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Home , Emily Maitlis, Ian Jack, Jonathan Dimbleby, Lionel Barber, Lyra McKee

MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS

WWW.NUJ.ORG.UK | MAY-JUNE 2019

Lyra McKee 31 March, 1990 – 18 April, 2019 Contents

Main feature 16 The writing’s on the wall Exposing a news vacuum News t’s not often that an event shakes our 03 Tributes mark loss of Lyra McKee profession, our union and society as powerfully as the tragic death of Lyra McKee. Widespread NUJ vigils A young, inspirational journalist from 04 Union backs university paper , lost her life while covering riots Ethics council defends standards inI the Creggan area of . Lyra became a journalist in the post peace agreement era 05 TUC women’s conference in and in many ways was a symbol of the Calls for equal and opportunities new Ireland. She campaigned for Northern Ireland’s LGBTQ 07 Honouring Lyra community and used her own coming out story to support Photo spread others. She was a staunch NUJ member and well known in her Belfast branch. “At 29 she had been named as one of 30 European journalists Features under 30 to watch. She gave a prestigious Ted talk two years 10 A battle journalism has to win ago following the Orlando gay nightclub shootings in 2016. She Support for No Stone Unturned pair had signed a two-book deal with Faber with the first book about children and young men who went missing in due 12 Only part of the picture out next year. How ministers control media coverage The NUJ has worked with the family to create a fund 22 Collect your royal flush in Lyra’s name and the family said that they have been How collecting societies help freelances inundated with requests to stage events in her name. Everyone wants Lyra’s legacy to inspire other passionate journalists. #WeStandWithLyra Regulars 09 Viewpoint 16 Media anniversary 19 Nuj & Me 26 And finally... Christine Buckley Editor @mschrisbuckley

Arts with Attitude Pages 20-21 Editor NUJ [email protected] 72 Acton Street Design London WC1X 9NB Surgerycreations.com [email protected] [email protected] www.nuj.org.uk Advertising Tel: 020 7843 3700 Raymond Letters Melanie Richards Manchester office and Steve Bell Tel: 07494975239 [email protected] Snoddy [email protected] office Page 24-25 Print [email protected] Page 18 Warners ” Cover picture www.warners.co.uk Dublin office [email protected] 2019 PSNI Distribution GB Mail ISSN: 0022-5541 www.gb-mail.co.uk

02 | theJournalist news Tributes and vigils mark inbrief... IPSO RULES AGAINST BORIS JOHNSON the loss of Lyra McKee The press regulator IPSO ruled that Boris Johnson breached accuracy TRIBUTES HAVE poured in from around the guidelines in his Daily Telegraph world for Lyra McKee, the Northern Irish column when he claimed a no-deal journalist and NUJ member who was killed by Brexit was the preferred option for a gunman while she was leaving the EU ‘by some margin’. The covering a riot in Derry just before Easter. The NUJ held a guard column was published on January 7 Vigils were held by journalists in Ireland, the and was trailed on the front page. UK and in other countries for Lyra who was 29 of honour for Lyra’s and was seen by many as one of the rising coffin to go into St stars of investigative journalism. She had a ITN EXPECTS STABLE two-book commission with Faber with The Lost Party , leader of the Democratic Anne’s Cathedral. NEWS REVENUES Boys, an investigation into children and young Unionist Party , and leader of “ ITN’s broadcast news revenues men who disappeared during the Troubles, Sinn Fein Mary Lou MacDonald. Michelle increased slightly to £88.9 million due out next year. She had been named by Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary and Seamus in 2018, up from £87.8 million the Forbes as one of 30 European journalists aged Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, also attended the year before. The company, which under 30 to watch and she had given a service which was led by clergy from the makes the ITV News, prestigious Ted talk. Catholic and Protestant churches. News and 5 News programmes, The New IRA, the small dissident group The NUJ held a guard of honour for Lyra’s said its news revenue is expected which continues to use violence, apologised coffin to go into St Anne’s Cathedral. to remain consistent in 2019. for Lyra’s death which happened in the Lyra is survived by her partner Sara Canning; staunchly republican area of the Creggan in her mother Joan and five siblings Gary, Joan, Derry. Lyra died the night before Good Friday Nichola, David and Mary. Her family has set up PAXMAN WRITES FOR and was due to speak at a World Press a fundraising page in her memory: SAGA MAGAZINE Freedom event in early May. https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of- The former presenter Lyra’s funeral in Belfast, her home city, was lyra-mckee/donate has been made a attended by the Irish , columnist at the over-50s magazine Irish President Michael D Higgins, British Prime Funeral and vigil photographs, Page 7 Saga.The title is being relaunched Minister , Northern Ireland Viewpoint, Page 9 by editor Louise Robinson who took Secretary Karen Bradley, leader of the Labour over in February. She edited the

Obituary, Page 23 MEADE BRYAN Sunday Express supplement S Magazine for more than 13 years until 2015, Bid for recognition at Vice UK NUJ MEMBERS at Vice UK, the recognition, which would give the – are proud to have built a strong HERALD SCALES online news and features service, journalists the right to negotiate and active Vice UK union chapel. DOWN TO TABLOID have written to the company pay and other conditions with the With majority support in all three The Herald weekly series in Surrey seeking union recognition. management. departments, and strong NUJ and Hampshire has switched from The union said it welcomed the The Vice chapel said: “After membership, we have decided broadsheet to tabloid after 127 growth in NUJ membership at the several months of organising, we again to petition Vice UK years in print. The price of the company and was supporting the – the editorial, production, and management for formal union Tindle-owned titles has also risen chapel in organising talks to gain post-production staff of Vice UK recognition.” from 60p to 80p, in what the publisher said was only its second price increase in 10 years.

NUJ ACTIVIST More cuts at JPI Media newspapers MONICA FOOT DIES Monica Foot died peacefully in JPI MEDIA, which owns the and the Newsletter, and The News in Portsmouth. Ten on April 26. She was 80. Her Scotsman and many other regional titles, is more jobs are at risk across Scotsman titles funeral will be held at Golders planning to cut up to 70 full-time editorial which include the Scotsman, the Edinburgh Green Crematorium on Sunday May roles across the UK. Evening News and Scotland on Sunday. 26 - 10.50 for 11am start. All It is thought that the i, the only national title The cuts follow another round of 20 welcome. Monica was a print and in the stable, will be exempt from the cuts. redundancies in community reporting at the TV journalist and worked as press Sixty of the proposed redundancies will fall publisher earlier this year. Those reductions officer for Labour and Equity and across JPI Media’s 170 regional titles, which were made as JPI Media took on 19 was a long-standing member of the include dailies the Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire community reporters as part of a scheme NUJ executive council. She was a Evening Post, Sunderland Echo, Belfast operated by Facebook. lifelong member of the NUJ.

theJournalist | 03 KEVIN COOPER

Chris Frost, Frost, Chris chair Council NUJ Ethics The overriding overriding The is interest public that given obvious, “ a high-profile is this a long with society rge la and history membership surveillance of employees on of employees surveillance of senior the instruction has undermined executives, staff and of the confidence damaging been extremely to morale.” takeover

Frost is the former Head is the former Frost undermine the reputations undermine the reputations journalism and of student Dublin. College of Trinity of Journalism at Liverpool He University. John Moores chair of the Association was Journalism Education, for most which represents of journalism in schools higher the UK and Ireland’s Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary, Irish Secretary, NUJ Dooley, speculation it “ends said of the about the future That uncertainty, company. of the backdrop against battles and the boardroom Chris Frost expressed grave concern at the concern grave expressed Chris Frost left outside the was device A recording acceptable “It is perfectly said: Chris Frost union called a referendum that could starve starve that could a referendum union called out of existence. the newspaper that and warned the referendum basis for would close to the newspaper forcing institutions. education it says apartment. Eleanor O’Mahony Editor – the purposes verification for intended was and the ceremony open wedged door was the corridor. audible from was to recorder a tape use journalism to in a be heard that can conversations record is public interest The overriding corridor. that this is a high-profile given obvious, and large with a long history society membership.” €145.6 million (£125.2 €145.6 of the publisher million) sale and of the Irish Independent theSunday Independent, and many Telegraph Belfast Séamus titles. regional number of supporters backed Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey and Barry McCaffrey Birney Trevor number of supporters backed

The journalists were arrested and put on bail in August following their following and put on bail in August arrested were The journalists Amnesty Corrigan, and Patrick Seamus Dooley Irish secretary NUJ and warrants the search and Barry challenged Trevor representing Lawyers A battle journalism must win, Page 10 Page win, must journalism A battle Backing for documentary makers’ documentary for Backing A LARGE outside a Belfast court hearing in March. outside a Belfast of six men in Loughinisland. on the murder Unturned No Stone documentary Alison at the event. spoke director Northern programme Ireland International’s attended. also president, vice Unions of Trade Irish Congress Millar, support to the redactions in the public interest no evidence was there argued and the Durham Constabulary by applications warrant the search made to of Northern Service Ireland. Police ethics council has strongly has strongly council ethics

public interest, public interest, The investigation into activities by members members by activities into The investigation the to close stood Times reporters University The of the investigation, As a result Council chair Professor Professor chair Council

Welcome for Irish news Irish for group Welcome LARGEST IRELAND’S – group newspaper and News Independent to Media – has been sold Mediahuis. Belgium’s the has welcomed The NUJ THE NUJ’S Union backs Dublin’s University University Dublin’s backs Union approach investigation over Times investigative journalism”. investigative published in was of Campanile of the Knights of the newspaper. 19 edition the March and said apartment president the society’s of jeers and taunts, overheard that they an initiation ritual was insults as degrading conducted. of breaching accused Times was University of rival the editor by standards ethical while the students’ News, Trinity newspaper defended the professional standards of The standards the professional defended newspaper independent an Times, University College with Trinity published in association Union. Dublin Students’ the described Chris Frost staff editorial way the practice investigated male-only of a secretive at the college, society Dublin as being “beyond consistent and reproach with the highest standards professional of

