NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
Informedissue 30 Feb 2020
The judgment highlighted the lack of Victory for equality transparency and inconsistency in the BBC’s approach to setting pay: “The BBC found itself in difficulties in this case because it did not (and, to an extent, still does not) have a transparent and consistent process for evaluating and determining pay for its on-air talent.” So far this year, in equal pay claims alone, NUJ members have secured many millions in compensation and back pay, plus increases in salary. Michelle said: “The tribunal outcome was a major victory, and about as emphatic a verdict as we could have hoped for. Samira’s determination to be treated properly has also inspired women in other workplaces to stand up and fight for pay parity.“ Samira tweeted: “Just want to say: thank you to everyone who supported me and understands equal pay is about men and women as allies. To my amazing union @NUJofficial who backed Emphatic judgment: Michelle Stanistreet and Samira Ahmed after the tribunal supported the BBC’s me. And to the Ford Dagenham and presenter’s case that she had been discriminated against over pay. Grunwick women who blazed the trail & to whom I’ll always be grateful.” The decision by the NUJ to back keynote speaker at the TUC’s Women’s Samira’s victory was mirrored in Samira Ahmed’s equal pay claim at conference and address the NUJ’s Ireland where the union helped secure an employment tribunal resulted in Delegate Meeting in April. €100,000 for former executive TV a resounding victory for the union The BBC’s legal team had cited Jeremy producer Anne Roper from RTÉ, which and BBC presenter, and has been Vine’s ability to have a “glint in his eye” had forced her to retire against her celebrated throughout the union or to be “cheeky” as a reason for the wishes at 65. RTÉ argued she had to go world. discrepancy, but this was dismissed to allow younger talent to progress at the The landmark judgment was as directions, such as “roll your eyes”, station. unequivocal in supporting her case appeared on his script. The judges heard Anne claimed discrimintion and the against the BBC for paying a man, he was paid £3,000 per episode in 2018 Workplace Relations Commission, in its Jeremy Vine, six times the amount despite being viewed as up-and-coming ruling, said other employees had been she was getting for doing a similar talent. allowed to continue beyond 65 and that programme. The panel agreed that she The result was cheered by colleagues Anne had been keen to train younger was doing “like work” on Newswatch and friends who had shown their support producers. It awarded her the equivalent to his on Points of View. The BBC and by marching alongside Samira and NUJ to a year’s salary. Samira have now reached a settlement. general secretary Michelle Stanistreet Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, said: Samira, who met the union’s to the tribunal hearings. It also led to “The NUJ did its best to secure a local Parliamentary Group and discussed the the BBC showing a new willingness to resolution; Anne should not have been need for the right to know how much resolve some of the many outstanding forced to go to the WRC and it is most colleagues are earning, will now be the equal pay cases at the corporation. regrettable that RTÉ has now appealed.”
Also Delegate Cairncross BBC in this Meeting Review in peril issue: Page 4 Page 8 Page 10 02 Informed Séamus Says
Imagine a world where you can’t trust the news
and to undermine the media. The governments on how to better protect threats are felt at local level, nationally journalists and media freedom, has and globally. called for targeted sanctions as a tool In Northern Ireland female journalists to enforce governments’ international have been the target of vicious online human rights obligations, including abuse. NUJ intervention has been crucial their obligation to respect free speech in securing police action. In Derry, and protect the media. where Lyra McKee was killed last April, The report, authored by human rights another female journalist has been the lawyer Amal Clooney, said: “Media As DM looms, the subject of sectarian abuse and threats of freedom has been in decline for a decade, union has a lot of intimidation. through systemic censorship as well as Leona O’Neill, who witnessed Lyra’s relentless attacks on journalists ranging battles to fight and killing, was branded a “tout” and “an from online harassment to arbitrary issues to debate, informer” on walls in the Creggan and detention and extra-judicial killings. denounced as “a shit stirrer”. The graffiti Many governments are refusing to hold says Séamus also falsely and dangerously linked perpetrators of such attacks to account, Dooley, assistant Leona to MI5. and in many places the governments are For Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, the perpetrators. International sanctions general secretary the battle to secure justice following their targeting individuals responsible for the vindication by the Lord Chief Justice of abuses can highlight their misconduct, Northern Ireland is still going on. The limit their impact and act as a deterrent And so, it’s nearly time to head for Police Service of Northern Ireland has to future misdeeds. Such sanctions are Southport again. still not returned materials seized in the indeed, in the current global political The union’s biennial delegate unlawful raid on their homes and offices climate, often the only way to hold those conference is a time to take stock, to and the makers of No Stone Unturned responsible to account.” celebrate success, review failures and have yet to secure justice. This is something the NUJ supports; plan for the future. As evident in this As a global union the NUJ is mindful there must be a real commitment by edition we can be proud of what we have of the threats to colleagues around the governments to fight impunity for achieved against enormous odds. world and the news from Iran is cause for crimes committed against journalists. Inevitably the focus this year will grave concern. Since the beginning of That is why the