NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

Informedissue 25 October 2018 Union to woo new members with bold new recruitment designs A bold set of new recruitment Laura Davison, national organiser, materials have been designed as part said the implications, particularly for of the union’s major campaign to REASONS pensions, were unclear and industry boost numbers and find footholds in TO JOIN experts predicted: “Inevitably, the new parts of the industry. company will be broken up.” October’s national executive council Meanwhile, the union is dealing with meeting (NEC) heard the union’s 70 jobs at risk in national finances were under strain following since the take-over of Richard Desmond’s the failure of April’s DM to back a newspapers and magazines by Mirror subscription rise, despite voting for a owner Reach. busy, campaigning agenda. The new More redundancies have been planned designs by David Woods, which highlight S S for Newsquest titles and the union is the way the union helps media and PR rolling out a stress survey for staff. workers throughout their careers and ☞ All this will come as grist to the mill for fights for journalists’ rights and ethical Dame Frances Cairncross’s review into We offer Support and Help journalism, can be customised by The NUJ is your lifeline if you get arrested or the the sustainability of the UK’s press. The authorities try to confiscate your data or images. chapels and branches and used on We chase non-payers, represent and support you NUJ’s submission to the inquiry can be during disciplinary or redundancy procedures or if you are being bullied or have other work- social media. related problems. We offer professional help seen on the website at https://www.nuj. with reporting guides and advice on ethics, Recent figures show the NUJ secured networking opportunities and training to help org.uk/documents/nuj-submission-to- you develop your skills throughout your career. over £9million (€10.3m) over the last 12 Are you keeping good company? the-cairncross-review/ Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk months – £25,000 every single day of the The NEC also discussed the arrests of year – for its members in deals excluding Irish journalists Barry McCaffrey and negotiated collective pay awards. Four union was making inroads into a new Trevor Birney (page 12), the recent spate recent cases alone – on issues covering tranche of Middle East news organisations of journalists’ deaths and the chilling pay parity, race discrimination and set up in . Recognition has been disappearance of Washington Post whistleblowing – had secured members regained at academic publisher, Springer columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, last pay-outs of over £500,000. The NEC was Nature, after being lost during the many seen entering the Saudi Arabian told the union must learn to shout louder and varied take-overs and mergers of the embassy in Turkey on 2 October and about its successes. group. believed to have been killed by a Saudi Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general The NEC met the day after Johnston hit squad, despite denials by the secretary, described the £30bn take- Press (JP) announced it had put itself Saudi king. Letters from the union over of Sky by US cable group Comcast up for sale. Although the regional have been sent to the embassies of as a potential game-changer. Talks are newsgroup’s troubles were well known, the Yemen, Bulgaria and Saudi taking place with Comcast management the announcement still came as a Arabia calling for assurances on press in hope of ending the long-standing anti- shock to staff. David King, JP’s chief safety (page 10). Media organisations union stance of previous owner, Rupert executive officer, said he had been including the Financial Times, Murdoch, and leafleting has started at unable to refinance the firm’s £220m Bloomberg, Economist and New York Sky’s west London site. debts and pension deficit. Titles affected Times have pulled out of the Future She said the union’s lead on equal include the , the Investment Initiative conference, pay issues at the BBC had boosted Scotsman, Star and Belfast dubbed Davos in the Desert, in Riyadh membership at the broadcaster and the News Letter. in protest.

Also Michelle’s Model Irish in this Message Chapel? Arrests issue: Page 2 Page 10 Page 12 02 Informed Michelle’s Message

