MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF

WWW.NUJ.ORG.UK | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2019

Worth 1000 words Illustrated reportage makes a comeback Contents

Main feature 16 Drawing the The re-emergence of illustrated news News t’s an incredible time to be a if 03 Recognition win at Vice UK you’re involved in Brexit coverage in any way. The extraordinary has become the Agreement after 3-year campaign norm and every day massive stories and 04 Barriers to women photographers twists and turns are guaranteed. Conference shares best practice IIn this edition of The Journalist, celebrates this boom time for journalists 05 UN told of BBC persian plight and journalism in his column. And in an extract from his latest Threats to journalists’ families book, Denis MacShane looks at the role of the press in Brexit. 06 TUC news Extraordinary times also provide the perfect conditions for What the NUJ had to say and more cartoons and satirical illustration. In our cover feature Rachel Broady looks at the re-emergence of illustrated reportage, a “form of journalism that came to prominence in Victorian Features times – and arguably before that with the social commentary of 10 Payment changed my life Hogarth. The work of charity NUJ Extra A picture can indeed be worth 1,000 words. But some writers can also paint wonderfully evocative pictures with their deft 12  pioneers use of words. And on that note, it’s a pleasure to have Paul Women in the top jobs Routledge back in the magazine with a piece on his battle to 14 Database miners free his email address from a voracious PR database. More How they use personal details elegant writing can be found in our Media Anniversary regular feature by Jonathan Sale which this time looks at the first women editor of a national paper who was appointed in 1894. Regulars Our news section is packed with NUJ achievements and 09 Viewpoint battles and coverage of the recent TUC conference. I hope you find something of interest. 27 Story behind the picture 29 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 office Page 24-25 Tel: 07494975239 [email protected] Snoddy [email protected] Glasgow office Print [email protected] Page 19 Warners Cover picture www.warners.co.uk Dublin office [email protected] David Greene Distribution GB Mail ISSN: 0022-5541 www.gb-mail.co.uk ” The Journalist’s polyfilm wrapping is recyclable at carrier bag recycling points in supermarkets. 02 | theJournalist news Union wins recognition inbrief... BBC DROPS SANCTION ON BREAKFAST HOST campaign at Vice UK The BBC reversed a decision to sanction Breakfast host Naga THE NUJ has won a recognition deal at the their managers to listen to their demands. Munchetty over remarks made after digital news group Vice UK in a move that “We would like to thank Michelle President Donald Trump said that activists hope will lead to further such Stanistreet, Laura Davison, and Andy Smith some of his opponents ‘could go back agreements in online news. from the National Union of Journalists for their to where they’d come from’. The The deal, struck in the summer after lengthy help every step of the way, and finally to state We hope this change of heart came after the BBC talks at the conciliation service Acas, comes our continued commitment to fighting for faced heavy criticism from leading after three years of attempts by Vice UK fairness and equality for all Vice UK staff.” outcome inspires broadcasters, the NUJ and others journalists to win union recognition. Three Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, our colleagues over the original action taken by the years ago, Vice UK set up a said: complaints unit. staff council in an effort to “We’re delighted to across the industry avert journalists’ attempts welcome this “ to unionise. agreement. The energy to unionise too PLATINUM TARGETS The NUJ has since held and enthusiasm our THE OVER 55 MARKET further talks at Acas in reps and members at Platinum, a new monthly magazine Vice UK NUJ chapel September to work out the the Vice UK chapel have aimed at women over 55, launched details of the deal that brought to their last month. Publisher DC Thomson covers 40 posts at the youth-focused online organising drive has been hugely impressive. said it was the biggest UK women’s news organisation. Their commitment to delivering a collective magazine launch in over a decade. The Vice UK NUJ chapel said: voice at work is inspiring and they should be Platinum covers health, style, travel, “After four months of negotiations, the Vice congratulated.” financial advice and homes.Maggie UK NUJ chapel is proud to have achieved The NUJ is pursuing other opportunities to Philbin and ’s Jane Moore voluntary recognition. This result would not unionise in digital news. are columnists. have been possible without the sustained and A number of online US news outlets energetic campaigning of our chapel. including Vox and HuffPost have unionised. “As one of the first new media organisations BuzzFeed US recognise its union following CLOONEY DRAFTS in the UK to achieve union recognition, we lengthy negotiations. However, employees at FREE SPEECH LAWS hope this outcome inspires our colleagues BuzzFeed UK last year voted not to have union Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney across the industry to unionise too – and for representation. has helped draft ‘model laws’ on free speech protection. She said that some countries’ laws are “used every day to punish journalists for Threats to investigative journalist their work”. She is the UK’s special envoy on media freedom. POLICE ARE investigating online Independent councillors have threats against a journalist who tried to raise the issue on exposed historic child sex abuse. Fermanagh and Omagh District TIMES TITLES POOL Rodney Edwards of Enniskillen’s Council. The acting chief executive SOME RESOURCES The Impartial Reporter has been threatened legal action against and are advised to check his car. Police Labour Alternative councillor and to share resources across their patrols around his home and NUJ member Donal O’Cofaigh travel, money, property and sport workplace have been increased. being reported, there have so far when he spoke on the issue. The sections. This follows a government Victims, survivors and been no charges. The trades Sinn Féin chair refused to take a move which allowed News UK to supporters have held rallies in union council and most political motion from Independent change editorial independence rules Enniskillen to call for action. parties supported the rallies. councillor John McCluskey, established when Despite over 50 alleged abusers Labour Alternative and commending Rodney for his work. bought both titles in 1981. JOHN MCVITTY, IMPARTIAL REPORTER IMPARTIAL JOHN MCVITTY,

WEEKLY PAPERS five-year term. Information MERGE WEBSITES Voting for the next from the candidates is on Weekly papers the Tameside editor of The Journalist pages 30 – 34. Ballot papers Reporter, Glossop Chronicle and are being sent out to Oldham Reporter have gone from NUJ MEMBERS will soon general secretary’s role, members on October 16 and being paid-for to free in a relaunch receive ballot papers to vote which is elected by the the vote closes at noon on which also merges their websites. for the next editor of The membership. Nine journalists November 6. The moves come after former Journalist. The editor’s post is are standing for the part-time If you don’t receive a ballot Tameside Reporter paper boy Chris one of only two positions in role and the successful paper, please contact Bird took over the papers’ publisher the union, along with the candidate will serve a [email protected] Quest Media earlier this year.

theJournalist | 03 news inbrief... Tackling the prejudices faced MARIE CLAIRE SAYS GOODBYE TO PRINT Marie Claire is ending its print edition by women photojournalists in November after 31 years on the news stands. Publisher TI Media said A CONFERENCE SEEKING to understand and SIMON CHAPMAN 2019 it would pursue a digital-first future address the barriers faced by women for the title. Marie Claire joins a long photojournalists was led by the NUJ list of women’s magazines that have photographers’ council in the summer. Both closed in recent years, including Now, the causes and potential solutions of gender Reveal, Glamour, InStyle UK, Look inequality were debated by a panel of speakers and Brides. and delegates from across the industry. Professor Adrian Hadland, co-author of The State of News Photography report, THE VOICE GOES FROM highlighted sexism, industry stereotypes and a WEEKLY TO MONTHLY lack of opportunities as key barriers to diversity of photojournalists is vital to improve The Voice, Britain’s only women’s careers. Pennie Quinton, chair of the access to stories and the ability to authentically aimed at the black community, has London freelance branch, described her and accurately represent the diverse gone monthly after 37 years as a experiences of sexism but also praised those communities we report upon.” weekly title. The newspaper said it who had offered support, enabling her to Celia Jackson, a lecturer at the University of was taking an ‘exciting new safely gain access to cover complex situations. South Wales, is the co-founder of the Phrame direction’. The monthly paper was Progress is being made to improve Collective in Cardiff, which supports networking, launched in September at an opportunities and the visibility of women skills-building and finding opportunities for Increasing the introductory price of £2.50. photographers. Charlie Booth, from the grants and exhibitions to enable women to Manchester-based Redeye network, puts its make progress. diversity of success in achieving a gender balance down to Delegates called for more assignments and photojournalists AWARD FOR FAKE a conscious decision to increase the number of opportunities for women and greater efforts is vital to improve MEDICINE STORY women speakers and reviewers at events. to encourage picture desk staff to seek a “ An investigative journalist has Although degrees in photography attract better balance in the work they publish. To access to stories received a graduate of the year more women than men, women drop out of follow up, the NUJ will run a confidence 2019 award from the University of the profession, with the result that only 15 per building workshop in London on November 11. Stirling. Dale McEwan, 33, from cent of photojournalists are female. Natasha Hirst Aberdeenshire, was given the Chairing the event, Natasha Hirst of the www.nuj.org.uk/events/building- chair, photographers’ award for his documentary Stolen photographers’ council said: “Increasing the your-confidence/ council Vision, which exposed the life-changing consequences of using counterfeit medicine in the Tribal site to inspire young women Kurdistan Region of Iraq. TWO SUSSEX NUJ members scientists, engineers, their careers and create a have launched Generation journalists, chefs and community where successful NEW MEDIA AGENCY Tribe, a website designed to entrepreneurs. women are accessible and FOCUSES ON ANIMALS help young women to pursue Bex said: “We know that seen by the younger A global media agency dedicated to their ambitions and become many young women struggle generation.” The pair are also documenting the lives of animals successful. with self-esteem, confidence focusing on anxiety, ‘trapped in the human world’ has By sharing stories and and anxiety, particularly depression and mental health been launched. Via photography, the advice of women who around their futures. Why do in the age of the selfie, as journalism and filmmaking, We have made a success of we know? Because that used more young people struggle Animals Media depicts animals used their lives and careers, Bex to be us. with self-esteem as well as for food, fashion, entertainment, Bastable and Charlotte “We think it’s important to exam pressures. work, religion and research. Harding hope to inspire show girls lots of examples of www.generationtribe. the next generation of people who have succeeded in co.uk

FT BUYS STAKE IN BUSINESS OF FASHION The FT has bought a minority stake Former NEC member censured for tweet in B2B news website The Business of Fashion, which has a paywall. FORMER NUJ National following a complaint about breach of the NUJ’s comments about people on The website, founded in 2007 by Executive Council (NEC) a tweet she sent in August membership responsibilities the grounds of gender, fashion business adviser Imran member Arjumand Wajid last year with specific reference to (g) ethnic origin, sexual Amed, claims more than 35,000 has been censured by the A panel convened under Strength Through Diversity: orientation, age or disability paying members. It has more than NEC for breach of the union’s Rule 24 found ‘The NUJ does not regard as acceptable behaviour 100 staff working in London, New membership responsibilities that Ms Wajid acted in prejudicial language or among its members’. York, Paris and Shanghai.

04 | theJournalist news BBC Persian plight raised inbrief... HUMPHRYS SAYS BBC HAS LIBERAL BIAS again at United Nations John Humphrys accused the BBC of having an institutional liberal bias. ANDREW GILMOUR, United Nations assistant UN’s General Assembly, the government of His comments in an interview with secretary-general, has highlighted the plight Iran accused BBC Persian of “pumping blind the came just days he of BBC Persian journalists experiencing hate, fabricating false news and provoking left Radio 4’s Today programme in continued harassment and persecution by the disruption and destruction”. September. The 76-year-old spent 32 Iranian authorities. In January, the General Assembly called it is vital that anyone years presenting the flagship Radio 4 A report presented to the UN’s Human upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to end show. In his last programme, he Rights Council in Geneva said: “Journalists reprisals against individuals who have who turns to the interviewed former prime ministers of the BBC Persian service, or BBC cooperated with the UN. UN for help should David Cameron and Tony Blair. Farsi, had been branded as Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ ‘anti-Iranian’ and some had general secretary, said: “We “be protected from been followed, questioned and welcome the UN’s reprisals for LIZ BATES JOINS received threats against family commitment to tackling this NEWS members for their statements unacceptable behaviour, speaking out at an Channel 4 News has appointed at the Human Rights Council and we hope they take regional newspaper journalist Liz session.” particularly seriously the complaint international level Bates as political correspondent, The BBC made a formal complaint we have made as it is vital that anyone replacing Michael Crick, who left to the UN’s Human Rights Council in who turns to the UN for help should be earlier this year. Bates joins from Michelle Stanistreet, February because staff from the BBC Persian protected from reprisals for speaking out at an the Yorkshire Post, where she was NUJ general secretary Service, who had previously addressed international level.” Westminster correspondent. She UN representatives in Geneva, had , director of BBC News, said: previously worked for Politics suffered reprisals against themselves and “These reprisals provide a disturbing Home and as a communications their families for engaging with the UN. illustration of the relentless distress faced by officer for Labour MP John Healey. The report recognises that BBC Persian our BBC Persian staff. When they raise journalists have also been attacked in various legitimate complaints about harassment at state media in Iran and accused of the UN, they are intimidated as a result. It is HERALD’S HUTCHEON undermining “national security, being fundamental that appeals to the UN should GOES TO THE RECORD involved in terrorism, and being puppets of be expressed without fear and these reprisals The has appointed the the [UK] government”. are of deep concern for all of us who defend Herald on Sunday’s Paul Hutcheon In October last year during a session of the freedom of expression.” as its new political editor. Hutcheon joined what was then the Sunday Herald as Scottish political editor in 2004. He then became politics and investigations editor. Hutcheon replaces David Clegg, who becomes Iranian reporter sentenced to 10 years editor of The Courier. MARZIEH AMIRI, an charges of “assembly and Iranian parliament building Kazemi, who is serving economics reporter working collusion against the state” in Tehran on May 1 to report four and a half years in for Iran’s Shargh daily and “propaganda against for the newspaper. She can prison for “spreading GUARDIAN’S DEPUTY newspaper, was sentenced the state” and “disrupting of appeal against her sentence. misinformation” and EDITOR TO LEAVE by the country’s public order”. If it is upheld, she will serve “insulting the supreme ’s deputy editor Paul Revolutionary Court to 148 She was arrested while a minimum of six years. leader and other Iranian Johnson is retiring after 40 years at lashes and 10 and a half attending the World Labour Amiri’s sentencing follows officials”. His appeal against the newspaper. Johnson’s previous years in jail in August on Day protest outside the the jailing of Masoud the sentence was denied. roles at the Guardian include Irish correspondent, news editor and assistant editor. He was appointed deputy editor in 1995 under the Google funds Archant sites to ‘rethink local news’ previous editor .

