NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

Informedissue 22 March 2018

Trinity Mirror’s decision to extend its digital pilot, Birmingham Live, makes it essential that the major newspaper groups answer questions about the impact their policies will have on the sector. Concerns about the threat to media plurality were raised after Newsquest’s recent takeover of the independent, family-owned CN Group, which owns two regional dailies, five weeklies and magazines. The deal could result in the UK’s local newspaper industry becoming a duopoly of Newquest and Trinity Mirror since Johnston Press’s debts make its viability appear at risk. The NUJ will be calling for the big three news groups, Newsquest, Trinity Mirror and Johnston Press, to be called to account for failing to invest in journalism Newsquest strikers at the Swindon Advertiser and presiding over the loss of hundreds of titles and thousands of journalist and photographer jobs. The union intends to involve itself in a constructive dialogue NUJ welcomes May’s which will look at new ownership models and solutions to the industry’s financial crisis, which has seen advertising review of the press hoovered up by Google and Facebook and the move to digital not replicating The union has welcomed the • The digital advertising supply chain. the revenues of print. government’s announcement of a • “Clickbait” and low-quality news. The year started with a two-day strike review of national and local press The review will make at Newsquest’s Swindon Advertiser. The will look at the sustainability of the recommendations and a final report is staff went out because of cuts, poverty sector and investigate new ownership expected in early 2019. pay and heavy workloads. models, but it will be seeking This is a victory for the union which The chapel said: “A senior reporter in assurances that the NUJ will play a has long called for a review, particularly Swindon gets £19,000-£20,000 and major role in the inquiry. during Local News Matters week last the chapel believes Swindon Advertiser The review announced by Prime year, as part of our Parliamentary reporters are now among the lowest paid Minister, Theresa May, will look at: work and in talks with ministers. The on a daily title in the UK.” • The overall health of the news media, government’s announcement was The strikers braved the rain and with a focus on the local and regional accompanied by a quote from the remnants of Storm Eleanor as they press. newspaper publishers’ organisation, the picketed outside the Advertiser • Range of news available and the News Media Association, but the NUJ office and earned huge support different business models for high- insists the voice of journalists will be from colleagues, members and local quality journalism. heard, loud and clear. politicians. • How the press is adapting to the The latest news that 49 jobs are digital market and online platforms. being lost, and more expected, by Local News Matters, page 11

Also Equal Pay Murdoch Whistle- in this Win Deal blowing issue: Page 5 Page 8 Page 10 02 Informed Michelle’s Message

MARK THOMAS BBC’s sisterhood supporting in style

It was the BBC’s presenting House where the director general and sisterhood, who were there in executives have held daily meetings strength to demonstrate their about the spiralling crisis. solid support for Carrie Gracie, the The day before the DCMS hearing, corporation’s former China editor, that crisis had been given new legs who was testifying to the Digital, on publication of the long-awaited Culture, Media and Sport Committee report from accountancy giant, hearing. We were both giving evidence PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was on the BBC and pay. quickly blasted by staff. Riddled with Ours was the first session up – listed the same flaws as the equal pay audit As I passed for an hour – to be followed by director done for the rest of the staff population through security general, Tony Hall, his deputy, Anne last year, it seemed more an exercise Bulford, the newly appointed head of in providing the BBC with clean hands at Westminster’s news and current affairs, Fran Unsworth, than it did an honest and transparent Portcullis House, and Sir David Clememti, chair of the reckoning of the corporation’s equal pay board. problem. This “Nothing to see here, guv” there were some Since the new year the joint unions at approach was the last thing the BBC very familiar faces the BBC have been involved in regular needed, given the massive crisis of trust meetings with the corporation to discuss among its own staff, particularly women. following me in... its review of On Air Talent – negotiating The 140 plus – and counting – women over its approach to equal pay, tax who have raised complaints through arrangements, and contracts for its on- the BBC know all too well that there is air staff and freelances who have mostly a problem. No amount of spin can hide been outside the unions’ bargaining unit that – nor can pay inequities be glossed for many years. The growing external over as “non-deliberate”. pressure on the BBC has been clearly felt So, no surprise then, to learn later in the glazed offices of New Broadcasting that BBC newsrooms were glued to the televisions when the hearing began. Just before we took our seats, the BBC’s entourage had passed by and we all exchanged hellos before they were Mark Thomas shepherded to an adjoining room to watch on a screen and await their turn. A turn that took quite some time – another two-and-a-half hours to be precise. In a frank, angry and at times emotional testimony, Carrie described how she was offered an extra £45,000, plus £100,000 back-pay, but the BBC continued to deny it was a case of pay discrimination. Carrie has been clear throughout that it wasn’t about money – it was parity she sought. BBC’s presenting sisterhood During the committee’s questioning I Informed 03