and any potential formal offers will alternative models of ownership; remain confidential. facilitating charitable status for not- That the government finally acted for-profit entities; levying the social to take stock of the crisis facing local media and digital platform giants that news provision is welcome – the NUJ are making vast profits out of content has received a lot of positive feedback they haven’t funded; having properly already on the detailed submission we resourced newsrooms with journalists made to the inquiry. that are empowered to defend their NUJ members can help in this ethics and having a conscience clause campaign by making the case on the in contracts that makes that a realistic ground, in each and every local area, the proposition. importance of local news and the critical Critically, our key message is that the role it plays in our democracy and in the outcome of the Cairncross Review must broader ecology of journalism and news. not be bungs for the existing dominant Since the call for evidence closed last players in the industry that do not come month, we have been doing just that. I with strings attached. There has to be spoke at an event organised by the Media stringent criteria and objectives that News that Johnston Reform Coalition (MRC) in Birkbeck ensure it would constitute investment Press had formally University, a couple of weeks ago. in well-resourced journalism, not in The review was given the task of failed corporate business models whose entered a sale examining the sustainability of high- only solution is to cut jobs and diminish process as part of quality journalism, looking at the quality. It’s clear when you attend events overall state of the market, the threats like this that there is a lot of negativity its strategic review to financial sustainability, the role and about what the future holds and about of the business cast impact of digital search engines and what is achievable. From the NUJ’s social media platforms, how content and perspective – and the future for our a sombre shadow data flows are operated and managed next generation of members – I believe at the NEC. The and the role of digital advertising. optimism is essential and our view has to That’s against the backdrop of an be that change is not only desirable, it’s future of a major industry where circulation absolutely possible. regional newspaper has halved since 2001 and more than Also speaking on the panel was 200 local titles have closed in that time. Professor Angela Phillips, of London’s group, with over Given the scale of the challenge, Dame Goldsmiths University, who was 2,000 employees, Frances could be forgiven for thinking similarly clear that any future for she has bitten off more than can be journalism has to be one where it is a also throws the chewed. job, not a hobby. Journalists being paid The discussion at the MRC event was has to be a cornerstone of any future challenges facing broad. Natalie Fenton, professor of media where quality content can flourish. the Cairncross and communications, Goldsmiths, Her contribution focussed on the need University of London, spelled out for a publicly-funded search engine, Review into sharp the scale of the challenges faced in Public Interest Search, complete with relief. a landscape where four companies algorithms designed for the public dominate 90 per cent of the newspaper interest set in a regulatory framework We are having dialogue with the circulation, a concentration of ownership that underpins that ethos. company and will continue to raise that has led to the hollowing out of many Dr Martin Moore, director of the Centre with management all the concerns titles and created gaps that have become for the Study of Media, Communication of our members in the coming weeks. local news deserts. and Power, and a senior research fellow has stressed that it aims I outlined the range of changes that in the policy institute at King’s College to maintain the integrity of the group as the NUJ supports: such as making local London, spoke about the impact of a single unit, rather than see it carved papers community assets; ensuring that digital dominance on the industry, up, but until the end of the six-week sale they cannot be closed overnight without how the developments in advertising process the details of interested parties any scrutiny; exploring ways of funding technology are wholly undermining Informed 03

to public interest news and why a new implemented straight away. with punitive and hugely stressful tax model is needed. The current model The report highlighted the liabilities. is reliant on intrusive tracking, it also unacceptable delays in sorting out The committee’s concerns about the rewards content on relevance, popularity equal pay complaints – where informal impact of budget cuts at the BBC are and hits – not on being trustworthy, processes have dragged on for as long shared by the NUJ and should be the authoritative or created for the public as a year and formal grievances and subject of wider public debate. good. appeals are routinely taking longer than The NUJ and joint unions have Journalist Jim Cusick described the the maximum 90-day targets. That’s not been working hard with the BBC to research he has carried out with Open good enough. tackle these problems and have made Democracy on the blurring boundaries The MPs were right to highlight meaningful progress, but there remains that are growing between the old the treatment of presenters and work to be done before we can all be church/state divide that once existed correspondents forced to establish satisfied that pay inequity is stamped between editorial and advertising. The personal service companies, saying it out. backdrop to this is the more than £1 was a ‘disgrace’. The NUJ supports its MPs’ report :https://publications. billion in lost advertising revenues in call for further support and redress for parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/ the past eight to 10 years. Boundaries those individuals who are now faced cmcumeds/993/99302.htm that were once sharp and well policed have become fudged and the editorial Hansmusa / Alamy Stock Photo guardians who were once able to robustly defend their patch have become Khashoggi vigils disempowered in that process. Where staffing levels and resources The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi have dwindled in almost every single and the recent murders of other UK newsroom, that contrasts with journalists was the subject of a ever-growing numbers in commercial resolution on safety passed at the departments – in some places they NEC. The gruesome details of what even have their own “content creators” we all now know was Khashoggi’s embedded in the editorial departments. murder have appalled people around All are chasing the holy grail of what the world and highlighted the growing Jim referred to as the “money can’t buy threat to journalistic freedoms and experience”, where readers can’t tell the the lengths individuals and states will difference between what’s journalistic go to in silencing those whose voices content, and what is ever more they wish to quell. An average of two sophisticated advertorial. The impact on journalists are killed every single week. trust in journalism is enormous and the UNESCO has reported that just one need for transparency ever-greater. in 10 killings of journalists result in a successful prosecution – these slayings are made possible by the unacceptable journalists to do their jobs properly and The DCMS select committee’s latest international climate of impunity that safely. report on the BBC certainly packed continues to prevail. That’s why we are Next week we will mark the UNESCO a punch and underlined the need for supporting the IFJ in its efforts to seek International Day to End Impunity for cultural change at the corporation agreement for a UN Convention on the Crimes against Journalists. On the that prioritises transparency and the Protection of Journalists and Media evening of Thursday 1 November, the rebuilding of trust amongst staff. Professionals, the subject of many NUJ is holding candlelit vigils outside The changes in salary structures this discussions and meetings at the UN in the Saudi Embassy in Dublin and in year are only the first step in ensuring New York this past week. In this febrile London, for an hour from 5pm and 6pm that women can be confident they time – when the likes of Trump believe respectively. Please come along are not being short-changed when lauding physical assaults on journalists to mark your respect for Jamal it comes to their pay and terms and is acceptable and describing the press Khashoggi and to show your support conditions. The proposal to publish a as enemies of the state is fair game – it is for the battle to end impunity for the gender breakdown of the ratio of men vital we collectively fight for the right of enemies of journalism. and women in salary quartiles should be 04 Informed News Update

represented 150 potential NUJ members New chapel for local and already half had signed up. The union is also carrying out an investigation into court reporting. If you democracy reporters have any information or views on the subject, contact [email protected]