REGIONAL PUBLISHER Archant is to receive millions of pounds help but no input into editorial decisions and the websites will POLITICO EUROPE in funding from Google to search for a way to make local news be owned by Archant. APPOINTS NEW CHIEF pay online. The publisher said that the project would try to “rethink local Stephen Brown is the new The money will be given through a three-year partnership news from every perspective” and examined business models, editor-in-chief of politics and policy called Project Neon. Under the initiative, three news websites website designs, layout and storytelling methods. news title Politico Europe. The will be set up in communities which It is intended that the websites will be European arm of Politico was set up Archant has identified as being profitable by the end of the three-year in 2015 as a joint venture with under-served by local news. partnership. The project’s successes and German publisher Axel Springer. Google will provide technological failures will be shared within the industry. Politico opened in the US in 2007.

theJournalist | 05 tuc news in brief... Labour promises to give workers BRING ‘COLLAPSING’ SERVICES IN HOUSE Dave Prentis, general secretary of more power than ever before public service union Unison, RUPERT RIVETT demanded that all privatised THE NEXT Labour government services be brought back in house. will bring about the biggest He said services that had been sold extension of workers’ rights off were “collapsing”. He added: Britain has ever seen, party “Public funds are being siphoned off leader Jeremy Corbyn told the into the pockets of the powerful and TUC’s annual conference in dodgy world of offshore companies Brighton. in the most outrageous way.” He promised better wages, greater security, and ‘more say’, with workers given a seat WORKERS’ SUMMIT TO at the cabinet table by the FIND COMMON CAUSE establishment of a new Delegates agreed to back a ‘new deal ministry of employment rights. for workers’ summit in the first half At the core of its work would of 2020 to improve pay and working be a plan to implement workplace. Why should A Labour government would conditions, and recruit non-unionised collective bargaining across democracy end when you walk enforce new rights through a Trade unions are the workers. Communication Workers’ the economy, sector by sector. into work? Why should the workers’ protection agency, country’s largest Union general secretary Dave Ward Within 100 days of Labour place where you spend most which would have powers to said the aim would be to draw up a taking office, ministers would of your day sometimes feel like enter workplaces and bring democratic common bargaining agenda and root repeal the Conservatives’ a dictatorship?” prosecutions. organisations rooted out insecure employment. Trade Union Act and extend Labour would deliver a living Corbyn was speaking after “ workers’ legal rights. wage of at least £10 per hour Boris Johnson prorogued in the workplace. Why “There’s nothing scary for all workers from the age of parliament to “run away from CHILDREN HARMED about trade unions, 16, act on the gender pay gap, scrutiny” over Brexit. He said should democracy BY PROFITEERING however hard the billionaire- ensure equal rights for all no one should mistake the end when you walk Poverty and profiteering are owned media tries to paint workers from day one and end ‘parliamentary knockabout’ damaging children’s life chances and them as such,” he said. zero-hour contracts. Staff for ‘real politics’, which was into work? the TUC called on a new government “They are the country’s would have places on about giving power to those to introduce a comprehensive strategy largest democratic boards, giving them a 10 per “who don’t have a lot of money to reduce child poverty. National organisations rooted in the cent stake in large companies. [or] friends in high places”. Jeremy Corbyn Education Union president Amanda Martin said the abolition of Sure Start had left schools as the only frontline service for many families. Call for law to ban class prejudice TUC GENERAL secretary Frances discrimination against women, She said many working-class O’Grady urged politicians the disabled, black people, the people felt ignored and shut out JOIN FORCES WITH to introduce a law banning old, the young and LGB workers. from opportunities. GREEN NEW DEAL discrimination against working- But she said there was more to Success depended on what GMB leader Tim Roache called for an class people. do. “It’s high time we outlawed your parents did, your accent alliance between trade unions and In her keynote address to discrimination against working- and which school you went to, supporters of the Green New Deal congress, she said she was class people. Let’s change the law she said. The system was rigged which sought to address climate proud the movement had and stamp out class prejudice and the vote for Brexit was a change and economic inequality. led the campaign to outlaw once and for all.” symptom of that. These issues mattered “to every worker, to every home, to every classroom and community”, he said. ‘Wreck-it Ralph’, not Churchill

FACEBOOK CENSORS RIVETT RUPERT IN HIS MAIN address to congress, Unite leader Len McCluskey derided Boris TUC DELEGATES Johnson’s ambition to be seen by the nation as another Churchill. The TUC expressed concern that McCluskey said Johnson was more Wreck-It Ralph than Churchill. Facebook censored content showing Borrowing one of Churchill’s famous wartime speeches, McCluskey said: “We delegates supporting Kurdish will fight you in our hospitals; we will fight you in our factories; we will fight you opposition leader Abdullah Ocalan, in our communities. Pick your beach, prime minister. We’ll never surrender. We imprisoned in Turkey. Facebook said he are the workers of Britain and we’re coming for you.” was ‘dangerous’. The Kurdish Solidarity McCluskey said it was no accident that workers’ share of GDP declined from Campaign said it was ‘ridiculous’ more than 64 per cent in 1975 to 51 per cent now. He said it was down to the that unions had been censored. refusal of the Tories to engage with trade unionists as industry partners.

6 | theJournalist tuc news TUC, we need you! say NUJ freelances

THE TUC was urged to give its RUPERT RIVETT there was little hope of a full backing to freelances as vibrant, culturally diverse well as employed workers. workforce representing the While is it campaigning for wider world, she said. the rights of those who are NUJ members were often Within the trade ‘falsely self-employed’, the told that, because they love union movement should their work, publicity was union movement, remember there are many sufficient recompense. “Try freelance work is self-employed workers who telling your telephone provider are keen to maintain their that you will tweet your “seen as a last resort. self-employed status and gratitude for their services This is not so for need union representation. and that good publicity is Speaking for the NUJ, enough. TUC, we need you!” many of our members Pennie Quinton made the of our members for whom She added that smaller craft Proposing the motion, Rab point that she was chair of the freedom of freelancing is unions, like the NUJ and the Noakes of the Musicians’ Union what is the union’s largest a happy choice, giving them Musicians’ Union, had a wealth said no more than 20 per cent Pennie Quinton branch – the 3,000-strong autonomy and control over of experience in representing of his union’s members were Chair, London Freelance London Freelance branch. their lives.” creatives and the TUC should full-time staff and freelance branch “Within the trade union And, like others, freelance use this body of knowledge to work was growing in all kinds movement, freelance work is journalists needed the support develop collective bargaining of work and professions. often seen as an option of of their union – to tackle late for such sectors. “The trade union last resort,” said Quinton. payments, low pay and poor Unless authors and movement needs to support “This is not the case for many working conditions, she said. performers were paid fairly, gig workers,” he said.

that this number would include TV licences must be fully funded many of the one million who do not THE NEXT government was Bird, NUJ executive member and The BBC has said it will continue claim the benefits to which they are unanimously urged to reverse FoC at the , said it to grant TV licences for over-75s who entitled, said Bird. the ‘wrong-headed’ and ‘unfair’ was about two issues: yet another provide evidence that they claim The government refusal to fund decision that means the BBC must welfare cut forced on the most pension credit. However, research licences had forced the BBC to make make most over-75s pay the TV vulnerable; and an attempt by the had found that more than three the choice – cut staff, channels and licence fee from next June. government to put extra political million households would lose their programming or pass the burden on Seconding the motion, Steve and financial pressure on the BBC. free TV licences. It was “very likely” to pensioners.

Media exemplifies social divide as rich take jobs

FEW THINGS in the world of taken on by the Telegraph work illustrate the gulf through university contacts. between ‘the haves’ and ’have Frost said he had been a nots’ as the media industry, newspaper journalist for more RUPERT RIVETT RUPERT NUJ ethics council chair Chris than 25 years before becoming Frost told delegates. a lecturer. He had watched To secure jobs, the offspring with ‘growing disgust’ as more To secure jobs, the of the monied classes could of his students were forced to initially work for nothing as take long periods of unpaid offspring of the internees, but most people work to get a job, especially at monied classes can could not to afford to do so. prestige media outlets. Frost gave the example of He was speaking in favour of work for nothing, but Eton-Oxbridge educated Boris a resolution calling for the “ Johnson who signed up as a International Labour most people cannot graduate trainee at the Times Organisation to be given the afford to do this thanks to family connections. power to investigate employers He was later fired for making as well as governments. He up quotes. urged it to address the issue of Christ Frost Despite his ‘journalistic unpaid workers and interns in Journalism Lecturer crime’, he was subsequently the media industry.

theJournalist | 7 freelance

were very much a pilot for the provinces. “Speakers included Hina Pandya on writing travel e-books, Peter Jukes on byline and crowdfunded journalism, NATASHA HIRST NATASHA Garry Cook on using photojournalism as performance art and David Prior on how to make a good income from running a hyperlocal news site. “Around 35 people attended, including from branches as far away as Birmingham. We had great feedback, with everyone asking for another salon event in the future. Many had found it really inspiring and I suspect plenty left the event fizzing with ideas.” Salons are now a regular feature of the LFB calendar, and the Cardiff branch, in response to demand, is running its fourth salon, entitled Specialise or Diversify, on October 12. So successful have the Wales salons been that the Welsh executive council, which part funds them, has agreed they should be an annual event organised with NUJ Training Wales. Inspired by stories from the salons and Dublin’s freelance forum, Anton McCabe, Northern FIC member and NEC member, organised a Freelance Matters evening for his Derry Beauty of salon North West Ireland branch. “It went well,” he recalls. “It was on the night of the normal branch meeting. Freya McClements and Paul Gosling, treatments spoke about their experiences as freelances and how they made a living. There was a larger attendance than usual Freelance salons, offering expert advice and chances and, most importantly, several freelance Jenny Sims members who are not regular attenders to network, are proving successful, says came plus a couple of non-members who we are working at signing up.” reelances are the lost and the salonistas won comfortably. Given the union is seeking ideas on fastest growing Tickets for the first salon, at Headland recruitment and retention, the membership sector of House on October 15 2015, cost £10 to of salons should not be overlooked. As F the NUJ and more NUJ members and £20 to non-members. well as attracting members who would should be done to meet Pandya recalls: “It was an informal not usually attend a branch meeting, their needs. Freelance salons were evening event, with snacks and wine they bring in new people. And they launched in recognition of this. and soft drinks, where people could could in future offer possibilities of An initiative from former Freelance relax after work and feel comfortable developing mentoring. Industrial Council (FIC) and London networking. We had two speakers, one Pamela Morton, NUJ national Freelance Branch (LFB) member Hina on start-ups, and kept the numbers organiser, freelance and Wales, said: Pandya, the first salon was held one small, and it was a sell-out.” “The salons have been really popular, evening four years ago. It included It even made money. bringing together a mix of training and speakers and chances to network with Word of its success spread and, the Many had found hearing from experts, with all- the aim of opening up ideas – if not following year, Pandya helped it really inspiring important networking opportunities. doors - to new work opportunities and Manchester and Cardiff NUJ branches “ Many freelance members are isolated ways of making journalism pay. It was launch salons, and spoke at both. and I suspect and we know that most are looking for conducted in a less formal way than a Manchester’s was an evening event held training at an affordable price.” conference. at the Quaker Friends’ Meeting House, plenty left Although Pandya had no problem and Cardiff’s on a Saturday with lunch Jenny Sims is Wales rep on the persuading the FIC to support the at the Marriott Hotel (the latter on the the event fizzing NUJ’s Freelance Industrial event, getting them to agree to the same day as a rugby international – a with ideas Council, freelance officer of Cardiff name ‘salon’ was another matter. mistake to be avoided). & South East Wales branch and a Traditionalists wanted to call it a forum. Manchester freelance Louise Bolotin, member of the Welsh executive A vote had to be taken – the diehards who organised their event, said: “We @Jenny__Sims 8 | theJournalist ” viewpoint

Should we ask who we are writing for?

Writing for some titles can test personal ethics, says Ross Davies

arlier this year, I was ashamed that I had even contemplated that are morally perfect. Many will also approached by an the prospect. publish something that one may find Italian newspaper, Where do the boundaries of distasteful. I also don’t think certain E which wanted to ask acceptability and personal ethical bad articles necessarily preclude about my availability codes intersect for journalists? How writing good pieces for a newspaper or to report for its new English language does one justify turning paid work magazine.” section. down? This is particularly so for ’s It is telling that some I approached I had lived in Italy years ago, but did freelances, who are increasingly short for this piece bristled at the mere not recall said publication. A quick on money. The offer of commissions suggestion of neglecting their moral check revealed it to be owned by one from some organisations poses quite compass. Silvio Berlusconi. Most descriptions the quandary. But, from my own experience, had the outlet down as right wing in The proliferation of media outlets compromise-or-die ideals are rarely its politics. online means, on the face of it, there is found in newsrooms, let alone The thought of writing for Italy’s an unprecedented welter of choice over freelance work spaces. infamous former leader made me potential gigs. However, this is In the name of balance – and, dare baulk, as did the idea of contributing to tempered by the contraction of I say it, worldliness – journalists surely a publication whose political leanings well-paid work, meaning freelances risk cannot be expected to occupy the were far from being in step with spreading themselves thin, working for echo chambers of uniform opinion my own. organisations that are not always and perspective. But, still, I confess to not being clearly defined. But most – including myself – entirely unswayable. At the time, I was Most journalists i meet – particularly support the idea of a conscience clause, wallowing in post-Christmas penury. those in the trade press – are aware of for which the NUJ has campaigned for “Am I in any kind of position to turn the sometimes contradictory nature of some time now. This would offer down work?” I asked myself. I could their work. contractual protection to journalists in always go unbylined. One spoke of writing for a raft of the event of their refusing assignments Besides, while sharing the same energy titles, including an oil that go against their ethical code. As political affiliations as one’s employer publication, despite being an NUJ national newspaper organiser can be a boon, it is not strictly a environmentalist. Laura Davison asserted a few years ago: prerequisite for a journalist. “These are not be my preferred “No journalists should be disciplined I was toying with these thoughts outlets by any stretch,” she said, or suffer detriment to their careers for when I came across an unsavoury speaking on condition of anonymity. asserting their right to act ethically.” news story that made my mind up “But it’s hard to turn down work. I I feel like I’m more Among the countless online media for me. justify it by saying that the articles reporting on outlets springing up at a rate of knots, The very same publication had, it themselves aren’t against my some are alarmingly nebulous in their emerged, handed out copies of Adolf principles, as they tend to be dry and what’s happening descriptions. Job briefs can be vague. Hitler’s Mein Kampf to its readers a informative. I feel like I’m more than promoting Occasionally, the lines blur between couple of years before. This caused reporting on what’s happening than “ editorial and advertorial. controversy, with the editor refusing to promoting it. But, then again, perhaps it. Then again, The obvious first step towards stand down, claiming that the give- I’m just a giant hypocrite.” avoiding an ethical dilemma is away had been made in the interests of Another, an avowed pacifist, perhaps I’m just a knowing your publication beforehand. ‘education’. contributed news pieces to a giant hypocrite If I had accepted work from the This, I decided, was beyond the pale. I military website. “I think some aforementioned Italian newspaper, would not and could not bring myself compromise is necessary wherever you only to discover later down the line of to work for a publication with such a write,” he said, also under anonymity. its Mein Kampf free-for-all – well, I’d morally dubious reputation. I felt There aren’t many, if any, publicatons have only had myself to blame. ” theJournalist | 09 NUJ services