made it clear that this was not a problem confined to a number of high-earning presenters – this was a systemic issue the that ran through the corporation. Our affected members work in all grades and chapel levels of the BBC. Many have raised their concerns over a number of years – they café have been misled, lied to and in many cases forced out of their staff jobs on bar to contracts that have increased their job insecurity and meant they have missed out on benefits such as sick and maternity pay. The culture remained available for available for too much like a boys’ club where men branch private profited from promotion and more pay, events functions with the news division one of the worst culprits because of the serial misuse of and and managerial discretion. parties celebrations Instead of holding their hands up, accepting there is a problem and working with staff and unions to sort it, the BBC was adopting a bunker mentality and trying to pretend things were not as bad as they were. More transparency is discounts needed – as is a radical restructuring of for nuj pay and expenditure and a complaints system that has independent members involvement. I was also clear that gender pay inequality is not only a problem at the BBC – it is an issue across the industry, in newspapers as well as in broadcasting. At a recent meeting with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, I spoke of the spike in equal pay cases in Venue: For all booking enquiries other parts of the industry – with media The Chapel please contact: 308 Grays Inn Road T | 020 7843 3747 companies now keen to resolve cases london WC1X 8DP E | [email protected] swiftly and avoid the spotlight that the BBC is currently under. It is clear that one

the- of the unintended consequences of the Journalist | 27 EHRC’s implementation of the gender pay gap regulations is that it is focusing attention on, and sparking conversations It was with great sadness that I learned of the sudden death of Simeon about, equal pay – something the Andrews – Simeon ran the consultancy operating the NUJ’s Parliamentary commission hadn’t anticipated. Group since its inception and was the key figure in bringing a number of like- As the deadline looms for companies minded unions together to forge the Trade Union Coordinating Group. to publish gender pay, it is clear many His professionalism, knowledge, and political skills, coupled with his are waiting for a busy news day to slip deep commitment to the trade union movement, made Simeon an absolute out their results unnoticed. There is a pleasure to work with and a massive asset to the NUJ’s work in parliament. journalistic job of work to ensure they Our collective condolences go to his family, particularly his partner Cathy don’t get away with it, so equal pay one and daughter Lily. day soon becomes a reality. 04 Informed News Update Five-figure sum won on unequal pay claim as chapels take action

The scandal of the BBC sofa where the company, when challenged, revelations of unequal pay at the took a more positive and helpful corporation being pursued by the approach and worked to remedy the union has led to other chapels taking situation. The union has won other action and members winning pay claims, but members have requested increases. confidentiality. Elsewhere chapels A grievance submission at Newsquest are running equal pay surveys, work resulted in a female member achieving continues at the FT and RTÉ and a justice with a five-figure compensation positive meeting was held at Reuters. sum to fix the shortfall to her salary and So far, the media companies appear pension contributions over several years. to be leaving it right to the 4 April Chris Morley, Northern & Midlands deadline to publish their pay gender senior organiser, said: “It did take two difficult for chapels to pursue suspected data, as required by law, but news agency bites of the cherry because the company pay discrepancies. In the Newsquest PA’s recent figures show its workforce initially put up a remedy that would have case, the chapel had a good idea how consists of 63.9 per cent men and 36.1 short-changed the member by about much a male colleague who did the same per cent women. There was a small a third. But an appeal won the day and work was being paid. gender pay gap, but men were getting full financial compensation – but no But, as the case suggests, the pervasive much higher bonuses and two-thirds of word of an apology or acknowledgment culture of editor’s discretion on pay the best-paid jobs were filled by men. that our member had been the victim of and lack of credible accounting on Lloyd Embley, editor-in-chief of the discrimination because of her gender. salaries mean that the tip of the iceberg Mirror titles, has already admitted that Sounds familiar?” discovered at the BBC is very likely to be Trinity Mirror’s figures will reveal an It is the absence of transparent and replicated in the newspaper sector. “embarrassing” gender pay gap because published pay structures which makes it It was a happier situation at CNN, senior positions are dominated by men.