An NUJ chapel of local democracy are spread across the UK. In some areas Sam Stephenson / Alamy Stock Photo reporters (LDRs) working for Reach the scheme is believed to be working newspapers has been organised. well, but the union does not support top- LDRs are part of a BBC initiative which slicing of the licence fee to pay for it. funds journalists, using £8m a year Michelle Stanistreet said a meeting from licence-fee money, to report on with the BBC to discuss the roll-out of the council and other democratic institution scheme is planned. The union has noted meetings. LDRs supply copy for local that newspapers are taking them on at media and the BBC, but are based at the same time as sacking other staff, specific titles which bid for them, with some are given tasks beyond their remit, the three major news groups winning the and there are problems with pay. These lion’s share of contracts. concerns were included in the union’s The union is holding a meeting in submission to the Cairncross inquiry London for LDRs to introduce them to into the press. the union, discuss issues and concerns Chris Morley, Northern and Midlands and to allow them to network since they senior organiser, said the cadre of LDRs

Freelance cheer to shelve the scrapping NUJ chapel said the The European of Class 2 National newsroom had been Welsh talks Parliament’s decision to Insurance contributions knocked sideways by the The Welsh Executive Council is approve the Directive on was also welcomed by latest cuts. The union seeking a meeting with Lord Elis- Copyright in the Digital the NUJ. Pamela Morton, is now carrying out a Thomas, minister for culture, Single Market has been NUJ freelance national company-wide stress tourism and sport, to discuss the viewed by the creative organiser, said: “Without survey. Newly-released Welsh government’s response to sector unions and Class 2 NICs the lowest- accounts revealed that the Assembly’s Communications journalists’ organisations paid, self-employed the bill for directors was Committee report on news journalism, as a major step forward workers would have £901,000, up by 8.4 and the implications of S4C losing in protecting authors’ had to pay significantly per cent. The highest government funding by 2022. The rights. more for credits towards paid, presumably chief Welsh-language broadcaster will lose The National Union contributory benefits executive Henry Faure almost £7m from its budget and will of Journalists in the such as the state Walker, had a package of be funded from the TV licence fee. UK and Ireland and pension.” £526,022, plus pension The Welsh Government agreed to the International and payment. £100,000 funding in 2018/19 and European Federations Newsquest Meanwhile, staff 2019/20 for a contestable scheme of Journalists warmly nightmare struggle with heavy for public-interest journalism, with a welcomed the vote After a brief respite workloads, high stress focus on hyper-locals. The government – which is crucial to during summer, the and poverty pay. At said it would consider undertaking an ensuring journalists cuts at the newspaper Hexham, bought by audit of its spending on advertising can make a living group recommenced at Newsquest from the statutory notices and the scope for from their work and Darlington, Stourbridge, family-owned CN Group creating a body which offers seed- remain independent Bradford, Swindon, in March this year, half corn funding for small start-up news in their reporting. The Oxford and north . the newsroom has joined organisations. It rejected establishing government’s decision The the union. a publicly-funded news hub. Informed 05

All change at Sky and Too pink Lionel Barber, the editor of the Financial Times, has admitted NUJ makes inroads there needs to be a revolution at the newspaper because of the lack of diversity. He published a letter by a into Middle-East TV reader, Ahmed Olayinka Sule, who BBC had analysed the FT’s columnists since the beginning of the year and found not one was black. He also criticised the lack of diversity in the FT’s leadership team. Barber tweeted a copy of the letter with the message: “Ouch – Letter of the day: Time for a revolution at the FT!”