Journalists who have fallen on hard times can call on the union’s charity for help. Ruth Addicott looks at the work of NUJ Extra ‘The payment that changed my life’

hen retired journalist Ian Cameron was the “We don’t top up the incomes of those unable to make a victim of a hit and run by a teenager on a living from journalism – otherwise we might be inundated,” stolen motorbike, he suffered a life- says Wheal. “That means the economic circumstances have W threatening brain injury. Struggling to walk less of an impact on the numbers of people claiming.” and unable to drive, he applied to the union’s A recent report said that a third of London freelances are charity, NUJ Extra, for help with a loan so he could buy a turning to payday lenders and, although debt is a massive mobility scooter. Weeks later, he was speechless to find a shiny problem, the charity has a policy not to pay credit card debts, new mobility scooter parked on his drive. or solicitors’ fees or other legal bills. Nor will it pay for private “I wasn’t expecting it,” he says. “It’s wonderful. The nearest medicine or private education. Co-op is half a mile away and zip, away I go! I’m no longer “If we get an application from someone wanting us to do shuffling like an old man. I’m so grateful.” any of these, we would usually decline,” says Wheal. Cameron, a lifetime NUJ member, is just one of hundreds of “Priority debts are those that can result in you going to journalists who have received help from the union’s charities prison – not paying your council tax or fines, for example. over the years. Then come those that can result in you being made homeless NUJ Extra provides short-term financial assistance for – mortgage and rent. Last come other debts. But it is the credit current and former members who have fallen on hard times card companies that shout the loudest, hire the debt – whether this is paying a rent deposit for someone who has collectors and bailiffs and make the most threatening noises. become homeless or removal expenses for someone fleeing So, sometimes people try to pay off their credit card instead of domestic violence. the priority debt. That is why we always ask people to go The charity is funded through NUJ contributions and How it through debt counselling and get the credit card companies personal donations. It has proved a lifeline in all kinds of and banks off their back.” situations from assisting families with children who are began Law firm Thompsons provides debt counselling as a free seriously ill to helping 83-year-old retired journalist Charles THE NUJ was service to NUJ members. Fitzgerald, who got a foldaway tricycle after finding he was founded in 1907 and In unusual circumstances, the charity might pay a unable to ride his bike safely. established its first mortgage or rent for six months. In other cases, it helps by Most cases are triggered by an incident of some sort – an charity in 1910 to getting involved, writing letters to ombudsmen and taking up illness, injury, accident, personal tragedy or sudden change of help widows, individual cases with recalcitrant banks or mortgage providers circumstance. orphans and other and securing a better deal. Freelance Emma Wood came home one day to find her dependants. “It’s often not just about handing over cash but offering front door smashed and passport and laptop stolen. She lost The first grants support,” says Wheal. “In one case, a photographer made seven years of writing, images and contacts. She could not were made in 1911 redundant came to us with evidence that the local job centre afford a new computer, so the charity stepped in and paid for and amounted to had agreed to pay for his retraining as a drone pilot to film £10. In 1920, the a new one. events. We bought him the drone he needed.” Widows and Orphans Each case is considered on its own merits in accordance In another case, an NUJ member was diagnosed with Fund was set up and, with guidelines that are every year by the trustees. Crohn’s disease and, when she informed her employer, she in 1982, it became Chair Chris Wheal became involved after he and his wife (also the Provident Fund. was immediately sacked – before she had acquired an NUJ member) had a car accident nearly 25 years ago. When the charity employment rights. “She needed to cook proper food when According to Wheal, the most common problems are started offering she was well and freeze it in individual portions to reheat losing a job, divorce, illness and death. A lot of cases involve support to members, when she was unwell and would not have had the energy to financial and mental health issues. Although many journalists in 1992, the Members prepare fresh food,” says Wheal. “She had a small kitchen and have struggled in recent times after widespread cuts and in Need Fund was needed an unusually large freezer, which made it expensive. I redundancies, this has not necessarily led to an increase established. think we spent about £500. She asked for nothing else, despite in applications. In 2005, the our offering more, and wrote the loveliest card thanking us for The charity received 25 applications last year, 19 of which charities merged to changing the quality of her life.” were helped. In 2009, it received 31 applications, 17 of which form NUJ Extra. He recalls another case where the charity bought a member received grants and 14 were refused. a new outfit for a job interview and funded the train fare.

10 | theJournalist NUJ services

TUC

“When they got the job, we paid the deposit on a flat at the new place so they could start afresh.” The biggest payout Wheal can recall was £5,000 to a long-term beneficiary; the smallest was £64.50, which was for batteries for a mobility scooter. The charity also helps dependants of members who have died. Years ago, pensions did not transfer to widows and they were often left with nothing after their husbands died as many gave up work and had not paid into the system. “We take a look at their income and top it up to a level we hope provides a decent standard of living,” says Wheal. “Many get several hundreds of pounds or euros a month. Many have been having their income topped up for well over 20 years.” In December 2005 when NUJ Extra was founded, the funds amounted to just over £2 million and grants for that year totalled more than £84,000. The amount per person rose from £130 to £150 a week and the grant for each dependent increased from £50 to £75. Last year the total amount in grants awarded to individuals was £103,989. The biggest challenge Wheal faces is time. A lot of cases are complex and involve a lot of work. “Sometimes it is very upsetting,” he says. “Some people really are in appalling situations that literally make me cry, especially when I know we don’t have the funds we’d need to completely fix the problem.” “I wish we could close because nobody needed us. But we know there are members out there who need our help but are not coming to us. We have empathy, not just sympathy, with those who need our help. Personally I have been there – I had to borrow more than £30,000 after our car accident and was still relying on friends and family for help until the other driver paid compensation and we cleared our debts. It’s not a fun place to be. “We are also creative, not just issuing fixed sums or stock answers. Each beneficiary is like a family member. Each is an individual with unique needs, but we ultimately want them to fly the nest and make a success of their lives.” How you can get involved… NUJ EXTRA offers free areas can cover a lot of terrain professional training to any so you need to be prepared to members who are interested travel as many cases will in becoming a welfare officer. entail visiting people in their The charity currently has homes. 36 welfare officers across “The personal aspect is England, Scotland, Wales and probably the most rewarding Ireland. They provide practical part of the role – knowing that support to members who have you are helping, however problems due to illness, a modestly, another NUJ sudden onset of disability and member at a difficult moment financial issues as well as in their life.” information and advice to Members can raise funds for dependents of deceased NUJ Extra through charity members. events and via AmazonSmile. Chris Rea, welfare officer and chair of the Manchester To apply, visit www.nuj. & Salford Branch, says: “The org.uk/work/nuj-extra/ welfare officer role doesn’t For further details about require regular input, but you becoming a welfare officer, have to be ready to step in email [email protected] when cases arise. Branch

theJournalist | 11

Women first edited national papers in Victorian times, says Jonathan Sale

she was good at – she took out her fountain pen and began writing the leaders, with no subject too big or small. The topic for October 14 1894 was ‘the perennial Irish question’ (no change there). Fleet Street Soon, she was calling for taxes on top hats, cats and bicycles. “Compared with Parliament, Sodom and Gomorrah would have contained a virtuous population,” she snapped, adding: “Contrasted with the average MP, Nero himself was an pioneers enlightened philanthropist.” She campaigned against the nation’s dim commander-in-chief, the 77-year-old Duke of hen Rachel Beer took over the full of snippets of news for the Victorian Cambridge. She enthused about a flat-rate editorship of the Sunday Times commuter in a hurry, but it was a century ahead postage. She warned of the threat from Germany in October 1894, it was the first of its time; he pulled the plug after six weeks and speculated about a Russian revolution. She W time a woman had become the because the commuter was in too much of a campaigned for Captain Dreyfus, the French editor of a national newspaper. hurry to buy the paper. soldier falsely accused of spying, and interviewed The second time this happened was in 1896, at He confined himself to being a hands-off the actual traitor. . That was Rachel Beer too. She proprietor of The Observer but Rachel made a She set up a ‘First Night Dresses’ column. She edited both papers simultaneously, which habit of popping into the office and suggesting approved of new technology such as ‘flying remains a hard act to follow for both men ideas to the editor who, after a while, popped off machines’ and ‘automotors’. She devised a and women. for good. As did his replacement. And his scheme for telegraphing late news of the Boer There had in previous centuries been women replacement soon found out that the proprietor’s War to readers who did not receive her special editors, though not of nationals. Anna Maria wife was not just a contributor but an assistant supplements on the hostilities. She hired Gilbert Smart was an 18th-century editor, in her case of editor – and breathing down his neck. and Sullivan, the latter as a music critic, the a weekly paper in Reading, and her daughter What Rachel desired was her own paper where former as, counterintuitively, a war correspondent. inherited the editorial chair. Smart needed to she could call the shots and, in 1894, Frederick All this was written and organised from earn her living because her husband was a bought it for her when it came on the market: her study in Chesterfield Gardens near Hyde patient in a psychiatric hospital. (Christopher launched cheekily as The New Observer in 1821, it Park. The first lady of Fleet Street went to Smart lives on as the author of For I Will had been rebranded even more cheekily as The Fleet Street only on Saturdays; staff would Consider My Cat Jeoffry, the most barking (or Independent Observer and, finally, settled for come to her and she had a newfangled phone purring) tribute ever written to a God-fearing Sunday Times on its masthead. It had been the installed for contacting the office. feline, set to music by Benjamin Britten.*) traditional rival of the original Observer but the The two Sunday papers coexisted happily, Rachel Beer did not need to earn a living, as two papers now jogged along together. apart, that is, from the time when she mentioned Eilat Negev and Yehuda Koren explain in First Bidding farewell to the editor – something to Frederick that on Nelson’s Day the Sunday Lady of Fleet Street, which is both an intriguing biography and a fascinating account of Victorian DAVID FOWLER / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO journalism. She came from the wealthy Sassoon Porter and Lisa family of international traders which at one ...and those who followed Markwell of the time handled – legally – 70 per cent of on Sunday, IN FLEET STREET’S of . Newton at the Sun on Chinese opium market. When she once missed Sarah Sands, who four centuries of Rebekah Wade (now Sunday and, until she edited the Sunday the train en route to visit her young nephew publishing, it took nearly Brooks) was also the left in February, Dawn Telegraph, and (Lady) Siegfried (later the author of Memoirs of a 300 years for a woman editor of the News of Neesom at the Daily Patience Wheatcroft, Fox-Hunting Man), she hired a private train for – Rachel Beer – to make the World before she Star. who followed her. the 30-mile journey. it to the editorship of a took over at The Sun. Although one would (Lady) Rosie Boycott A society hostess, she was ostracised by most national paper. Again, (Lady) Eve be spoilt for choice if clocked up three: the members of the (Jewish) Sassoon family when After Mary Howarth, Pollard edited the News appointing a captain, Indy, the Sindy and the she was baptised into the Christian faith. Her very briefly the editor of of the World then the one could easily make . Follow husband Frederick Beer too had lost his family, the fledgling Daily Sunday Express, while, up a team consisting of that, chaps. in his case to the Grim Reaper, and had inherited Mirror in 1903, there as it happened, husband present and former first a vast fortune that included the ownership of was a gap of the best (Sir) Nick Lloyd was Mr ladies of Fleet Street – The Observer. Founded in 1791, the paper’s part of another century Big at the Daily Express. the Fleet Street Footer Femmes: Alison Philips circulation had soon reached a soaraway 6,000 before Wendy Henry The year 2018 saw was appointed in 1987 three women editors in of the , Tina copies, mainly in London, with a special Monday as the Ms Big of the post: Katharine Viner at Weaver of the Sunday edition for those unfortunate enough to be then The Guardian, Victoria Mirror, Janet Street- stuck in the provinces. Frederick launched The Journal, a daily paper

12 | theJournalist

Looking back to: 1894 ARCHIVE FARMS INC / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO STOCK INC / ALAMY FARMS ARCHIVE

Times would be sending a wreath to the naval unattractive figure’ in its obituary. The hero’s plinth – and, as her subsequent leader newspaper where she had started her complained bitterly, the sneaky Observer nicked groundbreaking career referred to her briefly the idea and sent one first. as its ‘one-time proprietrix’, which is a word Women were not allowed into the you do not see much in the Observer these parliamentary press gallery or the gossipy days or, indeed, anywhere. London clubs; luckily for her and for the readers, In the year after the trailblazing Rachel both she and her husband boasted a wide range Beer hung up her editorial fountain pen, of cosmopolitan contacts. Mary Howarth, woman’s editor of the Mail, For Frederick, going to The Observer’s office became the first woman to edit a national daily was becoming impossible, thanks to the when she was appointed launch editor of the tuberculosis that was soon to kill him. No longer Mirror, the paper “for gentlewomen by were they a his-and-hers newspaper couple; she gentlewomen”. She returned to the Mail after a took over an increasing amount of his Observer week, by which time the circulation of the workload until she was editing both papers at newborn Mirror, which kicked off at over a the same time. Occasionally, she would float an quarter of a million copies, had fallen by nearly idea in the Sunday Times and, if it didn’t sink, halt in September 1902; both papers were sold, two-thirds. winch it aboard The Observer’s pages later. separately. “Women can’t write and don’t want to read,” Meanwhile, she was nursing her very She succumbed to the kind of pathological declared the proprietor of both papers, Alfred sick husband. grief that had driven Queen Victoria out of Harmsworth (later rebranded Viscount As his life drew to an end, so did her careful public life. The legal official known as the master Northcliffe). To which we can today retort to editorship of both papers. She stopped her in lunacy put her on his list of people of unsound his ghost: Oh no? You’ll be saying they can’t interview slot and began filling her leader mind and she was handed over to the care of her edit next, my lord. space with poems, sometimes putting the same brother, who had not seen her for 15 years. He set verses in both papers. her up in a house in Tunbridge Wells, where she Frederick died in late December 1901 aged 43 died 25 years later at the age of 69. *For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry comes and Rachel’s career in journalism ground to a The Sunday Times referred to her as ‘a not from the longer poem Rejoice in the Lamb

theJournalist | 13 privacy Database miners

Whose database are you on? Paul investigative journalism as investigated journalists. Roxhill’s customers include HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Routledge wonders how his private details accountants PwC, oil firm BP, Rolls-Royce, construction firm Balfour Beatty, G4S, BT, drinks giant Diageo, outsourcing became public and were sold by a PR firm conglomerate Serco, investment bank Citi and global investors BlackRock, which hired Evening Standard editor George love a good ruin, and there are days when I Osborne on £650,000 a year for working one day a week. look like one but I’m not an archaeology A roll call of blue-chip City companies, which must correspondent. So I didn’t expect to see in my generate very lucrative income. Just the kind of people we I private email a long press release about really want breathing down our necks. One of the more controversial proposals for a road tunnel gushing endorsements comes from Edwin Morgan, head of under Stonehenge. I was equally baffled by a quote offered media relations at the Institute of Directors, who says: about the residence “nil-rate band for inheritance tax. “Roxhill really impressed us with the quality of data it holds The what?” on journalists compared to its rivals.” These are just two of an increasing number of messages The data it holds? Like my private email address, I suppose that appear unbidden on my screen from lobbyists, think- – and data on 100,000 other journalists like me. Rivals? They tanks and public relations outfits that have something to sell might have twice that, admits Northcott. on behalf of their corporate clients. Fair enough, I suppose. It’s Interestingly, not everything is known about the CEO of a big, bad business world and they have to make a living. Roxhill. A former army officer, he made £13 million five years But how did they get hold of my private email address? It’s ago from the sale of Gorkana, a start-up media company he not published anywhere – that I know of anyway. Virtually all named after a Gurkha soldier who saved his life in a Borneo my work is with the Daily Mirror and has been for more than swamp. He read history at university and, before that, “I was 20 years, but I’ve never had a company email. I can’t imagine at school,” he says tersely, offering nothing more. it came from the Aslef Journal, the magazine of the train Gorkana was bought by Cision, which promises to ‘leverage drivers’ union, or The Tablet, the Catholic weekly for which I the world’s largest media database to build targeted lists and occasionally review books. reach the right audiences’. It will ‘optimise results by So where did it come from? I taxed the think-tank man who discovering new influencers, uncovering preferred contact wanted to bend my ear about Stonehenge (he was cross about methods and gaining valuable pitching tips’. It does so using government procrastination). Do they all sit round in the pub biographical details, direct outlet/contact information and swap this info, as the industrial correspondents of old did (address, URL, email and phone/fax). This sounds more like with union bosses’ home phone numbers? Oh, no. It came GCHQ than PR. from a database. A what? The Roxhill database, which For a successful media campaign, says Northcott, “you need supplied my private details. to target the relevant journalists and be effective in your Who is this? Its very smart website, with flashing pics of approach”. Like pointing the Stonehenge lobby at me? This City skyscrapers, a war photographer, a baby and suchlike, can be a hit and miss game, he admits – in his words ‘spray proclaims it is ‘the next-generation media database’ and pray’ – but there must be an awful lot of hits for rich providing ‘real-time media intelligence for professionals’. clients to cough up big bucks for access to these databases. Clients are grouped into Lifestyle, Financial, TMT (Telecoms, Such a strategy, if so it may be termed, is frowned upon by Media,Technology), Arts & Education, Healthcare, Industrial the industry’s professional body, the Chartered Institute of and Property. With Alex Northcott’s team of seasoned PR and Public Relations, which has more than 10,000 members, industry professionals, Roxhill is ‘the leading real-time media ranging from big corporates to one-man bands. intelligence platform’. That’s good to know. Phil Morgan, PR for the CIPR, says: “Spray and pray is not What does it mean? With ‘customisable alerts’ and ‘streams’, good, professional practice. Selling in stories to journalists Roxhill boasts it can inform well-heeled clients about where there is a strong interest and where the information is ‘headlines, forward features, media requests and keyword useful and well researched and well put together is more likely matches in real time’ (those words again). It can ‘discover - and to get good results for clients and employers. Spamming a act (my italics)– on those journalists who are leading the long list of journalists is wasteful and poor practice.” debate and driving the commentary on issues you care about’. But it happens all the same, presumably because rival Stripped of the marketing nonsense, this says they can database companies have to claim ‘my base is bigger than identify individual journalists and influence what we write theirs, and more comprehensive – so use it’, simply to win the about their clients using personal information. Not so much business. This is money-making commerce, not social