Flawed freelance reports arrangements “missed the to tweet support for need to highlight examples Reactions to the UK target and failed to address independent, quality, of journalists taking government’s response key issues about labour ethical journalism. A DM individual or collective to the Taylor report on rights and social protection”. motion had highlighted action in its defence. self-employed rights were He has been appointed to the widely supported and https://www.nuj.org.uk/ at most lukewarm, with ITUC committee to review highly effective 24-hour news/ingoodcompany/ Frances O’Grady, general The Future of Work, an strike by NUJ members in secretary, of the TUC, saying International Labour 1985, known as the Real it would not end exploitative Organisation initiative. Lives strike, in protest at working practices, 1.8 censorship and in defence million workers would In Good Company of editorial independence still be without key rights On Valentine’s Day at the BBC. It called on the at work. Séamus Dooley, the NUJ held a love-in union to raise awareness NUJ assistant secretary, for local news, with of the benefits for society said the Irish government members, branches and of independent and ethical review of self-employment chapels encouraged journalism as well as the Informed 05

Indie & RTÉ chapels Paradise defended The NUJ defended the BBC and Guardian for exposing mass tax join branches boom evasion revealed in the leaked Paradise Papers and pledged to Journalists working on the defend the right to report, after it Independent have re-established a was revealed that offshore company union chapel. Appleby had initiated breach of They said: “We love working at The confidentiality proceedings against Independent and in this ever-changing the news organisations. Michelle media landscape we would like to Stanistreet said: “Journalists have positively contribute to shaping the a duty to represent the powerless workplace. We will be sending all NUJ when their interests are at odds members an anonymous survey and with the powerful. It is typical of hope to use its findings as the basis for corporations to use their financial discussions with management.” muscle to try to bully individual Cheers to Darlington branch In Darlington, a get-together in media outlets in the hope that the Red Lion pub brought together that galvanised members. Jane Kennedy, they will frighten all who seek the local journalists with other branch Northern & Midlands organiser pulled truth. The response of all journalists members in the north-east. The event together a chapel meeting and contacted should be that we will not allow this will, hopefully, herald the revival of a Nick Fellows, managing director for to succeed.” fully-functioning branch for media the North West and North Wales, workers and students the asking for more details on the Money and membership journalism school at Darlington VR deal. He said there were The union’s treasurer reported a Read More College. enough volunteers to avoid surplus of almost £200,000 in his https://www.nuj.org. Chris Morley, Northern & uk/where/ compulsory redundancies, end-of-year accounts. The NUJ’s Midlands senior organiser, so now the chapel will seek headquarters in Acton Street, says union solidarity in the ☞ recognition and raise issues of London now has tenants and from north east is alive and kicking. pay and workload. 2019, when full rents will be paid, It was an announcement by New chapels have been the union will receive an income of Newsquest that it was seeking voluntary established at RTÉ in TV and press £300,000 a year. redundancies (VR) across the whole of and information and there has been John Barsby said: “The year its newly-acquired NWN Media, which increased activity in the newsroom finished with the union’s finances has offices in north England and Wales, chapel and the Irish language Nuacht. in a strong position with positive balance sheets and funds amounting to almost £334, 000 at the end of September.” He International Report noted that this year the union The International Federation of Journalists has will have to bear the costs of DM published its full annual report which detailed and committee elections, plus the the killings of 82 media staff in 2017. costs of the BBC pension case, While the report welcomed the fact the number for which the union has made a of work-related killings of journalists fell to the provision of £200,000. The NEC lowest level in a decade, the death toll remained heard that there was no decline in unacceptably high. Journalism is still an extremely membership contributions. A big perilous profession and media freedom is crushed in increase of new members from many parts of the globe. Afghanistan, Mexico, Syria the BBC (167) and freelance (171) and Iraq topped the killings list. https://www.nuj. was noted. org.uk/news/impunity-ifj-killed-report-2017/ 06 Informed News Update Some Like it Hot Metal Entertainment One UK While the hot metal presses, windy proved that journalism was still holding public telephone booths and long power to account; any of them would lunches distinguished the newsroom provide ample fodder for an exciting portrayed in Stephen Spielberg’s The screenplay. Post from today’s media world, there Rebecca Vincent, UK bureau director was plenty to compare about the role of of Reporters Without Borders, said journalism, a panel of commentators the Investigatory Powers Act, the agreed following a screening of the Date Protection Bill and the proposed film at London’s Soho Hotel. Espionage Act showed newspapers and The film tells the tale of the broadcasters were still fighting the battle Washington Post and the decision of to preserve press freedom. its owner Katherine Graham to publish The panel of media experts, which also the leaked Pentagon Papers, disclosing included Ian Murray, of the Society of how the American government misled Editors, and Phil Harding, of The Media its citizens about the Vietnam war, Society, agreed the film starring Meryl continuing to send out young soldiers Streep and Tom Hanks was an exciting despite knowing it was unwinnable. portrayal of journalism at its best. Tim Dawson, NUJ president, said the But none of them would be drawn disclosures by Edward Snowden of by Robbie Collin, the Telegraph’s film global surveillance programmes, the critic, in suggesting who should play MPs’ expenses scandal and the Paradise editor-in-chief Paul Dacre in Daily Mail: Meryl Streep as Katherine Graham papers, revealing mass tax evasion, the Movie.

