quite frankly. Just happens I am not! You for three months because he was afraid of it.” have an anti-flack jacket and I used to take a libel writ. In 1940 she had consistently evaded mine and put it underneath my behind, Clare was born near Leicester on October censorship while covering the chaos in double, because the shots would be from 11, 1911, the year of King George V’s Romania following King Carol’s abdication. the ground most likely.’ coronation. She won a scholarship to the Her quick-thinking strategy of taking off all She was made an OBE for services to University of London School of Slavonic her clothes, ringing a friend at the British journalism in 1982. and East European Studies. By the late Legation, and declaring: “You can’t possibly The current generation often payed her 1930s she was in Warsaw working with arrest me, I’m naked” when the notoriously homage by visiting her at her home in Czech refugees and helping people escape vicious security police arrived, most likely Hong Kong and writing feature articles on the Nazi onslaught by arranging British saved her life. her remarkable career. She told Robert Fisk visas. She ignored and evaded restrictions on that she always knew the Nazis would lose Her early forays into journalism for the frontline women correspondents during the Second World War because they did not New Statesman were quickly followed by Montgomery’s North African campaign, care about people. being taken on as a foreign correspondent often travelling behind enemy lines, and It is poetic justice that the person the New by the Daily Telegraph in August 1939. At would insist: “I would never use my York Times described as “the undisputed the end of the month, she borrowed the femininity to get a story that a man could doyenne of war correspondents” would British Consul-General’s chauffeured car not get.” live such a long, successful and celebrated and toured the German-Polish border. A She qualified as a pilot and became expert life. gust of wind blew up hessian screens and in aerial warfare. She was among the most Right to the end her visas were up to date, she was astonished to see the valley filled active of 20th century war correspondents her overnight bag packed, and her shoes with massed ranks of German troops, tanks winning awards for her coverage of conflicts by her bedside in readiness to be sent into and armoured cars facing Poland. that included Palestine, Algeria, Vietnam, action for her next assignment. This was her first story for the Telegraph India, Aden, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Tim Crook and it made the front page the following many other places. morning: “1,000 tanks massed on Polish border. Ten divisions reported ready for swift stroke.” IAN SUTHERLAND (1944 – 2016) When she called the British Embassy to tell them that Germany was invading, they an Sutherland was an enthusiastic and Society, becoming for a time their Scottish didn’t believe her. She stuck the telephone Isupportive member of the Institute of correspondent. In all, he contributed to receiver out of the window so a diplomat Journalists, often working on behalf of more than 150 newspaper and magazines could hear the sound of war outside. members on trade union issues with the over the years. late Chris Underwood, as well as striving to His love of Scotland, its archaeology, Pioneering generation recruit new members at every opportunity. history, and pressing social issues of the Clare was part of a pioneering generation A life-changing stroke in 1999 ended day, were the bedrock of a large body of of women war correspondents who Ian’s career as publisher, journalist and work, including freelance features written included Martha Gellhorn, Sigrid Schultz, photographer, together with his staff for UK and Scottish newspapers, including Helen Kirkpatrick, and Lee Miller who position as the Scottish press relations the Glasgow Herald, Aberdeen Press and during the Second World War demonstrated officer at Glasgow-based Scottish Motor Journal, and the worldwide Scots Magazine. that women were equal to men in this most Neurone Disease Association. His He was therefore proud when elected dangerous and demanding of reporting published titles include In Custody, They to become a Fellow of the Society of specialisms. Belonged to Glasgow and The Bevvy. Antiquaries, and was pleased to know She wrote four books which variously Ian Sutherland entered the world of that many of his Scots Magazine articles described and analysed her hugely freelance photo journalism, based in on the Granite City are still available to impressive life of adventure and journalism: Glasgow, in the early 1980s, having been students online from Aberdeen Library, The Three Weeks’ War in Poland (1940), a social worker and probation officer and his Glasgow social-history articles are There’s a German Just Behind Me (1945), for many years, and had considerable featured on the Herald’s educational CDs The Arabs and the West (1952), Mao and success covering issues such as the miner’s in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library. the Men Against Him (1984), and Front strike for publications such as New Gwyneth Buchan Line (memoirs) (1990). Her great nephew,