14 | theJournalist privacy ANTON GVOZDIKOV / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Database miners

conversation, and that’s why my next uninvited email came from a PR agency telling me that Liverpool is the capital of happy marriages. This may well be true, but why tell me? And where did they get my private address? From the Gorkana database owned by Cision, natch. Of course, there is an upside to most things. For some journalists, particularly freelances, this free-for-all may be a godsend, bringing them into contact with sources they might otherwise not know about, triggering ideas they can turn into income. I understand that. However, there are legal issues here as well as professional ones (see box below). The GDPR – the General Data Protection Regulation – introduced last year has officially curbed the excesses of invasion into personal information. That’s the idea at any rate and it has certainly frightened the PR people. The CIPR advises its members that recording, storing or using journalists’contact information, including work or corporate email addresses and social media accounts, means ‘you are processing their data’ and they have the same privacy rights as any data subject. They also say there is a grey area around pleas of ‘legitimate interest’ that could override privacy rights, the scope of which will probably have to be settled legally at some stage. Finally, there is a political dimension. PR people and lobbyists probably outnumber bona fide journalists by five to one. The lobby industry is worth £2 billion a year, says awkward-squad reporter Michael Crick. It is said to be ‘the next big scandal’ after MPs’ expenses. Let’s be clear. This is not Turkey or China, where they lock up journalists, or Russia, where they shoot us. Database activity is not unlawful in itself and most list providers are careful to provide a lawful basis for the processing. However, it is a business practice many find uncomfortable and one that may sit uneasily with privacy rights. Roxhill could not or would not say where they got my email address. Social media, they suggested. But I have never had anything to do with all that rubbish. My name has now been removed from the company’s hit list. Yours is probably still on it. You have been warned.

• Where the data is from (a to the Information Databases and you: the law crucial one, this) Commissioner’s Office. JOURNALISTS HAVE a list of rights that are • What type of data it uses • If data is used in profiling This is called ‘the right to right to privacy, just like any safeguarded. • How long it will be kept performance at work, health, be informed’ and, if you think other citizen. An organisation must • Telling you who gets to economic situation, a database company is The Information inform you if it is using your see the data preferences and interests flouting these provisions, Commissioner, whose job it is personal data, and provide the • Telling you if data is going • How to contact the you can use a template letter to enforce data protection following information: overseas, and where database organisation on the ICO website to make laws, publishes a 10-point • Why it is using your data • Your information rights • Your right to complain a complaint.

theJournalist | 15 illustration

Inquisitive, investigating, scrutinising and entertaining... Rachel Broady looks at the re-emergence of illustrated reportage DRAWING

odern journalism means videos, infographics, we have a whole newspaper now that just used illustrated podcasts and pictures THE but an old form is NEWSjournalism, then that would be amazing. That would boost regaining popularity amid the multimedia- careers and catch the attention.” M illustrated reportage. For fellow artist Gary Embury, a lecturer in illustration at Drawing news is not new but it does appear the University of West England and author of Reportage to be having a moment. The format has its roots in Victorian Illustrated Journalism, the modern media landscape gives rise journalism and sees artists drawing news events in situ, which to new opportunities for the illustrator who is interested in can stand alone or be supported by interviews with the people reporting on the real world. depicted in the artwork. The Illustrated London News, founded in the mid-1800s, is an early example of the journalistic use of drawings, where artists reported from the front line. As an email to Private Eye with readers, we are familiar with the legal restrictions that mean French connections some of my French reports court reports are illustrated with sketches. Today, the work of and Ian Hislop agreed it was artists reporting from war zones, protests, exhibitions, gigs and taking risks worth a go. Ian took the risk so I think most of the credit and most other places journalists can be found is published I’VE NEVER studied or French, who took to it more that Scene & Heard exists is in graphic books, magazines and . trained in art or illustration than the British. Through a often down to a good editor Arguably, emerging illustrated reportage is finding a place other than basic secondary series of fortunate events, I breaking the norm. in increasingly screen-based media and benefiting from the school art class. I drew as a got to know the cartoonists growth in visual literacy. It is not easy, though, to tell if this kid until my late teens, and editors at Charlie Hebdo. place is permanent and could create work. writes David Ziggy Greene. One day, Charlie wanted a For artist David Ziggy Greene, outlets include Private Eye, I started casually drawing report on the student Charlie Hebdo and Time Out. Greene is the artist behind again when I was doing live occupations in universities Scene and Heard, a regular feature in Private Eye. He has visual performances with that were a response to the coalition’s decision to raise covered subjects from knife crime to abortion rights and bands. On one tour around the UK, I started keeping a tuition fees. Charlie asked if homelessness, as well as lighter news around taxidermy, beer visual diary. Eventually, I put I could go and draw a report festivals and conker championships, and he has also it together as a comic book the next day. I had no idea produced gig reviews. He works by eavesdropping or by and people liked it. how but said yes anyway. conducting pre-planned or spontaneous interviews and his I was disillusioned with That report led to others. reports, which are drawn with pencils or marker pens, can making comics and drawing I was doing a report for the take anything from four hours to four days to produce. in the UK as my style wasn’t French every few months. For Greene, illustrated reportage is a form of journalism if finding much of an audience. One day, I thought: “Hey, no people want it to be and if it informs them of news and events. My style was very one does this kind of stuff He says: “One hitch is that memes and online culture need ‘European’, I was often told. here in the UK – wonder if it to be very quick to hold people’s attention but relaying So I aimed my work at the is worth a shot?” I popped off topical news stories takes a little more time to be done well. If

16 | theJournalist GARY EMBURY illustration

He says: “I do think illustrated or drawn The global genre sees artists using reportage is a form of journalism albeit in traditional journalistic methods. Joe Sacco, an emerging form at the moment. I a Maltese-American, reports from Gaza, believe for drawing to be truly Bosnia and Sarajevo, producing comic journalistic, it needs to be scrutinising strips and graphic novels of war crime or investigating an issue, location, activity trials and reports on migration that or subject in a more inquisitive, include descriptions and words from investigative way.” interviews. George Butler has produced While the technological advances that illustrated reportage on the liberation of have changed the way news is produced Mosul, on being a refugee in Bekaa and on and shared online lend themselves to the leprosy in Nepal. Olivier Kugler has visual format of illustrated reportage, produced sketches inspired by annual opportunities for illustrators remain reports on the New York public school limited. system and Glasgow Housing Association. Greene sats: “It has had a touch of The form is clearly based in journalistic coolness in recent years with people in practice but, as the industry faces the UK dipping into it as a buzzword but increasing concerns over objectivity, there then disappearing as soon as they find could be questions raised about artists that there is nowhere in the UK willing to pay them to print interpreting events. This is something both Greene and DRAWING their work. I’d like more people to be doing it but, for the Embury have thought about. amount of work that is involved, you can’t do it as a regular Greene said: “For many years, I was totally obsessed with hobby and you really want it to be read. I am extraordinarily being objective. I wanted no bias in the reports at all. But that lucky to have found a good place that pays and prints just became mentally exhausting so I had to accept that even reportage in the UK.” what I chose to report involved a small bit of bias. As a reader, Embury adds: “I think the future is a combination of I feel that journalism itself should be objective. A reporter is drawings, photography, interviews, commentary, data simply the vessel in which the news is delivered. visualisation, and infographics – media-rich multiple Gary Embury “This is purely based on what I’ve heard from feedback, but journalism and interactive journalism employing many people say that illustration creates more of an atmosphere different traditional and emerging technologies. from the places or events than photography can do. This may “I think in the age of the digitally mediated image, fast be down to the simple fact that a photo has a rigid border THE NEWS news and 24-hour rolling news, the artist is now freer to offer which can stop it being immersive while a drawing can be something entirely different to the official news agencies. more open.” Reportage drawing is indeed slower and more reflective, Embury makes the comparison with photography too. He possibly more humane. Reportage drawing is not always said: “Many people struggle with the idea that drawing can be news reporting but often more aligned to documentary.” journalistic due to the belief that drawing is too subjective. As

USED WITH PERMISSION OF PRIVATE EYE MAGAZINE. MORE SCENE & HEARD REPORTS IN BOOK FORM AT DAVIDZIGGYGREENE.BIGCARTEL.COM

theJournalist | 17 illustration

USED WITH PERMISSION OF PRIVATE EYE MAGAZINE. MORE SCENE & HEARD REPORTS IN BOOK FORM AT DAVIDZIGGYGREENE.BIGCARTEL.COM

we know, photojournalism is inherently subjective He said: “At the start, the bad mail and also, in this post-truth age and with the outnumbered the good. The general public vibe prevalence of fake news, the rise of the reader and was ‘What is the mess? It’s not funny like the other citizen journalism, there is now a place for more cartoons! Why is this rubbish getting printed?’ I diverse ways to report.” would take time to reply, explaining the intention Embury sees scope for training artists to recognise of the reports. The UK really isn’t used to this style their journalistic responsibility in terms of of using drawings to talk about serious stuff researching before drawing, and of becoming sometimes. acclimatised to a location. “As the years have gone by, either I have changed “I think it’s an emerging area and we need to more to suit their tastes or they have started to come fully equip illustration students with the kinds of around because the reaction now is almost always skills journalism students are routinely taught, good. I get jokey complaints that I drew a nose too such as interview technique, ethics, issues around big or I didn’t draw them skinny enough but almost confidentiality, data protection,” he says. all the time people think it’s great to be a cartoon in This could perhaps prepare what Greene sees as a such a big magazine. more reluctant British audience. Greene, whose “There is very little of myself in Scene and Heard. work first found a home in French publications, has I’m just someone who draws in order to channel dealt with criticism and praise, from receiving hate other people’s opinions or knowledge for the mail to people asking to buy the original artwork. readers.”

remain anonymous, then I will because I want the people just sketch everything as I go Interviewing and alter the drawing a little so it there to give me all that but after a while I accepted is vaguely like them but not information. I may have a that you couldn’t interview eavesdropping recognisable. When it comes short list of questions to get someone, take down their to what topics to cover, I spend my interviews started but I quotes, observe the I INTERVIEW or eavesdrop work on a report. I do try and days hunting for things online mostly ignore them and surroundings, note things for things around me, writes get the quotes as exact as I then I send the editor a things all turn into casual about their features to draw David Ziggy Greene. Depends can to capture accents or handful of suggestions I think conversations. later and sketch on the spot all on the kind of topic or event. personalities in the speech. could work and he picks the My kit is pencil/pocket at the same time so now I take Interviews can be pre-planned That goes for the drawing of one he likes best. I hardly notepad/camera/Dictaphone/ reference photos and record or spontaneous. There is no the person too. Unless they research about a topic at all sketchpad. In the very interviews or atmosphere set rule or pattern in how I wish not to be drawn or to before going into the field beginning, I thought I would audio too.”

18 | theJournalist on media

It’s a Brexit bonanza for journalists

Big stories drop like clockwork every day, says Raymond Snoddy

few certainties can be ruthless exposure of the background of that passes for contemporary politics. grasped amid the the three judges of Scotland’s highest It was the Leave-supporting Sunday unprecedented levels civil court from liking the French and Times that leaked the Yellowhammer A of uncertainty – jazz too much to cutting the length of analysis with its warnings of shortages although the murderers’ life sentences. of fresh food and medicines and price definition of ‘uncertainty’ is racheted Yet there has been a change of increases in the ‘reasonable worst up daily. tone, if not tune, by the Brexit- case scenario’. It is highly unlikely that anyone is supporting press. It was the pro Brexit Daily Telegraph going to rush to appoint another Primal loyalties have not shifted, nor that exposed the fact that Number 10 journalist as Prime Minister anytime has the analysis of the impact of No adviser Dominic Cummings had called soon. Deal on their readers improved, but the supposed negotiations with The former journalist and maybe much of the inflammatory language Brussels ‘a sham’. soon to be former prime minister Boris has been quietly dropped. Matt Frei, Channel 4’s European Johnson has surely seen to that. The term Enemies of the People has editor, went one step further by He has already secured the title of gone missing and the 21 Tory rebels revealing that no proposals of any kind worst prime minister in living memory were not denounced as either traitors had been received in Europe from the and may already be the worst in history, or saboteurs. Johnson government. And the BBC’s given his arrogance, incompetence, Instead, they were merely pilloried revealed Michael Gove’s track record of failure and bluster. as ‘remainers’, which many of them equivocation on whether the Yet it is equally clear that this is one were, as if that were abuse enough. legislation to block a no deal Brexit of the best of times for journalists and Too little, too late, you might say but would be obeyed. journalism. it is at least a modest improvement in Brexit is the story that just gives and Has there ever been a time – apart how some of the most serious issues gives and will continue to do so for from wars – when a major story has facing the UK are now being discussed. many months to come. dropped like clockwork every day, from While the verdict of the Supreme Will there be an early general the prorogation of parliament to Court was greeted with outrage by the election or a second referendum and, if removal of the whip from the Tory Brexit press, the violent language of so, what order will they come in? ‘rebels’ and the resignations of Jo the past was not repeated. What is also clear is that politicians Johnson and Amber Rudd to the trips The Daily Express questioned what who continue to mislead the public to the highest courts of Scotland and was lawful about denying 17.4 million will not easily be forgiven. England where that prorogation was Brexit voters but inside concluded: Nor will journalists who happily found to be unlawful? “Shocked… but we must respect the Politicians who write that black is white when The reporting of the decision by rule of law.” mislead the public we are about to enter a period of the top Scottish judges that Johnson The Daily Mail actually carried ‘for’ reality when all will be able to behaved illegally and misled the and ‘against’ opinion pieces and will not be forgiven. observe from personal experience Queen at Balmoral was a foretaste, contented itself with quoting ‘Boris Nor will journalists what was scare-mongering and what demonstrating the deep divisions in blasts’ and Reeg-Mogg talk of a “ was not. the press. ‘constitutional coup’. who write black is No one can predict at the moment To the Scotsman, the members of The Sun was reduced to reflecting whether the crucial historic date for Scotland’s highest civil court were the anger of its readers against what white as we enter a leaving the European Union will be Heroes of the People, in a dig at the was deemed a ‘supreme folly’. period of reality October 31 – unlikely – or January 31 or Daily Mail’s notorious description of Tame stuff really. sometime never. English High Court judges as Enemies Meanwhile, the press and But you can be absolutely sure that of the People. broadcasters have been doing their job there will be endless unprecedented The Mail contented itself with a in revealing much of the mendacity stories to come. ” 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]