Westminster watch affairs programme, voiced at Nature and associated Inc, which owns NME, Emily Cunningham, MoC their concerns after the titles and, since voluntary Marie Claire, County Life, of the SNP’s chapel in new editor announced recognition talks broke Women’s Weekly and Parliament, was successful plans to make half of the down, an application has Horse & Hounds among its in winning a seat on a programme’s experienced been made to the Central 50-plus brands portfolio, panel set up by Leader of producers redundant. Arbitration Committee. has been sold to private the Commons, Andrea Rachel Jupp told them A recuitment drive is equity company Epiris in a Leadsom, which reviewed she wanted to reduce under way in other areas of £130m deal. a survey of workers at the numbers of full-time Springer Nature. Alex Fortescue, the Westminster showing producers working on A skirmish for recognition managing partner at Epiris, high levels of bullying and the programme from the has been triggered at Rough suggested some titles harassment. The panel existing seven to four. A Guides since its new owner would be sold and cuts to called for a code of conduct producer left in October gave notice to terminate the 1,700 workforce are and sanctions on MPs and and his post was closed. the NUJ/Unite agreement. expected. According to peers who transgress. She It is part of the £600,000 Organising campaigns are the Guardian, Epiris is also said: “Our proposals were a savings Panorama plans afoot at Conde Nast and considering a bid for assets positive step in building a to make in 2018/19; staff Pan Macmillan, meanwhile belonging to Dennis, the safer, professional working said it was a terminal reps at Faber and Faber are publisher of titles including environment.” blow to the award-winning taking up the issue of unpaid The Week, Viz and Men’s show. interns. Fitness, for £75m to Panorama cuts a £100m. Time Inc UK made ‘terminal blow’ Recruitment boost Mags takeover close to £30m in profits Staff on Panorama, the The union has won success One of the UK’s biggest last year on revenues of BBC’s flagship current in increasing members magazine publishers, Time about £250m. Informed 07