NUJ is working with the be on the financial challenges facing the year the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Federation of International Journalists the union as we seek the support of Corps (IRGC) have raided the homes to promote a UN Convention to protect delegates for an increase in membership of at least six journalists in Tehran, journalists and media workers. subscriptions so we can continue confiscating documents and reporting In America Trump continues his nasty serving members throughout the UK equipment. verbal assaults on the media and we and Ireland. These arbitrary raids are part of a can expect his behaviour to worsen as We will also look at how we recruit and disturbing pattern of behaviour in the November’s election looms into sight. organise, how we run our chapels and run up to this month’s general election, Indeed, the UK government and its branches, how the NUJ serves you, the which saw hardline conservations aides have been accused of playing by member. elected to power with the lowest turnout the Trump playbook in its treatment of As we prepare for DM it feels like since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. journalists. journalists and journalism are under A report by the UK government’s Against this backdrop the importance siege at home and abroad. On every front Independent High Level Panel of Legal of public service broadcasting is there are attempts to thwart journalists, Experts on Media Freedom, set up last reinforced and for the NUJ the threats to to make it more difficult to do our jobs year by the UK and Canada to advise public service broadcasting in the UK and Informed 03
Ireland are a source of real concern. It’s a threat that is not confined to these isles. Look east treated himself recently Imagine a world where Boris Johnson and his advisors Diary Sally Chidzoy, to a bolthole in Greece. appear to be on a mission against Cambridge branch’s As a result, he was able you can’t trust the news the BBC. The undermining of public TV detectives new chair surely to advise his fellow service broadcasting would have major Spark up the TV has a claim to be our NEC members on the consequences for democracy in the UK. detector van. Speaking most journalistically ingenious solution to During the election campaign Michelle at a Tortoise think-in, decorated lay official? television licensing Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, run by the slow-news For 30 years Chidzoy pioneered in the warned against what she termed organisation and hosted was the doyenne of the birthplace of democracy. “flagrant bullying rhetoric” targeted at by its founder, former BBC’s East Anglian Each household’s the BBC and Channel 4 and her worse director of BBC News television news, contribution to the state fears have been confirmed. James Harding, Amber during which time she broadcaster is simply The plan to decriminalise the non- Rudd, the ex-Home scooped a cabinet full added to their electricity payment of the licence fee is a vindictive Secretary was discussing of reporting gongs, bill. Disconnection act devoid of principle. the future of the BBC including a Royal discourages non- In Ireland RTÉ faces a financial crisis licence, saying she Television Society payment. Curran, after years of political cowardice by doubted her two children award. Her arrival at an unashamed politicians unwilling to risk unpopularity in their 20s paid it. This Cambridge branch ‘Continental’, argued by increasing the licence fee and led to Ed Vaizey, former is timely – long-time that the future of BBC reforming the archaic collection system. culture minister recalling stalwart Keith Murray and RTÉ might be every Before the General Election the outgoing John Whittingdale, has stepped aside to bit as sunny as his government appointed a chair of a new newly appointed back at concentrate on his holidays, were they to Commission on the Future of Public the DCMS as minister for new job. Toasting the adopt a similar scheme. Service Broadcasting but neglected to media and data, dobbing regime change, more appoint any members. in his son for illegally than 50 turned up for Skye’s the limit At the time of going to print the RTÉ downloading films in a Christmas bash – a Farewell Ian Trade Union Group is engaged in talks Parliament. John, he said, record turnout. McCormack who with management on a cost reduction should not be seen as has retired from the programme which can only succeed if an anti-BBC ogre, rather Sparks might fly editorship of the it is part of a reorganisation plan with he has been put in by Hair-shirt trade unionists West Highland Free increased state funding. Downing Street to calm tut disapprovingly at press after 44 years Privately-owned broadcasters are the Tory attack dogs. He second home ownership in the chair. An NUJ lobbying against the public funded said Whittingdale may – but occasionally a life member, he is because they have been hit hard by not be a cheerleader warm-weather retreat thought to be the digital giants hoovering up advertising for the public service can be deployed for longest serving and moving discourse to the wild west broadcaster, but he progressive purpose. newspaper editor of of social media. Catherine Tait, chief wasn’t idiotic. National Executive the modern era. executive of Canada’s national public member Gerry Curran broadcaster, also under review, told the FT: “Something worrisome is afoot... how do we secure a safe public space for civil civic exchange and a place for fact-based argument, for science, for enlightenment?” The need for public interest journalism has never been greater. The protection of public service broadcasting is fundamental to a vibrant, independent media. Plenty to talk about at DM. See you in Southport! 04 Informed Delegate Meeting