Cumbrians decamp Newsquest Cumbria journalists belonging to NUJ’s Carlisle chapel were forced to meet to discuss their year-long pay claim on council BBC: talks continue on T&Cs as significant claims are won over equal pay premises. Carlisle city council leader, Colin Glover, invited the chapel to the Significant deals have been reached At ITV the chapel has put in a pay authority’s civic centre building after as a number of the many equal pay claim for a consolidated increase of at Newsquest stopped members from claims at the BBC are reaching least 3.5per cent and an increase in holding union meetings at its HQ in conclusion, Michelle Stanistreet the redundancy cap from £45,000 to Dalston Road, Carlisle. The ban ended said during her report on the union’s £50,000. News that staff will not be decades of co-operation between the activities in the broadcasting sector. moving back to the South Bank office, Carlisle NUJ chapel and the company, Other work at the BBC remained which will be sold, came as no surprise to formerly Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd. considerable she said, as the members who will remain in Holborn. The chapel had lodged a 5 per cent implementation of the terms and Big changes are expected at Sky as pay claim; for eight out of the past 12 conditions package was throwing up new Comcast completed its £30bn takeover, years, the Carlisle journalists have problems and issues. A meeting with the with Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century had no wage increase. corporation has been set up to discuss the Fox selling his 39 per cent stake, ending forthcoming remaining cuts, estimated the media mogul’s association with the Nature nailed at £40m from a total £80million, in the satellite broadcaster after almost three The NEC heard from Shell Grayson, News Division. She said: “We are seeking decades. Michelle said she and other the MoC for Springer Nature, an end to the drip-drip approach to trade union leaders were due to meet who talked about getting union redundancy which leaves those behind Comcast management and the priority recognition back at the academic with huge workloads. We want to know will be gaining access to the 18,000 publishing company. She explained how the cuts will be managed effectively people working there, and ending the how it was important to keep and honestly without affecting quality decades-long culture of union hostility. members engaged during the long- and avoiding compulsory redundancies.” The NUJ would be stepping up the drawn out bureaucratic procedure The BBC has identified a large number recruitment work that has been taking and the difficulty in establishing of individuals who they believed should place throughout the summer. the bargaining unit in the sprawling be moved on to staff contracts. Work on She said the NUJ was making organisation created by numerous the Freelance Fee Framework was close significant membership gains in mergers. A membership discount to completion, with most individuals the burgeoning Middle East news and help from the previous chapel all getting increases, in some cases up to organisations in London and more contributed to the success. 70 per cent. recruitment initiatives were planned. 06 Informed News Update

comply with the Equality Act 2010. Siân Jones, NUJ president, proposed a TUC backs pay parity motion calling on the TUC to champion the rights of the 3.2m people working nights. “They keep us safe while we sleep, and night workers administer vital healthcare, ensure our Jess Hurd shops and cafes are stocked for breakfast TUC Congress unanimously backed and edit your morning news,” she said. the NUJ’s motions calling for action But these anti-social hours were linked on the gender pay gap and for more to health problems and a poor work-life rights for night workers. balance. The TUC was instructed to Michelle Stanistreet, the union’s campaign for better protection for night general secretary, said an astonishing 91 workers and to develop a best-practice per cent of media companies in the UK model for unions that includes a policy paid men on average more than women; on night work. at Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, GQ A working group on night working has and Vanity Fair, the women’s mean been established at the BBC as part of hourly rate was 37 per cent, meaning the new terms and conditions package, women earned 63p for every £1 that and is set to start next month. their male colleagues made. The motion NUJ’s ethics council chair, Chris called on the TUC to lead the way on Frost, proposed a motion in support of pay parity by encouraging pay surveys. the arrested Belfast journalists, Barry The NUJ has been recently involved in President Sian Jones proposes the motion McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, authors more than 200 equal pay cases at the of a documentary about the 1994 BBC, winning many women increases in their plans to reduce the gap as part Loughinisland massacre. The TUC salaries and backdated pay. of the gender pay audit process. It also agreed to support the NUJ’s efforts to The motion called on the TUC to press called for companies that fail to address defend public interest journalism and government to require companies with substantial gender pay gaps to be fined, journalists. 50 staff or more to reveal gender pay and that the government introduce https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-tuc- gaps and make all companies publish penalties for companies that do not congress-2018/

Tributes to Bob Norris of the NUJ. Always keen to of the NUJ’s Scottish are invited to enter an award News of Bob’s death was enlarge the NUJ family, Bob office after 19 years. John competition in memory of announced by the union’s spent many years after he Toner, national the radical journalist and general secretary, Michelle retired from work continuing organiser, praised her for author, Ian Bell, who died Stanistreet, at the beginning to recruit and build strength her support and invaluable aged 59 in December 2015. of the national executive and solidarity in our work, including during the The union’s Edinburgh council meeting. Bob, who branches and workplaces. He recent move to new office branch set up the £500 died aged 78, was a former will be much missed, and our premises. Photographer award with his family assistant general secretary collective thoughts are with Nick McGowan-Lowe, last year. The deadline is and a union member of his wife, Pauline, their son, currently a member of the November 30, submissions honour. She said: “Bob is Drew, and wider family at NEC, is joining the office as should be between 1,500 one of our NUJ legends this very sad time.” an organiser in Scotland and and 2,000 words, not who, throughout his life- will take up his post in mid- published in any medium long membership, played Scottish office November. and must be emailed to an enormous role both Michelle Stanistreet led hilaryhorrocks@btinternet. as an activist and as an tributes and good wishes Ian Bell award com official during his service as to Alice McCarney who has Budding young writers in The winner will be assistant general secretary left her job as administrator Scotland aged 30 or under announced in early February. Informed 07