Cash win at Oldham Broadcasting news The NUJ has won £39,000 for the daily newspaper, founded in 1854. STV concerns members sacked when the Oldham Judge Batten awarded 90 days’ pay Members at STV attended an Chronicle, owned by Hirst, Kidd & to the staff. The payment will come anxious and vocal chapel meeting Rennie, went bust in September from the government’s redundancy following an announcement of last year, with 49 people made payments office. In theory, the cuts in news by the new CEO, redundant. members would be due money from Simon Pitts. A working group to A Manchester employment tribunal the assets, but the liquidator, KPMG, determine the future of STV2 hearing resulted in a protective award said there would be little left once it had has been established; options judgment for the union’s members at taken its fee. include the closure of the station and the handing back of the licences. The chapel will meet frequently during this worrying time, to aid communication and Hobby photographers as a show of strength, and will increase recruitment efforts. Separately there are concerns over told to make them pay discrepancies in gradings, with one grievance procedure initiated. If it’s good enough to publish, then The chapel will conduct a pay it is good enough to pay for was the survey to gauge the extent of starting point of #useitpayforit, the problem. a campaign asking amateur photographers to become more aware Peers warned of perils of radio of the value of their images. out-sourcing NUJ branches and chapels were The NUJ published a briefing paper encouraged to make contact with local for peers, as part of its Save BBC camera clubs. These clubs have been the Radio campaign, as Lord Stevenson target of the major newspaper groups of Balmacara led a debate in the for a source of free images for their House of Lords which called for titles, at the same time as sacking staff a review of the BBC’s plans to photographers. outsource 60 per cent of radio Newsquest has given out prizes to its with his controversial girlfriend on the production and cautioned against centres which have run the most non- Tube, when he had said the relationship the “Uberisation” of the radio paid for content, with Weymouth, which was over. Jason Latchford, the teenage workforce. produces the Dorset Echo and Bridport photographer, had to chase up his local He said: “This change of and Lyme Regis News, running almost newspaper when it syndicated his practice at the BBC gives rise to 17 per cent of stories and pictures from picture of a pranged super-car to the serious concerns, centring on the free sources. The union reported that national press without his permission. sustainability of what is really a very on Johnston Press titles in Scotland, the Most newspapers will pay highly for fragile radio production market. weekly picture budget is £15. such pictures; there is no reason why The potential threat to smaller The union interviewed Martin Le May, amateurs should not benefit. independent producers and to the whose amazing shot of a weasel riding That is why the NUJ has been BBC’s own in-house, world-leading on the back of a woodpecker was shared promoting its Rate for Job and Freelance production capacity has to be borne around the world in minutes Fee Guides and has put out a in mind.” without him making a penny. checklist to help amateur Read More https://www.nuj.org.uk/ Quicker to cash in was Tanya https://www.nuj. photographers to get paid documents/nuj-briefing- Gold who snapped former org.uk/campaigns/ properly and to ensure they competitive-tendering-of-bbc- Ukip leader Henry Bolton useitpayforit/☞ protect their work. national-radio/ 08 Informed

Spotlight

For more than five years a giant fibreglass caricature of Rupert Is the Fox/Sky Murdoch’s head has been a haunting presence whenever the media magnate’s empire has strayed into legal and political controversy. deal a Disney At the publication of the Leveson inquiry report, outside the High Court in the Strand for phone-hacking hearings, fairytale ending? and in front of the Houses of Parliament, the Rupert dummy has been there, often Ian Burrell reports on the latest chapter worn by a man in stilts dangling smaller in the international media takeover saga puppets of David Cameron or Theresa May, Murdoch’s supposed marionettes. The proposed $66bn (£47.5bn) deal in which Disney absorbs most of 21st Century Fox has changed the background scenery of this long-running piece of theatre. Murdoch – the great media expansionist of the past half- century – suddenly appears to be in retreat. But the puppet head, constructed by the campaigns group Avaaz, will not yet be packed away as a cultural artefact of a bygone era. “The big Murdoch head has been a powerful symbol of his size and stature in the UK media and politics and it may soon be time for both the head and the man himself to think about retirement, but not quite yet,” says Alex Wilks, who has been a leader of the Avaaz campaign against the founder of News Corporation and sometimes the man inside the Murdoch mask. The mogul still has a lot of power in the UK media, he argues and, in another twist, Avaaz is celebrating winning its bid for a judicial review on the ruling by Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, that Sky would remain “fit and proper” to hold a UK licence if it was owned by 21st Century Fox. The group argued that James Murdoch was not a fit and proper person because of his stewardship of the family’s UK newspaper stable at the time of the phone hacking scandal. “The case is arguable and may raise some important points of principle,” said Mr Justice Morris, who granted the judicial review, which will be heard before June 30. Informed 09