Samira Ahmed and Fatima Mutahar of the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate. #DM20: Subs’ rise DM takes place from April 24-26. The final agenda and annual report will be tops the agenda available on 10 March. All documents can be found on the NUJ website, cutting services to members, she said. including the guide to DM for delegates: Séamus Dooley, assistant general https://www.nuj.org.uk/about/union- secretary, said the union was under democracy/nuj-delegate-meeting/ pressure to deliver additional services as a result of recent successes, such as Paul Herrmann Paul the recent Samira Ahmed and Anne Roper cases. While strides have been Join the made in recruitment, with the NEC being told of seven bids for recognition in the skills hub magazines sector alone, the income was not enough to sustain the union. Caroline Holmes, leader of the A motion calling for a meaningful NEC motions also include: an end to NUJ’s reps’ training, will be hosting subs’ increase is likely to be the a two-thirds majority for contributions a skills hub throughout DM. It will most important motion discussed and benefits motions at DM; a broad- include taster sessions on branch at this April’s Delegate Meeting in based campaign against the use of revival, signposting to professional Southport, the NEC was told. face-recognition technology; allowing development and a range of activities Michelle Stanistreet said it was vital students to remain members while including how to support workers for the NUJ’s survival as an independent searching for work; promoting the through the menopause. It will union. The motion notes subscription IFJ Convention on the Protection of showcase new online courses, rates have remained static for the past Journalists and creating an alliance to including the collaborative leadership six years while costs to the union have improve media literacy. Other motions skills module, resources for reps and increased and its contribution to pension call for a commemorative event in new recruitment materials. Caroline deficit payments must significantly honour of Lyra McKee and campaigns can answer your queries on the increase from this year. to boost members’ pay, in support of NUJ’s training programme, including With the staff now totalling 31, quality journalism at Newsquest and the new workshop on dealing with working across the UK and Ireland, ending individual targets for journalists. redundancies. cutting posts was not an option without Speakers at DM include BBC presenter
He’s back of Health and Social Care. right to a written “statement should-you-be-getting-paid- John Whittingdale has Julian Knight was voted of particulars”, summarising holiday/ returned to the Department as chair of the media and their terms of employment for Digital, Culture, Media culture select committee. from day one of starting Peers’ press inquiry and Sport as minister of He said his priorities were to work. This includes hours of The Communications and state. His boss is Oliver start an open conversation work, holiday pay and other Digital Committee is looking Dowden, the new Secretary about how the BBC can be benefits, plus details of any at the future of journalism. of State, the tenth in the past funded, getting broadband probationary period. Even It is taking evidence on decade, who was previously done and the online harms if you are freelance you may how digital technology is paymaster general and legislation. be eligible for the statement changing the production and minister for the Cabinet as a “worker”. Freelances are consumption of journalism Office and has worked for the Get it in writing also encouraged to see if they and role of journalists and PR company Hill & Knowlton. The NUJ’s freelance office qualify as a “worker” and are how the profession can Caroline Dinenage was also has launched a campaign to eligible for holiday pay. More become more trusted by the appointed minister of state. inform members that from information can be found on general public. The deadline She was previously minister April 6, every employee and the campaign page: https:// for written submissions is of state at the Department worker in the UK will have the www.nuj.org.uk/campaigns/ Wednesday 25 March. Informed 05
Broadcasting
adversely affecting journalistic quality and the ability to respond to 24/7 Hands off our BBC breaking news. Its statement said: “If BBC the BBC needs to save money it should any and every compulsory redundancy urgently address the number of senior and would help him find an alternative managers and levels of executive pay post; the union would be launching a and create a more transparent and flatter broad-based campaign to defend the pay structure.” It said the next director corporation. general – Tony Hall had announced his It isn’t the first time the BBC has been early departure – must champion public attacked, but in a response to the jobs service broadcastings and robustly resist announcement which brings the total to political interference. more than 500 cuts – 70 from the World The reps decried “ill-informed and Service, 380 from news and 60 from crass attempts by managers within the Network Radio – Michelle Stanistreet BBC” to blame the equal pay settlements said it amounted to an existential threat on the funding crisis. Culpability was at the same time the broadcaster faced laid squarely on Tony Hall, whose secret an ideological attack from the heart of licence fee deal with the government government. led to the BBC taking on payment of free It was a packed room of BBC reps at Newsnight is losing 12 posts and cuts licence fees for the over-75s. the NUJ’s London headquarters, just to its investigative journalism budget, The reps were urged to take part in the days after an announcement of 450 12 posts are to go at 5Live and there will DCMS inquiry into decriminalisation job cuts in the news division, who be more sharing of radio bulletins across of non-payment of the licence fee; the heard from the NUJ rep on Victoria the BBC, with a loss of 12 posts. BBC estimates this would cost £200m. Derbyshire’s show how members of The meeting pledged to resist by all The proposal will send out the message the team learned that their jobs would means, including industrial action, that paying for a TV licence is voluntary go from a story in The Times. any attempt to impose compulsory and is intended to be a backdoor route to He was assured the NUJ would fight redundancies and any measures dismantle the BBC.
