MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS

WWW.NUJ.ORG.UK | MAY-JUNE 2018

Full Stop. Ends... Young journalists flee newspapers for PR Contents

Main feature 12 Are young dreams being dashed? Why new entrants leave journalism News id you dream of becoming a reporter 03 Al Jazeera strike over pay or an editor? Many of us did, attracted by an exciting career full of variety Protest over four-year wage freeze and the potential to hold power to 04 Bid to boost women’s media presence account. Campaign taken to Scottish TUC DBut, as Ruth Addicott finds in our cover feature, many young people are deserting these roles 05 More job cuts at Trinity Mirror not long after achieving them, finding that the reality of Digital drive rolls on clickbait driven, office-bound journalism today is not what 06 NUJ Delegate Meeting 2018 they dreamt of. Conference reports And then there’s the pay…or lack of it. Louise Tickle looks at the prevalence of media organisations and other groups who “expect journalists to work for nothing. Features Since the last edition of The Journalist the NUJ has held its 10 A day in the life of biennial delegate meeting – the policy setting framework for A union communications journalist the union. Low pay, worsening conditions at the BBC, Iran’s treatment of journalists on the BBC’s Persian service and many 12 Scoop other issues were on the busy agenda in Southport. International reporting then and now There was also a motion calling for The Journalist to remain a 16 Pay day mayday print publication published at least six times a year. It came as Growing demands for free work the union’s strategic communications review raised a question over the frequency of the magazine. I was delighted that the motion from Bristol branch was passed with no opposition. Regulars I’m glad that the delegates showed that they appreciate the 09 Viewpoint magazine. I know many non-activist members also value it. 19 NUJ & Me 25 Story behind the picture 26 And finally...

Christine Buckley Editor @mschrisbuckley Arts with Attitude Pages 20-21 Editor NUJ [email protected] 72 Acton Street Design London WC1X 9NB Surgerycreations.com [email protected] [email protected] www.nuj.org.uk Advertising Tel: 020 7843 3700 Melanie Richards Manchester office Raymond Tel: 07494975239 [email protected] Snoddy [email protected] Glasgow office Print [email protected] Page 18 Warners Cover picture www.warners.co.uk Dublin office Letters & [email protected] Gary Neil Distribution ” Steve Bell GB Mail Page 22-23 www.gb-mail.co.uk

02 | theJournalist news Al-Jazeera staff vote on inbrief... PRESS REVIEW CHAIR IS DAME FRANCES nine per cent pay offer The Government has appointed Dame Frances Cairncross as chair of As The Journalist went pay increase of 3 per cent for its review of press sustainability in to press, staff at 2019. Members of the NUJ the UK and has published its terms Al Jazeera’s English- and Bectu will now vote to of reference. She is a former language TV channel in accept or reject the offer. economic journalist, author and London were preparing to The management’s offer Solidarity and all academic administrator. vote on a pay offer brokered follows three years of by the conciliation service negotiations and four years good wishes to Acas. without a pay rise. The joint colleagues at Al UK STATIC IN PRESS The nine per cent offer over unions said they hoped the Jazeera English from FREEDOM INDEX two years came as staff had offer was proof that Al “ Britain has stayed at number 40 out been preparing to stage a Jazeera will now take the the NUJ’s BBC Radio of 180 countries on the 2018 World one-day strike followed by collective bargaining process, Press Freedom Index compiled by indefinite action short of a and its relationship with the and Future Media Reporters without Borders. It was strike. staff unions, seriously. Chapel. You deserve named as one of the worst The NUJ had said that the Messages of support for countries for press freedom in channel, which is funded by meal breaks in full; not the Al Jazeera staff have a pay rise! western Europe. When the index the Qatari government, has answering telephone calls, included other unions and began in 2002 the UK was 22nd. failed to honour an emails and message out of the NUJ’s BBC Radio and agreement to negotiate pay normal working hours and on Future Media Chapel, which NUJ’s BBC Radio on an annual basis. Both days off work; and the said: “Solidarity and all good TORRANCE HITS OUT members of the NUJ and withdrawal of goodwill. wishes to colleagues at Al AT ‘ONLINE BILE’ Bectu, which represents Al Jazeera English is based Jazeera English from the David Torrance, the Herald political technical staff, voted to take in Doha and has about 130 NUJ’s BBC Radio and Future columnist and Scottish freelance action. staff in London. Media Chapel. You deserve has left journalism, partly because Following the strike the The deal for 2018 is an a pay rise! Unless journalists of the rise of ‘online bile’ and chapel had planned indefinite across-the board pay increase are paid properly, there’ll ‘puerile’ political discourse. action involving taking of six per cent backdated to 1 be no such thing as press Torrance, who has been a journalist statutory and contractual January and a consolidated freedom.” for 18 years, said political discourse had ‘narrowed’ following the 2011 Holyrood election, leading him to become a ‘hate figure’. Journalists killed by Islamic State VANITY FAIR PUTS Ten journalists were central Kabul on 30 April. attack the suicide bomber Shah from the BBC’s Afghan UP A PAYWALL killed on one day in The first bomb was exploded disguised himself as a service was shot dead in Vanity Fair online has moved Afghanistan after the and the second was journalist. Nine journalists Khost province. behind a paywall.Readers need a so-called Islamic State detonated 20 minutes later were killed in Kabul out More than 1000 subscription to access all articles on deliberately targeted among those who had come of 25 people who lost journalists have been killed the website, but can access four journalists. to rescue and report on the their lives. worldwide over the past free articles per month. US editor Two suicide attacks hit atrocity. In the subsequent On the same day Ahmad 15 years. Radhika Jones promised to deliver ‘agenda setting journalism’, and ‘in-depth reporting’’. Chris, Charlie and Joyce are honoured WESTMORLAND NUJ activists Chris Frost, Charlie Harkness and Joyce GAZETTE HITS 200 McMillan were made members of honour at last The Westmorland Gazette is month’s delegate meeting in Southport. celebrating its 200th anniversary Chris is an emeritus professor at Liverpool John Moores with a museum exhibition. The University and chair of the union’s ethics council. weekly newspaper covers the Lake Charlie is a former deputy general secretary of the NUJ as District and Cumbria area since May well as having had a long career in journalism and 1818, and has a circulation of communications. around 15,000 with more than Theatre critic and political commentator Joyce has been an 100,000 readers across print and NUJ member since 1981. She has been chair and treasurer of online. Edinburgh freelance branch NUJ delegate meeting, pages 6-8 PAUL HERRMANN

theJournalist | 03 news inbrief... NUJ tackles women’s PULITZER PRIZE FOR WEINSTEIN WORK The New York Times and the New media representation Yorker’s investigative reporting, which exposed allegations against Scottish NUJ delegates to the Scottish oppressed groups are represented.” film producer Harvey Weinstein, has Trades Union Congress in Aviemore led Diljeet Bhachu, a musician and delegate of won a Pulitzer prize. Allegations by the charge for increased representation of the Musicians’ Union, highlighted the issue of actors who had worked with the women. visibility. She said: “Visibility has the power to producer led to the worldwide The delegation comprised Liz Ely, Simon raise aspiration, and encourage real inclusivity #MeToo movement of women Barrow, Jim Symonds and Scotland’s NUJ and equality. speaking up about sexual assault. organiser Dominic Bascombe. “But to have some visibility is not enough. The NUJ’s motion challenging the Tokenism is also damaging. Under- representation of women in the media won represented people are diverse, and NME GOES ONLINE AS support from all unions representation needs to PRINT MAKES LOSS attending. reflect this plurality too. Music magazine NME has moved to The motion recognised People are more than online publication only following the power of the media to their labels.” I have lost count of continuing losses while it was a free affect how under- The NUJ delegation also print publication. The NME, which represented groups saw put forward a motion how many times I was launched in 1952, went on free themselves and how consumers of media challenging the strategy of media companies distribution for two and a half years viewed them. It called for a joint, cohesive to increase the use of user-generated content have heard groups before it ended print altogether. approach to tackle negative portrayals and to the detriment of professional journalists. of men on the radio New editor Charlotte Gunn has messages. A third motion from the union called on “ pledged to make the NME the music Liz Ely said: “I have lost count of how many the STUC to explore different models of discussing the gender industry’s bible once again. times I have heard groups of men on the radio ownership and to consider the introduction discussing the gender pay gap, or the #MeToo of the cooperative model approach for pay gap, or the movement. some newspapers. #MeToo movement CHANNEL 4 TO OPEN “Whenever we have a platform, we represent This follows work by NUJ Scotland about NEW BUREAUX ourselves and affect how others see us. In the cooperative ownership s for local newspapers Channel 4 News is to open three trade union movement and across the media, that have been threatened with closure or Liz Ely new bureaux outside London, we’re working to change how women and all severe editorial cuts. Scottish NUJ delegate including one ‘major hub’ as part of an initiative to extend its reach and representation in the UK. The broadcaster said it aimed to become Men earn more across our industry the first peak-time national news programme to co-anchor from London Women in the media industry are losing out to men in pay, with their male colleagues and a studio elsewhere from 2020. earning more, occupying more senior roles and receiving bigger bonuses, the government gender pay reporting service has revealed. An analysis by Press Gazette showed that 91 per cent of HUNGARIAN DAILY UK-based media companies paid men more than women on FORCED TO CLOSE average, based on the mean hourly rate, and 85 per cent paid The Hungarian opposition daily men more in bonus pay. newspaper Magyar Nemzet closed The union is encouraging chapels to carry out their own pay last month. There had been after a audits to find out how pay is distributed across employees, sudden increase in rent of the including by age, ethnicity and length of service. offices. The owners are reportedly The Telegraph has one of the highest gender pay gaps in close to the recently re-elected the industry with women getting paid 35 per cent less than president Viktor Orbán. Radio men on average. station Lánchíd Rádió has also stopped broadcasting.

New edition of paper for Mid-Ulster 5 NEWS HIRES BULMAN AS DEPUTY EDITOR One of Tyrone’s oldest streets at the end of edition was needed to launched in Mid-Ulster. In ITV News head of planning Jessica established weekly February. complement the Tyrone addition, we have taken on Bulman has been appointed deputy newspapers, the Tyrone Due to rising demands and Courier. an extra journalist.” editor of 5 News. She has overseen Courier, has launched a new to serve the paper’s growing Editor Ian Greer said: “This Both the Tyrone Courier the planning of UK and specialist edition. readership in the areas of is a tough time for the and the Mid-Ulster Courier content at ITV News for two The first issue of the Cookstown and Magherafelt, newspaper industry, so it is are published on Tuesday years. She will support editor Cat Mid-Ulster Courier hit the it was felt a new Mid-Ulster refreshing to see a new title mornings. FitzSimons.