Leveson Two http://www.bbc. co.uk/news/uk- politics- 43240230 After the proposed Disney Alex deGroote, media analyst at at City University, London, and a former merger, the most famous dynasty Cenkos Securities, says: “I’m sure Times journalist, says: “As the younger in global media will focus on news and they will be angling for a board position generation of Murdochs have taken sport. A “New Fox” company, comprising and maybe more, so their influence will more control, the significance of the Fox News and related assets not be felt within the new company.” newspapers has diminished, but it included in the sale, could be merged The Competition and Markets would have diminished in almost any with News Corp, created by Murdoch 40 Authority rejected Fox’s planned circumstances because newspapers years ago and still a $9.6bn business that purchase of the 60.9 per cent of Sky it – even if they are online and in print operates marquee newspaper brands in does not already own on the grounds – are just a small part of anybody’s the US, UK and Australia. that the family had “too much control news spectrum. There’s just too much Former Murdoch executive, Phil Hall, over news providers in the UK … and proliferating competition for them to now chairman of media company PHA, therefore too much influence over public go on holding the amount of bandwidth thinks the Disney sale will enable the opinion and the political agenda”. they used to hold.” family to spend elsewhere. “I suspect we DeGroote admits to being “slightly The key to the complete takeover of Sky will see a reinvestment of the family’s surprised”, given that last year’s UK by Fox, and subsequently Disney, is likely wealth in a different form of media,” he general election demonstrated the to rest with the fate of Sky News. It has says. declining power of the press as it been a worrying time for the network’s The Murdoch family trust is set to “marshalled against” Labour leader, staff; Rupert Murdoch had been quite take a 5 per cent stake in Disney. Son Jeremy Corbyn. “The influence of Fleet happy to threaten closure of the station James Murdoch, CEO of 21st Century Street is waning big time in terms of the if it affected his deal. His latest move has Fox and chairman of Sky, could take young.” been to say that Fox would establish a a senior role at the House of Mouse. George Brock, professor of journalism fully independent board for Sky News, which might help to appease the CMA but it is not certain that the loss-making Farewell then editorially independent; Nobody, particularly news channel has a long-term future the Brexit-supporting the journalists who under Disney. Desmond Express has been a worked for Desmond That saga is far from over. In January Three years after cheerleader for Ukip and and endured many years 2018, News Group Newspapers made Richard Desmond told the Mirror is traditionally without pay rises, will confidential settlements (believed to Trinity Mirror’s CEO left of centre. be sorry to see him to run into six figures) with comedian Vic to “Fox off”, the sale of The Express go. In its heyday The Reeves, TV presenter Kate Thornton and Express Newspapers Newspaper’s chapel said Daily Express sold 4.4m two others who alleged phone-hacking to the Daily Mirror’s it hoped the deal would copies. Under Desmond, and blogging by journalists at The Sun publisher has been lead to investment in the lack of investment and and the News of the World and a cover- concluded. cash-starved titles. But its bizarre headlines up by senior executives. NGN has never The deal includes NUJ general secretary, obsessed with Princess admitted wrongdoing at The Sun. £126.7m for his daily Michelle Stanistreet, Diana, the weather and Evan Harris, executive director of press and Sunday newspapers cited Trinity Mirror’s miracle cures made it reform group, Hacked Off, says there will and magazines plus the reputation for cost increasingly irrelevant, be a trial in autumn: “If a judge makes company’s 50 per cent cutting and called for although beyond the a finding that there was concealment joint venture interest the union to be consulted crazy front pages there and destruction of evidence, the police in the Irish Daily Star on forthcoming changes. was good journalism. will have to lay charges – this was never and a commitment until Desmond will be Trinity one of the charges at the original [2014 2027 to invest £70m Mirror’s third-largest phone-hacking] trial,”he said. in the staff pension shareholder, but Simon As NUJ Informed went to press, scheme. Fox said he would have another twist emerged as US cable giant Simon Fox, Trinity no influence. The man Comcast made a £22.1bn bid for Sky, Mirror’s chief executive once behind Asian Babes challenging Murdoch’s £18.5bn deal. officer, said £20m and Readers’ Wives is Comcast chief executive Brian Roberts savings would have to now said to be spending said: “We would like to own the whole be made. He said the more time with his of Sky and will be looking to acquire newspapers would be property portfolio. over 50 per cent of the Sky shares.”

WENN Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo Stock / Alamy WENN Ltd Your move Rupert.