Subs offer schedule of news, analysis Iranian threats collectively bargained deals A discount on membership and commentary, later Journalists working for the across the board. Discussions is being offered at the BBC this year. The station will UK-based broadcaster Iran with the management which runs from Saturday broadcast nationally on DAB International, as well as BBC continue. Morale is very low 1 February to Wednesday and online. BBC News deputy Persian staff, have been at the broadcaster and a 1 April. New joiners will get political editor John Pienaar subjected to new threats by recent stress survey showed six months’ membership for will present the drivetime the Iranian authorities, as alarming results. Two years half the normal price. This show. The Murdoch-owned have their family members ago, the union brokered a discount is not available to station will target BBC Radio living in Iran. 9 per cent pay rise. those who have left the union 4 and 5 Live listeners. The union is supporting in the previous 12 months. TalkRadio was fined members and liaising High 5s There will be a recruitment £75,000 by watchdog Ofcom with the Foreign Office. Channel 5, owned by Viacom drive at BBC Wales on after it found presenter It is also pushing for CBS Networks International, 1 April. Join the NUJ: https:// George Galloway broke union recognition at Iran has renewed a three-year www.nuj.org.uk/join/ impartiality rules. The International. contract with ITN to produce P10 Is it payback time for the former MP was sacked by 5 News. The deal follows ITN BBC? the station last year. Al Jazeera English securing a four-year contract TalkRadio argued it should Staff have roundly rejected to continue producing ITV Radio Rupert not be hit with a large sum as a proposed performance- News and ITV News London News UK is to launch Times very few people listened to related pay system based last year. Radio, providing a daily the show. on appraisals instead of 06 Informed News Update
No. 10 strikes blow BMC’s against press freedom shock poll More than half of members who took part in the NUJ’s disability survey said their opportunities at work were limited because of a lack of understanding of disability/ mental issues and access problems. Almost two-thirds (73 per cent) suffered anxiety or stress at work and 60 per cent said their situation or condition was poorly understood by colleagues. A third had been ill-treated at work and a third described a lack of access or reasonable adjustments for them at work. More than half (54 per cent) said they found it stressful having to ask for adjustments and extra support to help them at work. More than a third The Prime Minister taken by in-house photographer Andrew Parsons said they had approached the union with work and access problems. One The union has been forced to the press, not just its favourites.” in three had problems accessing intervene on behalf of reporters The union’s Photographers’ Council training, with 43 per cent calling for and photographers denied access complained when Number 10 started more online resources. to Downing Street in a worrying to release images of the Prime Minister One in five said they did not development threatening press from its in-house photographer understand their rights at work freedom. rather than those on an agreed rota. under the Equality Act 2010, with Without consultation, Number Natasha Hirst, the council’s chair, said: a third saying they would benefit 10 changed the location of its lobby “Staged PR images will further erode from more information. There was a briefings to Downing Street instead transparency and public trust. This mixed response to Access to Work, of Parliament; this particularly strategy of choosing what emerges into the government programme aimed at caused problems for smaller press the public domain must be halted.” supporting disabled people to take up organisations. Political journalists then Reports stated ministers had been told or remain in work. boycotted a Number 10 briefing on the not to lunch with political journalists Of those who took part, 32 per cent Britain’s future trade with the European and that Dominic Cummings, Boris were staff and 43 per cent freelance Union when Lee Cain excluded reporters Johnson’s senior adviser, had a “network and just under 10 per cent were from the Mirror, the i, HuffPost, Politics of spies” to see whether other special unemployed; 84 per cent considered Home, the Independent among others. advisers were fraternising with the they were disabled or had a long-term Johnson’s senior communications media. Cummings is seen as being health condition. adviser, who used to wear a chicken suit behind the ban on ministers appearing Ann Galpin, Black Members’ Council for a Daily Mirror stunt, was accused on the BBC’s Radio 4’s Today show and chair, said the survey showed that of sorting the press into sheep and other political and news programmes. disabled members needed much more goats. A briefing on Huawei was equally These tactics led to a critical leader support at work and employers must restricted. from even the Daily Mail, which is remove barriers restricting them. Michelle Stanistreet commended the usually loyal to the Prime Minister. Its “The survey responses will inform the political correspondents’ act of solidarity commentator Stephen Glover wrote: council’s priorities for the next two and said: “Johnson’s government must “All this comes from President Trump’s years,” she said. stop this paranoia and engage with all playbook.” Informed 07
