Magazine of the Chartered Institute of Journalists SPRING 2011 TheJServingournal professional journalism since 1912 The Mosley case: one cheer for the ECHR

By Charlie Harris had to retract a claim that the orgy had explaining that: “The public interest CIoJ Vice-President Nazi overtones, which had added to includes, but is not confined to: detecting very journalist must have breathed Mosley’s embarrassment given that his or exposing crime or serious impropriety; a sigh of relief - if not let out a cheer late father – the sometime Conservative, protecting public health and safety, [and] E- to hear that Max Mosley had lost then Labour, MP Sir Oswald – had preventing the public from being misled his bid to have a “prior notification” founded and led the British Union of by an action or statement of an individual clause added to the European Convention Fascists in the 1930s. or organisation”. of Human Rights. But the High Court awarded him But it warns: “Whenever the public But one cheer would have been £60,000 damages after ruling the paper interest is invoked, the PCC will require enough, for this was not a case to win had invaded his right to privacy by editors to demonstrate fully that they widespread support for the press in its reporting on his sex life. reasonably believed that publication, defence of the right to report. Even some or journalistic activity undertaken with hardened hacks would surely admit, Public interest a view to publication, would be in the albeit grudgingly, that Mosley had a The case boiled down to the difference public interest.” right to feel aggrieved. between “of interest to the public” and There is no doubt that Max Mosley’s The exposure of Max Mosley’s bizarre “in the public interest”, a distinction sexual proclivities were of interest to the sex life is hardly an appropriate cause to recognised by the Press Complaints public, but was exposing them in “the be emblazoned on banners flying over Commission (PCC) in the Editors’ Code public interest”? Even those of us who the crusade for press freedom. of Practice. got a guilty frisson reading the NoW The ex Formula One boss had gone The code includes a public interest to Strasbourg after he failed to persuade exemption to several if its clauses, continued on page  a House of Commons committee to support his view that newspapers should be forced to warn people if they were planning to expose their private lives. It’s time to end libel In a 40-page ruling rejecting Mosley’s case, the ECHR warned that prior notification would have a “chilling effect” on press freedom. bullying of journalists Mosley’s aim in bringing his case was to give those being exposed in the By Amanda Brodie media plenty of time to seek injunctions Chairman, Professional Practices Board firmly committed to reform of the law on blocking publication. Had he succeeded he Government has unveiled defamation. We want to ensure the right he would have put an end to “ambush substantial changes to the law balance is achieved, so that people who reporting” – the practice of only telling Tof libel, which, if adopted, will have been defamed are able to take action one’s subject of the intention to publish be a welcome boost for investigative to protect their reputation, and that free at the very last minute, if at all. journalism and freedom of speech. speech is not unjustifiably impeded.” Max Mosley is motivated by the The draft Defamation Bill, now at the Unveiling the draft Defamation Bill, embarrassment he suffered when, consultation stage, aims to put an end Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said: in March 2008, the News of the World to the libel bullying of journalists and “The right to speak freely and debate reported that he had taken part in a sado- to call a halt to “libel tourism”, which issues without fear of censure is a vital masochistic orgy in a Chelsea “torture the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, cornerstone of a democratic society. In chamber”, with five woman whom he says has made Britain “an international recent years though, the increased threat had paid for their services. A video was laughing stock”. of costly libel actions has begun to have posted on the paper’s website. A spokesman for the Ministry of The story was true, although the NoW Justice told the CIoJ: “The government is continued on page  Editor’s Comment Andy Smith Editor The Media and the Monarchy: A Personal View