Image 10 Informed

Spotlight War, Journalism and Whistleblowers Fifteen years on, former NUJ leader The case was thrown out and the judge issued a strong declaration on the Jeremy Dear recalls the union backing freedom of the press in English law. GCHQ whistleblower Katherine Gun But following the attacks on New York’s twin towers and the declaration of a By any criteria the decision was public interest defence to protect “war on terrorism” political, and public, remarkable. Katherine Gun, a self- whistleblowers who give stories to the support began to ebb away and new confessed whistleblower who had media to expose official lies, dirty tricks challenges to the rights of journalists deliberately breached the Official or corruption. emerged. In the UK, and across the world, Secrets Act, had been acquitted. The The union’s championing of laws designed to combat terrorism have prosecution would not have been hard. whistleblowers such as Katherine Gun increasingly been used to clamp down As Martin Bright, the then Observer is part of a proud history the NUJ has on civil rights and threaten journalism, journalist and NUJ activist, said: “We are in fighting uncompromisingly for the giving governments sweeping powers to told the case was dropped because there protection of sources. spy on journalists and their sources. was insufficient evidence to proceed – The union had come to the aid of The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is absurd considering Katherine Gun had Martin Bright when he revealed details a classic example. Attempts to rewrite admitted to the leak.” of allegations by an MI5 whistleblower of the Official Secrets Act were condemned The case against Katherine was a plot to assassinate then Libyan leader by Katherine Gun just last year. “If the dropped despite her leaking an email Muammar Gadaffi. Martin refused to proposals... extend the overall dragnet from the National Security Agency in hand over material, the NUJ named nature of the act, increase the penalty the US asking the UK government’s those agents alleged to be involved in the limit and disregard a public interest communications centre, GCHQ, to bug plot and, again, a principled journalist defence it will exacerbate power in the the UN delegations of other countries – a backed by the union scored a victory. hands of the government and deter move designed to put political pressure or even prevent whistleblowers from on them in the run up to a crucial vote on Matt Keynon revealing government lies and abuse of the Iraq war. power.” In March 2003, she passed the email Whistleblowers play an essential role to a friend who gave it to The Observer. in detecting fraud, mismanagement Katherine was sacked and charged and corruption - helping to save lives, under the Official Secrets Act. In the protect human rights and safeguard the weeks and months following her arrest rule of law. Journalists understand how the NUJ, civil rights and press freedom important protection for whistleblowers campaigners, celebrities, and others is to enable them to continue to do so. rallied to her defence. Journalists unions were instrumental Demands increased for the in the lobby to secure a vote in the government to publish the advice it had European Parliament demanding received on the legality of the war. It EU-wide legislation protecting was clear the case was dropped to stop whistleblowers. the government facing huge political Campaigns are not just about legal P11 Pic of embarrassment at such a sensitive and rights but also building workplace and politically difficult time. community support for those who act The NUJ played its part in creating in the public interest. As it has done Grenfell & a public atmosphere in which such throughout its history, the NUJ and questions were being asked. its sister unions in the International Local News The union also used the case to make Federation of Journalists will be at the Matters it clear that there must be a strong forefront of this struggle. logo Informed 11

Spotlight

How to fund a Ideas sought to free press? There are a number of ways the save our press government already subsidises the press, such as through an Newspaper review must be open to the exemption on VAT and paid-for statutory notices. The Welsh journalist’s voice, says Frances Rafferty government gave Newsquest £340,000 from its Skills Growth The arguments for having an inquiry for the government to wield a stick and Fund, to set up a subbing hub in to the press were well rehearsed by support them. But the NUJ will also be in Newport; most of it had to be the NUJ during last year’s Local News calling them to account for their role in repaid when the hub was closed. Matters Week. bleeding titles dry to pay shareholders The government has now allocated Branches and chapels held events in and executives way beyond the normal £200,000 over two years to fund their communities publicising the crisis rewards of blue-chip companies. The big Welsh hyperlocal start-ups. in the press and lobbied their MPs to three (TM, NQ and Johnston Press) made The BBC’s Local Democracy support their local newspapers. New profits well in excess of £150m in 2016. Reporter scheme has top-sliced models of newspaper ownership were Media commentator Roy Greenslade £8m a year from the licence-fee showcased. had a jaundiced take on the review. He pot to pay for 150-plus reporters to As well as calling for an inquiry, said: “Theresa May, in coming up with work in local newspapers and the the NUJ said newspapers should be this new ‘review’, has surely consigned production of shared BBC videos and made community assets to prevent Leveson Two to the back burner.” He was data. Of these, the vast majority will newspaper titles closing overnight and right – Culture Secretary Matt Hancock be working for the big three, Johnston to give potential new owners the time has said it will not go ahead. Press, Newsquest and Trinity Mirror, to put together a bid for a paper. The The NUJ is not expressing cynicism. the very same companies making union proposed research into ways Yet. That is why we will be putting journalists redundant. George independent public-interest journalism pressure on ministers to make sure its Osborne’s highly lucrative London could be subsidised. panel overseeing the review includes the Standard will get one. That is why the union has welcomed voice of journalists and not just vested The NUJ has grave concerns about the government’s review into the interests. how the scheme will work and this will sustainability of the press. The review will publish research be expressed in a motion to this year’s Not long after the announcement, examining the current state of the Delegate Meeting. Trinity Mirror (TM) said it was cutting 49 local and national press markets. Pay- The union does believe it is possible jobs (with more expected) as part of its walls, partial pay walls, subscription for public-interest journalism with development of a digital-only strategy. models, crowd-funding, co-operatives, strings attached, such as covering These cuts followed the annual pre- philanthropic foundations, classic paid- democratic institutions such as Christmas cull at Newsquest for-by-advertising-and-cover- councils and health authorities, to be (NQ), adding to the under- price are all in the mix as paid for by the public purse in much resourced, badly-paid the newspaper sector the way many arts organisations newsrooms across the seeks a new business receive funding via an arms-length UK and Ireland. model. There are organisation from government. The newspaper the beginnings of a There are many international owners believe creative response examples of governments aiding the Googles and to the crisis, but the dissemination of news and Facebooks must be as circulations subsidising the press; this an area the brought into line plummet Theresa review should further research. for taking content May must not let https://www.gov.uk/ without paying this opportunity be government/news/new-review- and sucking up squandered. launched-of-press-sustainability-in- advertising revenue. the-uk They will be looking Informed 12 News Update