Open Democracy will use its £69,800 on a Local News Matters prototype to provide data online to inform public debate and support public interest investigations. Week The Media Trust charity will spend its £65,000 on improving representation A week of action for Local News said the crisis in public interest news of people with disabilities, creating a Matters Week is planned next week, must be solved by transforming disabled experts directory and for March 7-14. the way news is created and providing media training. My This campaign raises the profile of distributed. Society will use £70,000 local news services and celebrates local The co-operative Bristol to expand its project journalism. A motion passed at DM 2018 Cable will use its £41,143 promoting public called for this year’s Local News Matters funding to test “open interest stories driven by Week to explore the issue of media newsrooms”, moving Freedom of Information ownership, new models for news services their media team into requests. Entale and provide an opportunity for branches the communities they will use its £50,000 and chapels to lead events promoting serve. The not-for-profit funding to explore local journalism, alerting MPs to the Manchester Meteor was alternative distribution and threats to local and regional journalism. given £25,000 to expand its monetisation mechanisms Court reporting will also be a theme of membership. Slow news outlet for public interest podcasting the week. Tortoise got £50,000. The same sum and Axate has been given £70,000 to Nesta, the innovation foundation which went to WT Social created by Wikipedia develop its “Oyster card for news” which administered the £2m Future News Fund founder Jimmy Wales, which uses a social allows casual readers to pay by the article. set up following the Cairncross Review on network model to share quality news. So put the dates in your diary and start sustainability of the press, has announced Shout Out UK, the media literacy project your plans for Local News Matters Week. its list of recipients to the fund. Nesta for 14 to 19 -year-olds, received £30,000. Check the NUJ website for more details.
Reason breaks out in organiser for Scotland, of Local World, had also first pay claim and looking Glasgow said: “This proves that been in the running. JPI at other industrial issues Newsquest agreed to drop when members express Media did sell The i to DMGT that need addressing. Two of compulsory redundancies on themselves collectively, for £49.6m, a deal now the reps will be telling their its Glasgow titles after staff management will take being investigated by the story on a panel at a special voted for industrial action. A notice. A chapel that has government’s competition training event for reps at ballot of members working been subjected to cuts watchdog. The union has Headland House on Saturday on The Herald, The Herald on and increasing workloads challenged JPI Media for 14 March. Sunday, the Glasgow Times, over many years now feels cutting its homeworking The National and The Sunday empowered and will have allowance, representing Diversity dosh National returned a result the confidence to continue a £20 cut per month for The National Council for the of 87 per cent supporting raising issues with the members. A final hearing is Training of Journalists is action. Eight members of employer.” expected in April. asking for news organisations staff left voluntarily, and the to contribute to its diversity company informed the union No buyer for JPI Media Vice victory fund. it would not seek further JPI Media has announced The Vice chapel has signed In the past 15 years the job cuts. Six new posts were its sale has been put on its union recognition fund has taken 347 people to be filled from external hold, presumably because agreement. The members from diverse backgrounds applications. Newsquest also it could not find a suitable and reps were congratulated through NCTJ training. The dealt with a case of bullying bidder. Reach had shown for their diligent work and NUJ provides bursaries highlighted by the union. some interest and David successful campaign. They though its George Viner John Toner, NUJ national Montgomery, former head are now submitting their Memorial Fund. 08 Informed
Spotlight Government shuns public interest news project
report in February 2019, NUJ reps were invited to a round table discussion of its recommendations with the then digital minster, Margot James. It took a year for the government to respond to the review’s conclusions, published on 27 January 2020. The union’s reaction was deep disappointment, particularly the rejection of the proposed Institute for Public Interest News to protect the sort of journalism essential for a functioning democracy in the wake of the market’s failure to do so. Michelle Stanistreet said: “The response fails to address the need to bolster diverse and sustainable journalism in the UK… this ‘more of the same’ approach is simply not going to cut it.” The government had put in train a review of the digital advertising market (due in July) by the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom was asked Has this once-in-a- The NUJ warmly welcomed the news in to explore the market impact of BBC 2018 that the government had at last News. A £2m Future News Fund was set generation chance agreed to investigate the sustainability up to encourage innovative news models to save the UK of the UK press. (see p7). The review, set up by Theresa May Dame Frances’s report set out an press been a wasted and headed by former journalist, Dame overview of challenges facing high-quality opportunity? Frances Cairncross, aimed to protect the journalism and recommendations to future of high-quality journalism. However help secure its future. It is a masterly Frances Rafferty it did not start auspiciously. The union was marshalling of the evidence, research, not consulted, was not invited to join the and accounts of major media players. assesses the review’s advisory panel, and the quotes It detailed the changes brought by the Cairncross Review accompanying the announcement were internet, the way people access news, from the newspaper publishers’ lobby the the rise of news aggregators, the decline News Media Association. of journalist numbers from 23,000 in However, after having long called for 2007, to 17,000, with job losses swiftly for such a review, the NUJ decided to continuing, and the domination of take it seriously, despite the snubs. In platforms such as Facebook and Google the event, Michelle Stanistreet met which have sucked the lifeblood of Dame Frances, the union provided an advertising revenue from newspapers. extensive submission to the consultation These factors all made a robust case and fed further information to the for intervention, the report said, noting review’s secretariat throughout the research showed that a reduction in process. Following the publication of the public-interest reporting led to reduced Informed 09