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ITS INVESTIGATIONS INVESTIGATIONS ITS JPI MEDIA SHAKES UPSHAKES MEDIA JPI LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE LIFESTYLE ECONOMIST REVAMPS REVAMPS ECONOMIST ITS LUXURY BRAND LUXURY ITS TELEGRAPH EXPANDS EXPANDS TELEGRAPH WRITER OF THINGS’ OF WRITER MOVE FOR ‘SKETCH ‘SKETCH FOR MOVE OF BBC’S NEWSNIGHT BBC’S OF MAITLIS AT THE HELM HELM THE AT MAITLIS regional newspapers. newspapers. regional correspondents from national and and national from correspondents a team of 10 reporters and and 10 reporters of a team 04 | at the publisher, working with with working publisher, the at for editing data and investigations investigations and data editing for news editor. She is responsible responsible is She editor. news appointing Claire Wilde as dedicated dedicated as Wilde Claire appointing across the i and regional titles, titles, regional i and the across investigations team that works works that team investigations the areas of design, food and style. style. and food design, of areas the its reorganised has Media JPI bring the rigour of the magazine to to magazine the of rigour the bring was founded). It says it aims to to aims it says It founded). was which the current affairs magazine magazine affairs current the which 1843 (named after the year in in year the after 1843 (named bi-monthly lifestyle publication publication lifestyle bi-monthly editor of Stella. Stella. of editor its relaunched has Economist The replaced there by Marianne Jones, Jones, Marianne by there replaced Telegraph Magazine and has been been has and Magazine Telegraph Luxury. She is no longer editing the the editing longer no is She Luxury. digital offerings as part of Telegraph Telegraph of as part offerings digital membership programme and new new and programme membership head of magazines, is developing a is developing magazines, of head luxury lifestyle brand. Sasha Slater, Slater, Sasha brand. lifestyle luxury since Letts arrived at the paper. paper. the at arrived Letts since its expanding is Telegraph The writer of things other than politics” politics” than other things of writer described himself as a “sketch a “sketch as himself described Kidd had previously held. Kidd has has Kidd held. previously had Kidd the political sketch writer job that job that writer sketch political the Times after Quentin Letts took up up took Letts Quentin after Times into a senior writer role at The The at role writer a senior into Mair moved to LBC. to moved Mair moved has Kidd Patrick Times’ The when long-serving presenter Eddie Eddie presenter long-serving when present Radio 4’s PM programme programme PM 4’s Radio present replaces , who moved to to moved who Davis, Evan replaces Wark and editor Esmé Wren. Maitlis Maitlis Wren. Esmé editor and Wark an all-woman team alongside Kirsty Kirsty alongside team an all-woman Radio 5 Live’s Emma Barnett joining joining Barnett Emma 5 Live’s Radio presenter for BBC Newsnight, with with Newsnight, BBC for presenter Emily Maitlis has become the lead lead the become has Maitlis Emily

in news news TUC women call for equal inbrief... DIMBLEBY TO TAKE NO MORE QUESTIONS pay and opportunities Jonathan Dimbleby will step down as host of BBC Radio 4’s Any MOTIONS CALLING for action against the pay 60 years for this gap to close. Questions? at the end of June after and pensions gap dominated the TUC’s ”Making employers publish information 32 years. He said: “It has been a Women’s conference. on their gaps is a start, but it’s nowhere near great privilege to have been in this Delegates unanimously backed the NUJ’s enough. Employers must be legally required role for so long and in the great call for the development of opportunities for to explain how they’ll tackle pay inequality Photography is broadcasting institution which is women in photography via mentoring at their workplaces and advertise jobs on a the BBC.” He is talking to the schemes, scholarships and grants. more flexible basis.” a traditionally corporation about other projects. The conference was The NUJ’s motion male-dominated held as the TUC on the gender imbalance industry, and this published analysis that among photographers and “ UNSWORTH JOINS showed the gender pay videographers pointed out means the stories THE BBC’S BOARD gap means that that only 15 per cent were BBC director of news and current women work for women. being told are framed affairs Fran Unsworth has joined nothing for two Natasha Hirst, the first the corporation’s board, the first calendar months of woman chair of the NUJ’s largely by men new appointment since it was set the year. Photographers’ Council, said up in 2017. She replaces deputy The UK gap stands at ethical photojournalism was Natasha Hirst director general Anne Bulford who 17.9 per cent, which essential to hold power to NUJ’s Photographers’ has left the BBC. Unsworth’s news means that women account and to reflect society. Council chair responsibilities remain unchanged. effectively work without pay for the first 65 “It is crucial that we have a diversity of days of the year until Women’s Pay Day on 6 voices in photojournalism. We need March. In the information and opportunities for a wide range of women, TELEGRAPH STARTS communications industry, women must wait from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds WOMEN’S SPORT until 18 March. with experience of disability, poverty and The Telegraph has started a NATASHA HIRST Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, oppression in a variety of forms,” she said dedicated women’s sport section told the conference: “The UK has one of the “Photography is a traditionally male- and a monthly print supplement. worst gender pay gaps in Europe – and at dominated industry, and this means the Telegraph Women’s Sport is staffed current rates of progress it will take another stories being told are framed largely by men.” by editor Anna Kessel, deputy editor Vicki Hodges and two reporters. Contributors include sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and Black workers discuss a rise in racism tennis coach Judy Murray.

THE LARGE rise in racism racism in the European unanimously by conference, among journalists. Simon hate crime and far-right Union institutions was said the “frequent negative Hinds, proposing the FROM INDEPENDENT attacks because of Brexit increasing. He said: “The representation of minority motion, said the media’s TO THE GOVERNMENT and wider global trends situation has become worse groups within some quarters portrayal of Muslims after ’s political editor is were themes picked up by a since the accession of the of the media industry” were terrorist events had led to the Department for International succession of speakers at this eastern European counties, linked to the discrimination attacks on mosques and in Trade’s new head of news. Joe year’s TUC Black Workers’ some which actively oppose faced by BME (black and Surrey a 19-year-old man Watts has led the title’s Conference the European Parliament’s ethnic minority) people and was stabbed in what police Westminster coverage since August Brussels-based NUJ anti-discrimination agenda.” that more needed to be described as a far-right 2016, shortly after Britain voted to delegate Martin Todd said An NUJ motion, passed done to increase diversity attack. leave the European Union. He joined the Independent from the Evening Standard, where he was a Power to Mike’s War Child triathlon political correspondent.

FORMER TUC communications officer and long-time NUJ member Mike Power is about to INVERDALE LEAVES embark on his fifth and final triathlon for the charity War Child in memory of his father who was BBC RADIO 5 LIVE killed in action during the Normandy landings 75 years ago. John Inverdale has left BBC Radio 5 Mike is proud to be the oldest contestant in the July triathlon. Live after being a presenter at the He said: “I never knew my Dad as I was born three months after he was killed, which is why as station for 25 years since its launch an aged ‘war child’ I’m so committed to raising money for the charity War Child.” in 1994. He did his last presenting If he reaches this year’s fundraising target, he will have raised £20,000 over his five swims, stint for 5 Live in covering the bike rides and runs. Cheltenham Gold Cup horse race in You can see Power’s story on at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUpgeUvkQR4 and sponsor him March, but he will continue to work at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-power9 for BBC Sport.

theJournalist | 05 news inbrief... ‘Salutary moment’ as BBC faces A MILLION PAY FOR FT The has reached a paying readership of one million. major investigation into equal pay The paper says the number has been achieved a year ahead of THE EQUALITY and Human Rights Commission committed to ensuring employers comply schedule. The FT introduced a (EHRC) has launched an investigation into with equal pay law.” paywall in 2002. Digital equal pay at the BBC following complaints The NUJ has dealt with more than 200 subscriptions now account for more from female employees. equal pay cases at the BBC, including that of than three-quarters of the FT’s The commission said it had been in Carrie Gracie, who received an apology from circulation and some 70 per cent of discussions with the BBC about staff pay for the corporation after quitting her job as China FT readers are outside the UK. the past year and editor over her pay. suspected that some Michelle Stanistreet said: women at the “This is a salutary moment BUZZFEED’S GIBSON organisation had not for the BBC – putting its GOES TO NEW ROLE received equal pay for enquiries on to a statutory Janine Gibson, who left her role as equal work. footing is a major step for the Buzzfeed UK editor-in-chief in It said: “Having EHRC, particularly in light of January, has been appointed an reviewed all the information received to date, the intense engagement with the corporation The EHRC’s starting assistant editor at the FT. She we have therefore used our powers under the there has been during the past year. joined this month in the newly Equality Act to open an investigation which “The EHRC’s starting point for this point – a suspicion created role of special projects will relate to the BBC’s historic policy and investigation – a suspicion that ‘some women editor. She will report to editor pay practices. at the organisation have not received equal pay that ‘some women Lionel Barber and work with news “The investigation will examine formal and for equal work’ – is, in the NUJ’s view, a fact. at the BBC have not editor Matt Garrahan. informal pay grievances raised with the BBC It is quite clear from the NUJ’s involvement – “ by staff to determine if there has been whether in the informal process, grievances or received equal pay for unlawful pay discrimination and whether appeals, and potential tribunal claims – that pay equal work’ –– is, in NEW STATESMAN’S grievances have been adequately resolved.” inequity has been a reality at the corporation LEWIS TO LEAVE Rebecca Hilsenrath, EHRC chief executive, and that women have lost out in pay, pensions the NUJ’s view, a fact New Statesman associate editor said: “Paying men and women the same contributions and other terms and conditions. Helen Lewis is leaving the weekly salary for the same job has been a legal “The BBC is our public service broadcaster news magazine to join the Atlantic. requirement for almost 50 years. Every and has a responsibility to lead the way on Michelle Stanistreet Lewis has been at the title for eight organisation should know we are fully this vital issue.” NUJ general secretary years and recently took time out to write a book on feminism. She joins the Atlantic as a staff writer in July. Alarm over radio programmes’ merger

BROOKER ENDS HIS BBC JOURNALISTS have warned that a planned merger of two key radio current RUN OF 60 YEARS affairs programmes – the World Service’s Newshour and Radio 4’s The World Sunday Telegraph columnist Tonight – will damage news coverage and undermine the distinctive voices of Christopher Booker has left the programmes. The merger would result in the loss of six production jobs. following 60 years at the Sunday The plan is to have one production team and one presenter for both and daily title. Booker, the first Newshour, which is on air between 8pm to 9.59pm, and The World Tonight, Private Eye editor, started at the which is broadcast for 45 minutes at 10pm. Daily Telegraph in 1959 reviewing Journalists on the programmes said: “This is madness, unless the idea really jazz and then became jazz critic at is to throw The World Tonight under the bus. It would also do great damage to The Sunday Telegraph. In 1972, he Newshour. The idea that one team can make two good and different evening started a column in Saturday’s news programmes with one presenter back to back is extraordinarily ill Telegraph before moving the conceived and impractical.” Sunday title in 1990.

STEVEN SWINFORD GOES TO THE TIMES Hayward wins at Welsh Media Awards Steven Swinford, the Telegraph’s deputy political editor, is to move to WILL HAYWARD, a reporter Journalist of the Year as newspaper journalist. again there was ‘nothing The Times. He will replace The for Media , won the well as overall Journalist of They said Hayward to see here’, and a writing Times’ deputy political editor Sam two top honours at the 2019 the Year for his varied showed forensic-style style that was immediate, Coates, who joins this Journalists’ Charity Wales portfolio of work. The judges research, a personality that sharp and witty, drawing summer. Swinford has been in his Media Awards. said he displayed all the refused to give up despite the reader in from start current role since 2015 and has also He won Newspaper attributes of a top being told time and time to end. worked at .