Film by Tim Lezard Conscience at GCHQ spy base Comedy Music Shit-faced Shakespeare The Unthanks On tour throughout the UK in October The Emily Brontë Song Cycle A couple of curveballs for you this Touring the UK in October edition. Why not watch a Continuing the literary theme, art Shakespearean classic with a twist? folksters the Unthanks are touring The Shit-faced Shakespeare their new show, The Emily Brontë Company gets one of the Song Cycle, Commissioned to mark world’s finest classically trained Brontë’s 200th birthday. Shakespearian actors drunk for four Using Brontë’s cabinet piano to write hours before a show, then lets on, Yorkshire-born composer Adrian I still remember the night, The case led to the NUJ to call for the remaining, sober, cast McNally has turned 10 of her poems 16 years ago, when GCHQ a ‘public interest’ defence to protect members fight their way through, into song, performed with bandmates whistleblower whistleblowers who give stories to incorporating, rectifying and generally Rachel and Becky Unthank and spoke to the NUJ’s the media to expose official lies, improvising around their inebriated recorded in the parsonage in Haworth Gloucestershire Branch in the dirty tricks or corruption. castmate. What could possibly where Brontë lived and worked. back room of a Cheltenham pub. The case came to court in February go right? Why not check out this unique The 28-year-old told around 2004, and lasted just 30 minutes after http://shitfaced shakespeare.com collaboration between a literary great hushed 40 journalists how she, a the prosecution declined to offer any and one of the UK’s most innovative translator at the town’s GCHQ spy evidence. Gun was planning to argue Austentatious and critically acclaimed bands? base, came across a confidential she had leaked the email to save lives Touring the UK www.the-unthanks.com/tour-dates/ email from the US intelligence body from being lost in a war, which led to throughout October the National Security Agency suggestions the government backed Or you might prefer Holy Moly & The Crackers requesting the secret and illegal down rather than risk exposing more Austentatious: an On tour in October bugging of United Nations offices in confidential documents. Improvised Novel, Newcastle party band Holy Moly & Angola, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Her story has now been an hour-long The Crackers make riotous music for Guinea and Pakistan. dramatised. Gun is played by Keira comedy play spun the masses. Their newest album, Take The US wanted to eavesdrop on Knightley and Peter in the inimitable style of Jane A Bite, is a concise, passionate take the offices to blackmail the nations Beaumont and Martin Bright by Austen – and on folk, blues and indie rock. They are into voting for the Iraq War. Matthew Goode and former Dr Who based entirely on audience touring their party-like live show Horrified, she printed a copy of Matt Smith respectively. Barrister Ben suggestions. across the UK. Don’t miss them. the email and gave it to a friend, Emmerson is played by Ralph Fiennes. www.austentatiousimpro.com www.holymolyandthecrackers.com who passed it to a journalist. The Speaking to Gloucestershire Live story was splashed in the Observer, after the film was announced in Count Arthur Strong The Great making headlines around the world. 2016, Gun said: “It’s a good On tour throughout the autumn Geordie Members of the UN’s Security opportunity to focus people’s minds Don’t all journalists love Count Songbook Council were outraged and any not only on that period in time but Arthur Strong? (Volume 1) chance of a UN resolution in favour also on the ramifications of the The bumbling music hall legend Sage Gateshead of war collapsed. But, within days, invasion of Iraq and how the ripple living on his memories became November 3 President George Bush, declared he effect has carried on. The violence, a hit on BBC Radio 4 with his clever Following the huge did not need UN backing and the refugee crisis, Isis – they’re all wordplay and malapropisms successes of Mr Corvan’s Music Hall, invaded Iraq anyway. intertwined in many ways.” but, sadly, failed to translate The Great Joe Wilson, Hadaway Harry, When Katharine confessed to her Official Secrets is on general to television. three fantastic Great Joe Wilson line manager, she was arrested and release from October 18. A return to the stage is a return Nights and Carrying David, Wisecrack charged with breaking the Official to form for Steve Delaney’s brilliant Productions presents Secrets Act. www.officialsecretsfilm.co.uk character. classic Geordie songs about all www.countarthurstrong.com aspects of working class life,

20 | theJournalist arts

including industrial struggles. Book Starring some of the region’s biggest theatre stars, it also features brilliant musical comedy from Gavin When team loyalty is tested by dark secrets Webster and Josh Daniels. www.wisecrackproductions.co.uk As a memorable summer of cricket 10 years and three generations? draws to a close, football once Much more than a conventional fan Geoffrey Oi!Cott again dominates the back pages. memoir, Generation Game explores Brudenell Social Club, Leeds And, in the case of former the roots of this obsession. While arts December 14 Financial Times FoC Charlie Morris, unveiling the club’s history, he relates With a certain Yorkshire cricketer the literary pages too. how the game helped his grandfather (correctly) having got flack after The Crewe Alexandra fan has through the horrors of the First being awarded a knighthood by written a soul-searching account of World War and his own reliance on it Theresa May despite a conviction for how his support for his team was as an escape from life’s heartbreaks. assault, arts with attitude would like severely tested following the He chronicles Crewe’s transformation to take the opportunity to point revelations by former player Andy under manager Dario Gradi. readers in the direct of Leeds punks Woodward and others of their abuse But, after success with stars such Geoffrey Oi!Cott. Have a listen to their by coach Barry Bennell. as David Platt, Neil Lennon, Robbie classic album The Good, The Bad and What, writes Morris, should a fan Savage, Danny Murphy and Dean The Googly and catch them live for a do when the club he has fanatically Ashton, dark secrets emerge and the football fans, their eccentricities, hometown gig before Xmas. supported becomes so besmirched? author has to take a painful decision. tribulations and blind spots. www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk Remain loyal or sever a family Powerful and passionate, this connection spanning more than book tackles the psychology of http://tinyurl.com/yyrqbgfp Books Sheep Town Gary Hicks Inspired by his time as a district white couple Peter and Amy (Tim Roth rebellion. Expect the unexpected. Big Pit National reporter in Tredegar for the Western and Naomi Watts). A star student at www.atgtickets.com/venues/duke- Coal Museum Mail and South West Echo in the school, a poster boy for black of-yorks/ Until December 1960s, Gary Hicks has written his excellence, he writes an 30 first novel – a story of political essay promoting political Atlas of the Irish Revolution Documentary wrangling in a grim mining town. violence that sets him Exhibition photographer “Then, the local press, unlike against his teacher, Harriet St Peter’s, Cork Walter today, covered everything,” he (Octavia Spencer) and his Until December 31 2019 Waygood’s exhibition documents tells Arts with Attitude. parents. Tense, This exhibition brings to life the Atlas mining and miners “Every inquest, local uncomfortable and of the Irish Revolution and some of of Blaenafon from the 1970s government meeting, electrifying, this film will the pivotal moments in Irish history onwards. magistrates’ court. A rich source of provoke you in more ways than one. as they played out across the country. He started out using a large format often comic material reflected in my www.imdb.com/title/tt7616148 Touching on history, geography, art mahogany and brass Gandolfi book– best described as The Little history, sociology and archaeology in camera. World of Don Camillo meets Under Theatre addition to intertwining the Inspired by the landscape and Milk Wood.” The Son Cork perspective into the narrative people of his South Wales home, www.silverwood books.co.uk Duke of York’s Theatre of events that occurred, it highlights he used photography for social Until November 2 the varying views and different sides commentary, leading him to make Film Florian Zeller’s new show arrives in to the conflict from 1913 to 1923. more political statements through his Luce the West End fresh from the Kiln https://stpeterscork.ie pictures during the miners strike of On general release from November 8 Theatre and, as is his wont, he deals the 1980s. Kelvin Harrison Jr stars as Luce Edgar, a with family matters. Exhibition https://museum.wales/bigpit/ Eritrean child soldier adopted by liberal This time he delves into adolescent Family of Miners whatson/

Spotlight

Josie Long on motherhood and on tour Grace Petrie, comedians Johnny and the Baptists) and “My baby is great, but she show, written for TV and most intense, wonderful, helped set up Arts absolutely hates my films and presents Radio 4’s brutal experience and I can’t Emergency in response to comedy,” says Josie Long. Shortcuts – hits the road in wait to talk about it on stage.” increasing tuition fees and The multi-talented artist January for her first solo tour As well as being very the abolition of public – she’s appeared in teen in five years. funny, Josie is also very funding for teaching arts in comedy-drama Skins, “I’ve been busy having a political. She has toured with British universities. co-presented an indie music baby,” she says. “It’s been the UK with Lefty Scum (singer https://www.josielong.com

theJournalist | 21 reporting trauma Do your job, do it well, do no harm Jo Healey looks at how to work with vulnerable and traumatised interviewees

ocumentary maker to me writing this guide. It follows the Louis Theroux sums it process of what we do when a tragic or all up: “It is absolutely sensitive story breaks or emerges and it D fundamental that is our job to work with the people at his interviewees after the broadcast. journalists treat the heart of it. It applies good practice “You are doing your job then going vulnerable contributors sensitively and at each step of the way. home. Their lives have been potentially with respect. How best should we approach people ripped apart,” he explains. In my book Trauma Reporting: a to share their sensitive stories? How “Journalists should never, ever, make journalist’s Guide to Covering Sensitive best should we interview and film a their subjects or sources feel powerless,” Stories, Theroux details how, along grieving parent or a survivor of sexual adds Jina Moore of the New York Times. with other journalists, he works with abuse? What should we bear in mind Parents whose children have been interviewees who are sharing painful when revisiting people’s stories, or killed, children whose parents have died, experiences from drug addiction, to talking to them in court or at inquests? survivors of sexual abuse, survivors of alcoholism, to adoption, to autism, to How best should we work with children disasters and terrorist attacks – all of facing death. who are hurting? What harm can we do whom spoke to journalists at tough As journalists, reporting day in day with our style of questioning and why? times – are central to the book. out for newspapers, online outlets, What phrases should we use or avoid Generously, they offer insight and radio and TV, many of us regularly when writing our stories? How can we constructive advice to reporters based on work closely with people who are get the best out of our interviewees their experiences of being interviewed, emotionally fragile. Yet we appear to be and avoid distressing them further? Buy at a filmed or written about. They spell out the only professionals invited into What should we do if they cry or discount what helped and what harmed. their homes with no training in how break down? Anne Eyre, a survivor of best to do this. Lucy Williamson, the BBC’s Paris TRAUMA Hillsborough, cofounded Disaster Our outdated, risky and potentially correspondent, who has covered REPORTING: a Action, which has represented families harmful tradition of practising on the around a dozen major terrorist attacks, Journalist’s Guide to involved in nearly 30 disasters grieving or hurting public, acquiring explains in the book how she Covering Sensitive worldwide. “Dealing with personal expertise by trial and error, needs approaches people at the scene of a Stories by Jo Healey. tragedy is hard enough but dealing to change. traumatic event. Her key advice is to be Publisher Routledge is with the media often compounds the offering journalists and Over the past 30 years as a journalist, a human being first: “No story is worth pain, trauma and powerlessness of students 40 per cent off I have covered hundreds of people’s a person’s mental health or a person’s uninvited experiences. It doesn’t have the price – enter the code sensitive stories. Over the past five life, not yours and not theirs either.” to be like that. The insight and guidance TR230 at the checkout years, alongside my work as a reporter Humility is the key for Helen Long, on its website. The in this book reflect compassionate, for BBC TV, I have researched, operations manager at Reuters Video reduced price is £14.99. ethical and professional practices that developed and delivered training to News, who reported extensively on the Many thanks to the can only benefit journalists as well as hundreds of journalists and students refugee crisis: “It’s a privilege to hear NUJ Journalists’ those they work with and for.” on how to work with people who are people’s stories and for them to open up Copyright Fund, which There cannot be a one-size-fits-all emotionally vulnerable. I have learned and share their pain. Never abuse that.” provided a grant that approach because people react in that getting it right is a huge concern Richard Bilton tells how, after allowed me to take a few different ways to a traumatic event, but for reporters. covering stories on Grenfell, shootings, weeks of unpaid leave to reporters can adopt good practice so The response to the training has murders, child labour and many more complete the book. they can do their job, do it well and do been overwhelmingly positive and led for Panorama, he keeps in touch with no harm.