Spotlight Training and teamwork are the secret to a model chapel The committee at Taylor & Francis all share tips and ask each other advice.” Laura was full of praise for her tutor, benefited from the NUJ reps’ programme Caroline Holmes, who runs the union’s trade union training. Caroline, a member “It’s good to tell members and non- of the NUJ, ran the international labour members about all the work we do and and trade union studies course at Ruskin issues we cover,” said Laura Hussey College, Oxford, has worked for a union as she added the finishing touches and been a rep herself. The NUJ’s trade to the Taylor & Francis chapel’s NUJ union training is free for participants. Its newsletter. three-stage programme arms members “Welcome to our very first newsletter! with the information and skills needed We thought it’s about time we spread the to become an effective rep in recognised word about all the great work our reps are and non-recognised workplaces and for doing to try to make our workplace better,” freelances. Everyone from experienced it said and then described a project to reps to rookies can benefit. raise awareness of work-related stress and Rep Laura Hussey and tutor Caroline Holmes There is also a two-part health & safety mental health and the latest news on talks rep programme. “These reps are really with management on the gender pay gap, towards lower earners, which was very important,” said Caroline. “They have pensions, home working and parental popular. We then had time to organise the statutory powers in recognised and non- leave. party.” The local Oxford branch paid for recognised workplaces and they have It gave news of the next union meeting the pizzas and members came along to welfare powers, which include taking up and of plans to hold a talk on the history answer questions about the union. bullying and sexual harassment issues. of trade unions. “I’ll also put on the back It was thanks to the Oxford branch that But the most important part of the role is a list of the chapel committee with their the Taylor & Francis chapel began to preventing health and safety problems photos,” said Laura, one of the chapel’s flourish; it organised NUJ reps training for from occurring. recruitment officers. journalists, including BBC Oxford, in the “All our training sessions are different, She started with the international city and has since offered other support. depending on the group taking them.” publishing group as an editorial assistant Laura has completed to the first stage two years ago and is now an editor. She of the NUJ’s three-stage programme for quickly signed up with the NUJ – her reps, which she said gave her confidence mother encouraged her to join a union – and lots of new ideas to take her role as Sign up now and it wasn’t long before she joined the a rep forward. She said: “It was useful to As well as the programmes for reps 15-member committee and was helping know more about my rights and I became and H&S reps course, there are organise a pizza party to recruit others. more assertive, for example when I spoke courses for union learning reps and Each member of the committee has to HR because a bad back meant I needed equality reps and on negotiating and a role, some more onerous than others, my desk arrangement changing. Knowing representing. Sessions will help boost and having a big group, plus others who more about the union also made it easier reps’ confidence and presentation help, spreads the workload and boosts for me to sell it.” skills and provide updates on the presence of the union in the office. She has now taken the second stage employment law. Go to the training Most have been on the NUJ’s rep training course and feels that she would now be diary at https://www.nuj.org.uk/ courses. able to represent colleagues. “We did a news/nuj-trade-union-training/ She said: “The MoC was in the middle of lot of practical work and it was interesting and download the training guide at pay talks and we came to an agreement discussing situations that other people in https://www.nuj.org.uk/documents/ with management to have a settlement the class had experienced. I am also in a nuj-reps-training/ which for the first time was weighted WhatsApp group with other reps and we 08 Informed

REASONS TO JOIN Spotlight

“If we are to ensure examining new areas and emerging industry sectors and checking on the financial members behind with their subs. As every union knows, strength is in viability of the numbers and recruitment and retention union, we need to is its lifeblood, but this latest imperative must galvanise everyone in the union. ☞ recruit, recruit and The NEC heard that the NUJ has a lot to shout about. The union has secured recruit,” said John Flexible Working recognition at the academic publishers Juggling a family and working can be tricky. Flexible Barsby, the NUJ’s working agreements are a vital tool in protecting Springer Nature, its lead on taking up part-time workers and women returning from equal pay issues at the BBC has boosted maternity leave, boosting the retention of skilled staff honorary treasurer. and ensuring parents and individuals with caring membership at the broadcaster and responsibilities can balance their work demands with family life. The NUJ negotiates progressive approaches work in promoting the union to the to flexible working and lobbies for improvements to employment law.. www.nuj.org.uk Speaking to his and the general capital’s burgeoning Middle East press is Are you keeping good company? secretary’s financial reports to the paying dividends. Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join NEC, he explained how DM’s failure The London and Dublin freelance to agree a subs rise left the union branches and the Welsh executive has held successful events at City, relying on income from rental of office council have been providing events London, Lincoln University and at space in Headlands House, the union’s and training sessions for the growing Nottingham journalism departments. London headquarters, but most of all freelance sector and London Freelance In the last quarter, the union won over on a dramatic increase in members. Branch is holding two interesting events £500,000 for individual members’ This autumn all the union’s next month on how artificial intelligence claims on pay parity, race discrimination committees and councils will be putting can help journalists, rather than and whistleblowing. The union must in place recruitment strategies, mapping putting them all out of a job, on Monday learn to blow its own trumpet, said membership and setting out to increase 12 November and on investigative Natasha Hirst, chair of the Equality the union’s presence in workplaces journalism and how to make it pay on Council. “The union has done so where the union has members while Thursday 29 November. The union much important work on equality and