06 | theJournalist news BRYAN MEADE BRYAN SASKO LAZARO SASKO

including Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and UK Prime Minister Theresa May pay Honouring Lyra their respects at the funeral; 29 candles (one for each year of Lyra’s life) at London’s journalists’ church – St Bride’s in Fleet Street;Ireland’s president ACROSS IRELAND, the UK and further afield the NUJ marked the death of Lyra Michael D. Higgins signing a book of condolence at Belfast City Hall with Cllr McKee, the 29-year-old Belfast-born journalist who was killed in Derry by a dissident Deirdre Hargey , Lord Mayor of Belfast, and pictured standing in the centre Gerry gunman. Vigils were held in many public places and workplaces. Carson, chair of Belfast & District branch and joint Cathaoirleach of the Irish Clockwise from top left: NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley joins Mairin Executive Council with other guests;the NUJ Good Friday vigil in Derry’s Guildhall Murray at the Good Friday vigil in Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green; Gerry Curran, Square; NUJ members forming a guard of honour at Lyra’s funeral in St Anne’s NUJ national executive member and Seamus at Dublin City Gallery; politicians cathedral, Belfast as her coffin was taken into the service. NUJ PRESS EYE NUJ NUJ GEORGE SWEENEY GEORGE

theJournalist | 07 organisation

invitations to all members in the branch’s catchment area and invited activists from around the north-east, including those who had attended the

CHRIS BOOTH PHOTOS CHRIS BOOTH Lit & Phil meetings. Around 15 braved the weather and pledged support to reform the branch. Former Northern Echo deputy news editor Andrew Douglas was elected branch chair at the next meeting and David Roberts, a former Northern Echo father of chapel, became branch secretary. Both work in public relations. Douglas says: “It was tremendously important to me to retain my 30-year link with the NUJ after moving from newspapers into PR and we’ve a growing number of members doing just that. “The branch has become an important social hub for people with shared interests to get together to maintain professional standards and workplace rights and to feel you’re not alone.” Roberts says his previous NUJ role as FoC was incredibly draining and left little scope to do new things or be proactive in finding ways the union could support its members. “Since the Darlington branch has restarted, I’ve found it’s the perfect forum to support journalists and Branchroots journalism, learn new things and meet people from different backgrounds. As A lot of spadework went into helping regrow the the Echo workforce is shrinking, we’re finding the branch is becoming much NUJ’s Darlington branch. Nic Mitchell reports more diverse as ex-staffers take up new roles in freelancing or PR. our decades after the Hartlepool. That left the southern flank At Darlington’s clock tower, “As well as providing mutual support great strike at the of the region uncovered. left to right: David Roberts, and advice, we’re sharing new skills and Northern Echo, NUJ A spur to rebuilding the union branch secretary; Andrew best practice and helping overworked members are meeting structure came when membership Douglas, chair; and Jackie Craft, chapel officers in a friendly and F Northern Echo MoC once again across the secretary John Bailey of the Sunderland, relaxing environment. I am finding it a road in the Red Lion in Priestgate after Shields & Hartlepool branch reported positive experience,” said Roberts. the successful relaunch of the union’s handling new member referrals from Meetings are open to people Darlington branch. journalists living as far away as the throughout Teesside. Jackie Craft said: The similarities don’t end there. For, North Yorkshire coast and Tees Valley. “As MoC I’m often asked if members as well as picking the venue used for His branch asks applicants to attend can remain in the NUJ when they leave the 1977 NUJ strike HQ, the branch is at least one meeting. “But some were the Echo. The branch enables again showing the value of union travelling two hours to reach journalists to stay in touch and find solidarity across north-east . Sunderland if using public transport at out about unemployed status and The groundwork was laid when NUJ night. It was putting many off,” he says. reduced subs while seeking work. That activists met several times in late 2017 So attention was focused on getting helps prevent them dropping out.” at the historical Lit & Phil library in one – if not two – of the branches As well as Newcastle, under the auspices of covering Darlington and Teesside back providing mutual Nic Mitchell is the north-east national executive council member on their feet again. “ representative on the NUJ’s Public Adam Christie and northern regional Fortunately, the chapel at the support and Relations & Communications Council organiser Chris Morley, to map a Northern Echo and Darlington & strategy to rebuild the union’s Stockton Times was active and fighting advice, we’re The Darlington-Teesside Summer Solstice organisation in the region. redundancies. meeting & social night is Friday June 21 at Where once there had been nine Full-time official Chris Morley and sharing new skills the Red Lion 6.45pm, before going to branches between Berwick-upon-Tweed mother of chapel Jackie Craft picked a and best practice Number Twenty 2 on Coniscliffe Road, and Teesside, only two remained – date in late January last year for an Darlington, at 7.30pm. Contact Newcastle and the branch created from inaugural meeting. The NUJ’s DavidRoberts at [email protected] the merger of Sunderland, Shields & Manchester office sent personal 8 | theJournalist ” viewpoint

A lasting legacy for Lyra McKee

Bold journalism must continue to thrive, says Michelle Stanistreet

ttending the funeral of education. They need a life – not a gun Atlantic. Recognised as a fresh voice for Lyra McKee, shot dead put in their hands,” he said. Northern Ireland, Lyra was an exemplar while covering riots in “As our politicians, we need you to be of modern, committed journalism, A Derry on the eve of working together to make that happen dedicated to engaging with her Good Friday, was the so they will feel the peace process is audience, speaking truth to power and most distressing and moving duty I’ve working for them as well.” using reporting as a tool to change the performed as general secretary of It was an inspiring speech, one that world for the better. the NUJ. articulated a range of emotions felt by Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, The NUJ turned out in force to pay many present – deep outrage and and I worked with Lyra’s friends in our collective respects to Lyra, a sorrow that a special woman whose life the hours after being woken with member of Belfast & District Branch was driven by equality, peace and news of her murder, promoting a and a recent addition to the tolerance, who was bursting with fundraising initiative to ensure funeral journalistic community in Derry, as talent, wit and vitality, could be laid to costs were covered and to create an did friends and colleagues who waste and a fervent desire that her opportunity to build a lasting legacy reflected the many different parts of killing marks a turning point in life in to her life. If her death prompts us to her life and activism. northern Ireland. do one thing, it should be to consider Also present were political leaders of Seeing the grief and love of Lyra’s what circumstances are necessary all parties, sitting together in Belfast’s mum, siblings and partner Sara, it was for more like her to thrive. We need St Anne’s Cathedral amid what must heart-breaking to hear her big sister more Lyras. surely have been its most diverse Nichola speak of the void Lyra’s death And we need to use this moment to crowd ever – all united in shock and has created for their family, not least remind ourselves, and our political horror over the senseless murder of a for her nieces and nephews – she doted leaders, about the global challenges 29-year-old woman of huge talent and, on them and they did on her. facing media workers right now. Lyra’s with everything to live for. For her NUJ family, the loss is felt death highlights just how vulnerable In a powerful speech that rightly throughout the union – from those people in our trade can be. According made politicians in the rows in front of who knew her personally and those, to the International Federation of us squirm, Fr Martin Magill paid like me, who wish fervently that Journalists, 95 media workers lost their tribute to their collective response they had had the privilege. lives during 2018. to the killing, and their appearance in NUJ colleagues in Belfast & District The ability to report freely is being the Creggan in the days earlier, but said branch and in Derry have rallied The greatest tribute challenged and curtailed around the it had also left him with a question: around in amazing spirit. Journalists globe. Take Turkey, where more than “Why in God’s name does it take the across the union – and around the is to encourage and 300 media workers are behind bars, death of a 29-year-old woman with world – have also responded brilliantly, promote the kind detained on bogus terror-related her whole life in front of her to get to sending in messages of support, offences. Our work to create safe this point?” organising vigils and sharing social of imaginative, environments in which bold It drew mourners to their feet in the “ journalism can flourish is needed media #WeStandWithLyra. revelatory and longest standing ovation I’ve Many have discovered Lyra’s lasting more than ever. experienced and it was easy to imagine legacy – her writing and journalism. brave journalism for What practical legacies we can Lyra joining in the applause. A fine journalist, she used personal help create in Lyra’s memory will be Addressing the politicians directly, experience to draw readers into which she will be guided by those closest to her. The Fr Magill tore into the correlation examining broader, societal issues with remembered greatest tribute we can pay her is to between paramilitary attacks and great skill. find ways to encourage and promote social degradation. Most of her work appeared online. the kind of imaginative, revelatory “The younger generation need jobs. She worked for several US titles, as well and brave journalism for which she will They need a better health service and as ones based on this side of the be remembered. ” theJournalist | 09 press freedom

No Stone Unturned reporters need our support, writes Ronan Brady A battle journalism has to win

ritish journalists arrested on trumped-up Patrick Mayhew addressed the killers: “You are going to be charges after exposing police collusion caught, sooner or later. The RUC [Royal Ulster Constabulary] with a racist murder gang? Surely there would never give up.” The senior investigating officer told Claire B be outrage in the Cabinet and an angry phone Rogan, the wife of one of the victims, that the RUC would call from the foreign secretary to the leave “no stone unturned till we get the perpetrators of this”. government concerned? McCaffrey was a local journalist at the time and it is the Sadly, if this had happened in the case of Barry McCaffrey aftermath that really occupies the documentary he made and Trevor Birney, the British government would have been with Birney and Alex Gibney, a US journalist. Because, as phoning itself to complain. Rogan says on film: “I don’t think they ever lifted a stone, These two Belfast journalists revealed evidence showing never mind turned it.” police complicity with a sectarian murder spree in 1994. But No Stone Unturned exposes the extraordinarily botched the collusion did not end there. When McCaffrey and Birney police investigation. The RUC was given the getaway car – conclusively proved the identities of the killers, they gave the normally, such evidence would have been burned. Then the police six months’ notice that they were going to name them Czech murder weapon was found in a field nearby. There was in a documentary. The police did nothing to warn the killers a holdall with gloves, handguns and balaclava masks. Some until the very day the documentary premièred. arrests followed but the suspects were released. Then the two journalists were arrested under the Official Then came the IRA and the Loyalist ceasefires. Suddenly, in Secrets Act. The authorities alleged McCaffrey and Birney had McCaffrey’s words: “Loughinisland became something that stolen the leaked material and that had endangered the lives you didn’t talk about.” Rogan explains that “time went on and of the killers by naming them – even though the police could we chose to stay quiet, because that was our nature”. have injuncted the programme if they genuinely feared loss Ten years after the atrocity, that changed and the silent of life. The documentary No Stone Unturned is a meticulous exposure of the 1994 police ‘investigation’ into a massacre in a rural bar during a football match. It has appeared at a A guide to found that there were pivotal moment. Recently, more and more evidence has incidents of collusion between the RUC and the surfaced of Britain’s role in the dirty war – cooperation Ulster Volunteer Force in the between the police, the military and Loyalist terror gangs the acronyms killing of a young Loyalist during the Troubles. PONI (Police Initially, trainees were and that there was no Birney believes he and his colleague were arrested to Ombudsman For recruited on a 50:50 Catholic: reason to believe these discourage such scrutiny: “That was all designed to send a Northern Ireland): the Protestant basis but this were isolated. chill factor to our colleagues and our friends and to the wider independent statutory body system was abolished UVF (Ulster Volunteer journalistic community: don’t mess with the past in for complaints against the a decade later. Catholics Force): a sectarian terror Northern Ireland.” police service. It was set up now make up 20 per cent of group responsible for around McCaffrey warns “if we lose this case, we won’t be the in 2000 as a result of the the membership and 500 deaths. Although its last. It sets a benchmark for what the police can do to peace process. There have the PSNI is on a drive to stated aim was to counter been three police increase that. other journalists.” Republican violence and to ombudsmen. The massacre at the Heights bar in Loughinisland, County RUC (Royal Ulster ‘maintain the Union’, most of Down, was truly savage. An Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) PSNI (Police Service of Constabulary): the police its victims have been civilian gunman entered the pub during a World Cup football match Northern Ireland): the force of Northern Ireland Catholics, chosen at random. between the Republic of Ireland and Italy on June 18 1994. He police service since 2001. In from 1922 until 2001. The massacre at the Heights sprayed the crowd from behind, killing six and seriously 2001, all serving members Frequently accused of bias bar in Loughinisland was wounding five others, leaving blood, beer and broken glass of the Royal Ulster against the Nationalist conducted by Ronnie everywhere. Then he made his getaway. Constabulary were community, it was replaced Hawthorn on behalf of The victims’ relatives were promised justice would be swift transferred to the PSNI. by the PSNI. The first PONI the UVF. and thorough. In patrician tones, Northern Ireland secretary