22 | theJournalist Political reporting

Denis MacShane, former NUJ president and minister for Europe, on how journalists and editors helped shape Brexit A case of Prexit f British football reporters be the end of the story. “There is no and sports columnists, it such thing as permanent victory in was once said: “They are politics. History never ends: triumphs O fans with typewriters.” are fleeting; majorities can turn into The same might be said minorities; and orthodoxies are of the reporting of Brexit since 2016 in inevitably built on foundations of the pro-Brexit press like the Daily sand,” he wrote. Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Sun, the This call for a permanent Brexit Sunday Times, the Mail on Sunday, the revolution was reflected in both the Daily Express, CityAM and influential daily and Sunday editions of the political weekly the Spectator. Telegraph. Occasionally, tucked away in Every article was slanted to paint the the business pages, there might be a EU in as dark a hue as possible. There questioning column from an were attacks on Michel Barnier, but most economics or business writer asking if coverage was about the Westminster Brexit would be good for the economy Observer ran news and comment pieces bubble, especially Conservative Party and the paper’s Europe editor, Peter for and against aspects of Brexit. differences on how to handle Brexit. Foster, was allowed to reflect what he Columnists such as Sir , a Few bothered to seek to explore the was told in Brussels. However, no star of the Guardian comment pages, politics of the EU27 nations or explain negative economic warnings were who had been a relentless critic of all to readers what the pros and cons of allowed on to the front pages and the things EU and European this century, different variations of Brexit might be. paper lost its good name for solid news suddenly discovered that leaving the EU In the first four months after the reporting as writers and comment was not a good idea and began 2016 plebiscite, the Daily Express page editors obeyed their chief’s fulminating against a Brexit rupture. published no fewer than 74 front pages instruction to fight day and night If only he had used his writing skills to attacking Europe or making claims against Europe and promote make these points before June 2016, about the threat of immigrants. When Brexit isolationism. but Sir Simon conformed to the 21st Theresa May announced the start of The mindset that Brexit could not be century London salon view that there Article 50 Brexit negotiations, the Daily challenged was pervasive. I used to was nothing good to be said about Mail ran 14 comment articles attacking write the occasional comment piece for Europe. those who were unsure about Brexit. CityAM, which carries a lot of business As Brexit segues into a Brexiternity ‘Out of touch elite will do anything to news. Then a new comment page editor of tetchy negotiations, endless political keep us in the EU’ was typical of the sent me this chilling email: “I think we Never before rows inside the UK, and enduring Mail headlines. are as a paper past the stage where we divisions between the nations, cities This feverish tone was caught by can question whether or not Brexit “had I been told I and communities of Britain, the failure Allister Heath, who was one of the should happen.” As a journalist and of the press and BBC to report and most effective propagandists for Brexit writer-commentator on European could not mount comment accurately and objectively as editor of the CityAM morning politics, I have been writing comment an argument on Brexit was a major contributor to London paper before becoming deputy pieces on politics for all sorts of papers the national crisis Britain now faces. editor of and editor over many years and have never been that represented of the Sunday Telegraph. He felt concerned if an article was turned Extracted from Brexiternity, obliged to write a column under the down. But never before had I been told where around half The Uncertain Fate of Britain by headline ‘Why it’s time for a new I could not mount an argument that Denis MacShane, published by IB campaign for Brexit’ four months after represented where around half the the country was Tauris-Bloomsbury. NUJ members his camp’s victory. country was known to be. known to be can buy at a 25 per cent discount He urged his fellow anti-European Other papers were more objective; until the end of November via editors to keep up the struggle and not the Financial Times, The Times, the www.bloomsbury.com with the assume the vote on 23 June 2016 would Guardian, the Independent and the code BREXIT2019 ” theJournalist | 23 inbox

Email to: [email protected] ç Post to: Please keep The Journalist YourSay... 72 Acton Street, comments to London WC1X 9NB 200 words Tweet to: inviting letters, comments, tweets maximum @mschrisbuckley

£30 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H time-consuming task, but the course prize has encouraged me to do it with more letter confidence. Thank you, NUJ! Investigative victory Clare Stevens Powys Anton McCabe’s article in the last issue of The Journalist described how Rodney Edwards of Enniskillen-based How far is too far away weekly The Impartial Reporter exposed repeated failures by to work on a local paper? the Police Service of to arrest paedophiles This is a serious question. I work on two (Police action after abuse reports, July/August). As a result, weeklies in Gloucestershire where the the truth has come out and the victims are getting support. editors have questioned where I live. I This is a classic example of a campaigning local paper live only an hour’s drive from both. exposing injustice and holding a public body to account However, the first editor said to me, “I then mobilising public opinion to force the police to would never have employed you if you investigate historic crimes and admit past failures. lived so far away” (35 miles) and the This mirrors the North Yorks Enquirer’s (NYE) experience other is now saying, “I want you to live following its exposure of the Jimmy Savile and Peter Jaconelli local and go to pubs to pick up stories”. paedophile ring in Scarborough, and the refusal of North The latter actually lives 30 minutes Yorkshire Police to investigate it. Even now, the chief constable away from the office himself – in a will not examine information the NYE has on historic cases different country. and has withdrawn all contact with NYE journalists. We are in Lydney on the border of Both cases illustrate the importance of local media. England and Wales. My trip from my Because of its closeness to the local community and home in Trowbridge in Wiltshire takes, approachability, local news outlets are extremely effective at worst, an hour and 10 minutes and in investigating crime and public bodies. It is a very great is taken only on the quieter days of shame that so many local titles have disappeared, with the Weds-Friday. Monday and Tuesday – resultant loss of scrutiny of local issues. press days – are spent 40 minutes Tim Hicks away in Newport in Gwent. My editor asked me several months

TIM ELLIS North Yorks Enquirer ago whether I was willing to buy a 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 house near the office. I said “maybe”. I got the job. Now he is insisting I get a How could NUJ afford to looks like an extravagance the union Thanks for the practical place nearer Lydney, “so you can go to send seven on Tunis trip? cannot afford. I would be interested to help in print and in class the pub and get nuggets of stories”. It was illuminating to hear about the hear a justification for this decision. I’m writing to say how much I enjoyed Sorry but this is nuts! People tight budget that The Journalist’s editor Alexander Garrett the July/August issue of The Journalist commuting to London take longer than works under for each issue (Letters, London Freelance Branch – I really appreciate the increased focus an hour to get to work and so do others July/August) and the constraints this on practical articles and case studies, across the country. Two editors think imposes on editorial content. The NUJ’s international solidarity work such as the features on writing for travelling an hour to work makes you I was troubled, therefore, to read in and involvement in the IFJ are publications outside the UK and on unfit to do the job, even though I have the London Freelance bulletin that the important parts of its work. IFJ congress transcription services. been commended twice by the NUJ sent no fewer than seven meets every three years and the NUJ’s Even the frequent casual references to management of both companies for delegates to the World Congress of the delegation, which covers the UK and shorter word counts, reduced fees and my work and commitment. International Federation of Journalists Ireland, is elected by our delegate lack of responses from editors to Anyone else had similar issues? in Tunis (Together in Tunis, Freelance, meeting and includes the general and pitches are useful in reminding me I’m Gary Baker July). They were among “the 245 assistant general secretary. Costs were not alone in my experiences. Other Gloucestershire branch delegates representing 187 unions and kept low thanks to discounts on people’s stories of how persistence associations around the globe”, which airfares and hotels negotiated by our paid off in the end inspire me to keep We’re not all going works out at an average of just over sister union. The NUJ sends delegates going in search of commissions. on a summer holiday 1.3 delegates per union. to represent us on other important A recent NUJ Wales one-day course “But if you’re freelance, while you’re Clearly, it’s important that the NUJ is work – including the TUC, ICTU, EFJ on business skills for freelances has abroad enjoying a break from represented at such a gathering – but and TUC equality conferences. helped me streamline my record- work…”(Leader, July/August). sending seven people to a four-day Michelle Stanistreet keeping and encouraged me to chase Eh? I haven’t had a holiday in eight event with all the costs that involves NUJ general secretary late payments – it’s still a ridiculously years, which is (coincidentally?) the

24 | theJournalist inbox

time I’ve been working freelance. OK, have been advised this is a new seat on I’ve had a few ‘research trips’ to nice Ethics Council, not a vacancy, so cannot places, but they were nevertheless be filled until the next full round of ‘work first, try and fit in a bit of elections, which will be at DM 2020. twitter feed relaxation later’. To be honest, I don’t The PC considers that this lengthy Tweet us your feedback: @mschrisbuckley think you can entirely relax when, in delay is unacceptable, and other the back of your mind, you know bodies with the right to table DM there’s an article or three to research motions may want to consider Denis MacShane (@DenisMacShane) 6:19 AM - 16 Jul 2019 and write up to pay for the whole including time limits for action. Bravo @amyfentonNWEM Chief reporter Mail in Cumbria who went experience. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but When DM passed a motion instructing McClean, VA in US, to challenge Corp (owner of UK subsidiary) it strikes me as slightly dubious to the NEC to create a Photographers’ at its AGM (Amy bought shares) over lousy pay for journos in UK assume that – especially in this day Council, this included an instruction to and age – freelances can easily afford act within six months. With the benefit Una Murphy (@Una_VIEW) 7:11 AM - 15 Jul 2019 to ‘take a break’ at any time of the of hindsight, the PC greatly regrets no Just read @AntonMcCabe in the latest edition of The Journalist. year, let alone the summer. similar timescale instruction was Importance of journalists in the community is highlighted in the work of However, I really enjoyed the issue included in the Ethics Council motion. @rodneyedwards @impartialrep on child abuse @ProvNewsHistory overall, especially the features on Natasha Hirst writing for overseas markets (ideas), Chair, Photographers’ Council john o brien (@irishfabian) 7:23 PM · Aug 7, 2019 the ban on broadcasting Sinn Fein Freelance journalism is part of the gig economy. It is important that spokespeople (laughs) and Rodney Go to folk clubs to get someone has your back. Reading the letters page of The Journalist it Edwards’s work uncovering historic some politics with music is great to see @NUJofficial helping freelance journalists when sexual abuse in Enniskillen (respect). The critics who, in Tim Lezard’s words, You probably don’t get enough “frequently complain that there’s no people thanking you for putting The politics in music any more” should Journalist together. So... thank you. start going to folk clubs. Although Thanks for directory of Headlines still have the Paul Cockburn many of us who go to those clubs love public sector contacts power to entertain Edinburgh centuries-old songs about love, sex and Thank you for the new Journalists’ As a former sub-editor I have always death (and other human experiences), Local Authority Directory, which is appreciated the fine art of writing Photographers lose out as we also like and get to hear various funded by the Journalists’ Copyright headlines. DM motion lacks deadline great singers and writers of hard- Fund but was prompted by the NUJ My favourite one, I believe it was in Last year, the NUJ Delegate Meeting hitting political songs. and others. I recommend it strongly. The Observer decades ago, was The (DM) instructed the National Executive None is better, in my opinion, than It’s free to NUJ members and it is a Soiree With The Binge On Top. Committee to create a seat on the Leon Rosselson. He is now 85 and in real godsend to those of us who are However, there appear to be a great Ethics Council for a photographer or his 60th year of professional gigging. maddened by councils and other public many amusing ones around these other visual journalist. Without this, Other political songwriters who the bodies that do not put their press office days. As I write this letter I see a report the Ethics Council may pronounce on said critics should make an effort to numbers on the websites. in The Times: photojournalism matters with little or hear include Peggy Seeger, Sandra David Brindle Focaccia off! no first-hand knowledge. Kerr, Jim Woodland and the late Ewan London Italy bans school packed lunches. The Photographers’ Council (PC) has MacColl. https://psin.uk/councils; username: Keith Turner since asked several times for early Sheila Miller nuj19; password: Qy8p Life member implementation of that instruction. We London Norwich STEVE BELL THE OWNERS

theJournalist | 25 obituaries

Sylvia Courtnage Michael Reilly Lionel Barlow

Book Branch has lost an outstanding For umpteen years, union stalwart Veteran journalist and former PA man branch and workplace activist in Michael Reilly flew the flag for Lionel Barlow has died at the age of Sylvia Courtnage, who died of cancer Berwick and Borders journalists at 101 at his home in Kent. on 23 June aged 68. Scottish executive council meetings Lionel began his career as a journalist on a Sylvia, a committed socialist since the 1970s and delegate meetings. small, now defunct paper in Hythe, Kent. He and a supporter of the Socialist Appeal He was an amiable individual, happy to listen then joined the army during the war years and newspaper, began her trade union career in the to others’ points of view. But this concealed a reached the rank of warrant officer after serving Inland Revenue Staff Federation. By the late steely determination which occasionally for four years in Iraq. 1980s, she was a member of the NUJ Freelance manifested itself when chapel-management When he left the army, he returned to work on Branch, and worked for various Pearson financial negotiations got tough, or if the other side tried the Folkestone Herald before joining the Kentish titles. Sylvia later became a staffer at Tolley, to pull a fast one. And he wasn’t afraid to tell it Express where he worked for 10 years. which was eventually absorbed into LexisNexis. straight to colleagues either. However, he left them in 1960 to join Extel, By 2005, Sylvia was established in Book Branch, But, more often than not, it was his calm, working as a reporter at the High Court. When soon becoming a committee member and measured tones that contributed most in that side of their operation came under the wing holding offices including chair. She took over the discussions with fellow members and bosses. of the Press Association, he remained at the vital and unpopular role of treasurer, which she As well as being greeted with sadness, news of courts with the PA Law Service until he retired in was still efficiently fulfilling until not long before Michael’s passing in a Tyneside hospice at the 1982. During his spare time, he covered point-to- she died. Sylvia was a hardworking, unflappable age of 73 brought back happy memories for point races and motor cycle racing for the local branch representative at NUJ delegate meetings. many who were fortunate enough to count him papers, and also wrote for racing magazines the It was in the LexisNexis chapel that Sylvia’s as colleague and friend. Motor Cycle News. qualities of determination and intelligent Born in Edinburgh, Michael grew up in the When he retired from the PA, he remained at leadership would be most thoroughly tested. She East Lothian town of Prestonpans. After leaving the court providing, a service on property cases was actively involved in the chapel’s successful school, he completed a film-making course in for Estates Gazette. Finally, he worked as a campaign for recognition and was joint mother Bournemouth before joining the Tweeddale freelance, still at the courts, for courts agency of chapel through a series of disputes over Press Group in 1976 as a photographer with the UK Law News. matters such as pay, redundancies and Berwickshire News. He retired in 2010. During his time at the courts, he founded the outsourcing. In 2007 and 2011, the chapel Away from work, Michael, who lived in High Court Journalists’ Association, and among returned strong mandates in ballots for Berwick, was a keen gardener. He loved travel – other things masterminded their annual dinner industrial action on pay. On both occasions, especially to warmer climes – and was fluent in which was one of the social highlights of the Sylvia was instrumental in using those ballot Spanish and French. court calendar. results as negotiating leverage, and the chapel At his packed funeral service at Houndwood At one stage, he played a prominent role in the settled for improved terms. Her calm, personable Crematorium in Berwickshire on August 28, it was NUJ and was a member of their standing orders negotiating style coupled with her ability to win revealed Michael was a bit of a champagne socialist, committee. members’ trust for the fight ahead made her an having a predilection for an occasional glass of I met Lionel when I joined the PA in 1969. He irresistible force. Her gentle persuasiveness also bubbly. When challenged about this apparent was one of the very last of the old guard who meant she was an excellent recruiter for the NUJ. clash with working-class credentials, he had simply were on the PA Law Service at the time. An enthusiast for lifelong learning, Sylvia took answered with a smile, relaxed in the knowledge He was one of the true characters from that a first degree in her 20s, an MA in her 40s and, that he had probably done far more for hard- era of journalism. They worked hard, drank hard by the time she retired in 2016, had already pressed employees than his accuser ever would. and played hard. embarked on a PhD at London Metropolitan John Toner, NUJ Scotland national organiser Lionel’s list of contacts was second to none. If University. She was prevented by illness from said: “Michael was a quietly spoken man, who you wanted to know where something was going completing all the case studies to illustrate her spoke succinctly and only when he felt a point on at the courts or wanted an introduction to a thesis on the trade union response to outsourcing had not been made by someone else. Because of judge or a barrister, Lionel was the man to go to. (inspired by her experiences at LexisNexis), but this, we were always attentive to his wise words. He knew everything and everybody. the university found the quality of her work so He will be remembered fondly by all of us who high it awarded her the doctorate posthumously. had the pleasure to know him.” Roger Pearson Sylvia will be much missed in the NUJ, and Michael is survived by wife Aileen, and especially by her husband Phil Sharpe. children Jamie, Sarah, Emma and Alex. More obituaries on the NUJ website: Annie Pike Derek Forrest www.nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-obituaries