14 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition LOIS HAINSWORTH (1927-2016)

ournalist and campaigner, Lois year later. She began working with the Hainsworth was the first-ever woman Townswomen’s Guild and was an active JPresident of the Chartered Institute of member in Leeds. Lois moved to London Journalists. Her 89 years were full of grace, with Philip in 1976, continuing to work style, adventure and activism. for women and girls, joining the National Born between the World Wars Council of Women (NCW) in 1981. She was into an entrepreneurial family from an active member, organizing resolutions at Nottinghamshire, Lois was of the generation national conferences, and holding a variety that endured the blitz in London and the of posts from 1982 until 2013 at local, privations of war. When asked what she regional and national levels. She developed remembered of that time, she said simply the work of the Foreign Affairs Committee “I was scared.” Yet it steeled her character and editing the NCW national magazine. and among other things, gave her a high Her day job, as Public Relations Officer for pain threshold. the Royal Academy of Dancing, led her to After leaving school in her teens after her join the Chartered Institute of Journalists. matriculation, she did a secretarial course Continuing to travel widely, attending at the same time as studying to sing and at international conferences such as the 16 left home and at 19, with help from an United Nations Commission on the Status inheritance, went to Vienna to study opera. of Women – which she attended from the It was the time of post war partition and 1970s until 2005 – Lois joined UNFEEM there are only glimpses of stories of her UK, the UK branch of the then UN agency adventures at that time, perhaps best left to for women, in 1983, and was elected the imagination. President in 2001. She raised its profile and On her return to London she re-joined the ensured that the UK Government knew of after a month in hospital was discharged chorus of Covent Garden opera but had to its activities. Through these activities she into a care home, shortly moving to More get a part-time job to augment the pay. At was aware of the suffering of children and Hall Convent. She gradually declined and a job interview she was asked if she was women through trafficking and became whilst she kept her wicked sense of humour temperamental. Lois said, “Depends what an active member of the Coalition Against and feisty character, her body failed despite you mean by temperamental. If you threw Trafficking. Fired by her usual passion her regular drumming classes and hosting a bottle of ink at me, I would pick it up and and desire for positive change, she was a monthly gathering of a devotional nature throw it back.” She got the job. It was as instrumental in helping Tony Colman MP in the library. PA to a Director of Rank Films. She lived to get the law changed on trafficking of Last October, in typical manner, she a life of expense accounts, cocktail parties, persons (now incorporated in the Modern hosted a Baha’i gathering in her room, haute couture clothes and talent spotting Slavery Bill) to ensure a higher penalty for though she was too weak to be downstairs trips for Max Factor. She met a Baha’i at those found guilty of trafficking. in a meeting room, in her new care home, work and investigated this faith. She said Lois worked hard to develop the Women’s Scarlet House. Two weeks later she passed she loved Jesus but not “churchianity” Advisory Council to the United Nations away. She was popular with all the staff and recognized in Baha’u’llah the return Association of which she was a member at the home, and renowned for her loving of Christ and a way of life that encouraged from 1982 to 2001, serving as Treasurer, manner and thankfulness. She touched the individual development twinned with Vice-Chair and Chair. She was chair of the hearts of many. service to humanity. Westminster branch of UNA, with Soon after becoming a Baha’i in 1956, a strong belief in the value of the she met Philip, on one month’s R&R from UN, she encouraged others to be Uganda. After a week they decided to active in work for universal peace get married, three weeks later they were and equality. Despite working married and after a month, Lois found in PR, writing and editing, herself walking down the steps of the bringing up three children, and plane at Entebbe airport, leaving behind a her voluntary work, she taught budding career singing at Glyndebourne. herself Russian to add to the As Philip worked to eradicate malaria, French, Italian, German, Spanish sleeping sickness and other water borne and Swahili she already spoke. diseases for the UK government, Lois was In 2005 Lois set up the Women immediately involved with this work and of Faith network bringing spent her first nights in Uganda living in together feminists of faith. The a newly-built hut in a village in the bush. following year she was awarded While there she set up an opera company the MBE for her work for women, with expats and together they toured equalities, women of faith, and schools across Uganda sharing Mozart with was recognised as doing this as a students, many of whom had not met a Baha’i. white person before. All the time she was In 2007, Lois did a parachute developing her interest in equality, and she jump for her 80th birthday. joined the International Council of Women When asked how it was, she (ICW) in 1958. said, “Very refreshing, I think I In order to provide their children with will do another one for my 90th better education without sending them birthday.” In 2013 after organizing away to boarding school, Lois returned a successful conference on forced to the UK in 1968, followed by Philip a and early marriage, Lois fell and

