Spring 2012 Thejservingournal Professional Journalism Since 1912 Institute Salutes a Pioneer of Investigative Journalism
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Magazine of the Chartered Institute of Journalists Spring 2012 TheJServingournal professional journalism since 1912 Institute salutes a pioneer of investigative journalism s interest surrounding the sinking of the Titanic reaches Aa crescendo point for the April centenary of the disaster, the Chartered Institute of Journalists will conduct its own ceremony of remembrance for one of the greatest journalists of all time who perished when the “unsinkable” ship sank. William Thomas Stead, one-time editor of the Pall Mall Gazette, died as he sailed to answer a personal invitation from US President William Howard Taft to speak at a congress in New York’s Carnegie Hall on world peace and international arbitration. He decided to treat himself to a £26 11s (£25.55) first class ticket on the liner’s maiden voyage. He was 62 when he died. The Institute, led by President Norman Bartlett, will lay a wreath at the Stead memorial on London’s Victoria Embankment, directly opposite the Temple tube station’s Embankment exit, at 10am on Sunday, April 15. This will be followed by a special service at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, at 11am. Drinks will be served afterwards. Journalists responded in their droves to a “shilling and half-crown appeal” to erect a All members of the Institute who can memorial to W T Stead, on the Victoria Embankment, opposite the Temple tube station. attend are being urged to do so because A second casting was erected in New York’s Central Park. The inscription reads: “W. T. not only is this “our” event but the Stead, 1849 – 1912. This memorial to a journalist of wide renown was erected near the spot memorial is very much “our” memorial. where he worked for more than thirty years by journalists of many lands in recognition of Three months after the sinking, the his brilliant gifts fervent spirit & untiring devotion to the service of his fellow men.” shock waves were still reverberating as the Institute organised a committee of the good and the great of British journalism – that the appeal committee had enough who is organising a special conference to raise cash for a memorial. They money to commission two identical in April (in conjunction with the British appealed for “half-crowns and shillings” head-and-shoulders plaques from Sir Library) examining W.T. Stead’s life – and the cash poured into the Institute’s George Frampton, an eminent sculptor achievements, has indicated that he, too, Hall, in Tudor Street. of the day. will attend the ceremonies. So great was the response from The second memorial plaque was sent journalists around the world who to the USA and is in New York’s Central recognised Mr Stead’s achievements Park. “The Titan of the Titanic”, – which included him going to jail for We are hoping that some of the great- our “Turning the Clock Back” “buying” a chimney-sweep’s daughter grandchildren of Mr Stead will be for £5 to expose child prostitution in able to join with CIoJ members at the special feature examines W T Victorian London but resulted in the commemorative wreath-laying. Prof Stead’s life and achievements age of consent being raised from 13 to 16 Roger Luckhurst, of Birkbeck College, on pages 6, 7 and 8. Andy Smith Editor Editor’s Comment t is entirely appropriate that the Chartered Institute of Journalists Ishould be marking the centenary of the passing of W.T. Stead – a founding father of investigative, campaigning journalism in Britain – at the same time as we are celebrating the centenary of this publication. Yes, The Journal came into being in the very Assistant Editors: Stuart Millson same year that the British Press – and the Amanda Brodie Institute – lost one of its most influential, Production Editor: Dominic Cooper and at times controversial, figures. The plaque on the wall of W.T. W.T. Stead stood for a “New Journalism” Stead’s house in Westminster. which can be said to have paved the way for modern, mass-circulation, tabloid In this issue: newspapers. But while we rightly condemn a tireless crusader against injustice and the ugly side of today’s tabloids, Stead’s corruption, and was not prepared to accept Sambrook heads for Wales p4 approach was quite different from that that a country as wealthy as Britain should of the phone-hackers and the long lens be allowed to turn its back on the poor and CIoJ speaks out against paparazzi. If he trod on toes and upset weak. tribunal fees plan p5 the Establishment, it was because he was It was Stead and the Pall Mall Gazette an unflinching champion of the liberties who uncovered the shocking extent of BBC boosts business coverage p9 of the people and a vigorous defender child prostitution