10 | theJournalist press freedom

spoke out. They engaged Belfast solicitor Niall Murphy and it Left to right: Barry between peace and justice, wondering if the two are transpired that the getaway car – the most important piece of McCaffrey, Tom Watson, mutually exclusive. “Year after year, the past is set aside to evidence – had been destroyed. A report by the police Labour’s deputy leader and make room for the future,” says Gibney, the narrator. What ombudsman in 2011 admitted evidence had been destroyed, Trevor Birney has happened to McCaffery and Birney since the but performed what Murphy described as ‘factual documentary aired suggests this is an understatement. gymnastics’ to avoid using the word ‘collusion’. Twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement, government Dr Michael Maguire took over as ombudsman in 2012, and officials are not just drawing a veil over uncongenial facts – took a more robust approach. His 2013 report showed that they are actively attempting to criminalise two journalists. the senior investigating officer in the Loughinisland case had “There isn’t a day of our lives that isn’t taken up by feeling gone on a month’s holidays after visiting the crime scene and we have to be constantly aware that we’re the focus of a promising a thorough investigation. Maguire describes how, criminal investigation,” says Birney. within 24 hours, detectives already knew the identity of the This is no exaggeration. He and McCaffery are fighting the killer – but did not arrest him until two months later. police investigation in the courts. But, should the Belfast Maguire also found that the papers from the case had been judges side with the journalists, the prosecution has destroyed “because of an asbestos problem” at the police threatened to resort to public interest immunity certificates, station where they were held. The senior investigating officer treating McCaffrey and Birney as if they were terrorists. The in the Loughinisland case refused to cooperate with Maguire prosecution has even hinted it may resort to the secret courts and could not be forced to, as he had retired from the PSNI. procedure, whereby defendants’ legal teams are excluded and Collusion between the police and the killers was clearly they are legally blindfolded. identified by Maguire and his investigative team, although This is clearly a battle journalism cannot afford to lose. the killers were not. However, a 2008 document from the ombudsman’s office, leaked to McCaffrey, proved to be key to Maguire’s report. McCaffrey also obtained an anonymous letter from Hold a film screening and help someone admitting to involvement in the Loughinisland ORGANISE A showing of No Stone Unturned. It’s easy. It can be rented from iTunes for £1 murder plot. It named the killers. The gunman was Ronnie or bought from You Tube for €7.99. Show it on a laptop to friends or organise a larger event. Hawthorn. His assistant was Alan Taylor and their driver was Make sure to email [email protected] if you are doing so. Gorman McMullan. Barry later found that the letter was Check NUJ Active for showings of No Stone Unturned in your area. written by Hawthorn’s wife, Hilary. The detail in her letter Get your MP to sign Early Day Motion 2091 on Loughinisland and the importance of confirmed material in the leaked 2008 report. journalism in the public interest. You can find it in the Early Day Motions section of the The documentary also shows how the British state decided to House of Commons website at https://tinyurl.com/y38hxa38. It’s in the name of Conor fight the IRA using the UVF. The weapon used at Loughinisland McGinn MP. was from a major arms shipment to the sectarian gang, Sign the Amnesty Petition in support of Trevor and Barry. You can find it in overseen and protected by the British secret services. These the Campaigns section of the NUJ website at www.nuj.org.uk/campaigns/ weapons were later used for indiscriminate slaughter. no-stone-unturned No Stone Unturned concludes by posing a dilemma

theJournalist | 11 Information control Only part of the picture

Ministers are keen to control how their work Maybe they are hoping for a better reaction by only presenting a partial picture. If so, they often succeed. At last is covered by the media, and adopt various autumn’s Conservative Party conference, Brokenshire unveiled the government’s plan to ban combustible cladding practices to do this, says Neil Merrick on residential tower blocks following Grenfell. A press statement by the MHCLG received a positive t was a quiet Monday in August and, belatedly, response from the housing sector, says Apps. But days later, the government launched its plan to cut when the policy emerged in full, the reaction was less rough sleeping. favourable. “We had groups sending us a second reaction I As expected, James Brokenshire, the when they saw the detail,” he says. housing and communities secretary, gave It is not only the MHCLG that is criticised for withholding early morning TV and radio interviews, and national and local information or putting out statements that exaggerate media eagerly reported how much the government was government performance. In October, the Department for spending on homelessness. Education was criticised by the UK Statistics Authority for Fine, you might think. Except the information put out by reporting government spending on schools inaccurately. the media was not based on anything that reporters had seen Should we ever believe what we are told? National papers in the homelessness strategy. Instead, the main source was a increasingly tend to publish statements from Whitehall press ‘story’ written by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and offices in full, while BBC reporters read out the government’s Local Government (MHCLG). position at the end of stories in the interests of balance. The strategy itself did not become obvious until early But who checks when the Ministry of Justice describes the afternoon. Journalists with the time to do this waded through UK’s legal aid system as the most expensive in the world, or the 77-page document to see if there was anything to add to the the Home Office talks about the UK’s ‘proud tradition’ of earlier headlines, but the day’s news agenda had moved on. providing asylum to refugees? Was this government manipulation of the media or just a Journalists who rub shoulders with MPs almost every day cock-up by the ministry? Those of a suspicious nature did not can also find it tricky to hold government to account. have long to find out as, the following day, virtually the same thing happened again. crucial election for this This time, it was a green paper on social housing, which The three-minute country.” attracted more interest than usual because of the Grenfell Challenged to say how Tower fire. That featured on breakfast bulletins, but the green anti-hero on tour Brexit would benefit paper was published at around noon, slightly earlier than when WHEN PLYMOUTH Herald night before. In the Herald Plymouth, she responded: “I the rough sleeping strategy had appeared the previous day. reporter Sam Blackledge had newsroom, Blackledge’s think there is a better future Once again, it was game, set and match to the ministry. the opportunity to interview colleagues helped draw up ahead for Plymouth and for Headlines harvested and soundbites secured, ministers could the prime minister during four questions he would be the whole of the UK.” sit back in the knowledge that the message had reached the the 2017 general election, he allowed to raise at town’s Blackledge later wondered right places in the way they wished, and any subsequent was hoping for a scoop, or at fish market. They need not whether he should have scrutiny by journalists would not attract much attention. least some meaningful have bothered. interrupted May or gone ‘full Peter Apps, deputy editor at Inside Housing, says last quotes about the city. The Herald later published angry Paxman’ and walked August was typical of the way the ministry tends to operate. Instead, Theresa May gave the interview in full. Asked if away in protest. “Every time there is a major policy announcement, it’s briefed him what the Herald later she was becoming He has since left the to a national newspaper that writes it up in a sympathetic described as ‘three minutes concerned, having visited a Herald for ITV, which refused to allow him to way,” he says. of nothing’. marginal constituency twice contribute to this article. Once a minister has appeared on TV or radio, a ‘story’ or Already struggling to make in six weeks, May replied: “I’m very clear that this is a Online editor Edd Moore statement is put out by press officers but this may omit vital much of an impact in the campaign, the prime minister says the interview caused a detail. The magazine’s policy is not to publish until reporters was in true Maybot mode, ‘ripple effect’ across the UK, have seen the relevant document itself. That is what its responding to Blackledge’s capturing the mood of the readers, mostly housing professionals, expect. four questions with bland, election. “There was no But in the rush to be first with news and feed social media, almost insulting answers. intention to do a hatchet job this can be difficult. Why, asks Apps, do government The prime minister’s visit on the PM,” he adds. “It was departments not have documents and other material ready had been kept secret until the borne out of frustration.” before ministers give interviews or make announcements? RUSSELL HART / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

12 | theJournalist Information control

Christopher Hope, chair of the parliamentary lobby and assistant editor at the Daily Telegraph, says lobby correspondents have more access to ministers and special advisers but are still sometimes frustrated at how announcements are timed to deflect bad publicity. If a critical report by backbench MPs or the National Audit Office is expected, the government may try to steer public the picture opinion in its favour by announcing a change in policy Only part of related to the report or extra spending. “It can confuse the news agenda, which can only cope with one message,” explains Hope. “If the government is doing something, it normally trumps anything from a group of MPs.” In addition, ministers are less likely to hold press conferences or give lengthy interviews to newspapers and magazines. This is partly down to time, says another lobby correspondent. Ministers are also aware that anything they say to broadcast media is less likely to be ‘spun’ or taken out of context, with the public sometimes able to see or hear an interview in its entirety. Over the past 20 years, Whitehall press officers have become increasingly media savvy, says a special adviser during the last Labour government. But this does not necessarily mean they are biased towards the party in power. “Communication officers want to do a good job for their department,” he says. At the same time, adds the former spin doctor, journalists should not assume that press offices deliberately hold information back. There may have been last-minute wrangles between ministers or between Number 10 and the department concerned. “Often, it’s incompetence,” he says. “The document is just not finished.” Press officers are often keen to offer journalists a prepared quote, or written answers to questions submitted via email, but opportunities to put questions directly to the minister who is supposedly answering them are rare. “The answers are written by press officers,” says the former special adviser. “The special adviser will then rewrite them, so they don’t sound as if they come from a robot.” If holding the government to account is difficult at national level, it is more so away from Westminster. While regional journalists may have a good relationship with local MPs, a rare visit to the area by a cabinet minister or the prime minister is unlikely to result in much beyond a smile for the cameras. The experience of the Plymouth Herald during the 2017 general election campaign (see box) illustrates the problem. Edd Moore, editor of the Herald’s online edition, says the south-west is largely overlooked by the government, which makes Theresa May’s unwillingness to take its questions seriously two years ago more disappointing. “We feel massively under-represented and ignored by Westminster,” says Moore. “Trying to get local issues addressed by senior MPs and cabinet ministers is a real issue.” Back in the Commons, Jim Pickard of the Financial Times says the problem is not new. “It’s not always easy to hold the government to account because of the usual tricks of failing to respond properly, non-denial denials and evasiveness,” he says. The answer lies in good journalism, including checking that ministers’ claims have foundation and are not just soundbites. Earlier this year, a claim by trade secretary Liam Fox that the UK was replicating EU trade deals with other countries before Brexit was proved wrong when the FT checked with the Department for Trade and Industry. “Ultimately, the government is held to account because you can judge its performance by results and statistics,” says Pickard. TRINITY MIRROR / MIRRORPIX / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

theJournalist | 13 local news The writing`s on the wall Many locals thought Lewis was lucky. Banksy’s However, Colville credits the BBC for its A Banksy artwork caused notoriety and the high prices of his work coverage. “A reporter from BBC Wales was really a frenzy and revealed a prompted some to stop him in the street with a the only one who properly engaged with Ian. They gently mocking: “Here comes the millionaire.” did some great pieces, but they are Wales wide – sharp local news deficit. Conversely, many people disliked the intrusion they can’t keep covering the ins and outs of such of 2,000 daily visitors during the following weeks, a local story. And I guess it’s the same with Wales Rachel Howells reports took offence at the mural’s anti-industrial message Online – they are looking for a wider audience.” or felt strongly that the artwork ought to stay in The buzz of misinformation and rumour that t was a week before Christmas Port Talbot rather than be sold and moved away. surrounded Lewis is surely common to many when Port Talbot steelworker Ian Lewis became the target of abuse, both online ordinary people who become unwitting Lewis’s life became – in his own and in person, and was inundated with calls from celebrities during an unfolding news story. I words – a nightmare. He had journalists. He was signed off work with stress Academic research suggests that Port Talbot is been scrolling through Facebook and it took a toll on his family and relationships. one of a growing number of places classed as when he saw photographs of a graffiti mural on Meanwhile, a Banksy appearing in his home ‘news black holes’, and this gives rise to a local garage. It showed a boy playing in snow, town had piqued the interest of actor Michael additional problems during a story like this. which, from a different angle, was revealed to be Sheen. I am familiar with that news black hole. In ash falling from a bin on fire, a comment on the “When Banksy confirmed it on his website, I 2009, I was one of seven NUJ members who town’s well-documented air quality issues. There tried to find out what was happening,” he says. founded hyperlocal news service the Port Talbot was speculation it could be the handiwork of “It was on private property so not eligible for Magnet, prompted by the closure of the town’s renowned street artist Banksy – and the garage financial help. So then I contacted Ian.” weekly newspaper, the Port Talbot Guardian. I belonged to Lewis. Tony Colville works for Michael Sheen and was also began a PhD at Cardiff University to “Nobody knew if it was a Banksy or not. It was tasked with helping. examine whether there was a democratic deficit all a bit exciting and fun at first,” Lewis says. “Ian was under a huge amount of pressure,” says in Port Talbot following ’s closure. In the following days, Banksy confirmed the Colville. “There was so much wrong information. My research found a steep reduction in local work was his and the story went global. The mural Misleading press releases were going out from all news provision. Since 1970, Port Talbot has lost was targeted by vandals and would-be thieves. kinds of places, then news reports were coming more than 90 per cent of its journalists. Just one “I realised I needed security,” Lewis says. He out – social media was going crazy. We were hard-working reporter now covers the (much- dipped into his savings to pay security contractors. really worried about Ian. He was not coping.” expanded) patch for Reach plc’s WalesOnline/