04 | theJournalist news More job cuts in Trinity inbrief... FT DROPS OUTDATED ‘SIR’ FROM LETTERS Mirror’s digital drive The FT has dropped the ‘Sir’, greeting from its readers’ letters. The Trinity Mirror is to cut 49 more jobs as newspaper, which has a male editor it continues establishing its digital Live (Lionel Barber) said the term was old brand. Online news covering Hull, Grimsby, fashioned. The Guardian stopped Teesside, Plymouth and Cheshire will be using ‘Sir’ on letters in 1988 but published under the HullLive, GrimsbyLive, Further job cuts are many other titles still use it. TeessideLive, PlymouthLive and CheshireLive brands. terrible news for our This follows the loss of 49 jobs announced members at Trinity HOTEL PLANS FOR in February with the creation of BristolLive, Mirror and will ECHO BUILDING StokeontrentLive, CoventryLive, DerbyshireLive, “ The Liverpool Echo has left the NottinghamshireLive and LeicestershireLive. heighten concerns offices it has occupied for the past Newsrooms in Bath and Burton became part heritage and loyalties? These job losses will 45 years. The building in Old Hall of the SomersetLive and DerbyshireLive digital add extra work and pressure on to an over the company’s Street will be redeveloped into a brands, despite Burton being in Staffordshire. already-overstretched staff. hotel. The paper has moved to new The NUJ has called the cuts ‘terrible’ and is “It is vital that the consultations over these strategic direction offices in nearby St Paul’s Square. concerned that the company is in some cases redundancies are as meaningful and Trinity Mirror, the Echo’s owner, pre-selecting posts without consultation and transparent as possible. It is hugely disturbing Michelle Stanistreet said that the old building was a offering former Local World journalists that the company is carrying out a process of NUJ general secretary purpose-built print operation and statutory redundancy terms only. Trinity Mirror ‘pre-selection’ which inevitably leads to fears the shift to digital meant the paper bought Local World three years ago. that the outcomes are predetermined. had different requirements. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, “Yet again, Trinity Mirror is refusing to tackle said: “Further job cuts are terrible news for the scourge that is redundancy terms at our members at Trinity Mirror and will journalists from Local World titles. For a blue ARCHANT SEES SALES heighten concerns over the company’s chip company to treat sections of their staff as AND PROFITS FALL strategic direction. Will these ‘Live’ brands second-class employees, being paid only Archant, the regional news group mean anything to individual communities and statutory redundancy terms, is behaviour worthy that publishes the Eastern Daily towns proud of their distinct traditions, of the most bargain basement employer.” Press and more than 50 other titles, suffered an 11 per cent fall in total revenue to £95.5 million last year. Deal to buy Express group goes to Ofcom Operating profit was down by 44 per cent on a like-for-like basis to £4.7 Matt Hancock, the culture secretary, has referred Trinity Mirror’s million. Advertising revenue was £200 million deal to buy the Express and Star newspapers to the media down 12 per cent at £70.9 million. regulator Ofcom over issues including plurality and the editorial independence of Richard Desmond’s titles. Trinity Mirror’s shareholders voted to back the deal to add the Daily Express, LOCAL PAPER EDITOR Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday newspapers, as well as BECOMES COUNCIL PR magazines including celebrity title OK!, to its national titles the Daily Mirror, Chris Prime, editor of the Newark HELOISE / ALAMY STOCK PHOT STOCK / ALAMY HELOISE Sunday Mirror and Sunday People. Advertiser, has left after 10 years Mr Hancock, who is able to block the deal or force a sell-off of some titles, has in the role. He is moving to local given Ofcom until 31 May to complete its investigation. He has also asked the government PR. He first joined the Competition Markets Authority to report back on any wider competition issues family-owned paper in 1987 as a the deal may raise. junior reporter, then moved to the Nottingham Post. He rejoined the Advertiser in 1994 and took over as deputy editor in 2004. Clash over new roles after redundancies The chapel at the against redundancies. in ‘roles that mimic the NUJ head office. The two new RADIO 4 PRESENTERS Swindon Advertiser has The chapel questioned the former positions’. audience and content editor SWITCH PLACES dismissed as ‘wrong’ ‘soundness’ of Newsquest’s Toby Granville, Newsquest’s roles are to fill the vacancies Radio 4 news presenters Martha Newsquest’s justification for plan to replace valued staff editorial development created by recent resignations. Kearney and Sarah Montague have advertising two newsdesk with less experienced people director, said: “This is more They are not replacing any of traded places. Kearney has moved roles after making the news on significantly less money nonsense being stirred up by the roles made redundant.” from the World at One to the Today editor redundant. A Swindon chapel programme, while Montague has This year, staff at the paper spokesman said this gone from Today to the World at staged a strike in protest explanation was wrong. One. Montague worked on the Today programme for 18 years.

theJournalist | 05 delegate meeting 2018

Long-term low pay was a key issue at the NUJ’s delegate meeting. The conference also heard of growing unrest in the BBC, remembered lives lost worldwide and called on the union to support its own magazine in print

ALL PICTURES PAUL HERRMANN

The campaign will also look at ways to close the gender pay Campaign to gap which has been laid bare at the BBC and other media organisations after they had to publish statistics on pay equality. As well as running the Journalists Need a Pay Rise campaign, fight against DM also instructed the NEC to look at the potential benefit to NUJ members of the implementation of the living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation of £8.75 an hour low pay generally and £10.20 in London. The union is also going to attend more UK media organisations’ shareholders’ meetings to raise concerns, and The union is to launch a broad pay campaign will be sending a group to the shareholders’ meeting of – Journalists Need a Pay Rise – drawing on fights by other Newsquest’s US parent Gannett. Until last year, Newsquest staff groups of workers to secure better conditions for the low-paid. had suffered a decade of pay freezes. A motion tabled by South Yorkshire branch to the NUJ’s Like other workers, biennial delegate meeting (DM) in Southport last month journalists have called on the national executive council (NEC) to launch a pay campaign across the union. effectively suffered It said: “This DM believes journalists, like other workers, pay cuts for too long. have effectively suffered pay cuts for too long. The time is right “ for a pay campaign across the whole union to launch initiatives The time is right for a – including calling for a minimum of the living wage for all freelance members – an activity that would act as a union pay campaign across drive and help build organisation in all sectors.” the whole union Julia Armstrong, a member of the South Yorkshire branch who works on the Sheffield Star, said pay and conditions were at their worst in the many years she had been attending DM. South Yorkshire branch

More action to support Persian service members

The union is to step up pressure on Iran’s national security. It has banned 152 solidarity to stop the targeting of journalists. the Iranian authorities over the staff from buying or selling property inside The families living in Iran of the BBC harassment of journalists working for the Iran – a measure that has effectively frozen journalists have also complained of BBC’s Persian Service. their assets. harassment. The Iranian government has filed criminal A motion from the NEC said: “DM endorses Shayan Sardarizadeh, an Iranian citizen, charges against almost all of the Iranian the union’s campaigning efforts to date, and told delegates he was proud to work for the journalists who work for the Persian service in pledges to continue to support BBC Persian BBC. He said: “I’m very fortunate in working in London, accusing them of conspiracy against Service journalists’ call for global support and a country that has free speech.”

Remembering journalists’ lives

Delegates gathered on general secretary of the journalists had been killed the waterfront outside International Federation of – nearly 2,500 since 1990. Southport’s Floral Hall for a Journalists (IFJ). He said: “In “These statistics are silent tribute to the 162 2017, Mexico, Yemen, unacceptable because behind journalists who have been Afghanistan, Pakistan and these figures are women and killed worldwide since the last India were the most men, mothers and fathers delegate meeting in 2016. dangerous countries in the – journalists killed precisely Earlier the meeting heard world for journalists. Last because they were from Anthony Bellanger, year, the IFJ reported 82 journalists. Nothiang else.”

06 | theJournalist delegate meeting 2018 Warning of strikes at inbrief... EVENT TO EXAMINE POVERTY REPORTING the BBC over conditions The union will organise a national conference looking at the reporting Industrial action could broadcaster, by whatever of poverty following negative soon break out at the means are deemed depictions of poorer people and BBC in a clash over terms appropriate and agreed by benefits issues on TV and in print. and conditions, delegates the union’s structures.” The move follows the work by heard. This comes amid In addition, DM voted to Stop using us as a Rachel Broady and the Manchester continued anger over equal support journalists working at grab-all. Why should & Salford branch in highlighting the pay problems at the Red Bee Media. David issue and drafting guidelines.. corporation and cuts to its Gallagher of BBC London said: the BBC become part budget. “These people who edit of the Department of Pierre Vicary, chair of the subtitles and the EPG “ ‘ONE UNION’ TAKE TO Broadcasting Industrial [electronic programme guide] Work & Pensions and BOOST RECRUITMENT Council and newly elected were once part of the BBC. Following an increase in members in vice-president of the NUJ, Pierre said they could soon Since then, they have suffered pay for free licences the union’s new media, digital and said: “National strikes could be reaching a crunch point. a toxic combination of for the over-75s? independent broadcasting sectors, be on their way.” The concern over these outsourcing, offshoring and delegates called for a ‘one union’ He added: “Stop using us proposals and the high- extreme cost-cutting rather than a sectoral approach to as a grab-all. Why should the profile equal pay campaign measures which have Pierre Vicary recruitment to further boost BBC become part of the at the BBC has helped recruit seriously degraded the membership. Other motions called Department of Work & new NUJ members, some of editorial operation.” on the NEC to encourage branches Pensions and pay for the free whom attended DM. Delegates also instructed to engage with hyperlocal websites. licences of the over-75s?” A motion from the BBC the NEC to support NUJ Talks over proposed World Service was passed, members at the Al-Araby TV changes to terms and instructing the NEC to channel. Members and reps SUPPORT TO FIGHT conditions have been “continue fighting any have complained of ONLINE ABUSE continuing for more than a detrimental changes to victimisation and Qatari The union is to support journalists year and have angered many members’ terms and owner Fadaat Media has who suffer online abuse with journalists at the corporation. conditions at our public service refused to talk to the union. measures including: an awareness campaign; a toolkit for journalists to protect themselves; guides on gathering evidence; encouraging the reporting of incidents to Union subscriptions rise is rejected platforms and the police; and lobbying politicians. A move to increase about £120,000 per year in floors in Headland House including newly elected NEC subscription payments extra income. became fully flowing in member for London Natasha for NUJ members was Although the union’s 2020. Bernal, complained that the 60+ GROUP TO HELP rejected by the delegate finances are considerably All office space in the rises fell disproportionately YOUNG JOURNALISTS meeting. stronger than they were at renovated headquarters is on lower-paid members. The NUJ’s 60+ council is to work on The NEC had asked for the last DM, the NEC called now let but tenants have A subs increase requires mentoring programmes to support authority to raise subs by for a subs rise to help fund introductory rent-free or the backing of a two-thirds young journalists and those between 50p and 60p a day-to-day work and staffing low-rent periods. majority of delegates, which working alone such as community month in the hope of raising until income from letting However, some delegates, the motion failed to achieve. website editors. A fringe meeting held by the council heard from a young first-time delegate who said young journalists would value the Use parliamentary group, MP urges support of experienced colleagues.

Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville-Roberts pledged to advance the MANIFESTO PLEDGES interests of the NUJ and journalism in Westminster as part of the union’s ON WORK WELCOMED cross-party parliamentary group. The MP for Dwyfor Meirionnyd told delegates DM welcomed pledges by the that she understood very well the attrition taking place in the industry. Labour Party and Scottish National A former journalist and long-standing NUJ member, she said that her old parties to repeal the 2016 Trade newspaper the Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald had suffered a 28 per cent Union Act and commitments by decline in circulation and that no major Welsh title was now printed in Wales. Labour, the SNP and the Liberal She told NUJ members to make the most of the parliamentary group: Democrats to introduce “We can amplify matters and concerns for you in Westminster. We work in a employment rights including a ban cross-party fashion and there is a will to defend press freedom.” on fees for employment tribunals.

theJournalist | 07 delegate meeting 2018 inbrief... Support for The Journalist in print STRUCURAL REVIEW DIDN’T TAKE SHAPE The NEC has been instructed uncertainty over the future regular print publication. that the magazine was An instruction from the previous to maintain The Journalist in frequency of the magazine, Its report to the conference now the only print publication delegate meeting in 2016 calling on print for at least six editions a which is sent out to all said: “The NUJ should be flying for the media industry the NEC to carry out a root and year – the current frequency of members. the flag for print journalism. following the shift of Press branch structural review of the the magazine. The review said that its future “We deplore the loss of Gazette to online. union was not carried out. Seamus A motion from Bristol branch frequency would be a matter media titles in print and She said that the digital Dooley, assistant general secretary, said: “This DM believes that for the new NEC to decide. support the continuation of take-up of NUJ online had called the motion the most the NUJ should lead the way in The Journalist editorial print journalism. publications, such as important one from the 2016 DM. supporting print publications.” advisory board, a DM-elected “What signal would it NUJ Informed, had been Tim Dawson, president, explained The motion was carried with body that supports the send out if we were to cease found to be low and that in his report to this DM that the no one speaking against it. independence of the printing our own flagship it was a valuable for a union’s development committee The motion came as the magazine’s editor, had also publication?” membership organisation to had not functioned well and that union’s strategic voiced support for the Christine Buckley, editor of be able to communicate with significant managerial time had communications review raised magazine continuing as a The Journalist, told delegates its members directly. been spent on the communications review. He said that it may not be possible to deliver more than one Welsh Assembly rather funding to a shrinking significant review but he promised Welsh channel cash call than Westminster. and insecure budget.” to conduct such a review if there Delegates backed government funding the past 10 years. Nick Powell of the He said money was was still support for it and if the a campaign to for the channel to end A motion from the WEC said that the needed from NEC backed it. ensure proper funding by 2022. After then, all union’s Welsh channel was a vital politicians but also for Welsh language its money will come executive council part of Welsh culture. that it was important broadcaster S4C. from the licence fee. (WEC) called for the He told conference: to guarantee For full coverage of the The move is in DM heard S4C had broadcaster to be “S4C has gone from independence from delegate meeting go to response to plans for seen its income fall by funded in Wales and having secure and political control and www.nuj.org.uk nearly £7 million in nearly £20 million in to be overseen by the even generous influence.

Moved house or changed your email address?

Please let us know. You can update your membership record on the website nuj.org.uk or email [email protected]

8 | theJournalist viewpoint

Caroline Thain says that it’s vital to secure proper recognition

were as much to hold writers accountable for errors or wrongdoing Let’s crack down as they were for glorifying authors. Many might ask if the absence of a byline, a shared byline or byline on byline banditry spelling error can be thought of as a blessing. With fewer subeditors, articles are often not subbed but bashed out ince leaving office- Boyle says: “Bylines say you own by busy staffers who frequently make based journalism, I your work. We are not asking for the mistakes. At least their typos are have built a portfolio I crown jewels, just that our work is attributable to them. S am proud of, with officially, publicly recognised as ours. But where so much has changed stories published in When Paul McCartney writes a song, he in an industry that elicits pride, it is major newspapers. Bylines matter – doesn’t allow another musician to say undoubtedly a shame if hacks miss since I started out aged 16 until today he has done it. When Dan Brown writes out on well-deserved recognition and as a freelancer, they have been a a novel, he doesn’t allow another writer are afraid to raise the matter of having hallmark linking my ownership, talent to put their name on it – or the editor their bylines nicked, in case it costs and effort to my latest scoop. who will have tweaked the copy. them professionally. I file every story with ‘By Caroline “I think up all my own stories, find Thain’ at the top and would never want interviewees, encourage them to speak, copy printed without it. I specify I want sell the idea to a publication, then a byline as I agree payment terms and, write the piece. It may need a couple of especially as I work from home, it is hundred words cutting or tightening important for keeping up my profile. but that does not allow a salaried staffer I was disappointed when I excitedly to put their name on it first or at all.” searched for a recent national news Boyle is in dispute with another exclusive and found the section editor national newspaper now. She adds: “It had added her name and tagged mine is vital we keep hold of our property. on, as if I were on work experience. Signing away work means signing I found the case study, researched away future earnings. I would like the story and filed meticulous copy. I to see an overhaul of the shoddy, sourced images and turned it round legally dubious practices of byline quickly. She sliced and diced it then banditry of freelancer’s work.” stuck her name on. I politely requested Another important issue to that she remove her name from the consider is that stories with online version. She refused. shared bylines are trickier to The problem is if you defend your find in a Google search. right to a byline, you risk not being But, valuable as they are, used again. It was little me in my It is not vanity. It bylines are not enough, kitchen versus her with a firstname. according to journalism surname@majornewstitle email “is about etiquette lecturer and writing coach Susan address, other salaried journalists and credibility. Grossman. She says: “Like most around her and influence over how creatives, we have egos. We need our much payment I receive and when. Bylines can be talent recognised to get more work. It is not vanity. It is about etiquette We need our names in prestigious and credibility. Bylines can be hard hard to come by titles to grow our status. We also to come by and if it’s worth buying, need payment. A byline alone is it’s worth bylining, surely? Freelance and if it’s worth neither ethical nor enough. As often journalist Sheron Boyle won a notable as not, they’ll spell your name victory after refusing to let go of her buying, it’s worth wrong. A student of mine uses a single byline, meaning The Sun held bylining, surely? pseudonym for that reason.” her copy for three months before Omitting a byline has not agreeing to let her have what, she always been seen as purely argues, was hers all along. negative. Historically, bylines  8 For all the latest news from” the NUJ go to www.nuj.org.uk

theJournalist | 9 work lives

a day in the life of a union communications journalist ast summer on holiday in France the recent inflation busting Cadbury deal my wife and I got chatting with a Spin doctor, campaigner, secured for our members. Others will be couple at the bar on the bombshells, which have huge ramifications for journalist…Alex Flynn L campsite we were staying at. Our our members such as the recent collapse of daughter was playing with their says that he is a bit of all Monarch or job losses at BAE Systems. daughter while our conversation covered the Running through all these stories are people, usual moans and groans about the weather, of those roles their families and their livelihoods. Unite sights to see and places to eat. members, who through their hard earned wages A couple of glasses of red later, that line of events, such as Sports Direct’s annual general pay their subs to pay my wages to ensure they chat exhausted, I was asked, “so what job do you meeting. have a voice in an increasingly fragmented and do then?” “I work for Unite, a trade union where My colleagues and I also compiled what we at times hostile media. I’m the head of media and campaigns”, I replied. dubbed the ‘dossier of shame’. The basis of our In the case of BAE we knew something bad was “Oh… but what it is you actually do?” I was asked written evidence to parliament’s inquiry into afoot when news leaked via Sky that the again. “Are you a spin doctor, campaigner, Sport Direct, it formed the platform for Unite company was rumoured to be cutting 1,000 journalist or what?” assistant general secretary Steve Turner and jobs from its fighter and trainer jet division. “A bit of all of the above”, I replied and then regional officer Luke Primarolo’s explosive Coming a day before a series of company the conversation turned to Sports Direct and evidence to MPs ahead of Mike Ashley’s grilling mass meetings with the workforce was Unite’s campaign. Because of its high profile - 17 by the select committee. scheduled the news partially confirmed million people have reportedly watched the The strength in the evidence was that it was our worst fears. We felt there was worse house of commons evidence session from last sourced and strenuously checked, each claim to come. year- it’s an identifiable example that usually evidenced with FoI requests, pay slips and elicits an “ah yes” from people. worker testimony. In short rigorous journalist It succeeded in putting Mike Ashley under the practice meant there was no denying it. spotlight and exposing Victorian work practices, Away from the long-term projects such as it’s fair to say that the Sports Direct campaign Sports Direct, the typical day in my role at Unite created waves and importantly real change is rich and varied. Unite is unique among trade for workers too. Two years in the making it unions in both its size and scope with members featured on the front and back pages of national from every walk of life, from the shop floor to newspapers and its success was built on the boardroom, from vicars to bus drivers. teamwork. Because of this you are partly in the hands of With investigations from Channel 4’s the news gods. Typically the team and I will deal Dispatches, Inside Out on the BBC and the around four stories a day, dealing with Guardian’s excellent Simon Goodley, whose journalists across the country from print, online undercover report blew the lid on minimum to broadcast. On the one hand you could be wage breaches, it demonstrated the importance dealing with the editor of the Isle of Wight of good quality journalism in holding power County Press and then the next minute ITV’s to account. irrepressible business editor Joel Hills or the PA’s In addition to liaising with journalists and legendry Alan Jones. working up stories, I worked with a close team of Some of the stories will be ours, such as an colleagues in coordinating media stunts and announcement of an industrial action ballot, creating content for social media around key strike dates, a legal victory or a pay deal such as

10 | theJournalist work lives

Understandably when the initial The team and myself always try and write a people’s lives, like with Sports Direct, are Sky story broke there was a flurry of press release that is in essence a self-contained immeasurable. The overriding factor though, be calls from journalists asking “is it news story, giving Unite’s spin on events along it a ‘big’ or ‘small’ media day, in what I and the true?” “What do you know?” While it with the facts. Get that right and in the case of team at Unite do, is articulating Unite members’ wasn’t my job to confirm the BAE and other big announcements where the point of view, their hopes, their fears and rumours, Unite members needed to company actually gives a breakdown of job importantly what they want to see happen. hear that their union was speaking up losses, you can largely focus on dealing with the While we beaver away behind the scenes, we them and their industry. requests for interviews from broadcast media. will occasionally get a word of thanks from After discussions with colleagues and With BAE as with similar announcements, my members making the job doubly worthwhile. officers responsible for BAE I drafted a press attention along with the team’s will quickly This can take many forms. Remember that release for approval that stated the case for our turn to juggling interview bids between couple I mentioned earlier? It turned out they a union members’ jobs and pointed the finger at the regional and national spokespeople. As a rule were both Unite members, one a steel worker government for spending increasing amounts I accompany our key spokespeople while they and the other a local government worker who of the defence budget overseas, rather than are doing a round of interviews so they are insisted on buying the third class of red. Cheers! supporting British manufacturing. briefed, aware of developments and stay focused communications It was a theme we expanded on the following on our key messages. day when the news broke that the job losses On the day of the BAE announcement Steve were actually nearly double the rumoured Turner was in the hot seat for Unite. A live hit on amount and encompassed BAE’s marine BBC’s news channel followed by a pre-record for division. We were prepared for went it came. I BBC Look East, then Channel 5 news outside 24-hour news issued a press release that had been agreed parliament was followed by a round of local Ah the halcyon days of cooking up a journalist overnight within two minutes of the radio for the BBC and Sky News Radio. The day story over a two hour lunch and announcement. Our convenors were on standby was completed with an interview with the BBC’s faxing out press releases. They were and the deluge began. Business Editor talking about the loss of Britain’s gentler times. As journalism has manufacturing capacity. changed, so has the job of union Days like BAE can be breathless at times and communications officers. the feeling of helping make a real difference to At Unite we have a team of campaign and media officers working tightly with specialist social media colleagues and journalists on our digital publication Unite Live. While the press release is still the preferred method for getting a message to the media the job doesn’t stop there. Each press release is proofed and checked for house style, before being released to relevant media. It’s then uploaded on to Unite’s website, shared via social media and then refashioned for Unite Live. Most days we will have what is effectively a news list of press releases, stories and announcements that we plan to respond to. With breaking stories, speed is of the essence in the world of digital media. Quite often we’ll tweet and feed an initial line to media, with a fuller response following on. In a typical month we’ll generate around 2,000 Unite mentions across all print, online and broadcast media. For campaigns and disputes we’ll cover a demo or stunt with vox pops, video and pictures, which will form content across our digital media and social media. While the basics of a strong message and joined up communications never change, the rapidity of the news cycle and immediacy of digital media means union communication professionals have had to become increasingly need to be fleet of foot.