Government response trustworthiness of rate relief on local provide an array of stories and topics, the to the review: online news sources. newspapers in England. “unbundling” of content online meant • New codes of conduct • An online media • The government said readers selected only the articles they will “rebalance literacy strategy will be no to an Institute for wished to view, “so they may be less likely and redefine the published this summer. Public Interest News to read public-interest news”. It found relationships between • Treasury will consider and charitable status people spent less time on news online news publishers and tax incentives – for public-interest than they did in print and concluded that online platforms”. removing VAT charged newspapers, and “UK adults may be less well-informed • Platforms will be on online news the BBC must fund online than through more traditional required to identify subscriptions and expansion of the local forms of news delivery”. the reliability and extending the business democracy reporter When the report was published, the union criticised its timid approach to the tech giants. “Letting the tech giants off community engagement with local Cairncross cited the new models of The the hook sidesteps the real issues of how democracy. It found that investigative Bureau for Investigative Journalism and they get a free ride with the content they journalism was expensive – The Times the Glasgow-based Ferret. suck up online and disseminate on their spent £48,000 on its 10-month The consequences of not doing this sort platforms,” said Michelle Stanistreet. “We investigation into sexual abuse by charity of journalism can be deadly, the report wish Dame Frances had been braver in workers, The Sun spent £73,000 on an implied; commentators said the failure to making Facebook and Google responsible investigation which was not published. report Grenfell Tower residents’ concerns for the news they exploit.” Such journalism is costly and high risk, was a key reason why the local authority With the government further watering while documenting the day-to-day goings did not act to prevent the catastrophe. down Cairncross’s solutions to the crisis on in local public institutions is time- The review examined the change in in local papers and threats to quality consuming and not generally well read. news-consuming habits. Most people now journalism, will it be too late by the time New players, however, are emerging. find their news online. While newspapers the next generation’s review is held?
mentoring interviewer and observer. How to improve your boss Rotating roles, we described incidents from our own lives where our core Tim Dawson takes lessons in beliefs had been challenged, where we had undermined a colleague and where challenging poor office behaviour we had undermined ourselves. It was I’ve had some choice editors in my attitudes and poor people management. the first of several sessions in threes, time. Prof Tantrum – intense, prone I joined 11 others in Glasgow, under tugging apart preconceptions about to explosions of anger and content the tutelage of Vérène Nicolas and comfort zones, inner voices, and our to leave subordinates in tears. The Richard Golsworthy, respectively a non- need for affirmation. Weasel who got others to do his dirty violent communication practitioner The collaborative leadership strategy work. “Sack him immediately” and and a psychologist. We first divided into focuses on how to challenge others’ “cut her fee by 20 per cent” were groups of three and acted as subject, behaviour while reflecting on their among the directives he fired my way. motives, how to create opportunities Finally, Easy Rider who was wont to to respond more effectively and how send me to knock on the door of the to signal ways in which future actions known violent psychopath without a might be improved. warning. Homeward bound, my mind returned They all came to mind when I to Tantrum, Weasel and Easy Rider, and read about NUJ Training Scotland’s I am certain of one thing: with my new Collaborative Leadership course. It knowledge, I would have responded to promises to combat poor management them differently and life on both sides practices, including hierarchical of the managerial divide might have Tutor Vérène Nicolas management structures, misogynistic been happier. 10 Informed
Spotlight
its chief political interrogator has not been Is it payback time forgotten. Through back channels, the government has let it be known that it was “immensely annoyed” with the BBC’s for the BBC? election coverage, and especially Neil’s throwing down of the gauntlet. Scores are being settled. The coming months will see the BBC facing an onslaught from which it may not recover in its current form. In a