Sir Harry entertains Journalists at Work 2018 The packed room at Downstairs at the Having also carved out a career in the NUJ was the venue for a conversation States, where he lives with journalist wife The National Council for the with the eminent journalist Sir Harry Tina Brown, he keeps abreast of the UK Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is Evans, led by Tim Dawson, the union’s press. updating its highly-regarded report president. But it was the internet companies Journalists at Work, produced The former Sunday Times editor which won his ire. “Facebook is an open in 2012, which has guided the may have been knocking ninety, but he sewer,” he declared, denouncing it industry’s work on qualifications showed he was still as fired up about and Google for propagating fake news and has been a vital source of journalism, news, truth and good writing without taking responsibility. “During information about the journalism as he was on the day when he cycled to the last US election, 20m people saw industry. his first job at Ashton-under-Lyne’s local information from Russian bots; all anti- Please take a few moments to take newspaper, aged 16. Clinton and pro-Trump, ”he said. He is part in the research by clicking here: not a fan of Donald Trump. http://survey.euro.confirmit. The defining story of his career was com/wix/p1863544209.aspx. All the exposé of the thalidomide scandal. responses will be treated in confidence Sunday Times stories led to £20m in and no individual will be identified. The compensation for UK victims of the drug, questionnaire should take no longer used by pregnant women, which led to than 15-20 minutes to complete. If babies born with deformities during the you have any queries, contact Mark sixties. Spilsbury (who is managing the survey He is still involved; the pills are still sold on behalf of the NCTJ) on mark@ in Peru and in counties, such as Spain, spilsresearch.co.uk or Sarah Kenny at compensation has still not been paid, the NCTJ on [email protected]. Sir Harry Evans and Tim Dawson he said.

DM2018 & comms review magazine. It makes the case for investment in a The Delegate Meeting executive-council-elections/ review, which was discussed major revamp of the union’s will take place this year Subjects for discussion by the NEC at February’s website to include more in Southport. The sector include the level of meeting. The document, multi-media content and conferences will take place subscriptions, new models in response to a motion at the creation of “flexible on Thursday 19 April, of newspaper ownership, DM2016, was written by digital spaces where followed by DM on the the danger of clickbait, Michelle Stanistreet and members can meet, network, Friday until Sunday professional and union Séamus Dooley and takes a communicate and share 22 April. training, pension rights, comprehensive look at how experiences”. It calls for The deadline for increased diversity in the the union communicates an overhaul of the way amendments to motions industry, threats to press with its membership and members are welcomed to has now closed and the final freedom, freelance rights, members with each other. the union and a rethink of agenda and annual report campaigns on journalist It includes the results how our branch network will be available by Tuesday safety, online abuse of and responses from the operates. It makes the 13 March. journalists and low wages in consultation, including a case for more targeted Results of elections to the the media. member survey, and e-newsletters and sector- national executive and other Delegates will Read More analyses of the specific publications. councils can be found on the be given a copy https://www.nuj. present funding of website: https://www.nuj. of the union’s org.uk/documents/ communications If you have any queries, nuj-strategic- org.uk/news/nuj-national- communications and the Journalist contact [email protected] communications- review-2018/☞