theJournalist | 11 international reporting

dangerous in parts. Part of the reason I was able to pitch and do such ambitious and expensive reporting trips was because I can write, take photos and film for the same story.” If the calamitous Boot were to return to a conflict zone now, would he be expected to post Instagram stories of the quiet revolution? Would he, like some journalists, use dating apps to SCOOP meet local sources? How would he weather days later the rebels have overthrown him. It pro-government Twitter trolls’ accusations of Rhiannon J Davies didn’t drag on – there was a beginning, middle “fake news”? Certainly, with so many people with and end – and it was all very colourful and neat. cameraphones and internet connections, he compares Evelyn The demands of editors and the peculiar, would surely not score that definitive scoop. Waugh’s world nomadic, dysfunctional life that the foreign The sheer volume of information online is correspondent lives still have some truth.” another factor. Foreign correspondents are no with international Despite this, foreign reporting has come a long longer the sole conduit of news between a war way since. For starters, there has been a shift in zone and the public back home. Citizen reporting now gender balance. Bethan McKernan, a Beirut- journalists and, frankly, anyone with a based reporter who covers the Middle East for cameraphone and an internet connection can the Independent, notes that while there is still a now scoop the best. Also, journalists have to be ighty years ago saw the need for more women editors, there are now wary of online sources if they do not know their publication of satirical sensation plenty of great female reporters in the Middle motives. As Pratt notes: “When properly Scoop – Evelyn Waugh’s “novel East: “I remember looking around a briefing table harnessed, social media can be an incredibly E about journalists” that sends up recently and realising all seven journalists – and useful tool, but it brings a challenge of its own. It the world of the foreign the person who organised it – were women.” can be corrosive to the veracity of stories and to correspondent in a typically irreverent fashion. This has influenced the type of stories getting to beneath the veneer of the stories.” A case of mistaken identity sees protagonist reported. According to Christina Lamb, Sunday The increased availability of information William Boot sent to cover a growing crisis in the Times chief foreign correspondent, men and online may also have contributed to the fictional African state of Ishmaelia. Laden with women report things differently: “Women are reduction in funding for international reporting. an abundance of extraneous luggage, the hapless much better listeners and we talk to women Another issue is the danger foreign countryside columnist finds himself among a more – often men don’t think of them as being correspondents now face. At one time, journalists cut-throat pack of foreign correspondents, all of part of the story. And, as a woman, you have were usually injured only accidentally. Now, in whom are content to make up stories when none access to half the population that a man doesn’t.” some places, journalists have become targets. The present themselves. Boot’s stubborn refusal to David Pratt agrees: “In many parts of the flak jacket and helmet have become a standard be drawn into a visit to a town that he knows for world, it’s the female dynamic that is the pivotal element of a foreign correspondent’s “war bag”. a fact does not exist means he is the sole witness aspect of a story. When covering Israel-Palestine, Despite these challenges, some argue that to the overthrow of the despotic government I often found that it was the Palestinian women there has never been a greater need for foreign and the subsequent “counter revolution” – who were much more outspoken, engaging and correspondents or, indeed, a greater interest in unwittingly scoring the scoop of the century. able to talk about their communities in a way world affairs. Richard Sambrook, professor of Told with scathing wit, the story is based upon that men couldn’t.” Journalism at Cardiff University, spent 30 years as Waugh’s time in Ethiopia covering the anticipated Some of the most absurd moments in Scoop a BBC journalist and, in 2010, wrote a report that invasion by Mussolini’s Italy for the Daily Mail, a come from Boot’s failed attempts to comprehend asked: “Are foreign correspondents redundant?” conflict that lasted from October 1935 to May 1936. the succinct manner required for telegrams. He says: “We live in an era where there is more Although an established novelist, Waugh Advances in technology have changed this information available than ever, but where public never quite made it as a “newspaper man”, which aspect of international reporting almost attention is more fragmented and politicised. may be why he poured such scorn upon the unrecognisably. Lamb recalls: “When I started, International reporting remains crucially profession. However, his experience did enable 90 per cent of the work was logistics – trying to important. It can differentiate news organisations him to take a step back and recognise the find a way to get the story back when there were in a hypercompetitive environment; undertaken absurdity of the situation, set against the no telephones. You could have the best story in in the right way, it can still engage audiences of backdrop of a truly abominable war. the world but, if you had no way of getting it back, all ages. But it is harder than ever to make But – apart from the racist language that it was useless. We used to have to take films to the international issues relevant and engaging would no longer be tolerated – how does this airport to find someone who would take them against a backdrop of greater media noise.” satirical tale hold up today? David Pratt, back. It was all very time consuming.” While Boot – and indeed Waugh – may have contributing foreign editor at the Herald, There is often now an expectation for never become fully enamoured with life as a Sunday Herald and Cable – Scotland’s new journalists to be multiskilled – publishing words, foreign correspondent, there are plenty who are. international affairs magazine – thinks it is not photos and video on various platforms. While For those who risk their lives reporting, there far off the mark. “It’s quite a surreal piece of this is not essential, Bethan McKernan certainly may be no greater response than Lord Copper’s writing but, in some ways, closer to the truth thinks it helps: “For example, the Raqqa to the book’s eponymous scoop: “Stop the than many people realise. I was in Port-au-Prince campaign was prohibitively expensive for lots of machines at Manchester and Glasgow. Clear the in the 1980s when the president was overthrown news organisations – fixers [local people who line to Belfast and Paris. Scrap the whole front and I remember thinking it was a bit like Scoop; help organise interviews and translate] alone page. Kill the Ex-Beauty Queen’s Pauper Funeral.

NURPHOTO one day I’m interviewing the president and a few were about $700 a day and it was pretty Get in a photograph of Boot.”

12 | theJournalist international reporting

The weary foreign editor, presumed to be based on correspondent working for Dramatis personae ever deferential to his Sir Percival Phillips, an the Daily Telegraph who William Boot Lord Copper overbearing boss. Not established war scooped Waugh. “Feather-footed “We think it a very reflective of anyone in through the plashy promising little war … particular as there were Corker fen passes the We propose to give it many like him on Fleet “News is what a chap questing vole” fullest publicity” Street at that time. who doesn’t care Said to be based upon The overbearing press much about anything Bill Deedes, a journalist baron has recognisable Sir Jocelyn wants to read. And it’s who was in Ethiopia aspects of Lord Beaverbrook, Hitchcock only news until he’s with Waugh, who went proprietor of the Daily and “The job of the read it.” on to become the editor Sunday Express, as well as English special is Sent by an agency to of the Daily Telegraph. Lord Rothermere and his to spot the story cooperate with Boot on While he has always brother Lord Northcliffe, he wants, get in – stories for the Beast. brushed aside the charge, who developed the Daily then clear out and Not based on any one he has admitted that his Mail and Daily Mirror. leave the rest to person, but his thirst 600lb of luggage might the agencies” for news and brash have provided some Mr Salter A journalist personality were typical inspiration. “Up to a point, Lord working for the rival of some of the reporters Copper” Daily Brute, out there.

theJournalist | 13 careers

Ruth Addicott explores why some young people leave journalism early Are young dreams being dashed?

hen Lucy Pearce was appointed editor of The the proportion of recently qualifieds working in PR and Argus in Brighton, aged 28, she was not only communications (18 per cent), compared with one per cent in its youngest editor but also the first woman a survey in 2012. W to edit the paper in its 137-year history. When One reason is pay. A report by the Chartered Institute of she resigned within weeks to become Public Relations in 2017 showed the average salary of a PR communications and engagement manager at Legal & General, professional had risen to £50,447 (£66,102 in London). Nearly it took many by surprise. Pearce declined to comment on her one in four aged 25-34 earned £40,000-£59,999. reasons, but she is not alone in making such a move. With local newspaper staff striking over low pay and a In January 2018, Abigail Weaving was awarded the Paul survey last year showing one in three freelancers is in receipt Durrant Award for her outstanding NCTJ performance. By of state benefits, for many, PR seems a sensible option. then, she had already left the Saffron Walden Reporter to Jem Collins, editor of Journo Resources, which offers work at a London press office. support to journalists starting out, believes a lot of graduates While many graduate trainees on nationals go on to enjoy become demoralised when they cannot get a job. prestigious careers, there have been recent reports of trainees More than 300 local papers have closed in the past decade. quitting. “Good jobs are hard to come by and it’s easy to see why Why are some young journalists leaving so soon? you’d move into an industry which is easier to crack. An NCTJ report in 2015 which tracked journalists 6-10 There’s this bizarre idea you should be grateful for any months after they’d qualified showed ‘a striking difference’ in journalism job, regardless of the conditions, which I

joined Inside Housing and together a huge number of opportunities. The Celebrity How to get nearer broke stories on Grenfell talented, creative people. It Interview Club lists celebs Tower. “They carved out an was like all the best bits of available for interviews. the job you want area and were in a great being on a really good position to track that story.” publication – exciting, visual Freelance Student journalism guide and list of graduate and creative, but they were Freelancing is a good way The Student Publication trainee schemes. Consider other roles getting paid a lot more.” to build a portfolio, Association covers the UK Tim Holmes, senior lecturer combined with shifts, and Ireland and provides Develop a specialism in the Centre for Journalism Get support copywriting, lecturing or support, training and a Suzanne Franks, head of at Cardiff University, recalls Check out Facebook groups PR for extra income. chance to showcase work. journalism at City University a graduate who worked in such as The No1 Freelance Journo Resources provides in London, suggests customer engagement at Ladies’ Buddy Agency and Boost skills information on how to working for business to online fashion store ASOS, A Few Good Hacks where Broaden your skills. The NUJ break into journalism, business magazines. She to bring people to its journalists share advice on offers courses: see www. including a recent fees recalls one graduate who website. “ASOS had brought fees, pitching and nuj.org.uk/work/training/