Matt Kenyon Matt front-page story in the Sunday Times, we were told by what Conservativehome’s Paul Goodman described as “a scarcely- disguised Downing Street source that ” the BBC was about to be “whacked”. Days later “another source” said the Prime Minister was less gung-ho about the destruction of the BBC. On 5 February the government announced a review of the BBC’s funding which could mean that the licence fee is scrapped in 2027. It will consider decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee from 2022, a step that would cost the BBC at least £200m. “None of this was in their manifesto,” complained one source. Shortly after the review concludes, the BBC must take responsibility for funding free licences for the over-75s at a minimum cost of £250m (for those on pension credit), and possibly £750m (for all over-75s). Before it takes those mighty blows, the BBC will in April risk undermining public support for the Johnson’s In a memorable moment from the licence fee by raising the annual charge by election campaign, the BBC journalist 2 per cent to £157.50. government has Andrew Neil looked into the camera It is in this dire context that the BBC made it known and challenged Boris Johnson to must find its new leader, after the sudden answer “a question of trust” by decision by director-general Tony Hall that it intends appearing on his show. “We have been to step down in the summer. “These are to “whack” the asking him for weeks now to give us a very dangerous times for the BBC,” says date, a time, a venue. As of now, none Suzanne Franks, professor of journalism corporation. Ian has been forthcoming,” he said. “It’s at City University and a former BBC not too late. We have an interview broadcaster. “It is going to need a very Burrell looks at a prepared, oven-ready as Mr Johnson skilled leadership to steer it through this broadcaster in peril likes to say.” now.” Neil’s chutzpah failed to provoke the So bad is the crisis that John Mair, a future Prime Minister into giving an publisher and former BBC producer, has interview. But now that Johnson is inside commissioned a book titled Is the BBC in Downing Street he is giving the BBC his Peril? (And Should It Be?). He answers full attention – and the grandstanding of both those questions in the affirmative Informed 11
and is critical of the departing leader. “If evident and yet sometimes it’s just not The BBC newsroom is in despair after you are losing 25 per cent or more of your valued or appreciated at home,” she said. 450 job cuts and £40m savings to meet revenue that’s pretty bloody perilous,” According to one BBC executive, the last licence fee settlement. There is a he says. “Tony Hall has not been a huge the Johnson administration desires “a race against time to move resources from success as a DG, let’s be frank. He steadied fundamental change of government broadcast to digital before it loses touch the ship, but maybe he is sinking the ship status for the BBC, taking away its right to with youth altogether. “There is a real risk as well.” be the nation’s broadcaster”. that young audiences will never form a The Tory party has a long legacy of Broadcasting House is fuming that it is habitual relationship with the BBC of any hostility towards the BBC. But BBC being cast as just another media outlet, kind,” I was told. insiders say it is the combination of and one that has failed to keep up with While one executive described the characters in key positions that makes the rivals, such as Netflix. “What a lot of the newsroom’s introduction of a central current threat an existential one. commentary seems to ignore is that we commissioning model as a “proportionate Johnson’s adviser Dominic Cummings have actually kept pace with that change and sensible” response to the need once described the BBC as the party’s and are often at the forefront of it,” Clare for savings, another denounced it as “mortal enemy”. Julian Knight, newly Sumner, BBC director of policy, tells NUJ a “Yo Sushi” conveyor belt approach appointed as chair of the Digital, Culture, Informed. “It shouldn’t be forgotten that to news which would devalue flagship Media & Sport committee, has compared we still reach nine out of ten people in the programmes. “The place is in freefall. the licence fee to a “poll tax”. The new UK and we are by far the most used media We’re seething that such a stupid and Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, is a organisation.” The licence fee allows patently flawed set of proposals could get loyalist said by the Telegraph to have the BBC to provide a “universal range this far,” he said, blaming the departing impressed Johnson with his “ability to get of services”, she says. “We’re not just DG for the situation. “We’re appalled things done”. making programmes to drive subscribers that Tony has once again shown his One senior figure close to the BBC or delivering news to meet commercial weakness as a leader. He’s running away said that, while Tory anti-BBC rhetoric targets.” and sanctioning terrible decisions at the historically “flickers on and off”, the same time.” current animosity is unprecedented. “The “People who care Lord Hall, who is heading to the National starting line position for the Johnson Gallery, was expected to stay until the government is that the party has a very about the BBC should BBC’s centenary in 2022. There is no substantial faction within it which wants fight for it” obvious successor in place. One senior to destroy the BBC and sees it as being BBC figure wondered whether strong irrelevant and positively harmful.” Damian Collins, the Conservative MP outside candidates would be prepared Paul Siegert, a former BBC political and former chair of the DCMS committee, to take on a role which “could be a full-on correspondent and now NUJ national agrees that the comparison with Netflix confrontation with the government”. broadcasting organiser, said: “Even is unfair but says this is unappreciated by Since the election, figures in Downing Margaret Thatcher in her heyday wouldn’t many licence fee payers. Street have been “slightly juvenile” in take on the BBC. We are extremely “They are comparing services like their playground bully approach towards worried. With a majority of 80, the Netflix with the bits of the BBC they the BBC, I was told. Indeed, when Dominic government feels it can pick a fight with access, because a lot of licence fee payers