14 | theJournalist local news

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Sheen agrees: “It was obvious there was a growing sense of ownership of the Banksy in the town. If someone had been accurately reporting and reflecting opinions, the community would have had a stronger sense of what to do with it and, maybe, a better say in what happened to it.” Sheen contacted me after the Port Talbot Magnet closed and our conversations led to him commissioning me to carry out more research The writing`s on the wall – this time to look at innovative and sustainable ways of trying to solve Port Talbot’s news deficit. South Wales Evening Post, compared with 11 who The research provides strong evidence that He explains: “I wanted to find out what ideas once reported on the town across five titles. the basic duties of journalism – to keep people for sustainable journalism exist around the UK Since 2009, the town has also lost its council informed and represent their views and to and the world, to explore those ideas and see newspaper, its community radio station and, scrutinise those in power – have been what I could do to try to adapt them and bring sadly, the Port Talbot Magnet, which became a compromised by the decline in local media. something to Port Talbot.” casualty of the 2016 steel crisis and its impact Bethan Sayed, a regional Welsh Assembly The research is under way, but some things are on the local economy. member covering Port Talbot, chairs the Culture, already clear. The loss of local media, including It is unsurprising that I found a decline in the Welsh Language and Communications the Port Talbot Magnet, shows we cannot go back amount of news being provided, together with Committee, which carried out an inquiry into news to funding or reporting news in the old ways. the quality of the coverage. journalism last year. This recognised the impact Many new models gaining traction around the Local people were affected. In the absence of of the decline in local media, and made world, funded by subscription or memberships, local journalism, I found rumour, speculation and recommendations, which included a £200,000 are redefining news reporting. The most a heavy reliance on social media. Residents told grant to help hyperlocal news start-ups in Wales. successful are putting themselves on a more equal me they were finding out about significant issues When the Banksy turned up, she stepped in to footing with communities, building trust and too late to react to them, and often not until they support Lewis and saw the issues first hand. transparency, and forging partnerships with local had physically bumped into information. Signs, “There was a lot of misinformation. I ended up people. A new kind of journalism is emerging. protests, petitions, closed roads and even – yes! writing an article for [current affairs blog] Sheen says: “If people feel that power is not – graffiti, had all become important news sources. Nation.Cymru and tweeting. I got a lot of flak, held to account, they don’t have a voice or news Scrutiny of the powerful was also damaged. but, at times, the only way we could get accurate can’t be trusted, that leads to anger, frustration, Journalists were far less likely to attend council information out was if I did it myself.” fear. If we want any chance of having people’s meetings or magistrates’ courts, and more likely She is keenly aware of the lack of a local outlet voices heard on the national stage, we need better to rely on press releases or official statements. for the kind of well-informed debate representation of communities locally. The health Institutions were opaque and difficult for traditionally provided by local newspapers. of local journalism is central to that. We hope citizens to navigate. Even seasoned campaigners “Now the hysteria has died down, there’s no this research will point us in the right direction.” reported difficulties in getting questions space for discussion about the future of the Banksy, answered, finding accountable people to the future of art in the town, nor an ongoing focus Rachel Howells is co-author of Hyperlocal complain to, and communicating widely any on pollution and the issues the artwork raises. Journalism (Routledge, 2018). Her research at accurate information they were able to uncover. National reporters have lost interest and gone.” bit.ly/2yNRz0X; follow her at @raehowells ILLUSTRATION: NED JOLLIFFE ILLUSTRATION:

theJournalist | 15

Jonathan Sale looks at how ‘matters in Rhodesia’ led to the first newspaper headline – and fears an art may be lost Have I got Evening News for you

nder the masthead there was a other services. The second column is similar, Page two of the proud boast: “The Evening News including an ad for ‘wind pills’ and another for four-page paper (a has the largest circulation of any ‘distressing diseases of the skin’, illustrated with government tax on U evening newspaper in the world.”. a line drawing. The third column has an actual newspapers was At least, it was until Wednesday article but its subject is ‘man-hunting’ by police; calibrated July 8, 1896. The now defunct London newspaper, one suspect has left clues that lead police to according to the which older readers may remember because, like search for him in Paris but later sends them a pagination, so they me, they made a few quid from the odd tip-off to mocking postcard from New York. An intriguing were very thin) the newsdesk, made history on that date. In the yarn but nothing about the Rhodesian crisis. brings us ‘The Seamy place of those usual 14 words were eight new The fourth column brings ‘Gossip of the Day’, Side. As Revealed at ones: ‘Matters in Rhodesia Grow Worse Instead of which is that Prince Charles of Denmark has the London Police Better’. Yes, a sub could have sharpened it up: been listening to parliamentary debates. On the Courts’ plus the once one has stated that matters are Rhodesian crisis perhaps? No, on the Budget Bill. final heats at the Henley races. deteriorating, a reader will get the general idea In the nibs: a German has invented small bombs It is only on page three – more than halfway that they are not improving. which cyclists can chuck when dogged by dogs. through the issue – that we reach the actual However, those were early days. This No joy in the fifth column, either. ‘Our Short piece: ‘Rhodesia. Grave news from Fort Salisbury. Rhodesian report has been hailed as Britain’s Story – a Whistling Girl’ is two columns of Zulus and Colonial Kaffirs are armed with first front-page headline above a news story. One women saying things like “I was such a goose assegais and spears, and enjoy the fighting.’ could argue over the winner in this race; a rival just now.” On the subject of geese, the final Furthermore, ‘Provisions of all kinds [are] at paper had previously produced ‘Many Happy column, entitled ‘Items concerning Events of the Famine Prices’ to such an extent that one Returns of the Day – Wedding of Professor Stuart Day and Things in General’ features the second starving man killed and ate his pointer, giving MP’ but this had little news value. Over in the US, reading of the Agricultural Rating Bill. a new meaning to the term dog food. the Chicago Times had introduced banner headlines nearly three years earlier, although these initially accompanied not news stories but editorials such as ‘Let Congress Stop Talking and War, peace and other bloopers Act’ – a fairly timeless theme. The Evening News itself had been toying for “RUMINATING ABOUT great That was to misspell a vital Yasser Arafat, who was under two years with headlines but these tended to be headlines, one can’t word when he was working for the impression that he was the of a mere two-column width. This new one was help reviving the biggest blooper of the Rome Daily American in perpetrator in question. perched over five whole columns. And what a all,” says Richard Addis, who edited 1990. ‘Aradaft attacks US’, it read “My own most famous Express the paper from 1995 to 1999. in 72-point bold capitals. This headline, of which I am rather long-running story Rhodesia (as was) and “September 30th 1938 – and must have been a surprise to ashamed now, was on Thursday Zimbabwe (as is) was to be. the giant single word ‘Peace’ 4th September 1997: ‘Show us you However, the concept of the headline as a work across the top of page one.” care’ over the photo of Her Maj.” It of art and craft may be on the way out, according Unfortunately the correct word was the first headline to sum up to one of the former editors whose brains I would have been ‘War’, which, in public rage at the supposed picked for this piece. the same month only a year later, insensitivity of the Queen after Readers drawn in by those pioneering eight Britain declared on Germany. Princess Diana died. The words on that Thursday in July would have “I guess it makes my own worst Washington Post followed it with scanned the front page for the accompanying bungle pale by comparison,” he a splash: ‘Can the royals survive?’ article on Rhodesian matters. The first column says. Well, Addis points out, “They did.”

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16 | theJournalist

Looking back to: 1896

whose previously secret identity was revealed by his neighbours. Another of Jack’s memorable headlines never appeared on newsprint – only on celluloid: “In ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’, much of it filmed in the offices of the Daily Express, two front pages are prepared – ‘World Saved’ and ‘World Doomed’ – because the film ends on a cliffhanger.” The page proofs with these messages bring the film to a close. Trevor Grove, late of the Sunday Telegraph, was another former occupant of the editorial chair (the collective noun is a ‘splash’ of ex-editors) whom I asked about his high points in the history of headlines. He judged that the best Sun splash was ‘Bin Bagged’, printed when Osama Bin Laden was killed. He added, “My first journalistic job was at . It included proof- reading the books pages. A review of a batch of sci-fi novels was marked ‘Heading to Come’. ‘Good one,’ I thought, and that’s how it appeared.” In view of the nail-biting court battle under his editorship that they entailed, it is natural that Alan Rusbridger of The Guardian had ‘A Liar and a Cheat’ and ‘Aitken: He Lied and Lied and Lied’ in his list. He also gave a thumbs-up to the Mail’s ‘Murderers’ (ie of Stephen Lawrence) and a thumbs-down to ‘Enemies of the People’ (the judges who declared that Brexit required a Westminster vote). He gave Pretty soon, it dawned on editors that the for its readers. As a front-page poem to the now an honourable – or perhaps dishonourable – headline could be on the same page as the text it displaced ads for cooks and paying guests put it, mention to The Sun’s ‘Freddie Starr ate my referred to and, even better, directly underneath. ‘Page One on graver issues must brood.’ Above Hamster’ and to ‘If Kinnock Wins Today Will The front-page headline caught on and flourished. the fold alone, there were 11 stories. The rumour the Last Person to Leave Britain Turn Out the The Times was the prominent exception. Among was that, at the Times daily conference, a tricky Lights’. The less familiar but intriguing ‘Enough the front pages displayed in the British Library’s question had been posed: “What would a real is Enough’ in 1968 was the attempt by the excellent Newsroom is that of the 1805 issue of newspaper lead on?” The answer came in its Mirror, or at least of chairman Cecil King, at a The Thunderer reporting on the Battle of first front-page headline: ‘London to be new HQ coup against the Labour government; in fact it Trafalgar. However, on a slow news day – ie, one for NATO.’ was the whacky King who was axed. without a spectacular nautical victory against Again, these were early days. It was not quite Ian Jack suspects that these clever creations the wicked French – the front page was devoid of as memorable as The Sun’s ‘Gotcha’ would be in may, like The Evening News, be a dying breed: anything of a topical or, indeed, editorial nature. 1982 or ‘Whose Finger?’ (on the nuclear trigger) “An interesting development in headline This was still the case on May 2, 1966. The with which the Daily Mirror had attacked writing is the change that online publishing Times was then a broadsheet and its front page Churchill in 1951 as a warmonger. and search engines have brought about. consisted entirely of small ads. Here were births These were the two headlines that sprang to Headlines that use word play – the subeditor’s (from Bennet to Wellington White) and deaths Ian Jack’s mind when I asked the former editor of delight – have almost vanished. Now they need (two-thirds of a column – with readers dying like the Independent on Sunday about headlines to reflect the bare essentials of the story, or a flies, no wonder action was called for). The same which lingered in his memory. search engine won’t find them.” mixture can be seen on page two (wanted: And he should know: “I won the headline He quotes The Sun’s famous example above manpower economist in Zambia). writer of the year award in the British [now its match report when Caley, aka Inverness Pages three and four had sport and page five National] Press Awards in 1995 – but I can’t now Caledonian Thistle, thrashed Celtic: ‘Super arts. It wasn’t until the sixth broadsheet page remember what the headline was.” It deserves Caley Go Ballistic Celtic are Atrocious’. (The that the lead story popped up, top left: ‘AA resurrecting here, although it wasn’t the Sindy’s Liverpool Echo had earlier referenced the same Subscription Going Up.’ It was a modest display lead story: ‘4,000 Moles in Blackburn, Mary Poppins tongue-twister but never mind.) but at least bigger than the ‘Latest wills’ slot, Lancashire’, which picked up on the Sergeant “My guess is that this would these days be bottom left. Pepper track, sat happily above a wonderful rendered as ‘Shock Defeat for Celtic’ or On May 3, the paper itself was the real news piece about a lottery winner from that town something similar,” he concludes.