14 | theJournalist careers

disservice’, to content and driving reporters too hard. “There are still a lot of local stories that need proper exposure and investigation. That is becoming more difficult for journalists to do and I think that is a real danger. If you’re not getting the interesting work and not getting paid well, why should you stay?” Megan Baynes is on the executive committee of the Student Publication Association (SPA), which supports young journalists. She believes graduates get a rude awakening. “Going into any job is a shock, but journalism demands your entire life,” she says. “I think sometimes graduates aren’t realistic. In my last year, everyone was applying for the BBC and The Times graduate scheme and I was applying for local journalism jobs. When I got my job, everyone was like, ‘why aren’t you aiming higher?’ I said, you’ve got to go in at a local level. It’s great to be ambitious, but don’t turn up your nose at your local paper. Moving across the country to work on a local was the best decision I made.” Baynes didn’t do a journalism degree, but put as much on her CV as possible – running her student paper and doing work experience at the Gloucestershire Echo, the BBC and Channel 4, as well as working for a paper in the US during her year abroad. think is one of the reasons people leave,” says Collins. So, when she graduated, she had experience. She is now “I think journalism training romanticises the profession doing an apprenticeship at the Isle of Wight County Press as a slightly, which makes it more painfully obvious when the trainee reporter. conditions are bad. We’re told how to do on the ground “I prefer it because you get on the ground experience while reporting, how to get exclusives and allowed to take our time you’re training,” she says. on stories and cover things we’re interested in. Sadly, there Feedback from students at SPA also found that editors don’t are few jobs in the real world which let you do that – often always look as favourably on journalism degrees. “If someone you’re churning out seven or more pieces a day. That’s not to said, ‘I’m applying for university’, I wouldn’t advise them to say we shouldn’t do training, but we need to prepare those do a journalism degree,” says Baynes. “It’s hard because breaking into the industry for the reality.” everyone wants that experience and a lot of the time A report in Press Gazette last summer said the ‘ripping publishers want the NCTJ, but they aren’t willing to pay for it. culture’ (re-jigging stories from rivals) at one national So you’ve got to put yourself in a lot of debt, then take a job newspaper website led to more than half of its graduate where you may not earn much. I can see why students think, trainee intake for the past two years leaving to work in PR. ‘What’s the point when I can take a job in PR?’ ” There are new Professor Suzanne Franks, head of journalism at City opportunities at organisations such as charities and non University in London, says: “Quite a number of our students governmental organisations. end up in that situation and get disillusioned – you can’t do So are graduates being encouraged to take jobs in PR? real journalism that way.” “We definitely don’t want students to go into PR because So are students leaving university with false expectations? that’s not journalism and we train them to be journalists,” “I don’t think so,” says Franks. “They’ve grown up in a very says Franks. “We want them to be independent minded and digitally aware age. Some think they’re going to walk out and hold power to account. The reason we do this is to produce read the Ten o’Clock news the next week but, by and large, good journalists who will go out there, fly the flag and ask they understand. We have lots of career events with alumni difficult questions. I feel a bit disappointed when I see people coming back and talking about their experience.” who have those skills and use them in the capacity of PR.” Tim Holmes, senior lecturer in the Centre for Journalism at Holmes believes the industry needs to look at itself, including Cardiff University, says the acid test is when students do work at wage structures and career paths. “If they want bright young experience. While most come back enthused, some go to a people to come in, there has to be some reward,” he says. “It big consumer magazine and end up photocopying or clearing doesn’t necessarily have to be pay – if they’re getting interesting the fashion cupboard with schoolchildren. work, there’s a balance. But if they’re expected to do fairly “That happens rarely, but it does happen,” says Holmes. rubbish jobs and not get paid well, that is a recipe for disaster.” He believes the shift to PR happens when journalists want Franks says: “The bright ones and the determined ones will to start a family or need more financial security. make it in the end. Keep your skills, keep learning and find Holmes says local newspapers have also done a ‘grave your niche.”

theJournalist | 15 remuneration Pay day mayday

her having 14 years’ experience of writing about money for Louise Tickle finds exploitation is becoming the nationals – she might benefit from ‘the exposure’. ingrained with the plethora of free content “I normally reply with a curt email saying I don’t work for free and often point out that my ‘exposure’ is fine – after all, they found me OK,” she says. ournalism graduates interning at news outlets There are more subtle ways of gaining from a journalist’s for bylines; Websites that don’t pay for words; expertise – and some blurry lines. Journalist, lecturer and Professional photography that’s being replaced coach Susan Grossman was asked by a fellow journalist J with smartphone snaps; Specialist journalists writing a book if she’d answer a few questions on the phone. asked to speak at events that have no budget to “I questioned payment but she said ‘I haven’t been given a pay them. Welcome to the life of the self-employed hack in 2018. budget for consultancy.’” Freelance journalists being asked to work for zilch is nothing When the book came out, Grossman discovered that she new. But the explosion of online platforms and the rapid was quoted throughout, and felt it was ‘more of a evolution of communication technologies, together with the collaboration than a few quotes’. willingness of many individuals to blog their thoughts and Instagram their lives for free are increasingly the problem. Until recently, Kate Bevan was a technology journalist and broadcaster who received regular invitations to speak about Just reward, not free cheers her specialism – for nothing. These requests, she observes dryly, tended to go as follows: “We love your work, we think Recently, I’ve been was hugely apologetic – but there was no money, you’re wonderful, we’d love you to speak at our event – by the asked several times to and said he would put a except expenses. way, we have no budget.” chair or speak at events budget line for freelance I was told speakers Bevan, now editor of Which? Computing, has moderated without pay. Each job contributors into his next weren’t paid. Free tickets the StopWorkingForFree Facebook group whose manifesto would have taken a full funding application. to other festival events calls on freelancers to withdraw unpaid labour from the day, writes Louise Tickle. The other uni was and a ‘nice case’ of wine creative industries. She says the bottom line is simple: “If The first was from a sponsoring a literary had been accepted by you’re monetising my expertise, then I’m monetising my profit-making company. festival. The press office other speakers. expertise.” The group’s manifesto points out: “Every time you When I protested, the – which knows I’m self My website is clear I give work for free for a company that could and should pay you, you reply from the director employed – invited me to talks and chair debates for set up a paradigm whereby you in turn become replaceable.” included: “Almost always moderate a panel payment so I’m staggered Although experienced freelancers find it easier to be those we approach are discussion on domestic people reckon they can assertive than those starting out, dealing with the emotions happy to help, and abuse, an issue I’ve use my skills for nothing. that are provoked when someone presumes to exploit your recompense if needed written about for years. I Maybe they believe a skills can sap energy and affect morale. Journalist and editor comes from exposure…” would have loved to do it journalist with national Sarah Drew Jones says she feels ‘insulted and undermined’ Others were bylines is rolling in it. If when these requests come through. “When a PR or content universities. One was an only. Even if this were so, agency emails to ask for ‘my take’ or help on a project, pitch, invitation to chat to freelances shouldn’t have product, event or even idea, I tell them how damaging it is,” she students about an to point out that their explains. “Their greed and thoughtlessness is actually changing article I’d written. skills should be valued in the DNA of the industry. It punches home that journalism is Once I had the only way that’ll keep increasingly devalued. I don’t want to be part of that trend.” explained the them clothed, sheltered ‘Offended and bemused,’ is freelance journalist Emma situation, he and fed: with money. Lunn’s reaction. She has been asked to work for free, ‘numerous times by dodgy start-ups’, which suggest – despite

16 | theJournalist remuneration

IKON IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

On reflection, she feels she should have been paid as a to stand their ground,” Bevan says. “If a budget doesn’t contributor. “Too late now,” says Grossman. “But, if I had appear, then you have to ask yourself what you’re getting out known the format, I would not have agreed for no money.” of it, because often enough it’s bugger all.” It’s always worth telling someone what your rate is and Words, broadcast interviews and the speaker circuit are seeing what they say, says Lunn, “but bear in mind that some If a budget only part of the problem. companies unwilling to pay might agree a price and then not To address the specific issue of amateur photography being have the money when the time comes. So if you have any doesn’t appear, supplied – or ripped off – for no payment, the NUJ recently doubts, ask for some or all of your fee upfront.” “ launched the #useitpayforit campaign. With groups such as And while Bevan’s response is uncompromising – no then you have to Newsquest making user-generated copy part of their business money, no appearance – she says she tries to be constructive. ask yourself plans and openly courting camera clubs to provide free “I’m not rude about it, but I say come back to me when you pictures, the union believes it is now time to raise awareness have a budget. I point out that I’m a supplier, and I often ask: what you’re of the issue with amateur photographers and videographers ‘Are you paying your venue and caterers?’” who, by giving their work away, are undermining professional getting out of it, photographers and the value of good photographs and videos. R agencies and news outlets pumping out “If an image is good enough to be published or broadcast, it content on the cheap are far from being the because often is good enough to be paid for,” is the message. only culprits, however. One freelancer who Freelance forums such as the private Facebook group Can’t regularly does TV slots said that, while ITV enough it’s Pay Won’t Pay exist for freelance journalists to let off steam P ‘never asks’ her to appear for free, the BBC bugger all and ask for advice on how to secure a better deal – as well as, ‘have a lot of form’ for asking journalists to do exactly that. sometimes, to work through their thoughts about when “I was asked by a BBC programme called Rip Off Britain – working for free might be acceptable. the irony – to film a segment for no pay,” she told me. “It What can freelancers do to ensure people value their work? would have taken two days – it was filming in Manchester – “First, be fantastic at what you do so you can genuinely offer and they would only have covered travel expenses. a valuable service that demands fair payment,” says Drew Jones. “There’s also a Sunday programme hosted by Nicky “I explain why the ‘work for free’ approach is a mistake but, of Campbell on BBC1 that I have twice been asked to be on the course, I’m also a business so I offer a solution too, suggesting panel for, also for no money.” a consultation fee with an explanation of what unique benefit Why does the problem exist in the first place? ” my expertise and experience can bring to the project. Drew Jones believes the perception of journalism’s value has “It’s never been more important for freelancers to be changed. “We’re not experts who research and break stories multi-skilled, flexible and at the top of their game. But you do and hold power to account and change lives and entertain, have to take a stand, because our profession is under threat. enrich and inspire any more,” she says. “We’re hobbyists who Know your worth and fight to get fair recognition of it.” Instagram our breakfasts, and who wants to pay for that? I’m being flippant, but there’s an element of this in the public perception of journalism and media now, and that’s bled back into people even within the industry too. PR agencies, content agencies, event organisers – they don’t value journalists or, in many cases, differentiate us from the hobbyist bloggers and influencers with large Twitter followings but no journalism skills.” In this climate, it is tougher than ever to negotiate when starting out. While in a salaried job, Emma Sheppard, now a commissioning editor at Guardian Networks, wrote articles ‘for anyone who would take my stuff’ to build up her portfolio. “That meant working for free,” she says. Before going freelance full time two years ago, Sheppard had saved some money but found making a living ‘was slow going’ at first. “I went to a couple of NUJ workshops about freelancing and one thing really stood out: if you say yes to working for free, you’re making it harder for everyone else.” Although she does now bring up the issue of payment once an editor has expressed interest in an idea she’s pitched, Sheppard ‘still hates’ asking. Demanding that your skills are valued still feels delicate for those early in their careers. “I know it’s harder for young people and I encourage them

theJournalist | 17 on media

Raymond Snoddy finds some figures to make journalism pay

biggest question is what they will do with them. Fight Facebook with In a rational world, media planners will be able to do some more planning and integrate the trusted offerings of real reader numbers newsbrands more fully into campaigns. In such a rational world, the leakage of advertising revenue to social media he occasional elderly making and has replaced an outdated should at least slow and possibly even US senator may not national readership survey system. be modestly reversed. know how Facebook So far so boring – something for The danger is that the young digerati T makes its money. But statistic nerds to discuss, rather than in agencies will continue to push the there can hardly be a journalists trying to work out how long digital default button, acting against journalist anywhere who doesn’t know Theresa May can survive as prime the long-term, brand-building interests how the social media giant hoovers up minister. of those they represent. advertising and, in the process, blows The work of PAMCo is far from The difference now is that, thanks to out jobs in the traditional media. boring and could affect – positively – PAMCo, if they continue making Rather like the reputation of President the extent to which journalists get to Zuckerberg and friends richer and Trump among his followers, nothing keep their jobs in future. that Facebook does or says, however It should have been done years ago scandalous, seems to dent its advance. but let’s not carp. Fake news, invasion of privacy, PAMCo uses 35,000 face-to-face- interference in election campaigns by interviews, backed up by a revolving proxy, ads placed next to jihadi 5,000-strong panel who monitor violence or viewed for two seconds (if reading on all digital devices. The they are seen by humans at all rather result is reliable numbers for than robots) and still nothing happens. ‘newsbrand’ readers across print, To be more precise, something does desktop, tablets and phones, with happen – money continues to flow duplication removed. from the established media into the The information generated, never coffers of Mark Zuckerberg. assembled in such a Despite Cambridge Analytica, despite comprehensive way before, is everything, Facebook’s revenues rose good news for newspaper and by 49 per cent in the first quarter to a magazine publishers. record $11.97 billion. Can anything stop No fewer than 24.6 million the march of the social media giants These are the people in the UK read other than waving garlic at them? newsbrands every day and In the UK publishers now at least “numbers that 41 million each week. It have PAMCo. looks like a regular habit Pardon? media agencies because the monthly A prize to any journalist who has and advertisers figure is heard of it, and kudos to those who only a little higher at have not only noticed the launch but have been seeking 45.4 million. also pondered its implications – which Each month, publishers are could be considerable. for years. The reaching 91 per cent of all adults, Most journalists, unless they have to with reach rising to 93 per cent for write about circulation figures, tend to biggest question is 15-34 year-olds. For all adults, print avert their gaze from the gloomy is the biggest single component regularity of print decline in the ABCs. what will they do while, for younger age groups, it is Now we have Audience with them mobile. Measurement for Publishers from These are the numbers that PAMCo. This is a £35 million initiative media agencies and advertisers which has been three years in the have been seeking for years. The

For the latest updates from Raymond Snoddy on Twitter 8follow @raymondsnoddy”

18 | theJournalist Q&A

What made you become a journalist? What advice would you give someone I wanted to be a political cartoonist from the starting in journalism? age of 10 when I first came across drawings by Combine arrogance with sloth: be convinced you’re Gillray, Cruikshank and David Low in my bloody brilliant so are guaranteed to get ahead, and be sister’s history text book – An Illustrated far too lazy to get a proper job. History of Britain 1780-1945.