Cummings was recently asked by a anyone and certainly has the BBC within only access a relatively small part of what BBC journalist if he was losing influence its sights.” the BBC offers.” he responded bizarrely by quoting The BBC is struggling to respond. Collins says continued public support catchphrases from PJ Masks, a children’s In a speech in Salford, the BBC’s for the licence fee will be very important programme (not made by the BBC). chairman David Clementi reminded for its survival but that the BBC faces The new government has also picked the government that the BBC is “a great an increasing battle for the attention of early fights with the tech platforms and national asset” which can unite post- audiences. “The BBC is in a position now the parliamentary lobby, angering even Brexit Britain. “A diminished BBC would where I think the number of people paying supportive outlets such as the Daily Mail. weaken the country as a whole,” he said. the licence fee is starting to decline for The BBC is receiving backing from other Franks, speaking from India, said the first time in a decade and the cost of parts of the UK’s creative sector, where its there is international dismay that a fine making programmes is going up.” But fate is the cause of great concern. “There example of independent media might he denies that BBC election coverage is still plenty to fight for,” says one source. be being pushed around. “In countries enraged the Tories, pointing out that its “People who care about the BBC should like India the soft power of the BBC is so output “was criticised by all sides”. fight for it.” Informed 12
International Best Christmas present ever Mohammed Elfenich tells how he authorities and Michelle Stanistreet escaped jail, thanks to the NUJ. accompanied me to see the Moroccan For the first time in 15 years, I did ambassador. The judge at the first appeal not spend last Christmas with my wife. reduced the sentence to eight months. Instead, the day was a dizzying whirl of My busy life as a reporter continued, but legal diplomacy by the NUJ and the IFJ prison hung over me. that eventually saved me from spending Eventually my final appeal was listed 2020 in a Moroccan jail. for 30 December 2019. Now the IFJ’s I grew up in Morocco but have lived president Younes M’Jahed became in the UK for 16 years. My wife is from involved, along with the NUJ’s Jim Yorkshire and I am a reporter for Alghad Boumelha. Michelle proposed a form of TV, based in London, where I cover words for a joint statement, in which the politics and current affairs for a North official agreed to withdraw his case, and African and Middle Eastern audience. Moroccan journalist Mohammed Elfenich the Moroccan union worked hard to get My parents live in Guelmim, in southern agreement. It was a day of frantic emails Morocco and I visit them often. Moroccan news website which said I had and phone calls, but we did it and my During these visits, I started to been convicted of “insulting a politician”, accuser agreed to drop his case. notice that millions of pounds were sentenced to a year in prison and fined I still went to court on 30 December, reportedly spent on civic renewal, but £25,000. So began my nightmare. Court where amazingly the judge determined there was not much to show. One former documents showed I had signed for the that although the complaint had been municipal leader appeared to be living summons in Morocco on a day I was in dropped, he would dismiss it in its like an oligarch. I made a few anodyne the UK. The evidence contained dozens entirety. That was a Christmas comments about what I saw to friends of inflammatory Facebook posts falsely gift that was worth waiting for! I can on Facebook. attributed to me. lead an ordinary life again after two years I was then forwarded a report from a The NUJ wrote to the Moroccan of worry.
Assange attack irrelevant at this moment. dangerous country in the and Arab world (8). In Europe, Journalists must put aside So are judgments on his past world for journalists, with two journalists were killed their personal view of Julian behaviour or character. The 10 murdered last year, The in 2019: Lyra McKee, shot Assange and fight his cause, legal devices being deployed International Federation of while covering a riot in Derry, Tim Dawson, former NUJ to try and take him to the Journalists annual report Northern Ireland, and Vadym president, told a London rally US are unprecedented and of killings of journalists Komarov, killed following a in support of the Wikileaks terrifying for anyone whose found. The report detailed violent attack by unidentified founder. The first steps journalism touches on 49 deaths worldwide. In individuals in the centre of towards extradition have state security, defence or Mexico journalists are often Cherkassy, Ukraine. started at Woolwich Crown espionage. If Assange is sent threatened by organised Court. Tim Dawson said: from here to start a prison crime cartels and the high- Global action “Unless journalists wake sentence that could be 175 level impunity and lack of The international section of up to this threat and focus years, then no journalist is protection from government the Delegate Meeting agenda on the grievous harm that safe.” Assange’s alleged does nothing to buck this calls on the NEC to highlight his successful prosecution crimes relate to Wikileaks trend of killings. By region, journalists’ problems in the represents, the ability of revelations including attacks the report noted Latin Yemen, Turkey, Afghanistan any of us to report will be to civilians in the Iraq war. America had the highest and Palestine and support seriously damaged. Debating number of deaths (18), the IFJ’s campaigns to whether Assange is, or is Mexico tops killing list followed by Asia-Pacific (12), release journalists jailed for not, really a journalist is Mexico remains the most Africa (9), the Middle East doing their jobs.