26 | theJournalist photography

Placards catch my attention because there’s always a personal story behind them. This one was no different. It belonged to Jon, a homeless man in St ry Cleethorpes. I took the image (with permission) in May 2018, when Jon was sleeping rough. He’d lost his home after having spent a short time in prison for assaulting a man he caught in bed with his then girlfriend. On this day, Jon was using the deck chair attendant’s shed to shelter behind from gales blowing in off the North Sea. I was pleasantly surprised when he allowed me to take his picture. I bought Jon a hot meal to say thanks. The image went on my website together with a collection of images documenting life in my home town. the Almost a year to the day, an agency contacted me asking to use the image. It turned out Jon had turned his life around, got a home, found a new partner and started a small gardening business. He’d sold his story to a press agency, who needed a picture of when he was homeless. Jon picture remembered me and sent the agency in my direction. Half an hour after agreeing terms, they rang back and commissioned me to take some contemporary pictures. The brief requested I photograph ‘Smile! You could be in my Jon back at the shed where I’d photographed him a year earlier. Personally, I preferred another set of images of Jon symbolically throwing his old shoes, trust me they stink!’ shoes (those he’d worn on the streets) in the bin. They really did stink. Jon’s story ran as an exclusive in the Sunday Mirror, but was picked up By Chris Frear and reprinted by The Sun and Metro newspapers here in the UK and as far away as Sarajevo, Moscow and Indonesia.

theJournalist | 27 archiving

my grandfather. The real pros are in the agencies, who burn the midnight oil to prepare cuttings for their clients on the same day of publication. Death of a Despite most such stories being accessible instantaneously – whether through automatic notification features like Google Alerts or digital cuttings programmes like ClipShare – demand is still there for scissors and glue. thousand Frank McCallum, who runs Glasgow- based McCallum Media Monitor, says it is cheaper for clients to get paper cuttings, as there are no extra copyright costs for something snipped from the original newspaper. If companies want cuttings pdfs of their press coverage, agencies can leave them online only temporarily. If clients want them for longer or for Conrad Landin reflects on the dying the archives, they must pay for an extended license. “With the original art of clipping newspaper articles We should not cuttings already in your possession, assume that this doesn’t apply,” McCallum adds. hen Kenny Farquharson, other means of preserving a record of “ In the early days of his business, a columnist at the their work. These days, most print digital journalism McCallum would also contact non- Times Scotland, publications publish articles online in a celebrities who appeared in local papers, W opened a poetry book format that is often more accessible than from the past asking if they wanted laminated copies he had bought second cuttings files, even to their own authors. of stories. hand, out fell what he described as a Farquharson, who says he has “two 20 years is safe. “Now most papers that have been thing of beauty. It was a leader column suitcases and numerous boxfiles full of read are recycled to cat and dog – of words dazzling yet sobering – cuttings from the 1980s and 1990s”, Many stories I did charities to make litter,” he adds. “In marking the death of Scottish poet and says that “we should not assume that are missing online the old days you used to take a journo journalist Hugh MacDiarmid in 1978, digital journalism from the past 20 down a peg or two by dismissing his/ neatly snipped out from The Scotsman. years is safe”. her work as ‘tomorrow’s chip wrapper’. The feeling Farquharson related was He explains: “Many stories I did Now it’s next month’s cat litter.” familiar to me. Until his death 10 years during that time are missing online. ago, my grandfather would religiously Dozens of features and interviews I cut out articles from daily, weekly and wrote are missing their first paragraph. monthly periodicals. He would then One newspaper group I worked for ” stuff them into his 5,000-odd books of adopted a website that did not include every genre from computer science to journalists’ bylines; although this was fiction via politics, often on such a scale later reversed, thousands of stories were the spines were damaged beyond repair. left online with no known authors.” More often than not, when I pick up Having written for various weekly and one of the books I inherited from him, daily titles for 10 years, I’ve sometimes out falls a cutting on a topic of only wondered if my own habit of hoarding tangential relevance, with a few words cuttings is a little excessive. Some print inexplicably underlined. In subsequent journalists are more selective. Alistair hours, I’ve careered down intellectual Grant, political correspondent at The rabbit holes that not even Wikipedia Herald, says he always tries to keep could match. cuttings “if it’s a big story or something They are hours I will never get back that took a lot of work” but has still – but why would I want to? There’s a ended up with “two big cardboard real joy in finding the unexpected in boxes full of them” at home. research, whether it is a mundane Steve Sweeney, international editor tangent or a fruitful discovery. at the Morning Star, says he keeps But, as more and more people turn to cuttings “occasionally if it’s a feature or the internet for news and analysis, the an exclusive” but “admittedly, not that age of the cutting may be drawing to a often”. He explains: “I did lose some close. Besides surprising discoveries in writing that I did for an online-only dusty books, what will we lose? media organisation that folded, and I Many of the most obsessive keepers wish I’d printed the articles now.” of cuttings are journalists themselves, In the cuttings business, journalists who traditionally may have had no are no less amateurs as enthusiasts like

28 | theJournalist and finally...

Leaking is good news and a public service

Stop blaming leakers and praise honesty, says Chris Proctor

’m horrified at the poor It’s unspeakable. An outrage. An We Brits should rejoice, confident treatment of people affront. It’s like a parent telling a child that Our Man In Washington is both who quietly go about there is chocolate cake on the table – but perceptive and informed. It is a I their business of leaking they can’t eat it. Or someone in a pub first-class example of a ‘good news’ confidential information leaning over confidently to whisper, story. Had Sir Kim Darroch described about their employers. Leaking is a “I could tell you a few stories about the US administration as ‘well honed’ perfectly normal human activity, like Boris…” then doesn’t. It’s behaviour that and ‘excellently led’, we’d have to worry smoking, drinking or gambling. contravenes the Geneva Convention. about the quality of our diplomats. Personally, I look forward to the day If you want to keep a secret, don’t tell I favour establishing an official post of when there will be no stigma attached a journalist. How difficult is that? ‘leaker’, alongside official channels. The to the PR professional who announces The difficulty stems from the diplomats can report on ‘meaningful proudly: “‘I’m just off for a leak.” differences between journalists and discussions with the respected first My heart bled for Sonia Khan when humans. Hearing a good story, a citizen of our closest ally’; while the she was frogmarched from No 10, journalist will assess it, distribute it and official leaker gives us the inside gen. In accused of passing Brexit chit-chat to claim it as their own work. That is this case, a red-faced, sulky gent inclined the Remain team. An employment normal. A human, on the other hand, will towards temper tantrums and name- expert declared later that the young ask the totally unconnected question: calling (he dismissed our man Sir Kim media adviser may have been unfairly “Where did the information come from?” Darroch as a ‘wacky pompous fool’), who dismissed. Of course she was! She was Organisations do it all the time. uninvites critics to his parties and won’t unquestionably ‘advising’, which is Whenever news of their failings appear speak to them any more. It also provides what she’s paid to do. Good on her. in the press, they rush around pointing convincing support – were it needed – And I was outraged to hear that there fingers. It’s easier than sorting out the for Sir Kim’s leaked suggestion that is a government inquiry into that chap problem that’s been reported. Trump might be ‘diplomatically clumsy’. in Washington who passed on a few Incidentally if you happen to be an The leaker’s account is solid, emails from the UK ambassador inveterate leaker, the best solution is to newsworthy stuff, especially when a UK dismissing the Trump administration be the head of communications. You’ll government seems intent on making as ‘inept’ and ‘uniquely dysfunctional’. be appointed to carry out the inquiry the US its major trading partner and What these born-again anti-leaking into the leak. Barring any George adopting the role of official poodle. extremists fail to recognise is that Washington inclinations on your part, Isn’t it useful to know our top diplomat people working in PR and comms are you’re in the clear. In fact, the job is over there thinks the administration is journalists. And if you’re a journalist, terribly easy. You identity someone We Brits should ‘dysfunctional; unpredictable; and you are desperate to tell a story. It’s not who is out of favour, wait a few weeks, faction riven’? just how you earn your money. It’s part then draw up a report saying that while rejoice, confident Instead, we’re ferreting around of your make-up. If you don’t feel a you have no evidence, an obvious looking for a mole. So some individual need to tell tales or spread muck, candidate is that person. Everyone is that Our Man In low down the food-chain gets the you’re in the wrong job. satisfied, except the individual named, Washington is both shove or gets banged up in Belmarsh Imagine. You’re sitting in your PR who is on the way out anyway. “ with Julian Assange and, meanwhile, office and a brilliant story strolls in – Fingers crossed, the Washington perceptive and everyone acknowledges that what Sir poor results, bad behaviour, potential email inquiry has been entrusted to the informed Kim Darroch said is entirely factual. sackings, underhand skulduggery. You perpetrator, and that he or she is an avid I’d award Sir Kim a gold star and a know, all the interesting stuff. Then reader of this column. I mean, honestly. CBE; and I’d pat my mate the leaker on Authority arrives and tells you to keep The ambassador was shown to believe the back and thank him for his it under wraps. the Trump administration was ‘inept’. public service. ” theJournalist | 29 election

GIUSEPPE FRUSTERI/RADIO TIMES not with clickbait but with attention-grabbing headlines that will generate followers, responses Time to and debates. As mentioned above, the online version of The Journalist needs to be more pro-active: we vote on The should be breaking stories and commenting on hot topics, such as the recent rulings on Naga Munchetty. We should be the Journalist’s trusted voice when it comes to media issues, not playing catch-up after the event. The NUJ offers Jane Anderson podcasting masterclasses but where future editor is our own? We definitely need a 1. How can The Journalist regular podcast. We have, after all, better reflect the breadth and both the talent and the resources. It’s election time again and your opportunity to vote to diversity of its membership? 4. How can the The Journalist decide who will be the editor of The Journalist for the next The larger branches and chapels, engage more effectively with 5-year term of office. understandably, tend to dominate members? the news coverage in the magazine I would set out a readership survey, Under the NUJ’s rules, the editor of the union magazine but we desperately need to hear asking members what they always more from smaller, local units. And I turn to, avidly avoid, sometimes has editorial independence over its content and is would like to see the work of our NUJ glance at or would like to see more elected by a ballot of all members, with voting rights Councils reflected (black members’, of. Without wishing to come across under NUJ Rules. disabled members’, equality, 60+, all John Reith, the role of The photographers’, Continental Europe, Journalist is to inform, educate and ethics). The issues they address entertain NUJ members. We are Following the recent deadline for applications, nine affect all of our readers at different pretty good at the first two but, with candidates are standing in the election – Jane Anderson, stages of their careers. Let’s offer the exception of Chris Proctor’s Christine Buckley, Samantha Downes, Alanna Gallagher, more for NUJ student members – column, deficient at the latter. It’s a Marc Jones, William McCarthy (known as Bill), David they are the union’s future. I would magazine with a purpose – but that introduce a “My Kind of Day” should not exclude a lightness of Nicholson, Matthew Salusbury (known as Matt) and Lynne column, with interviews from a touch where appropriate. Picking up Wallis. broad and diverse range of a copy should be a guaranteed members, not just NUJ “star names”. cover-to-cover read with content by Each candidate was given 100 words to answer five 2. What role do you see for The members for members. Journalist in promoting the 5. What is the role of The questions about how they would approach the editorship industrial and campaigning Journalist in communicating of the magazine if they win the election for the role. work of the union as the voice union policy and activities? of professional journalists in Much of our policy is created at the Ballot papers go out on Wednesday 16th October 2019 and the UK and Ireland? ADMs. As a former MoC, I appreciate The Annual Delegates’ Meeting it is difficult to whip up interest in members have until Wednesday 6th November 2019 to remains a frankly unappealing these gatherings. But this is where return their votes. mystery to most members. We need The Journalist steps in, shining light to pick up on the electrifying on the issues discussed, running Branches may decide to organise hustings where you will debates and how the resolutions transcripts or audio/visual online passed impact on our future, as both (NEC permitting). NUJ Councils get a chance to speak to the candidates in person – check individuals and part of a trade should be encouraged to file brief out the NUJ’s website for up to date information on any union. The Journalist needs to be the reports of their meetings and planned events. go-to place for comment on key campaigns across the year. We have media stories. Indeed, I believe the to be transparent rather than come magazine’s website should be where across as a closed cabal. If The Regardless of who you vote for, please do exercise your these stories are broken or covered Journalist is, as I suspect, the main right to vote! This is your opportunity to decide the in depth. The hard work of the NUJ contact for many members, then let direction and priorities of your union magazine for the and its officers, often behind the us ensure it embodies the values of next 5 year term. scenes, must be shouted about. It is the NUJ. time for our campaigns to be promoted with vigour. 3. How would you enhance the digital and online presence of The Journalist, in line with DM Policy? We must increase our presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram –

30 | theJournalist election

JAMES MORRISON ANDREW SOAMES digital and online presence of online presence. If there are The Journalist, in line with DM logistically, financial reasons for this, Policy? then obviously this is not an area The Journalist is available digitally, The Journalist can progress in. with hyperlinks, and is sent out to However The Journalist should have some members in this format. It is its own Instagram feed, which could also on the NUJ’s website, both the act as a shop window for content current edition and an archive. To and for the union. You can run news increase the digital presence feeds on Instagram. I’ve set one up significantly then resources in term myself and for other organisations. of time and money need to be made It would need to be updated at least available. Currently, the NUJ’s twice a week by someone who website is being revamped and knows what they are doing. Christine Buckley hopefully that can lead to further Samantha Downes 4. How can The Journalist online opportunities for the engage more effectively with 1. How can The Journalist magazine. 1. How can The Journalist members? better reflect the breadth and 4. How can The Journalist better reflect the breadth and The Journalist needs to be active in diversity of its membership? engage more effectively with diversity of its membership? looking for stories among members NUJ members do a vast array of members? The content and coverage of The and make itself more open to work in newspapers, broadcasting, The Journalist is a vital connection Journalist does reflect the breadth accepting content from members. It digital publications, magazines, between the union and its members. and diversity of the NUJ’s needs to fish around for more newsletters, PR, and book For many members, it is the only membership but there is a need to stories – even if it’s profile from an publishing. We want to reflect that connection. I believe print copies embrace the age range of our older or younger journalist – see as much as possible, so each sector which reach people at home are industry a bit more and point 1. Starting such a feature believes that the NUJ is the union for crucial because emails often go acknowledge the huge spectrum, might encourage more members to them. Our features have highlighted ignored as busy journalists struggle particularly with our population engage – we all like gossip and we student media; freelancing overseas; with inbox overload. working longer. This might include a like reading about our peers, some agricultural journalism; social I get a lot of responses to the page or section for student of us even like showing off. affairs reporting; PR; photography; magazine and I’m glad that in these journalists to encourage more 5. What is the role of The young workers starting out; older days of instant responses it can still readership among younger/ Journalist in communicating workers mentoring younger deliver thriving letters pages. Tweets fledgling journalists. Then among union policy and activities? colleagues; and community and social media are very welcome older members (and this is not It’s role is to communicate union journalists among many others. too though! exclusive but more likely to be the policy with clarity and impartiality Going forward I will seek out fresh We engage with members when case) some help with embracing and to be as contemporary as areas and look forward to hearing we focus on their interests, new skills to keep them active in the possible. As the only print suggestions from readers. My aim is experiences and industries and keep profession. Financially as well - help publication for journalists this that there is something for everyone them informed about the union. with managing finances – that’s means making sure as much of the in The Journalist. 5. What is the role of The 2. What role do you see for The membership is engaged with the 2. What role do you see for The Journalist in communicating Journalist in promoting the magazine as possible. There are ways Journalist in promoting the union policy and activities? industrial and campaigning in which this can be improved which industrial and campaigning The union is here to help members work of the union as the voice I have already outlined.. work of the union as the voice in many aspects of their working of professional journalists in of professional journalists in lives, and it does so through a wide the UK and Ireland? the UK and Ireland? range of activities and policies. It is The Journalist is the main point of The Journalist is edited important that these are contact between the union and its independently from the leadership communicated when there are members, I think this well known. I and the communications editorial opportunities/reasons to think the magazine needs to feature department – the standard that the do so. The more active the union is a branch in its each issue and NUJ advocates for all editors, that seen to be, the more confidence it outline its work. Then we could they are free to make objective will inspire in members. I always cover many more grass-roots issues editorial decisions. But of course, encourage writers to refer to policies rather than ones that simply hit the The Journalist is a union publication and on-going work when they are national media, like a strike. The and should reflect the union’s work relevant. This can be highlighting union’s work in helping get people alongside broader media issues. work on ethics or the campaign for a access to help to make sure they Industrial and campaigning work conscience clause or through news have the employment rights they always feature strongly. Recently, we about branch or chapel initiatives, to are entitled to needs to be more have carried features on the very name but a few. publicised, for example holiday pay. important BBC equal pay campaign, That is what unions are about, and on the photographers’ strike in the The Journalist can help bring things Netherlands; and the long fight to 3. How would you enhance the win recognition at Springer Nature digital and online presence of among others. We have also The Journalist, in line with DM highlighted several branch revival Policy? initiatives. There is obviously a reason why the 3. How would you enhance the Journalist does not have a significant