What other job might you have or have done? What’s the best place My last proper job (when you’ve worked in? someone else paid my stamps) The Guardian, bless them, have was in 1980. I was assistant chief allowed me to get away with stuff cashier at Wembley Stadium no other paper would. But I had until I got sacked for innumeracy. more day-to-day fun on my first national, Today. It was a scream, in the day when papers were still noisy, smoky and boozy.

What are your hopes for When did you join the NUJ journalism in the future? and why? Good journalism, like satire, is a In 1997 and from shame. I was at human constant – we need to hold the Labour conference and an old power to account. school shop steward delegate asked if I was in a union. I didn’t realise I qualified as a freelance. At the next What was your earliest conference, I reassured him I’d political thought? made good my error. When I was five or six: that for most people life just wasn’t fair, and the Are many of your friends in people in charge were hilarious. the union? I hope so. Whenever a cartoonist regales me with horror stories of managers or editors, I ask if they’ve NUJ & Me And fears? consulted the NUJ. Then – That the bad journalism – the kind depressingly often – I say ‘join!’. of obsessive, bullying, cranky self- Martin Rowson is righteousness beloved of too many Who is your biggest hero? newspaper titles – will prevail. Cartoonists don’t have heroes, or at a political cartoonist least shouldn’t. I have a passing regard for the founding geniuses of Which six people (alive or my craft, Hogarth and Gillray, and dead) would be at your later geniuses like Ronald Searle dinner party? and Ralph Steadman. The English regicide Sir Harry Marten; Lucy the Australopithecine; Laurence And villain? Sterne; Emma Goldman; William The list is far too long to repeat here. Hogarth; Julia Langdon

What’s been your best moment in your career? Tony Blair tried to write a complaint on How would you like to be Alistair Campbell’s computer about one of my remembered? cartoons. Campbell stopped it but, if he David Montgomery once hadn’t, we would have been able to tear him recommended me to another apart as the PM who couldn’t take the ‘toons’ editor as “a difficult man but a good before he got round to doing any real damage. cartoonist”. It’s that or from a Daily Mail editorial about me: “Sick, disgusting, deranged and offensive.”

SCIENCE HISTORY IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO STOCK / ALAMY IMAGES HISTORY SCIENCE That’ll do.

theJournalist | 19

arts

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

Investigative documentary by Tim Lezard State motivation over disputes favourite poems. “They say you Book mellow with age but, if anything, makes for a disturbing tale Rebel with a Cause I’m angrier than I’ve ever been,” By Peter Evans he says. It’s a bit William Boot, but imagine a www.awaywithmedia.com/ reporter starting his career earning £1 benjamin a week at a local newspaper and progressing to having his own aircraft Music waiting to whisk him off Belly, the Breeders around the globe to May, June, July cover another breaking On tour throughout the UK international story. It’s a good time to be a child of That’s what happened the 1990s if you like minor indie to Times reporter Peter bands. For, while members of Evans, and he writes Oasis have alternated between about it in his memoir, churning out pub-rock albums described by his and family feuding, and members publishers as ‘the of Blur have become Labour ultimate inside scoop’. councillors or Cotswolds-dwelling Belonging: The Truth Behind public order policing, behind closed Evans worked for the Times for 30 cheesemakers, 4AD royalty Belly the Headlines by first-time doors dealings of government and years, so he has a lot of stories to tell, and the Breeders are back making director Morag Livingstone shines Murdoch’s purchase of the Times including being hijacked by knife- proper music. fresh light at what happened at and the Sunday Times. New carrying religious fanatics, threatened Probably the coolest woman in Wapping. questions are raised through with violence by the London rock, Kim Deal, returns with her sister The multiple award-winning documents submitted by Murdoch to Richardson gang and saving Cardinal Kelley for a new album and a tour, investigative documentary reveals Leveson, including classified cabinet Hume from a rock-throwing Notting while former Breeder Tanya Donelly secret government plans revealing minutes from the Thatcher era. Hill riot. takes the stage again with her band what has long been suspected by Belonging reminds us that, with www.bookguild.co.uk/ Belly to do the same. If you missed many but not proven – until now. 5,500 Fleet Street workers sacked bookshop-collection/non-fiction/ them the first time, make up for Belonging reconsiders three and a de-unionised Wapping biography/rebel-with-a-cause/ lost time. industrial disputes – News workforce, trade unions were unable http://bellyofficial.com International (1986-87) Royal Mail to hold back fake news as they had Poetry http://thebreedersmusic.com (2007-08) and Ineos (2013) – and done during the miners’ strike. This Benjamin Zephaniah complicit actions by the government. pattern of sacking trade unionists On tour throughout the UK Games of Thrones Live But it’s more complex than that. and involving the government and Performance poet, Rastafarian and On tour throughout the UK This film is different from previous the police continued at Royal Mail OBE-rejecter Benjamin Zephaniah has If you can’t wait for the new series trade union films; it looks at patterns and Ineos. The results were reduced decided, aged 59, that it’s time for of Game of Thrones, why not satisfy found in multiple disputes and how corporate and government him to write his autobiography. your longing by listening to music successive governments worked to transparency and accountability. Which, for someone who left school from the show? reduce collectivism and the Former Fleet Street compositor aged 13 able to neither read nor You’ll hear composer Ramin accountability of business. The Terry Smith sums it up: “It’s not write, is quite an achievement. Djawadi leading an orchestra and consequences of such actions are what’s in a newspaper that counts During the 18-date tour to plug choir, and see ‘mesmerising visuals’ borne out through heart-rending – it’s what’s not in a newspaper.” Life and Rhymes, the claiming to bring to life the fantasy personal interviews with those at Livingstone says: “This isn’t a film anti-racist kingdom of Westeros. Whether the centre of these disputes. that tells you how to think; it asks campaigner will that means dragons or not, I It looks closely at Wapping, raising you to think again.” recount tales of his have no idea. questions about the legality of UK www.belonging4us.com life while sharing www.gameofthronesconcert. some of his com

20 | theJournalist arts

Festival TV Galway International Festival 16-29 July It must be Madness attending the Ambition vs integrity at rival newspapers Galway International Festival and, as it happens, the two-tone ska band We’ve all winced at how Cowell as a deputy editor. are playing on the same bill as reporters are portrayed on screen, The Beeb’s blurb says the series Oklahoma rockers The Flaming Lips. but it doesn’t stop us tuning in. will immerse viewers in the Last year more than 200 events took This autumn, hot on the heels of personal lives and the constant arts place in 33 venues. This year, even The Post, is another chance to catch professional dilemmas facing its more are planned, including theatre, a glimpse of how others see us in characters as they attempt to dance, music, opera, street spectacle, BBC drama Press, which looks at balance work and play, ambition and visual arts, discussion and comedy. competitors the broadsheet Herald integrity, amid the never-ending www.giaf.ie and the tabloid Post. pressure of the 24-hour global news In a welcome casting, two women cycle and an industry in turmoil. Theatre (Priyanga Burford and Charlotte We’ve all been there, right? Let’s Ulysses Riley) play top dogs at the Herald, hope the characters are in the NUJ to June and July tangling with Post editor Ben Chaplin the first black RSC Hamlet) and protect them. Dublin and CEO David Suchet who assumes Games of Thrones star Ellie Kendrick At the time of going to press, Dublin’s Abbey Theatre is staging what I assume is the Murdoch role. as rookie reporters, Al Weaver as they’re still filming so there’s no Dermot Bolger’s vibrant production of A very strong supporting cast an investigative reporter, Shane transmission date other than ‘later in Ulysses throughout June and July. If includes Paapa Essiedu (who played Zaza as a news editor and Brendan the year’, but you heard it here first … you’ve never managed to read your way through James Joyce’s modernist masterpiece, this could be the excuse you need to get to grips with Leopold Bloom et al. The Playboy of the Western World Each night an actor is chosen at Watson, Samuel West and Anne- www.abbeytheatre.ie/ Theatr Clwyd, Mold random to drink as much as they Marie Duff as their parents – so I’d whats-on/?filter=jun-2018 12-16 June can before – and during – the better go and see it. After all, doing In this classic comedy Christy Mahon performance. I dread to think nothing is not an option. Takin’ Over The Asylum walks into a village pub claiming to what’ll happen. https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/ Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh have killed his father in self-defence www.shit-facedshakespeare.com onchesilbeach 23-26 May and talks of his bravery. But the A radio drama in the locals’ suspicions soon become Film Book Club truest sense of the aroused as Christy’s storytelling On Chesil Beach On general release words. Whisky- grows more and more On general release 1 June drinking double- elaborate. 18 May Diane Keaton and Jane Fonda glazing salesman www.theatrclwyd.com I recommend this star in this comedy about four Eddie McKenna film with caution lifelong friends whose lives relaunches a hospital Shit-Faced Shakespeare because I wonder are turned upside down after radio station in a psychiatric unit… The Merchant of Venice/Romeo whether any reading 50 Shades of Grey at and finds soul music is the key to and Juliet adaptation could do their book club. Who says words helping the patients win their battles London and Brighton justice to Ian McEwan’s novella about aren’t powerful? against perception and prejudice, as And now for something completely love, loss, pride and regret. well as illness itself. different. From the Edinburgh You couldn’t wish for a better Comedy www.assemblyroomsedinburgh. Festival comes this deeply highbrow cast – Saoirse Ronan as the stiff You Can’t Polish a Nerd co.uk/church-hill-theatre/ fusion of an entirely serious play with Florence, Billy Howle as the Until August what-s-on-at-church-hill-theatre an entirely drunken cast member. not-stiff-enough Edward, and Emily Soho Theatre, London As I’m a big fan of puns, this show makes it into the listings by virtue of Spotlight: LabourLive the title alone. Billed as the ultimate show for Wyn. Literature events, childrens’ nerds and non-nerds alike (hedging Festival of music, art and politics entertainment and activists’ their bets there), it features stand-up The White Stripes-inspired Recreation Ground in London, will workshops are also planned. mathematician Matt Parker, election earworm ‘Oh Jeremy feature Corbyn plus shadow Whether it’ll be a Tolpuddle-type experiments maestro Steve Mould Corbyn!’ was first heard at the Wirral chancellor John McDonnell and Kate success (12,000+ punters each year) and geek songstress Helen Arney, Live festival last May. Now, the Labour Osamor, shadow secretary of state or a Conservative Ideas calamity who mix up astonishing science with leader has a festival of his own. for international development (just 200 turned up), remains to be statistically significant comedy and Styled as ‘a festival of music, art Performing are The Magic seen but, at £35 a ticket, it’s surely experiments that electrify their and politics that brings together our Numbers, Rae Morris, Jermaine worth a pop. audiences – sometimes literally. incredible movement’, LabourLive, Jackman, DVTN, Sam Fender, https://action.labour.org.uk/page/ http://festivalofthespokennerd.com/ on 14 June at the White Hart Lane Reverend and the Makers, and Nia content/labour-live-main show/ycpan/

theJournalist | 21 inbox

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

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H would need a licence to do so? We look forward to the thoughts, ideas and opinions from all our fellow We must all tackle readers and beyond. TIM ELLIS Ian Maccabee mental health stigma Irish Eastern branch