15 The Journal - Spring 2017 edition Green light for Writers’ Centre riters’ Centre Norwich has received literary exchange Wthe green light to develop the city’s in this city with historic Dragon Hall into the National its unparalleled Centre for Writing. literary heritage. It has been announced that Norwich’s The next chapter medieval Dragon Hall, which dates back of Dragon Hall’s to the 15th Century, will be developed into history as The the National Centre for Writing, following National Centre Arts Council England’s decision to award for Writing looks £789,434 from National Lottery sources to set to be an exciting support the project’s capital costs. one and we’re Opening its doors in April 2018, the centre looking forward to will comprise educational and community working with our spaces, enhanced office space and technical funders, partners, facilities, a refurbished public performance neighbours and arena seating up to 120 people, and even the wider world of residential space for visiting writers, in literature to create

Artist’s impression of The National Centre for Writing

something quite unique. be developed into a National Centre for In 2017, we will reveal Writing. The collaboration between the ways in which individuals Writers’ Centre Norwich and the University and companies can get of East Anglia continues to grow with involved in supporting a number of exciting projects involving the project, and receive creative writers and literary translators.” lasting recognition for Her view was echoed by Cllr Alan Waters, that support within the Leader of Norwich City Council, who very fabric of the new said: “It is only fitting that England’s first The historic Dragon Hall in Norwich. building.” UNESCO City of Literature should be home England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Prof Yvonne Tasker, Dean of the Faculty to the new National Centre for Writing. Chris Gribble, Chief Executive of Writers’ of Arts and Humanities at the University Norwich City Council is very proud to Centre Norwich, said: “We are delighted of East Anglia added: “I am absolutely have worked with Writers’ Centre Norwich to have received this news. It is a ringing delighted with the success of the Arts on this ambitious project and delighted that endorsement of our vision to create Council bid for capital funding so that the the new centre will be housed in one of our a centre of national and international magnificent medieval Dragon Hall can most iconic buildings.”

Dagger in the Library 2017 Longlist Announced

he longlist of the CWA 2017 Dagger in only library staff were able to nominate longlisted authors. Feedback received from Tthe Library was officially announced authors. Nominations were received from reading groups via Reading Groups for on the evening of February 6 at the First 175 libraries across the UK and Ireland Everyone feedback will be a major factor Monday crime writing meeting in London. – with 110 authors suggested as worthy in the judges’ decision as to who should The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a winners. proceed to the shortlist and the eventual body of work by a crime writer that users The Dagger in the Library is intended winner. of libraries particularly admire. It is one of to promote crime fiction in general and, Here is the longlist: the most prestigious crime writing awards in particular, the longlisted authors. The Alison Bruce in the UK and previous winners include CWA will work with The Reading Agency, Andrew Taylor Elly Griffiths, Christopher Fowler, Sharon local libraries and the Crime Readers’ Bolton, Belinda Bauer, Mo Hayder, Colin Association to promote novels from the Brian MacGilloway Cotterill, Craig Russell, Stuart MacBride, longlisted authors to reading groups Chris Ewan Jake Arnott, Alexander McCall Smith, across the country during over the next C J Sansom Stephen Booth, Peter Robinson and Lindsey few months – and in particular to the 175 James Oswald Davis. libraries already engaged with the Dagger. Kate Ellis The CWA, in discussion with its 2017 We will be utilising The Reading Agency’s Mari Hannah partners, The Reading Agency, revised the website, Reading Groups for Everyone, and 2017 Dagger in the Library format so that, The CWA’s Dagger Reads website to host Nicola Upson uniquely among crime writing awards, reading group material for novels by the Tana French

16