REASONS REASONS REASONS TO JOIN TO JOIN TO JOIN

9 Million S S ☞ ☞ ☞

Pay We offer Support and Help Ending the Gender Pay Gap It pays to be in the NUJ. In the past year – in deals The NUJ is your lifeline if you get arrested or the A Press Gazette analysis showed that 91 per cent of that exclude collective pay awards – the NUJ secured authorities try to confiscate your data or images. UK media companies paid men more than women and more than £9million for its members; that’s We chase non-payers, represent and support you 85 per cent of men got better bonuses and it’s a similar £25,000 every single day. The union negotiates on during disciplinary or redundancy procedures picture in Ireland. One magazine group’s gap was pay, freelance rates, pension terms, salary structures or if you are being bullied or have other work- almost 37 per cent. Opaque, unfair pay structures and and paid holidays. It pursues companies over related problems. We offer professional help unlawful sex discrimination are contributing factors. copyright infringements and non-payment of wages with reporting guides and advice on ethics, The NUJ negotiates on transparent pay structures, and fees. It wins equal pay cases and backdated networking opportunities and training to help progressive work-life balance policies, better salary, pension contributions, and pay-rises. you develop your skills throughout your career. maternity and paternity deals and fair recruitment procedures. Are you keeping good company? Are you keeping good company? Are you keeping good company? Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk www.nuj.org.uk Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join

Informed 09 ☞ REASONS TO JOIN REASONS Networking TO JOIN The union puts on events for media workers to come together to share their knowledge and expertise. These can be by sector, such as the freelance forums and photographers’ summits, or cross- sector on issues that unite all media workers. Students and newcomers can benefit from meeting experienced members in the industry. Are you keeping good company? Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join

a focus on freelances, journalism, respect at work, diversity women and the media, an and press freedom. opportunity to learn about On pay, the poster/postcard/meme the new court reporting points out that it pays to be a member of rules and a programme of the NUJ; in deals that exclude collective events for students. pay awards, the union has secured ☞ To help take recruitment over £9m (€10.3m) for its members – up to a higher notch, £25,000 (€28,300) every single day of the union is launching a the year. Flexible Working Juggling a family and working can be tricky. Flexible new and exciting set of The new recruitment images will working agreements are a vital tool in protecting part-time workers and women returning from materials, designed by soon be available on the NUJ website maternity leave, boosting the retention of skilled staff and ensuring parents and individuals with caring David Woods, which can in forms that can be downloaded and responsibilities can balance their work demands with be downloaded from the incorporated into bespoke leaflets family life. The NUJ negotiates progressive approaches to flexible working and lobbies for improvements to website or ordered from the and publicity material. If you have employment law.. www.nuj.org.uk www.nuj.org.uk Are you keeping good company? campaigns department and any queries or need help in producing Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join come in a range of formats printed materials, get in touch with the which can be customised for campaigns department on campaigns@ we should learn to shout about our branch and chapel events and used on nuj.org.uk successes,” she said. social media. Union materials are being revamped The Irish Executive Council is kicking The focus is on promoting how the in keeping with the In Good Company off its recruitment campaign with a union helps media and PR workers in brand which celebrates some of the dedicated week: Strength in Numbers: their careers and how it protects their union’s most famous members, building our union. There will be a special rights as journalists and as individuals including George Bernard Shaw, George screening of No Stone Unturned with in the workforce. The materials can be Orwell and Claudia Jones. Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, used cross-sector to support a range The student and code of conduct currently on bail and challenging their of campaigns. The themes include fair leaflets have been redone and the union detention and seizure of equipment. pay, gender pay, networking, career is redesigning its welcome letters and Sessions will be held on how to recruit, opportunities, flexible working, ethical other member communications.

REASONS REASONS REASONS TO JOIN TO JOIN TO JOIN ☞ ☞ ☞

Respect at Work Press Freedom The NUJ challenges work cultures which lead Be Part of a Collective Voice The NUJ lobbies for journalists’ rights so to bullying and harassment. It will represent As a member of the NUJ you are part of a united you can protect your sources, have editorial you on an individual basis if you experience this force championing the rights of media workers independence and do your job safely and freely, behaviour. It uses its collective voice industry- and defending attacks on press freedom. without censorship from the state. As a member wide to argue that media workers are treated with Successful workplaces are those where the of the International Federation of Journalists we respect. We promote workplaces where workers management and workers share the same aims are part of a 600,000-strong community working and managers learn to be constructive with their and talk to each other. Being a member of the to ensure the safety of media workers across the criticism during the creative process and the NUJ means giving yourself and colleagues a real globe, fighting for freedom of information, open union publishes codes of conduct and dignity at voice at work. government and plurality of the media. work policies. Are you keeping good company? Are you keeping good company? Are you keeping good company? Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk

Image 10 Informed

International

As a spate of journalists’ deaths has highlighted the risks of the job, Tim Dawson, looks at the work of the IFJ’s Safety Fund

local websites. It is also used to provide members with training, advice, support and campaigns, lobbying international Matt Kenyon Matt bodies, states and employers to fight impunity and protect journalists from intimidation and violence. Events of the past few weeks have surely provided evidence, were it needed, to justify NUJ activists’ concern for the welfare of colleagues elsewhere in the world. A grim tally has amassed almost daily. Saudi columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, who worked for The Washington Post, was a known critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He was last seen entering his country’s embassy in Turkey and was murdered. Reports of a 15-member Saudi hit squad entering the building have made for chilling reading. The murder and rape of Viktoria Marinova, a prominent Bulgarian journalist, was initially linked to her work. In Yemen, reporter Zaki Al-saqladi, was gunned down; his union has blamed the country’s security services. Last month, Abdirizak Said Osman, a reporter working for Radio Voice of Peace in Galkayo, Somalia, was stabbed to death after he left work. His union believed he had been targeted by the jihadist group al-Shabaab. The annual report of the International is a unique source of solidarity for The investigative journalist, Daphne Federation of Journalists’ Safety Fund journalists. Last year we paid out more Caruana Galizia, was killed last year by makes for an unsettling read. than €106,654 (£94,000) in relief to a car bomb close to her family home The fund assisted Somalian journalists help journalists relocate to safety, receive in Bidnija, Malta. Her blog posts had forced to live in exile in 2017; in medical treatment or pay for secure revealed several corruption scandals Zimbabwe it helped a reporter hiding accommodation.” involving Maltese politicians. Her killers from government agents and a Kenyan The fund, established in 1992, depends media worker receiving death threats on donations from affiliate unions. This was protected. In 20 other countries the year’s Delegate Meeting voted to make The IFJ has counted more than 70 fund provided critical assistance in legal this financial support an integral part of journalist deaths so far this year on expenses, family support after the loss the NUJ’s budget-setting process, and its Safety Fund page; the peak year of a breadwinner and help with travel to the budget agreed by the NEC included a was 2006, with 155 deaths. Find out reunify families. £10,000 donation to the Safety fund over more about its work on the website Ernest Sagaga, who administers the the next financial year. http://ifj-safety.org/en/contents/ifj- fund, said: “The type of relief provided At the core of the fund’s work is the international-safety-fund and either by the IFJ Safety Fund, the speed with principal that media workers deserve ask your branch or chapel to make a which it can be used, and the flexibility to work in safety, whether they staff donation or hold a fundraiser. built into the system means that it global news channels or turn in copy for Informed 11

have not been found. Last month [25 journalists are becoming ever is attacked, everyone in journalism is September 2018] the NUJ had to write more prevalent. When an American affected,” the head of Human Rights and to the Honduran authorities demanding president regularly denounces the media Safety at the IFJ said. “When a journalist they ensured the safety of a member who as enemies of the people it is hardly is helped to overcome intimidation received online threats and smears. Press a surprise when less savoury regimes and violence, it strikes a blow for press freedom is being curbed in countries such regard reporters and broadcasters as freedom and rights which benefit the as Poland and Hungary. Donald Trumps’ fair game.” whole community.” almost-daily demonisation of the press Ernest Sagaga is used to lifting the Following an NEC motion, letters have has been viewed as a threat to journalists. phone to hear the most shocking news been sent to the embassies of the Yemen, Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial of colleagues, but his conviction has Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia calling for Times, said: “The murderous attacks on never been shaken. “When a journalist assurances on press safety.