As a journalist and mum living with bipolar disorder and Being open about pay is PTSD, I was delighted to see coverage of mental health in positve but only a start the latest edition of The Journalist. It was good to see the article in the I was, however, disappointed to see that the reporter Journalist regarding the uplift in used the outdated term ‘manic depression’ rather than the Michelle Stanistreet’s remuneration. correct description of the illness known widely now as Some other publications would not bipolar disorder or bipolar for short. have published such information. Manic depression is no longer used in the medical However, in the area where I live, profession; it was removed as an official label a number there appears to be concern about the of years ago to separate it from depression. However, some inequality between single mums people still use the term, creating further confusion struggling on one wage and households around this mental illness, which affects one to two per with two incomes… the sort of inequality cent of the population. in life that it is difficult to remove. Unfortunately, it is not just media practitioners who Eddie Johnson have a long way to go in dealing with mental illness. Media Life member companies do too. They must also treat their employees – one in four of whom will have a mental health problem Don’t meddle with a – with the respect and dignity they deserve. winning house style Employees must also do their bit in the workplace. By Ray Pearson may be entitled to impose opening up conversations with colleagues around mental his house style on the periodical he health we can all play a part in breaking down the stigma edits but he has no business criticising of having a mental illness. the rest of us for using the expression I really enjoy receiving my copy of ‘to win a medal’ (March-April The Journalist. It’s nice to keep up to Journalist). date with what is happening in my £30 My dictionary (Shorter Oxford, 1993) profession despite me not being a part prize illustrates this usage by a quote from of it right now. letter novelist Graham Greene: “She was a Alex Harvey head warden in the blitz and won the Whitby George Medal.” Older readers may remember that, early in his writing H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H career, Greene was a sub on the Times. Wynford Hicks Small charity had a big set up the first speakers’ bureau of Legal or lawful? Discuss St Aulaye, France role in campaign people willing to talk about their the distinction While cautioning that there remains mental health problems to the media, I was eagerly devouring the contents of Readers can tell if it’s much still to do, your feature in the offering them training and support. my latest Journalist and, when I got to interesting – or not March/April issue rightly noted the When MHM merged with Mind in Your Say – inviting letters, comments ‘Interestingly’ (column three, ‘Fly the improvement in how mental health 2008, Mind took over MHM’s media and tweets – a thought struck me. Flag for Good Standards of English’, issues are reported. However, it failed awards that have since grown into a Though I’m not normally violent, I March/April) is an adverb, but is to acknowledge the key role of a small glittering, high-profile event. thought I’d strike back. missing a verb. Lower the flag. And charity, Mental Health Media, in We’ve come a long way since the days How about a section on Lawful vs anyway, if it’s interesting – which the helping start that improvement. of ‘Bonkers Bruno’ headlines. It would Legal? A topic for thought, for example writer is obviously trying to say – why It was MHM, previously known as the be an injustice if the vital part played by – do we have the lawful right to travel tell us? If it’s interesting, we’ll spot it. Mental Health Film Council, that did MHM was wiped from the record. or do we have the legal right to travel? And if it isn’t, writing ‘interestingly’ much of the spadework for the creation David Brindle Are journalists, reporters, media doesn’t make it so. and funding of the successful Time to (former MHM trustee) personnel etc travelling and working in Fabian Acker Change anti-stigma campaign. It also London private or are we public servants who London

22 | theJournalist inbox

Press cards and out what ‘working with the NUJ’ community journalists means and clarified that in the piece. The article on community journalism in Simon Chapman twitter feed the last edition of The Journalist may Chair, Journalist Editorial Tweet us your feedback: @mschrisbuckley have given the misleading impression Advisory Board that the NUJ is helping the Andrew Simpson (@thegameismental) 11/03/2018 Independent Community News Word-length restrictions prevented my Heartened to read a piece on rising standards of #mentalhealth Network (ICNN) to get press card going into further detail on the issue of reporting by @goodchildjourno in latest ediition of @NUJofficial recognition and community journalists press cards and the NUJ. But before the magazine. Journalists still need to do better, and it’s great to know to obtain press cards. ICNN launch, Emma Mees and Matt @TimetoChange and @suebakerTTC are keeping an eye on us! The article does not state that all Abbott had twice attended the Welsh (cc @mschrisbuckley) community journalists should be given Executive Council (WEC) to talk about a press card, but the ICNN launch their work, aims and issues – including BABCP (@BABCP) 15/03/2018, section says they’re ‘working with the press cards. Great to see @NUJofficial magazine featuring the issue of reporting NUJ’ on the issue. As a result, the WEC submitted a mental health, something we did in March 2015 ‘No more Bonkers It is very unlikely the ICNN will motion to the NUJ’s recent Delegate Bruno’ babcp.com/files/CBT-Toda… pic.twitter.com/sIYyVHVowN become a gatekeeper for the UK Press Meeting in Southport – which was Card Authority (UKPCA); most carried. RF Hunt (@RFHunt1) 07/03/2018 community journalists will not qualify Debated in the Recruitment and @mschrisbuckley) Excellent article about #mentalhealth under UKPCA rules if they are not being Retention section, it instructed the paid for their newsgathering. National Executive Council “to develop James Hatts (@james_hatts) 11/03/2018, The UKPCA establishes the eligibility a strategy aimed at securing strong Idly reading the @NUJofficial magazine a bit of a shock to turn the criteria for holding a press card, and union membership in this (hyperlocal) page and find myself quoted in a piece on the @ICNNUK #bfcj2018 the NUJ has no plans to change the growing sector, including: conference pic.twitter.com/3CwfdKQLAh union’s rules on which member “Engaging with the Centre for categories are eligible to apply. Community Journalism at Cardiff Michael O’Toole (@mickthehack) 29/03/2018 NUJ associate members (which would University and the recently established From @NUJofficial Journalist magazine. Thank you, Mr Hill. Got me cover community journalist volunteers) Independent Community News through many a court case unscathed. #shorthand #journalism pic. are not eligible to apply for a press Network that it hosts to maximise the twitter.com/t8ZGXIvp3W card. possibility of hyperlocal journalists To paraphrase, the criteria are that a qualifying for full NUJ membership Rizwan Ali Dar (@rizali67) 31/03/2018 professional media worker’s and, where appropriate, press cards.” @mschrisbuckley a fantastic piece in the March-April edition about employment (or self-employment) is Jenny Sims amateur photographers charging. As an amateur myself I will be wholly or significantly concerned with Freelance Member, Wales using this advice and charging for any photos used. newsgathering. Executive Council The writer of the article raised Member, Freelance Industrial Ben Jennings (@BJennings90) 07/03/2018 concerns about community journalists Council Illustration for latest issue of @NUJofficial magazine for a piece on accessing official meetings, but she #FakeNews should have contacted the NUJ to find

STEVE BELL THE OWNERS

theJournalist | 23 obits

MICHAEL CULLEN.

Roy Rogers Maureen Rose Jackie Sloan

Former Herald industrial The death of Maureen Rose at the age Jackie (Jackson) Sloan, who died on correspondent Roy Rogers, who died of 84 has deprived specialist Christmas Eve in his 78th year, was a at the age of 73 in March, was a journalism of one of its finest highly respected photographer for member of the NUJ for some 50 years. practitioners and the first woman to Northern Ireland’s provincial press Roy was born in Shardeloes, an 18th century edit a construction-related magazine. and a long-standing NUJ member. country house near Amersham requisitioned for Maureen Crutchley grew up in Derby and Jackie was a staff photographer on the Ulster pregnant women evacuated from London. His joined the Derbyshire Advertiser as a teenage Herald in his native Omagh for three and a half father was with the forces in Burma. reporter. She moved to the Grimsby Evening decades. He was an excellent news photographer. He passed his 11-plus and went to Kingsbury Telegraph, where covering the fishing industry National and international news agencies sought County Grammar schools in north London. He was good preparation for specialist reporting. his work. He could have moved to a larger stage, played football for Harrow Schools and rugby for From there she went to the Ilford Pictorial, but preferred to stay where he was happy, in his his own school then for Old Kingsburians, where local government reporting was also own community. through which he met his wife Susan. to come in useful. She later served on the As well as having superb photographic skills, His newspaper career began as a clerk in the Surrey Comet. Jackie was a gentleman, gifted with both wisdom prices room of the Financial Times. Management The demands of family life saw her move to and humour recognised Roy’s abilities and he became a labour business and technical magazines. She worked for He was one of the first photographers on the reporter, then labour correspondent and shipping Community Care before joining the municipal scene of the worst incident of Northern Ireland’s correspondent. He left the FT in 1976 to become technical services magazine Surveyor in 1984. Troubles: the Omagh bomb of 1998, which killed editor of Shipbuilding News; from there he went The elevation of a woman to edit the title in 29 people. The dead were his friends and to Lloyd’s List and The Herald’s London office. 1986 raised a few male eyebrows but she soon neighbours. “It was a very difficult time, but you Roy’s politics – he was a trade union left-winger mastered the intricacies of councils’ highway had to switch off and do your job,” he said. – never coloured his copy. He covered all the and sewerage engineering, planning and housing On the day after the bomb, victims’ relatives major industrial disputes in the 1970s and 1980s. portfolios and the water industry, bringing an gathered in Omagh Leisure Centre to hear While close to most union leaders, he was never authoritative voice to Surveyor. Editor for 12 years, increasingly bad news. Out of respect, Jackie did too close to write stories they found inconvenient. she was a passionate defender of public services. not take photographs. He was uncomfortable at Roy gave some entertaining speeches as chair of Her circle of friends remember her as a great the forceful approach of some photographers the Labour and Industrial Correspondents’ Group. editor, her trademark cigarette in a holder, from outside the area. Each year, they awarded the ‘Golden Bollock’ to bashing out copy to deadlines that were never His fondness for place came out in his the member adjudged to have made the most missed. She ran a gender-neutral office before it favourite photographic subject, the three closely serious error in print or on air. Roy never won it. was fashionable. While outspoken, she showed grouped spires of Omagh’s Catholic and Church His quick wit may have arisen from having a great loyalty in a profession where it’s all too rare. of Ireland churches standing over the town. name some found amusing – ‘singing cowboy’ Roy Maureen pursued a very active retirement, Being a photographer was his third career. He Rogers was a star in the 1950s and 1960s. Once, studying philosophy and travelling widely until had been both a telephone engineer, and a attending the engineering union conference, he ate health issues took their toll. Even then, she drummer in a show band. a mediocre dinner. After the meal, the intrusive refused to give in, once being smuggled out of Jackie is survived by his wife, Kay, and sons m’aitre d’ insisted that the reporters gave their hospital where she was recovering from a broken Liam and Neil. names and papers. When Roy said: “Roy Rogers, pelvis in a wheelchair to go to the theatre. Glasgow Herald”, the manager asked: “Where’s She is survived by her former husband, lobby Anton McCabe your horse?” Roy replied: “I think I’ve just eaten it.” correspondent David Rose, and daughter Abigail. More obituaries, including Len Tingle Barrie Clement Former colleagues and Torben Lee at www.nuj.org.uk

24 | theJournalist photography

This photograph is from a portfolio of nearly 100 images in the permanent archive of the Confederación de Trabajadores de Cubanos St ry (Confederation of Cuban Workers) in Havana. They were first exhibited during the 2017 May Day celebrations in Cuba.