in London, and it was Gov’t plan could cost of the highest standards of investigative their investigation that brought about a local press £20m p10 journalism. much-needed and long overdue change From his early days on the Northern Echo in the law to protect children from this Voicemail hacking: to the high point of his career as crusading iniquitous business. Yet it is regrettably Lessons from the ’90s p11 editor of the Pall Mall Gazette – where, in typical of societies that are a long time “in effect, he invented the celebrity interview denial” that, on a legal technicality, it was (his first major interviewee was none other W.T. Stead who ended up in prison for his than General Charles G. Gordon – “Gordon trouble! Regular items: of Khartoum”) – Stead broke new ground I hope that many members of the CIoJ will time and again. He campaigned relentlessly join us at the memorial to W.T. Stead on the Turning back the clock P6-7 for strong national defence and was a great Victoria Embankment, on Sunday 15 April, champion of the Royal Navy, believing that and for the church service afterwards at St From the President’s Desk P8 a powerful British navy was the best way to Brides, to salute the accomplishments and ensure peace in the world. the crusading zeal of this great journalist No cause motivated Stead more, and social reformer. however, than the plight of the unfortunate Andy Smith in Victorian London and the urgent need to bring about vital social reforms. At a The views contained in The Journal are those of time when Britain was at the zenith of its [NOTE: A special Centenary the Editor and contributors and do not necessarily imperial power, he saw it as his mission to issue of The Journal will appear reflect the views or policy of the Chartered Institute highlight the evils that lay just below the this Autumn. More details in the of Journalists. All rights reserved. © CIoJ 2012 surface of the Empire’s capital city. He was Summer issue.] NOW, more than ever, is the time to be TheJournal able to demonstrate your professional ISSN 1361-7656 News or views intended for publication credentials as a journalist... should be sent to: The Chartered Institute of Journalists ...renew your CIoJ subscription today! 2 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, Right now, more than ever, it is important to maintain your membership of the London SE16 2XU Institute. Especially at this time when journalism is under attack and the industry E-mail: [email protected] is facing a tough examination. Tel: +44 (0)20 7252 1187 Fax: +44 (0)20 7232 2302 It is vital that, through the Institute, you maintain your access to advice and www.cioj.co.uk support on situations and circumstances that may affect you. So return your renewal form without delay. Don’t forget that you can pay by Printed by Cool grey display & print Ltd monthly direct debit to make things easier. If you have any queries please get in touch with head office on 020 7252 1187 or [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1444 474646 The Journal - Spring 2012 edition House of Lords Committee reports on future of investigative journalism By AMANDA BRODIE Chairman, Professional Practices Board he House of Lords Select Committee on Communications has published its Treport on the future of investigative journalism. The inquiry, which was attended by the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) who gave evidence last November, was chaired by Lord Inglewood. Others giving evidence included editors of national newspapers and magazines as well as from the world of broadcasting and media advisory groups. Summing up the conclusions and recommendations of the inquiry, Lord Inglewood said: “The purpose of our work has been, against the background of perhaps the greatest political media scandal © Parliamentary copyright House of Lords 2012. Photography by Chris Moyse of a generation, to look at the future of investigative journalism in the light of the problems currently facing the media and Dominic Cooper, General Secretary of the which could be used by regulators when the technological revolution unfolding in CIoJ. evaluating individual cases. this area. We hope that what we have done Mr Cooper said: “We were pleased to take The inquiry also asks for guidelines to will enable those going into the issues in part in the inquiry and to note that many of be published by prosecuting authorities to greater detail than us to come forward the comments made by Lord Inglewood and help media decide whether conducting an with proposals which will be relevant to the conclusions reached by the committee investigation could lead to prosecution. and protect the responsible investigative were matters on which the CIoJ has been It further recommends that fines for journalism of tomorrow. campaigning for some time.