theJournalist | 17 on media

Keeping the rubbish out of Brexit coverage

Conscience clause would protect journalists, says Raymond Snoddy

eter Oborne, the Daily The Daily Telegraph told press mislead in what could easily become Mail’s political regulator Ipso that Johnson’s columns the ultimate fraud on their readers. columnist, has done a were ‘comically polemical’ and could Whatever your starting position, it is P couple of remarkable not be read as in-depth analysis of an undeniable fact that in the things in his career, factual matters. referendum campaign the pro-Brexit apart from making decent Dispatches In short, the Johnson claim that a press sold their readers an almost programmes for Channel 4. majority of the population were comically naive version of the likely In 2015, he resigned from the Daily perfectly happy with a no-deal Brexit joys of Brexit. Telegraph in protest against the paper’s was complete rubbish. We were told that the UK held all the coverage – or lack of coverage – of HSBC, But what of the journalists who had cards in the negotiations with the EU calling this ‘a fraud on its readers’. to turn this rubbish into the paper’s and nothing would be more simple His recent conversion from ardent front page splash, almost certainly than negotiating wonderful trade deals Brexiteer to Remainer, announced on perfectly aware that the claim was with the rest of the world. Those who the OpenDemocracy website but nonsense? warned that the Northern Ireland issue amplified in personal appearances The NUJ has been campaigning for a was politically insoluble were accused across the broadcast media, was even conscience clause to protect journalists of scaremongering. more remarkable. who refuse to do anything that breaks In a European election held in a state Oborne pulled no punches, arguing its code of ethics. of political paralysis, what are those that the economic case for Brexit had It would enable journalists to resist papers now going to tell their readers? been destroyed, the UK had been threats or any inducements to It would be nice to think that they, turned into a laughing stock and it was influence, distort or suppress like Oborne, could have a rethink and time for a rethink. information or use unethical methods admit, for goodness sake, that they Future generations would ‘damn us’ to pursue a story. might just have got it wrong. for what we were now doing. In all likelihood, we will soon be This is very unlikely to happen. There Oborne is a famous and powerful entering a highly divisive European is not going to be one of Kelvin columnist and has the luxury and election campaign, with the possibility MacKenzie’s reverse ferrets. freedom to be able to take strong of further months of disruption So they will probably sail on public positions. to come, perhaps culminating in peddling the same line whether it fits Whether such opinions can be either a second referendum or a the facts or not, with serious combined permanently with his post confirmatory vote. consequences not just for journalists on the pro-Brexit is less There is an urgent need for the but for the papers themselves. than clear. conscience clause campaign to be If they continue to mislead and For Oborne, it hardly matters. He restated in the context of Brexit Journalists should suppress inconvenient facts, they will could quickly find a new perch on a and reinvigorated in advance of the effectively make themselves utterly more compatible newspaper or earn coming storm. not be forced to lie irrelevant to a younger generation who lots of money as a freelance. Whatever your position in the are disproportionately pro-European But what does the average journalist referendum debate, such an important or mislead in what and already difficult to sell newspapers with a mortgage and family do when matter should not be decided on the could easily become to at the best of times. faced with having to create or process basis of distorted or false information, “ For journalists, arguing the case information that is demonstrably false or campaigns against immigrants, and the ultimate fraud for a Brexit conscience clause is a involving the Brexit debate, one of the journalists on the more committed on their readers matter of the greatest urgency most important peacetime turning papers will inevitably find themselves particularly if there is to be a second points for generations? once more in the line of fire and vote in some form – one that could Boris Johnson, as often happens, deserve greater protection. be even more bitter and divisive than provides the perfect example. They should not be forced to lie or the first. 18 | theJournalist ” Q&A

What made you become a proprietor-less newspaper steadily journalist? gained circulation until it was I went to Sussex University, which breathing down the necks of the had a then cutting-edge approach Times and Guardian. involving doing bits of history, philosophy, literature, sociology, What advice would you psychology and much else. I wrote give someone starting in a weekly essay on a subject I didn’t journalism? quite understand –perfect Make yourself an indispensable preparation for upmarket weekly expert in at least one subject. journalism. Who is your biggest hero? What other job might you Kingsley Martin, for surviving 29 have done/have you done? years as New Statesman editor I applied to firms such as Ford and Unilever to work in marketing. But And villain? I told them at interview that they Whichever of the Barclay family is should be nationalised. They most responsible for ruining the weren’t ready for that. Daily Telegraph.

Which six people (alive or dead) would you invite to a dinner party? RH Tawney, Margaret Thatcher, Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, NUJ & Me Rosa Luxembourg – and Joseph Heller who could make a comic is a former editor of novel out of such a riotous event. the Independent on Sunday and the New Statesman

What is the worst place themselves ‘refuseniks’, refused to When did you join the NUJ you’ve ever worked in? go. I joined them initially, then and why? Wapping, to which Rupert Murdoch went, then left after a few months. In 1968. An obvious thing for a moved the Times and Sunday That, I suppose, made me a Labour Party member to do. Times (I was education ‘confusenik’. correspondent at the latter) in Are many of your friends in 1986, sacking all the printers and And the best? the union? clerical workers who had served the The Independent in the first three Since most of my friends are papers at their previous site. To years after its launch in 1986. It was What was your earliest journalists, I should hope all of work there, journalists had to cross a magical time as a new politically political thought? them are NUJ members. picket lines. Some, calling independent and, crucially, That something wasn’t quite right about the British invading Egypt in 1956.

What are your hopes for journalism over the next five years? That it survives.

What’s been the best And fears? moment of your career? That it will be overwhelmed by fake Becoming editor of the New news and penury. Statesman in 1998, an ambition I had nurtured since I briefly worked How would you like to be as education correspondent for the remembered? magazine under Anthony Howard I shall be flattered if I am

2010 GEORGES DEKEERLE GEORGES 2010 in the mid-1970s. remembered at all.

theJournalist | 19

arts

Some of the best things to with see and do with a bit of political bite For listings email: artsattitude [email protected]

Theatre by Tim A Nazi escapee and the police Lezard

organisation and weren’t prepared Festivals Exhibitions to do any deals for him or us. They Merthyr Rising Van Gogh and Britain were humiliated. They shouted Merthyr Tydfil Tate Britain, London down the phone at Nick ‘hand him 24-26 May Until 11 August over’. We were told if we didn’t hand This relatively new Hot on the heels of At Eternity’s Gate Robbie over, then Nick and I would event on the (see the last edition of Arts with face prosecution. festival calendar Attitude), Tate Britain is hosting an “We went to dinner and discussed takes place on the exhibition about Vincent Van Gogh’s it. We’d made Robbie a promise we anniversary of one of the first time in Britain. wouldn’t give him up without a deal organised uprisings by UK workers He lived here for several years as a and we stuck by that.” when, in May 1831, South Wales coal young man, walking the streets Collins has written a book – part miners protested at the lowering of alone, dreaming of the future and thriller, part reference – about their wages. The rebellion – the falling in love with British culture National Action, which he asked me Merthyr Rising – spread to nearby (Dickens, Eliot, Constable). to edit. towns and villages and was put down This exhibition features some of his Like many journalists, he has only when troops intervened. Twenty most famous works (including received death threats from four protesters were killed and 26 Sunflowers) as well as paintings by far-right activists – something he were tried for their part in the revolt. artists such as Francis Bacon who “After a curry and a few pints, has lived with since writing his first This event is celebrated through a were inspired by him. going to prison seemed like a book, Hate, about his own time cultural festival of music, arts, political www.tate.org.uk good idea,” says NUJ member working for the National Front. discussion and ideas. and Nazi Terrorist author “All of us at Hope not Hate This year’s headliners are Shaun Books Matthew Collins. operate under some kind of risk and Ryder’s Black Grape, Liverpool 1990s Rule Britannia – Brexit and the End “It was only after we sobered up these are heightened times because rock band Cast and American hip-hop of Empire we realised it wasn’t, which is of the trials involving National artists Sugarhill Gang. Danny Dorling and Sally Tomlinson when we sought legal advice.” Action,” he says. www.merthyrrising.uk Biteback Publishing Collins and Nick Lowles, the chief “The past two years have been This wide- executive of Hope not Hate, were particularly stressful but I’ve given Imaginate ranging trying to protect Robbie Mullen, a up counting the number of times Edinburgh analysis of member of National Action who had I’ve been personally threatened 15 May-2 June Brexit is (so turned on his former colleagues, over the last 20 years. One festival far) the only later revealing a plot to murder MP “The biggest threat to doing my that’s been book Rosie Cooper. job reporting on the far right is the around a little published on The police believed National police not checking people’s media longer – 30 years, in the subject Action, which had been banned by credentials. fact – is Imaginate. Located in this year. then Home Secretary Amber Rudd “I’ve lost count how many times Edinburgh, it’s an event that It is a call to in December 2016, had folded. some fascist screams ‘I’m a promotes, develops and celebrates leave behind But Mullen’s evidence proved journalist’ and is allowed through theatre and dance for children and the jingoistic ignorance of the past them wrong and, when he went the media cordon. I end up face-to- young people. and build a fairer Britain because, to Hope not Hate, the police face with the very people I’m This year sees a range of despite the media narrative that were angry. reporting on.” performances including a voyage Brexit was down to working-class “London counterterrorism police from a retro kitchen into outer space, Northerners, 52 per cent of people were particularly pissed off with a truly invisible man and who voted Leave lived in the southern us,” Collins tells Arts with Attitude. * Nazi Terrorist is published by Hope into the home of a miniaturist. half of England. “They said we broke the law by not Hate and is available from You don’t need to pack anything “I think journalists pushed the running a mole in a proscribed http://naziterrorist.com £12.99 except your imagination. northern working class line because http://imaginate.org.uk they copied each other and there was