An exhibition of 25 photographs from the archive opened last October at behind Ruskin College, Oxford and has toured the UK. The images have been on show at the Scottish Trade Union Congress and the Radical Film Festival in Glasgow. the The photographs were taken throughout Cuba over a period of more than four years. picture Neighbourhood Laundry Cuban Notebook Larry Herman

Are you an NUJ photographer and have a photo you want to tell the story of? * Please email [email protected] Printed contributions will be paid. theJournalist | 25 and finally...

Sun, seagulls and standing orders

similar rulings in parliamentary discussions. How Chris Proctor goes to useful they would have been during the Brexit debate. I noticed Michelle Stanistreet flinch when they the NUJ conference ruled ‘The following amendment puts the motion in order: ‘delete general secretary’ here is nothing like a British seaside I discovered another feature of Southport when I town: the brass bands on the prom was wrestled from the hall, summoned to meet a prom prom; the invigorating aroma colleague in the Victoria, a hostelry. I was not of chips frying; the cries of the acquainted with. And, with the sun shining into my T seagulls and the candy floss vendors; eyes, I sought directions. I made out the indistinct the creaking boards hosting the fading careers of shapes of two approaching chaps, and hailed them. ex-X-Factor favourites. Gradually I realised they were dressed rather Southport has all these attractions and more. It was similarly to myself, with white shirts and dark home to the exiled Louis Napoleon before he trousers and waistcoats. Like me, they had de-Bona-parted for Paris to become emperor of the identification badges – but theirs were not French; Red Rum lived there; and it hosts the British conference credentials but evidence of their Lawnmower Museum whose 200 restored exhibits Mormon mission. Unsurprisingly, they were not can all be viewed for £3 – a mere 1.5p per machine. familiar with the Victoria but they did advise me Last month, in addition to these attractions, of a high percentage of their creed in the town. Southport hosted the NUJ conference. Not all month, Back in the hall, my unseasoned and lubricated of course. Just a few days. Some stayed next to the eye fell upon an addendum to a motion conference hall in a hotel called the Ramada Plaza, reading ‘London Magazine whose name sounds liked something out of Bill and Branch. £3,000 if active Ben. Or maybe I was still thinking of mowing machines. monitoring required’. Did It was heartening to see journalists out of the office. this refer to the branch? I A few decades ago, a pack of industrial correspondents wondered. I was disabused and a gaggle of political scribblers were employed to when a proposal on the next page follow conferences from resort to resort from late concluded: ‘60+ Council. £1,000’. I was confident summer to early autumn. They could regale for no one was going to pay that for the council. hours on drinking sessions, colleagues’ antics, night It transpired that the NUJ has the sensible porters, bedbugs, mis-filings, lost keys and hospital provision that motions contain an visits. And they knew their pitch inside out. approximate amount that any proposed Nowadays, the NUJ apart, you see more scarab measure might cost the union if adopted. beetles at seaside conferences than you do Roy Jones, a member of the aforementioned journalists. Media money men want you in front of a august council, pointed out to me a huge change screen, under the eye and away from expense claims. that had come over union conference halls over They argue you can get the facts from the office. And the past few decades. The tables, floors and so you can. But you don’t necessarily get the story. pockets of delegates used to be overflowing with Even a cursory glance at the agenda revealed this newspapers of every hue. Any union gathering to be unmistakably a conference of journalists. Other was a tree-fellers’ delight. In Southport, there were unions might ‘oppose’ a measure. Not us. When probably more agendas than newspapers on show. we don’t care for universal credit, mere ‘opposition’ It’s good to see that some things remain the is far too mundane. We call on the executive to same. The hall still maintains a strong conviction ‘overturn, delay, stymie and frustrate’ its provisions. that the executive has got it wrong. It’s not just the Splendid prose! NUJ, of course. It’s a general trade union instinct The standing orders committee clearly comprises that any vestige of authority should instantly be subs of the highest calibre. One motion was declared undermined. out of order for ‘being void for uncertainty of I couldn’t help but think that, like the road to meaning’. I thrilled at this striving for quality the seaside, this is a healthy approach. journalism, and mourned that our SOC could not make

26 | theJournalist Training

Advertiseclassified in The Journalist Training The rate for a classified ad is £25 scc (£25 x height (cm) x columns). To advertise contact Melanie Richards 10% discount fo 2 or 3 issues. 4 or more issues will be 20% discount. Training 01795 542417To advertise or pleaseemail: contact [email protected] Joe Brooks on: Tel: 020 7657 1801 or email: [email protected] in The Journalist To advertise contact Melanie Richards TAX CONSULTANTS H AdvertiseHclassified in The Journalist We are an established firm based in the City, specialisingSouth in Africahandling the taxation and Financial 07494advice for 975239 hacksTheAdvertise from rate or for email: a classified [email protected] in ad is The£25 scc (£25Journalist x height (cm) x columns). accountancy affairs of freelanceCape journalists. Town, Clients 3 bedroom,throughout the luxury UK. To advertiseThe rate for contacta classified ad isMelanie £25 scc (£25 x Richardsheight (cm) x columns). For further details contact: 020 7606 9787 a hack and qualified financial10% discount fo 2 or 3 issues. 4 or more issues will be 20% discount. log cabin. Sleeps 6-8. Own To10% advertise discount fo 2 contact or 3 issues. 4Melanie or more issues Richards will be 20% discount. SOUTHWELL TYRRELL & CO adviser. Contact01795 Nigel 542417 ToBolitho advertise or pleaseemail: contact [email protected] Joe Brooks on: pool and entertainment area in 01795 542417To advertise or pleaseemail: contact [email protected] Joe Brooks on: of BV Services, authorisedTel: 020 7657 1801 or email: [email protected] exclusive Constantia. Tel: 020 7657 1801 or email: [email protected] From £400pw. and regulated by the Financial H H Magazine Production...Visit: www.iinkunilodge.co.zaour name says ConductServices Authority.TAX CONSULTANTS TAX CONSULTANTS H H We are an established firm based in the City, specialisingSouth in Africahandling the taxation and Financial advice for hacks from We are an established firm based in the City, specialisingSouth in Africahandling the taxation and Financial advice for hacks from [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] affairs of freelanceCape journalists. Town, Clients 3 bedroom,throughout the luxury UK. a hack and qualified financial it all whilst our fixed price covers it all phoneaccountancy 01954 251521 affairs fax of 01954 freelance 252420ForCape journalists.further Town,details Clients contact: 3 020bedroom,throughout 7606 9787 the luxury UK. For further details contact: 020log 7606 cabin. 9787 Sleeps 6-8. Own a hack and qualified financial A professional magazine page layout and production solution with cost-effective H SOUTHWELLH TYRRELL & CO adviser. Contact Nigel Bolitho log cabin.pool and Sleeps entertainment 6-8. Own area in fixed page rates, designed just for you. All we need is your finalised copy, a SOUTHWELL TYRRELL & CO adviser.of BV Services, Contact authorised Nigel Bolitho selection of your preferred images and advertisements (we can assist here too)… pool and entertainmentexclusive Constantia. area in andof regulated BV Services, by the Financial authorised and we’ll do the rest. Simple? It should be. exclusive FromConstantia. £400pw. A no-nonsense magazine production service from a Magazine Production...Visit: www.iinkunilodge.co.zaour name says and ConductServicesregulated Authority. by the Financial company whose name quite simply says it all… [email protected] £400pw. E-mail: [email protected] www.magazineproduction.com or call 01273 467579. Magazineit all Production... whilstVisit: our www.iinkunilodge.co.zafixedour pricename covers says it all phone 01954ConductServices 251521 fax 01954Authority. 252420 A professional magazine page layout and production solution with cost-effective H H fixed page rates, [email protected] just for you. All we need is your finalised copy, a E-mail: [email protected] it all whilstselection ofour your preferred fixed images and advertisementsprice covers (we can assist here it too)… all phonethe 01954 251521 fax 01954 252420 and we’ll do the rest. Simple? It should be. H H A professional magazine page layout and production solution with cost-effective chapel fixed page rates, designed just for you. AllA no-nonsensewe need ismagazine your finalisedproduction servicecopy, froma a Magazine Production Ad NUJ 0811.indd 1 04/08/2011 Do 13:58 you want to company whose name quite simply says it all… the selection of your preferred images and advertisementswww.magazineproduction.com (we can assist or call here 01273 too)… 467579. café and we’ll do the rest. Simple? It should be. chapel unplug and read your bar A no-nonsense magazine production service from a café magazine in printcompany whose name quite simply says it all… www.magazineproduction.com or call 01273 467579. bar ratherMagazine than Production Ad NUJ online? 0811.indd 1 04/08/2011 13:58 available for available for branch private eventsavailable for availablefunctions for andbranch privateand Magazine Production Ad NUJ 0811.indd 1 partiesevents04/08/2011 13:58 celebrationsfunctions and and parties celebrations

discounts discountsfor nuj membersfor nuj members

Please let us know. You can change your member Venue:Venue: For allall booking booking enquiries enquiries preferences on the website nuj.org.uk TheThe Chapel Chapel please contact: contact: or email [email protected] 308308 Grays Grays Inn Inn Road Road T || 020020 7843 7843 3747 3747 londonlondon WC1X WC1X 8DP 8DP E || [email protected]@thechapelkingscross.co.uk

the- Journalist | 27 the- Journalist | 27 theJournalist | 27

theJournalist | 31

theJournalist | 31

theJournalist | 31 Do you work in media or journalism? Do you want to be a mentor?

The Arkbound Foundation aims to improve access to "When you're in London journalism for people from and have a story to file, a diverse and disadvantaged Rentadesk hot desk backgrounds. We are looking for existing journalists and is a haven from the din media professionals to act of coffee shops - and the as mentors: all you need is coffee is free." a few hours a month and we can cover your expenses. @PaulMarks12 NUJ member and Freelance technology writer for BBC Future, The Economist and New Scientist

If you are passionate about diversity in journalism, and want to see a more open media industry, please email [email protected] or visit RENTADESK.CO.UK www.arkfound.org for more information.

Can you trust your sources?

Think tanks can be valuable sources of analysis and research. But some are more open about who funds them than others. We shine a light on the most and the least transparent.

Who Funds You? promotes funding transparency among UK think tanks and political campaigns. We ask organisations to publish their annual income and declare their major funders.

WhoFundsYou.org

wfy-nuj-ad-half_horiz.indd 1 12/02/2015 14:00