former NUJ president Tim Lezard. Tim now regularly calls on George and they When you need a chat about old times, with George reliving the time he opened the batting in a press match with former captain, little Extra help Ted Dexter. George’s wife, Margaret, said: “I’m really grateful to NUJ Extra for bringing him and Eugene Costello is heading off on a road Tim together. George really benefits from trip to Timbuktu for charity, including the the company.” NUJ Extra provided a lifeline for union’s hardship fund, NUJ Extra Salisbury Journal reporter, Karen Bates, when her teenage daughter, Florence, He and fellow journalist Nick was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Redmayne are due to leave the UK Karen was forced to reduce her work hours on Boxing Day, heading south across to give Florence the care she needed Europe, through Morocco, Western and soon the debts mounted. She felt Sahara and Mauritania, crossing the overwhelmed and could no longer cope. Sahara and ending in Mali’s capital, Fortunately, a friend rang NUJ Extra on Bamako – a journey of approximately her behalf. The fund helped her with bills 4,100 miles. and a new boiler and windows, plus an Eugene was on holiday this year in a allowance. This meant she could care tiny village high in the Pyrénées when he for Florence, who was able to continue to started to experience painful chest pains. enjoy her favourite pastime, riding horses, When he landed back at Stansted airport which gives her great comfort. he went straight to Whipps Cross hospital. Karen said: “I am a woman of words, yet “It’s just as well that I did,” he said.” my repertoire does not do the NUJ justice. Eugene had a major heart attack, needing While you may think you will never need Giving back: Eugene Costello a triple bypass operation. There were to call on them, life is full of twists and complications and he was on life-support turns and with the NUJ you will never be for 10 days. https://www.gofundme.com/uk-to- alone. Please join.” He pulled through but was told not timbuktu-by-road-challenge/ to work for 12 weeks minimum. As a NUJ Extra is the union’s charity set up freelance journalist this was obviously a to help its members and their dependents Many other members have benefited problem. His financial plight was solved facing short-term difficulties. from NUJ Extra. You can find out by The Press Fund, NUJ Extra and a Anthony Dowson contacted the more about the charity, how to Facebook group of journalists. Now he charity when his father, George, a former apply for funds or donate on the NUJ wants to say thank you by raising funds for Sunday Mirror sports reporter, developed website at https://www.nuj.org.uk/ the charity. You can find out more about dementia. He now lives in Gloucestershire work/nuj-extra/ Eugene’s story and make a donation at and the charity put him in touch with Informed 12 News Update

appointment of an independent judge Anger provoked by or adjudicator to review the equipment and documents seized, which included the school homework of Trevor Birney’s arrest of film-makers daughter. Bonzo / Alamy Stock Photo The union said the case was a serious Screenings of No Stone Unturned, attack on the journalists’ duty to the documentary about the six protect their sources and was a violation unsolved murders in an attack at of their rights under the European Loughinisland, Co Down, in 1994 Convention. The union will be using have been organised by the NUJ in the Unesco’s International Day to support of arrested journalists Barry End Impunity for Crimes against McCaffrey and Trevor Birney. Journalists on Friday 2 November to The response to the union’s campaign highlight this case. highlighting the plight of the film- Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary, said: makers has been phenomenal, said “Journalists must be free to operate Seamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary. in the public interest without police Barry McCaffrey tweeted: “A wee woman Barry McCaffrey (left), Trevor Birney and interference. Every step must be taken who witnessed me being arrested gave Seamus Dooley to ensure that data held on computers me a big hug in the street there now! We is not compromised and that the both ended up close to tears! You can’t to the arrests. The two men were held for confidentiality of the sources are not put beat genuine acts of human kindness.” questioning for 13 hours and released on in jeopardy. He went on to warn: “It’s an attack on bail until November 30. On the evening “It is profoundly depressing to note the press, everybody should realise. It’s of Friday 31 August, lawyers for Fine that, yet again, priority appears to be us today, tomorrow it could be you.” Point Films went to the High Court in given to tracking down the source of On Friday 31 August, Barry McCaffrey Belfast to challenge the legality of a journalistic stories rather than solving was arrested at his home and a warrant search warrant that led to the arrests. At murders in .” was served by officers from Durham the emergency hearing an undertaking Six people were killed when loyalist Constabulary and the Police Service was given to Lord Chief Justice Sir gunmen burst into the Loughinisland of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Computer Declan Morgan, on behalf of the PSNI bar where football fans watched equipment, phones and files were seized and the senior investigator from Durham the Republic of Ireland team play in in the raid and in simultaneous raids Constabulary, that the material seized the World Cup and opened fire on on the home of Trevor Birney and the will not be examined pending the customers. offices of Fine Point Films. outcome of the judicial review. The films will be shown at Belfast, The arrests coincided with a meeting On Friday September 7, lawyers for Dublin and Loughinisland. For more of Belfast branch and the union’s speedy Fine Point Films appeared before a information or if your branch or chapel response was widely credited with review hearing which was adjourned wants to hold a screening, contact info@ provoking public and political reaction to allow discussions on the possible nuj.ie

O’Hagan anniversary of Martin’s murder on 28 Journalists’ rights the ability of journalism to The union renewed its September 2001, Séamus The union is working with its conduct investigations in call on the Irish and UK Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, cross-party Parliamentary the public interest, and the governments to appoint an said: “The murder of Martin Group in Westminster and Crime (Overseas Production independent international O’Hagan was a direct attack other civil liberty groups Orders) Bill which could investigation into the on the freedom of the press to safeguard journalists’ allow production orders murder of Sunday World and the failure to apprehend rights put under threat to be served in overseas journalist and NUJ activist, those responsible for by the Counter-Terrorism jurisdictions so that criminal Martin O’Hagan. his murder casts a dark and Border Security bill, evidence can be used in UK Marking the anniversary shadow.” which could undermine courts.