20 | theJournalist arts

little to initially go on,” Danny Dorling Graffiti tells Arts with Attitude. “I don’t blame the media for the MARCVALLEE result. The BBC really did try to be fair Tagging in the Parisian night in the run-up.” www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/ SHOT IN one night, photojournalist subjects. The bottom line is the rule-britannia Marc Vallée’s new book, Down and writers trust me and that gives Up in Paris, beautifully captures the me access. Theatre shadowy world of graffiti writers. “Most Parisians aren’t interested arts Blueprint Medea Vallée takes us into their secretive in a kid painting the side of a truck at Finborough Theatre, London world as, faces covered with 4am in the rain, and just walk by. Of Until 8 June hoodies, they go about their course, the French state might take writer and I lifted up the bike Penned by NUJ freelance member business tagging buildings and a different position. that was crushing him. We Julia Pascal and based on interviews vehicles in the dead of night. “About halfway into shooting suggested that maybe he should with Kurdish fighters living in the UK, “I’ve spent years documenting the a very bourgeois Parisian pulled park up and walk home – he didn’t. this play tells the tale of Medea. London and Paris graffiti scene,” up on his top-end motorbike – And we went on our way.” Medea arrives in the UK on a forged Marc tells Arts with Attitude. one of those with two wheels at the A black-and-white masterpiece. passport and, after slipping through “Building trust is essential so front – and he fell over onto immigration, discovers how to exist I’m reluctant to give too many the street. https://marcvallee.co.uk/ on the margins of London life. She background details about my “He was drunk and the graffiti Down-and-Up-in-Paris settles down and starts a family – then her world falls apart and her thoughts turn to revenge. This play connects the classical and West and Elizabeth Debicki as her Mark Steel: Everything’s Going To takes you through the complete the contemporary to explores lover Virginia Woolf. Be Alright history of Ireland in seven minutes, questions of Their romance overcomes all social On tour until 1 June touching on hurling and Irish music passion, war, boundaries, and touches on the The star of BBC Radio 4’s Mark Steel’s among other cultural patriarchy but, In Town hits the road again, this time pleasures. identity, ultimately, Virginia’s reflecting on what’s been a www.ireland women’s mental health as she traumatic few years that’s seen asurvivors freedom, struggles to cope with him go through a less-than- guide.com sex, family and love. Vita’s recklessness. amicable divorce. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk www.mirror- He cleverly intertwines the Music productions.com personal and the political, Manic Street Preachers Films talking about how the explosion of On tour Tolkein Comedy hatred and anger seems to have May On national release Jess Robinson: No Filter come suddenly, but has been building I’ve seen the Manics only once Starring Nicholas Hoult as JRR Tolkein On tour until 8 June up for a while without being noticed. since Richey vanished, and I love the and Lily Collins as his Gloucester-born Multi award-winning Jess Robinson A bit like Brexit. way they leave a mic standing stage wife, Edith, this biopic explores the (The Last Leg, , The http://marksteelinfo.com/tour/ right, in case he rejoins them. formative years of the writer’s artistic Now Show and, erm, Britain’s Got Although I think their music has inspiration, leading to his famous Talent) returns with a live band to Ireland: a Survivor’s Guide suffered since he left, no one else Middle-earth novels. provide spot-on musical comedy, International bar Wicklow Street does, so join them touring This Is www.foxsearchlight.com/tolkien/ vocal gymnastics and incredible From 11 June My Truth Tell Me Yours 20 years celebrity impressions of Shakira and A rollercoaster guide to Irish culture after it came out, in a series of Vita & Virginia Streisand via Adele, Lady Gaga, and customs, people and history, intimate venues. On national release from 21 July Kate Bush, Marge Simpson and using physical comedy sketches, www.manicstreetpreachers.com Gemma Arterton stars as English Theresa May. audience interaction and a box of socialite and novelist Vita Sackville- www.jessrobinson.co.uk strange props, this satirical show

Music

The London line-up Frickin’ awesome women take the stage looks awesome, THE FIRST bands have women in music by hosting Founded by NUJ member including Brighton garage and Atlanta-based female been announced for this live events they describe Cassie Fox in 2015 as a rock gal pal duo ARXX, fusion indie rockers The year’s Loud Women Fest, as “fun, friendly, and response to wanting to play London alt-rock trio Txlips Band. to be held at The Dome and frickin’ awesome”. gigs where her band were Hurtling, Norwich Riot All profits go to the the Boston Music Room in Since they last appeared not the only women in the Grrrrrls Peach Club, raging artists, and any additional London on 14 September.. in Arts with Attitude, Loud green room, they now feminist post hardcore funds raised go to charities Loud Women is a DIY Women have gone from organise gigs in New York, Petrol Girls, Second Hand that help women. collective that champions strength to strength. Los Angeles and Australia. Underpants from Turkey http://tinyurl.com/y37v3jnr

theJournalist | 21 income Collect your royal flush Freelances can earn extra money for work already published though collecting societies Isabella Kaminski explains

aving freelanced on and to their members. To make money, off for a decade, I’m well these non-profit organisations take a aware of how much fees one-off fee or a cut of the royalties. H have been degraded. So There are benefits to freelance I’m always pleased journalists in joining a collecting when a deposit arrives in my bank society – it would be impractical or account from the Authors’ Licensing impossible to get the money from and Collecting Society (ALCS) – an extra secondary licensing themselves. NUJ lump sum for work I’ve already done. freelance organiser Pamela Morton It was never quite clear to me how says freelances should certainly be the system for distributing royalties claiming this additional money. worked, and I became aware that some Royalties can be claimed only for fellow freelances did not even know works where writers have retained special contributors scheme, says they could make a claim. some degree of copyright. These publishers are responsible for Collecting societies sprung up in the payments are not available to distributing royalties to freelancers. 1970s as a response to the widespread employees or freelancers who have Where individuals are due less than use of photocopiers and the ensuing signed their rights over. There are also £100 or the contributor cannot be proliferation in copyright infringements. time limits to making claims so the found, the money is donated to the They were set up to manage and track sooner you sign up, the better. Journalists’ Charity. the use of copyrighted works, and to People who write for books and The NUJ believes that most ensure writers and publishers were magazines with ISBN or ISSN can claim publishers do not do enough to being paid for the use of their works. royalties through the ALCS; identify and distribute royalties to The role of these organisations has membership is free to those in the NUJ. freelancers. However, Geere says the shifted slightly since with changes to Set up more than 40 years ago, the scheme’s biennial analysis of the technology and regulations. The 2016 ALCS has more than 100,000 newspaper sector shows most EU directive on collective rights members. Last year, they received an freelancers sign over secondary management in particular increased average of £418 each, although this licensing rights to publishers, and adds the onus on collecting societies to varied significantly depending on the that the NLA does not cover certain show how they collect money and to work done and where it was published. uses, such as syndication. investigate how works are being used. Some people get four-figure sums. Useful The royalty collection system is not But their main goals remain the Book authors can sign up to receive websites perfect; writers and photographers same. In the UK, the Copyright additional money for use of their have to inform societies about their Licensing Agency (CLA) arranges books under the Public Lending Right. Increase your skills work and it is nearly impossible to collective secondary licences of Photographers (including those ALCS track everywhere an article or image copyrighted works on behalf of writers running picture libraries) and www.alcs.co.uk has been used. and other creative professionals. These illustrators can get royalties through DACS In addition, the online use of works are sold to schools, universities, the Design and Artists Copyright www.dacs.org.uk without permission or payment is a libraries, government departments and Society (DACS), or its newer competitor Public lending right significant issue for authors, according businesses to cover the copying of Picsel. www.bl.uk/plr to the ALCS, which has been investing published materials beyond ‘fair use’, Newspapers are a trickier area. NLA NLA special in copyright education programmes to for example extensive photocopying Media Access is the main collecting contributors scheme increase awareness. and internal reproduction. society in this sector, but it is owned by www.nlamediaaccess. But royalties remain a valuable Collecting societies take fees from publishers and most of its revenue com/default.aspx? source of income for freelances. The these group licences or, occasionally, goes directly to them. tabid=210 money is already yours – it is just individual licences and distribute them Alan Geere, director of the NLA’s waiting for you to claim it.

22 | theJournalist obituary NUJ

later turned into a film, about killing of Lyra, a member of Belfast growing up gay in an intolerant and District Branch, can restore Lyra McKee society. Her older self reassured the momentum to the stagnant ‘odd’ kid: “It’s going to be OK … In a politics of Northern Ireland. There year’s time, you’re going to join a is, at least, a thundering popular “Make this stop. Please, testimony to Lyra’s gift for reaching scheme that trains people your age reproach to the leaders of the you have to make it stop out, bridging gaps, and challenging to be journalists. You’ll have found ‘republican’ group that showed its now.” As Theresa May and stale dogmas. your calling … Keep hanging on, kid. contempt for the res publica when Leo Varadkar stood Lyra McKee, born in north Belfast It’s worth it. I love you.” it sent a youth out on a dark night together in front of in 1990, was only eight years old Lyra stayed in touch and in love to fire a handgun up a street full of St Anne’s Cathedral, when the Good Friday Agreement with those who could not see that people – an action that was likely Belfast, waiting for the laid down a pathway out of the far ahead, and wrote about the to, was intended to, and did result hearse to carry Lyra McKee morass of the Troubles. The epidemic of suicide among the in death. to her resting place in promised land of equality, ‘Good Friday generation’: 4,500 The turnout of members of Irish Carnmoney, a distraught tolerance and parity of esteem was, deaths since 1998, many more lost NUJ branches, national officials and man walked over to them, as she documented in a journalistic lives than in the Troubles. Her lay officers was sufficient to made this quiet plea and career that began in her mid-teens, piece on April 14 provide a 100-strong guard of moved on. The premiers never fully realised. Though she directly addressed troubled honour as Lyra left on that final glanced at one another planned to propose this month to youngsters: “It gets better … please, journey. Grizzled hacks shared the and turned to face the the love of her life, Sara Canning I beg you, live.” space with Lyra’s generation, many grieving family. from Derry, she knew that they After the springboard provided wearing items recalling the Harry The prime minister and were denied the right to marry in in her teens by the Headliners Potter stories that Lyra so loved. taoiseach had earlier joined a Northern Ireland. Lyra never gave charity, of which she recently The GoFundMe appeal, initially lengthy standing ovation when up hope on that; Lyra was hope. became a trustee, Lyra’s journalism intended to cover the family’s Catholic priest Martin Magill, “It’s LEER-ah, actually”: a gentle focused on human stories about immediate expenses, has soared speaking in the city’s Protestant correction that she must have intolerance, injustice and loss; past £65,000 at the time of going cathedral, asked “why, in God’s issued thousands of times, because notably, the IRA killing of a Belfast to press. Please support it and ask name, does it take the death of a she seemed to know everyone. She MP, and the disappearance and your chapel or branch to 29-year-old woman, with her whole had an astonishing knack for probable murder of children from contribute, so that we who cannot life in front of her”, to bring the establishing friendships that her own neighbourhood. think of Lyra without a smile on her region’s politicians together? should each have lasted a proper She used her vast reservoirs of face, and in our hearts, can help A few days earlier, party leaders lifetime. Instead, we were robbed of charm on anyone who would talk to Sara and Lyra’s family – her mother had attended a vigil in the Creggan, this five-foot-nothing bundle of her; those on the receiving end of Joan, sisters Nichola, Mary and Joan, in Derry city, where Lyra had been curiosity and optimism aged just her phone calls might have to trade and brothers Gary and David – to shot on April 18 while observing a 29. She then looked little older than nuggets of information for the mark the legacy of this beautiful riot. That gathering and the the “14-year-old self” whom she delight of hearing the latest gossip young woman. We stand with Lyra. interdenominational nature of the addressed from a decade’s about mutual acquaintances. packed funeral service were hindsight, in a moving blog post, It remains to be seen whether the Ciarán Ó Maoláin

theJournalist | 23 inbox

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£30 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H long wait to see them catch out the prize social media hate-mongers. letter Dave Siddall Offer under-30s what Cumbria they want from a union First black team caption was not playing rugby As the only NUJ member on a 10-reporter-strong desk on a Michael O’Hare is right to point out national newspaper, I often get asked why I’m in the that too many publications fail to union. The other reporters are mainly in their 20s on differentiate between the two codes of modest wages and saving up for deposits on first rugby (Letters, March/April). However, properties. I believe he is mistaken to claim rugby They cannot understand why I pay hundreds of pounds league gave Britain its first black a year in membership fees, and I struggle to tell them why, captain of any national sports team. for them, it would make financial sense. I’ve explained how That honour belongs to Guyana-born collective bargaining, for instance, is good for all us and Andrew Watson, who was the world’s the help the union can give in times of trouble. Thankfully, first black footballer to be capped at few of them have been through rounds of redundancies international level. Remarkably, he and so this aspect does not strike a chord either. captained Scotland on his international Has the union considered cut-price membership for debut, a 6-1 victory over England at the under-30s as a way to get them through the door? I fear Oval cricket ground in 1881. the reasons people used to join – to improve working Journalist readers may be interested conditions, promote freedom of the press and so on – are to know that a crowdfunding scheme not enough. Like newspapers offering subscriptions with has recently been launched to fund a 2-for-1 cinema deals and free Fitbits, the NUJ should entice mural in memory of Watson at the site the next generation with things they actually want. of the original Hampden Park. Sam Brodbeck David Petrie