theJournalist | 31 election

MIKE DAVIES audits of members fees and part of an integrated platform for payments would attract attention The Journalist. At the moment it’s and was something that the title did down to the editor’s personal Twitter publish in the past. account, which means there’s a lack The union’s range of events, of branding and identification with workshops and training courses is the union and the magazine. The excellent but often requires you union is still in the 20th Century in look below the fold to see what’s on terms of communicating via social offer. Imagery and highlighting media – that has to change. which events, workshops and 4. How can The Journalist training are free to attend would engage more effectively with help bolster numbers. members? Relevant membership offers, good By working through social media Alanna Gallagher mortgage rates, life assurance, sick Marc Jones and direct mailing between cover, tax advice etc so on could also publication dates of the print 1. How can The Journalist be promoted. 1. How can The Journalist edition to boost the magazine’s better reflect the breadth and 4. How can The Journalist better reflect the breadth and profile. A bi-monthly print magazine diversity of its membership? engage more effectively with diversity of its membership? can’t do news effectively – that’s the Through profiles of its audience the members? As someone who has worked in remit of a targetted social media Journalist could reflect its More free-to-attend events that offer many of the sectors we represent strategy. membership and all the media members a chance to upskill and to (local print, magazines, television, As editor I would be happy to platforms they work across. network – suggestions include a radio, PR) and worked in London and develop such a strategy and visit Members need to feel invested in speed-dating type event for Liverpool as well all over Wales, I chapels and branches to encourage the title. In its campaigning role freelancers, where they could get the want our union magazine to better participation and inclusivity. issues of the day should reflect what opportunity to get some face time reflect our diversity. Talking directly I’m a great believer in humour as is happening within the workplace, to present ideas to editors, for to grassroots members, activists and an effective tool in any campaign or for example, stories about gender example. key officers would enable those struggle, as our best cartoonists and inequality should be illustrated by Podcasts covering important voices to be heard via the magazine columnists demonstrate. Editorially the actual experiences of members campaign subjects that members and an enhanced social media it can also provide light amid the writing these stories, although in can tune into in their own time presence. At present we have a meatier articles. reality these will most likely be would also help grow its audience. top-down approach to 5. What is the role of The anonymous. Each story should be Subjects could include better pay communicating rather than a Journalist in communicating accompanied by a sidebar that asks and conditions, local news matters, discussion. I’d change that. union policy and activities? the question, what can the union ethics and standards, quality 2. What role do you see for The It should be a platform to campaign do? journalism, press freedom, Journalist in promoting the for recruitment of new journalists, The publication also needs to international solidarity, defence of industrial and campaigning especially in the new media sector. It define what it means by diversity. public sector broadcasting, equality work of the union as the voice should also provide inspiration and 2. What role do you see for The and diversity, bullying and of professional journalists in practical advice for union activists Journalist in promoting the harassment and stress at work. the UK and Ireland? to organise, recruit and campaign in industrial and campaigning 5. What is the role of The Joining a union is not easy for many their workplaces. A diminishing work of the union as the voice Journalist in communicating newcomers across large swathes of number of journalists are in of professional journalists in union policy and activities? our industry. The Journalist must be relatively well-organised and the UK and Ireland? Its role is to support and inform. a recruitment tool in showing how well-resourced workplaces such as Journalists are, by their very nature, It should also tell you want your the NUJ is relevant to them and the BBC or “Fleet Street”. Many of very well-informed. The title needs membership fees are spent on and should highlight best practice and our members and future members to illustrate the union’s effectiveness what your membership entitles you good examples of our work in are in insecure, low-paid work with using examples of how its industrial to. safeguarding standards, enhancing large corporations or in the gig and campaigning work has been It should also tell you what your pay and working conditions. The economy. Difficult conversations effective, listing the organisations NUJ card gets you – where it entitles race to the bottom in terms of job need to be had about how we reach involved, the benefits agreed and so you access to and add-ons, for security, editorial guidelines and pay them and The Journalist can be a on. example, free entrance to galleries has been a constant throughout the place for such conversations. The title should also reflect the and exhibitions, with past three decades. As a union, we range of tasks journalists now do, to have to get back on the front foot show all aspects of the profession and The Journalist can be part of from header writers to broadcasters that. and data crunchers and feature a 3. How would you enhance the wide range of ages. digital and online presence of 3. How would you enhance the The Journalist, in line with DM digital and online presence of Policy? The Journalist, in line with DM I’ve set up @TheJournalistNUJ on Policy? Twitter and a similar Facebook page, The publication already has an which will be available for the impressive number of followers on successful candidate. I’m an active Twitter. It should continue its social media campaigner and would campaigning role. Evidence-based utilise FB, Twitter and Instagram as

32 | theJournalist election

BILL MCCARTHY DAVID NICHOLSON like PageSuite, which could also At the moment the digital offer is a allow for readership interaction and PDF of the Journalist, which makes comment via mobile devices as a it difficult to share and promote way of engaging the membership articles on social media. Our more fully. magazine should be required Of course greater emphasis on reading for journalists and media email, Facebook, Twitter and social students and we need to be able to media can act as signposts to what is share our content in an accessible in the magazine. way. 4. How can The Journalist An online searchable database of engage more effectively with articles is an obvious way to be able members? to share content and for individuals As a former editor, I know how to search for relevant articles. Bill McCarthy important it is to engage with David Nicholson At other union publications I readership and in this case have increased advertising revenue 1. How can The Journalist membership in a direct, honest and 1. How can The Journalist to pay for improvements and that is better reflect the breadth and listening fashion. The digital better reflect the breadth and one way of funding a better digital diversity of its membership? methods previously highlighted can diversity of its membership? presence. The Journalist must be a vehicle for also be complemented with face to Our members are amazing and 4. How can The Journalist promoting diversity. We can face contact and I would be more talking to them and reflecting their engage more effectively with acknowledge differences, whether it than happy to attend, in my own working and personal lives in the members? be race, gender, religion and time, branch meetings across the Journalist would be a start. Apart from an occasional survey we normalise it. country on a regular basis to try and There are massive changes taking do not know regularly what Working in a provincial gauge the mood of the membership place in our industries with jobs members think of our magazine. newsroom, I have witnessed greater and communicate this via the disappearing and the rise of But we know in our professional steps in diversity and equality over publication. freelance work. The Journalist must lives that we have to constantly years, even if bosses still try to drive 5. What is the role of The reflect the impact of these changes work at ensuring our audiences are down general terms and conditions. Journalist in communicating through our members’ stories. engaged. So the work of trade unions is union policy and activities? The suspicion and hostility that Ensuring that more members’ bearing fruit. There is still some way Communicating union policy and members face from the public is stories and photographs are to go with BAME. The Munchetty/ activities is vitally important where rising, particularly on social media, included in the magazine will help. BBC furore shows it is our duty to members are in dispute and we can and this needs to be reflected as well. Also, opening up the channels by call out racism wherever we find it. specifically target fundraising to The NUJ continues to successfully which members can respond to 2. What role do you see for The support members and get our represent members and these good stories directly with the writer, or Journalist in promoting the message across to the wider public. news stories also need to be told via social media, will aid with industrial and campaigning While the growth of the internet has through features exploring the engagement. work of the union as the voice had a decimating effect on print personal issues. There are other ways to engage of professional journalists in journalism, social media offers us a 2. What role do you see for The readers – at previous union journals the UK and Ireland? chance to rebut a mostly hostile Journalist in promoting the I have edited I have used Workers’ rights have never been so national press instantly. The editor is industrial and campaigning combinations of crosswords, vulnerable and if we exit the EU, elected by the members and thus work of the union as the voice competitions and giveaways. even more so. The Journalist is key independent, but still has a duty to of professional journalists in 5. What is the role of The to getting our message across about communicate the elected the UK and Ireland? Journalist in communicating the benefits of membership and leadership’s decisions while How do members engage with our union policy and activities? giving members clear and accurate encouraging greater activity within union if they do not know what it is The editor of the Journalist is news of what is happening in our the union. doing for them? Not all members independent of the national industry, as well as offering a forum visit our website, or read NUJ emails. executive and general secretary and for their voices. Although a print The Journalist needs to provide is directly elected by members. But journal, its message can be interesting and relevant industrial the magazine has a key role in amplified via social media and by news in an engaging way. keeping members informed and selectively using the medium to The magazine must cover our engaged with the work of our union. promote our messages. I would wish campaign work, but we need to Despite its small size, the NUJ to keep pace and be on top of follow-up by interviewing achieves many successes for ever-changing social media and politicians and opinion formers individual members and provide instant reaction to events. about the impact of our campaigns. collectively in negotiations with 3. How would you enhance the For example, in Wales we have employers. We have an influential digital and online presence of campaigned about a lack of media voice that governments nationally The Journalist, in line with DM plurality and job cuts. This needs and across the devolved nations Policy? following-up as the Welsh listen to. The Journalist is the voice of the Government has funded £200,000 Engaging storytelling is what we membership, although from to help local journalists. do and our members’ stories of how experience, I do know members do 3. How would you enhance the our union has helped them need to not always read it. To combat this we digital and online presence of be told through their own should be looking at taking the The Journalist, in line with DM perspective and voice. publication digital via technology Policy?

theJournalist | 33 election

COPYRIGHT MATT SALUSBURY LYNNE WALLIS copyright of the contributors – of online and digital content. This is having the individual articles of the critical for engaging younger Journalist available as web pages members who won’t necessarily each with a URL. (Possibly behind a read their hard copy. Social media members-only area, I’d consult should be used more vigorously and stakeholders about this.) The strategically to promote online and Journalist also needs a Facebook digital content, with bitly links to presence and a suitably unique pieces that might be of particular Twitter handle, it currently doesn’t interest to a specific membership seem to have one, only a group, ie the growing number of “#TheJournalist” hashtag shared by freelancers. other outlets. 4. How can The Journalist 4. How can The Journalist engage more effectively with Matt Salusbury engage more effectively with Lynne Wallis members? members? The Journalist can engage more 1. How can The Journalist As editor I would plan to contact 1. How can The Journalist effectively with members by better reflect the breadth and Branches and ask if I can drop in to better reflect the breadth and listening to what they want. In a diversity of its membership? one of their meetings to discuss diversity of its membership? former role as a union magazine Be visibly supportive of with them the Journalist and what The Journalist needs to have a more editor, we asked our members what contributions from members on they’d like to see in it – this would diverse range of voices writing for it they wanted from their magazine ethnic minority, disability and also likely pick up some stories for it, particularly its columnists. If the via a survey, and then made efforts LGBTQ issues, actively encourage the Journalist. An active Twitter feed future of the NUJ is in recruiting the to accommodate their wishes. We and seek out such contributions. for the Journalist – including next generation, this has to be learned what was popular, and what Give prominent coverage to the periodically Tweeting out Journalist reflected on the magazine’s pages. wasn’t, and we were very surprised Claudia Jones memorial lecture and articles (see 3) and running The new editor will need to pay by the results, which helped us get to reporting George Viner Memorial occasional surveys (on training more attention to how the magazine to know the membership. Fund and Black History Month needs, for example) – would also represents for example Featuring a wider range of voices events. Give coverage to NUJ keep reader involvement going photographers – it should not run to represent diversity across our contributions at TUC Disabled beyond the cycle of issues appearing editorial about the rights, pay and industry would help to reassure all Members Conference and at the in print and online. conditions of photographers whilst members that their union is TUC LGBT Conference (the NUJ’s 5. What is the role of The using amateur or selfie images on representing them and addressing intervention at the recent Journalist in communicating those same pages. The recruitment their concerns. conference on photographers’ union policy and activities? ad on the back needs to rotate copy 5. What is the role of The access to Pride in London, for An active Journalist Twitter feed every issue so that a broader range Journalist in communicating example.) Ensure where possible a could be used for more important of journalists are targeted. union policy and activities? gender balance among contributors. NUJ announcements. Space should 2. What role do you see for The Features on NUJ policy and activities 2. What role do you see for The be given to important issues in the Journalist in promoting the need to be vibrant and engaging, Journalist in promoting the run-up to the Delegate Meeting industrial and campaigning and to use members’ stories to industrial and campaigning (where timing allows) and decisions work of the union as the voice illustrate how a new union policy, work of the union as the voice made at Delegate Meeting should be of professional journalists in for example, is relevant for of professional journalists in included. A “more online” page the UK and Ireland? members. Content covering NUJ the UK and Ireland? linking to other union resources I would publish more of the human activities needs to feature more There are already some excellent that are updated more frequently stories about professional young members. Whilst recognizing NUJ campaigns going on, but even if – NUJ Active, the NEC’s NUJ journalists who have been helped by the enormous amount of good work I, as an engaged Union activist am Informed, Branch and sector the NUJ to drive home the difference the NUJ and its magazine has done sometimes not aware of them until I newsletters and Twitter feeds union membership can make to the to combat ageism in journalism, it I stumble across them by accident including @NUJofficial – is also a lives of journalists up against the feels very much like a magazine for on the Union’s website. The very good idea. This would include sorts of challenges we now face in older journalists. A lack of effort to Journalist could work with the NUJ information on which of these are in our industry. Perhaps some of these redress this imbalance could further campaigns team to make these a members-only area and how to features could be syndicated, with alienate young journalists from campaigns more visible to support those who are struggling credits, to other publications such as their union at a time when they are members, and periodically revisit with logging in. Guardian media to reach out to needed more than ever. ongoing campaigns to keep them non-members. alive. I would promote the emphasis on 3. How would you enhance the the ‘professional’ to separate us out digital and online presence of from non professionals such as The Journalist, in line with DM influencers (who are professional at Policy? what they do, but not as journalists). Currently the Journalist is only 3. How would you enhance the available online as a pdf, it’s not digital and online presence of particularly easy to find online and The Journalist, in line with DM you can’t cut and paste links to Policy? individual articles. I would look into If I became editor of The Journalist, I the feasibility – with an eye to would increase the use of podcasts budget constraints and the and blogs to direct traffic towards

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theJournalist | 31

theJournalist | 31 Can you trust your sources?

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