TIM ELLIS London Glasgow

Once based on the area of journalism in which you worked, with the highest rates for those in national newspapers and Worked on Slough’s old broadcasting, the NUJ’s subscription rates are now based on actual earnings – a move designed to introduce greater fairness Evening Mail? Fancy a pint? and consistency for new recruits to the union. There is a minimum rate of just £10 a month for the lowest paid, provisions It’s May 1969. Two of Britain’s biggest for members to apply for a further discount subject to eligibility and special deals for student members as they move into newspaper groups – Westminster Press their first jobs or are trying to establish themselves in journalism. While we do not currently have a deal specifically for the and Thomson Regional – have decided under-30s, we do regularly offer special deals for people joining, particularly in areas where we are organising to build not to spill blood and fight a stronger chapels and gain recognition – vital ingredients to build collective strength and enable chapels to push for better newspaper war on the streets of Slough wages and improve terms and conditions. and have agreed to go 50-50 on a new Michelle Stanistreet evening paper, the Evening Mail. NUJ general secretary What seemed like half the Yorkshire press corps left the north and headed for H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Slough to show soppy southerners just how daily journalism is done. The pubs Open identity would end more forcefully on open identity of the social media giants to ensure systems of Slough rang with northern accents abuse on social media person posting. The current system has could verify as much as possible. But, and titles such as the Bradford Telegraph Amid the rising tide of vitriolic abuse only an IP address to go on. If users as with letters to the editor in the and Argus, Scarborough Evening News across social media, there have been had to supply verifiable ID to be traditional media, in all cases and Middlesbrough Evening Gazette few real breakthroughs in regulating allowed the privilege of using social anonymity would be discouraged. were held up as simply the best. hate speech. It occurs to me there is media outlets, then I would guess It would also make it easier for the Fifty years on, some of the now old one step that would both reduce the some 80 per cent would not risk rather pedestrian police action against Evening Mail hacks are still hanging volume of digital hatred and, perhaps, making foul tweets and posts. The hate crimes to act to prosecute such around Thames Valley pubs wondering make it slightly easier for the police to verification data could be kept out of glaring abuses of free speech. whatever happened to … ? Trying act in extreme cases. view, but name and location should be Still, if the police can’t even defend desperately to remember the names of That would be to place the onus on visible. the offices of the attorney general from reporters, photographers and subs who Facebook and other outlets to insist There would be a great cost to the threatening thugs, then we may have a shared some good times.

24 | theJournalist inbox

So, if you worked on the Evening writer’. They may be vital qualities for the Mail, fancy sharing a pint or two, filling writers of a certain fictive style of popular the gaps in those fading memories and entertainment but, if all artistic works remembering some fun days on the had been written to the conceptually twitter feed limiting formula of such enterprises, Tweet us your feedback: @mschrisbuckley there would have been no important art. The great literary works confront a faulty world with the imaginative Ruth Addicott (@RuthAddicott ) evidence of its injustices and frailties, Press trips, photo shoots & poolside selfies – Is travel journalism in and were not written with the crisis? My article in The Journalist https://bit.ly/2F5czpF publisher’s balance-sheet in mind. A @mschrisbuckley #journalism #influencers #travelbloggers novel written to a commercial template Mail patch in Slough, Hounslow, is less a novel than a sales campaign. Rachel Broady (@RachelBroady) Staines or Uxbridge, get in contact ‘Some [journalists] find harnessing the Replying to @RuthAddicott @mschrisbuckley with: Rick Evans (pictured above left imagination to summon up ideas on I used this in a seminar the other day. The publication timing couldn’t with Paul Erlam): rick.m.evans@ demand can be difficult,’ Lynne Wallis have been better for me! btopenworld.com; Peter Brown: reports. Perhaps the problem lies in [email protected] or Jeff the exercise of raking the barren Patrick McFall (@PatMcFall) Wright: [email protected] for a ground for elusive ‘ideas’. Good to see #JillyCooper sticking up for scribblers in Windsor pub reunion in June. Stuart Walton @mschrisbuckley’s the Journalist mag Jeffrey Wright Torquay Hampshire Kudos for fiction feature Ignore market demands but check the captions Sandra Ireland’s novel Bone Deep was Miles Kington commissioned a review that stifle great art Thank you for Lynne Wallis’s fascinating referred to in the caption as her second from him for our books pages. Whether restless news journalists are feature ‘From fact to fiction’ (March/ but in the story as her third. It’s a small After some weeks without any sign of advantageously positioned to write April). Kudos to Lynne for an eye- error, but not one that will escape the Hugh or his copy, Miles set out on his bestselling novels (From fact to fiction, catching subject: the ambition to write sharp-eyed subeditors who make up bike for the paper’s sports desk to March/April) is a question that was a novel, which, as Lynne rightly points much of your readership. extract it from the errant reviewer, only hardly settled by the careers of Dickens out, appeals to so many journalists I Paul Gould to be told that they couldn’t find him and Orwell, but certainly gains more know. (Kudos too to my Financial Times Brighton either. It turned out that Hugh had just traction in the era of topical thrillers colleague Francesca Jakobi, whose received his monthly expenses in intended for TV adaptation. In any excellent novel Bitter was published by Toasting the bygone glory folding cash and consequently couldn’t case, the premise on which this is Weidenfeld & Nicolson last year). days of trebles all round be seen for dust. (For younger readers: founded is aesthetically threadbare. Lynne’s piece was enjoyable, well Anyone reading between the lines of the those were the happy days when Journalists, declares Sandra Ireland, researched and had insightful quotes. Hugh McIlvanney obit could probably people used to drink during office ‘have to understand prevailing trends However, there were a couple of errors. guess ’s star sports scribe hours – and papers paid expenses. Ed.) and the needs of the marketplace, which The most glaring was the headshot of liked a glass or two. I learned this for a Jonathan Sale are also vital qualities for the fiction Tom Wolfe labelled ‘Martin Amis’. Also, fact when I was at Punch (RIP) and London

STEVE BELL THE OWNERS

theJournalist | 25 and finally...

Playing politics, playground style

Where are the grown-ups? asks Chris Proctor

ou’re sitting quietly at Recently, we were treated to a gala that the president had been lying your desk when performance by the Overseers. The first about money being passed to young Authority storms character on stage was a hectoring ladies who might have been attracted Y towards you in its aggressive man, reminiscent of to Mr Trump’s charm or perhaps his usual state of Desperate Dan in appearance, stained wallet, one Jim Sciutto enters stage left deranged hysteria. with all manner of sordid allegations bearing a copy of a cheque given by “Get yourself down to St Wilfred’s about unwanted sexual advances. Trump to Cohen which he says was Primary School right away! There’s an The facts are too grubby for ‘hush money’. argument going on in the playground esteemed members of the NUJ, but the We breathe a sign of relief at Mr between a boy called Jack (4¼) and girl allegations are that this fellow carefully Sciutto’s appearance, as he is a named Bembe (4½). focused his vision in a different first-class human being: to wit, a “I want a full account. I want absolute direction as a team doctor and journalist. He’s an anchor at CNN. accuracy. I want tight, informed copy. I assaulted several thousand student Clearly he has no vested interest. want responsible, objective and serious wrestlers. He is the sort of man who Except that he has a book – The reporting. Go!” interrupts opponents, smears rivals, Shadow War – coming out in May. The Expenses being what they are, you denies climate change, mocks bigger this story gets, the larger his get to the school as quickly as you can adversaries and opposes the Violence bank account grows. And, every time by foot and bus. The tip-off was Against Women Act. you get a comment, you get a plug for accurate. The antagonists, muddy- “Is this the defendant?” you ask his book. faced and grubby-kneed, stand each yourself. No. This is Jim Jordan. He’s Meanwhile, Dunyasha Yetts, one of side of a puddle, wailing. A quick word one of the judges. the wrestlers assaulted while Judge of introduction, a flicked-open pad, a Giving evidence is a former chum of Jordan wasn’t looking, says that he moment to borrow a pencil and you’re the US president, who in his opening spoke to Jim about the sexual abuse. on the case. remarks concedes: “I have lied, but I am Jim denies this. Mr Yetts has no option “He says I pulled tongues at him and not a liar.” This is a splendid semantic other than to reveal his belief that Jim I never. He said I was a snot gobbler.” but a rather poor introduction to a is ‘a liar’. “I never did! She started it. She said tribunal. By now, even the most principled I’d wet my pants.” Having established his credentials, journalist is reaching for the bottle. Yes, “Did not!” the chum, who we will call Michael you are anxious to comply with the “Did” Cohen, that being his name, gets down union’s Code of Conduct. But this “Liar!” to business. Mr Trump, he asserts, told The first character charges you to ‘correct harmful “Bum’s on fire!” him to lie before he (Cohen) lied to inaccuracies’; and ‘differentiate You sigh. It’s not going to be easy to Congress and Trump also lied about on stage was between fact and opinion’. It would report this in a mature way. This must the Trump Moscow negotiations. take Solomon top form to even make a be one of the worst jobs around. Trump retaliates. He says that Cohen a hectoring, start. Well, then! You’ve obviously never was disbarred by the State Supreme aggressive man, At this point, you realise the entire been called upon to cover the Court for lying. He’s lying to reduce “ HOC exercise has become existential. proceedings of the US’s House the time he’ll have to spend in prison. reminiscent of You can either think about types of Oversight and Reform Committee Also, Cohen said that he didn’t want Desperate Dan reality which lie beyond conscious (HOC). Compared with the HOC, the to work at the White House, which experience – or give up and request a exchanges of the primary school pair the president says is a lie as everyone transfer from news to the primary are the very models of the Socratic knows. school desk, where discussion is more method. Supporting the allegation by Cohen balanced and mature. 26 | theJournalist ” Moved house or changed your email address?

Tina Brown

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Flexible Working Juggling a family and working can be tricky. Flexible working agreements are a vital tool in protecting part- time workers and women returning from maternity leave, boosting the retention of skilled staff and ensuring parents and individuals with caring responsibilities can balance their work demands with family life. The NUJ negotiates progressive approaches to flexible working and lobbies for improvements to employment law. Are you keeping good company?

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