midst the gloom of “austerity Things came to a head in the evening Britain” the wedding of Prince with a special Royal Wedding edition of AWilliam and Catherine Middleton Newsnight in which Kirsty Wark posed has given the nation a much-needed boost. a series of crass and irrelevant questions Will and Kate are a hugely popular couple, to her guest interviewees, one of whom and the wedding day itself provided was the much overrated writer Will Self irrefutable evidence that pageantry and who trotted out the unofficial BBC line, ceremony are what Britain does best. i.e. that the Royal Wedding was merely a However, I cannot be alone in thinking stage-managed way for the old aristocracy Assistant Editors: Stuart Millson that certain sections of the media were to trick the British people into accepting a Amanda Brodie determined to torpedo the royal wedding continuation of the monarchy! Again it was Production Editor: Dominic Cooper from the outset. Week after week of left to Simon Schama, with no political axe seemingly endless sniping at the royals, to grind, to point out what utter tosh these and a strong undercurrent of anti- conspiracy theories are! monarchist sentiment – not just at the What was not mentioned in this In this issue: overtly republican end of the media but programme, and is never mentioned when also in some of the more right-leaning parts Mr Self appears on the BBC, is that he is Institute man launches new title P5 of the press – cast something of a shadow a prominent member of the campaign over the Royal engagement, right up to the group Republic which seeks an end to the Courting publicity P7 wedding day. British monarchy. In fact the membership Health... and journalism? P7 Nowhere was this mean-spirited anti- of Republic reads like a roll-call of the Hungary battles over media law P8 royalism more prevalent than at the BBC’s favourite interviewees. In addition BBC, which for months has been giving to Will Self they include anti-monarchist From the President’s desk P9 republican commentators and guest writers such as Benjamin Zephaniah, Polly Turning back the clock P10-11 interviewees the opportunity to make a Toynbee, Francis Wheen and Marcelle stream of snide remarks about the British d’Argy Smith, comedians Jo Brand and Paywalls P12 monarchy. Even on the big day, against a Mark Steel, gay rights campaigner Peter Outsource overseas at your peril! P13 backdrop of jubilant flag-waving crowds Tatchell, professional atheist Richard Journalism and education P14-15 thronging the streets of Westminster – more Dawkins, film-makers Mike Leigh and than a million people according to police Ken Loach, and left-wing lawyers Michael estimates – I got the distinct impression Mansfield and Geoffrey Robertson. that most of the BBC’s presenters were in In my view, it is high time these closet Regular items: a state of denial, refusing to accept that republicans were “outed”. This country what they were seeing with their own eyes is both a parliamentary democracy and a Freelance news P16 was a genuine outpouring of support and monarchy. The two go together – and have International news P17-19 enthusiasm for Britain’s Royal Family. done for hundreds of years. If certain public Bookshelf P20 Instead, the BBC cynics preferred to figures, celebrities and commentators were suggest that the hundreds of thousands dedicated to overthrowing parliamentary of people swarming across the royal parks democracy, there would be uproar if and teeming down the Mall to Buckingham they were given a platform for their anti- Palace were simply there “for a good day democratic views on the BBC. Yet the The views contained in The Journal are those of out” – in other words, that the Royal BBC appears willing to give a platform the Editor and contributors and do not necessarily Wedding itself didn’t matter, and that it was to republicans (both overt and covert) reflect the views or policy of the Chartered Institute just an excuse for a knees-up. Throughout and, indeed, one can discern behind of Journalists. All rights reserved. © CIoJ 2011 29 April, in the BBC’s coverage of the the Corporation’s policy a distinct anti- day’s events, it was left to the historian monarchist agenda. This cannot be right. Simon Schama and just a handful of other Opposition to democracy and opposition broadcasters making guest appearances to to monarchy are two sides of the same “tell it like it is” rather than choosing, as coin, and for the nation’s public service so many of the Corporation’s journalists broadcaster to promote republican views and commentators did, to see the public should be unacceptable. Responsible TheJournal celebration through a cloud of BBC journalists, both inside and outside the ISSN 1361-7656 cynicism and instinctive anti-monarchism. BBC, should have no truck with it.

News or views intended for publication should be sent to: The Chartered Institute of Journalists Renew your CIoJ subscription today 2 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, n the past couple of weeks, subscription reminders have been sent to members due to London SE16 2XU Irenew their membership of the Institute. E-mail: [email protected] Right now, more than ever, it is important to maintain your membership of the Institute. Tel: +44 (0)20 7252 1187 At a time when job security is threatened and the industry is facing a bleak few years. Fax: +44 (0)20 7232 2302 It is vital that, through the Institute, you maintain your access to advice and support on www.cioj.co.uk situations and circumstances that may affect you. So return your renewal form without delay. Don’t forget that you can pay by monthly Printed by Coolgrey Ltd direct debit to make things easier. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch with head office on 020 7252 Tel: +44 (0) 1342 321056 1187 or [email protected] The Journal - Spring 2011 edition news Photographers stage city protest Anger at over-enthusiastic private security guards By John Szemerey group of press photographers over to private security companies, who demonstrated on World Press make their own rules as to what may or Continues the letter, “PHNAT is AFreedom Day (May 3) outside City may not be done there. Photographers concerned about the role of private security Hall against a growing problem: private often do not even know that a private guards in the prevention of terrorism. Their security guards trying to stop them taking security company is responsible for safety role has been promoted by police, with the photos in public places. A campaign group – at places like Canary Wharf and the result that many privately employed guards of professional photographers, PHNAT, Thames Walk between Tower Bridge and are illegally preventing citizens from taking organised the protest. City Hall – so initially they take no notice any photographs at all.” The police – who were guilty of similar of the security men, some of whom then try actions against photographers - are behaving to “confiscate” their cameras and expose or more correctly following representations ruin the photos taken. to the Association of Chief Police Officers The security men also try to stop tourists Do you have a (ACPO) by the Chartered Institute of and the general public taking photos in Journalists and others. Now it is private these places, leaving a bad impression on colleague who may security men who are the problem. bona fide visitors who expect to be able to PHNAT stands for “I’m a Photographer, take snapshots of their visit to London. be interested in Not a Terrorist”. The group was set up PHNAT decided to demonstrate outside joining the CIoJ? while some policemen were using anti- City Hall, the home of the Greater London terrorist legislation to stop photographers Authority and home of the Mayor, Boris If so, please contact head office – press photographers as well as private Johnson, on World Press Freedom Day and individuals – taking photos outside public to leave a letter for the Mayor explaining for a new members pack or, buildings and photographing policemen or their problem. alternatively, send an e-mail soldiers. The letter and demonstration are intended to [email protected] The problem is particularly bad in to bring “this issue to the attention of the giving their details. Thank you London, which is why the demonstration is general public to highlight the creeping for your help maintaining a in front of City Hall. restrictions to press freedom and the right Security enforcement in several privately- of the citizen to photograph in a public healthy membership. owned but public places has been handed place.” City University award recognises impact of data journalism Simon Rogers of The Guardian scoops inaugural XCity Award Other City alumni were shortlisted for ity University’s new award was the forefront of his field and demonstrates the University’s XCity Award. They established in order to recognise the impact he is having on the future of C included: members of the University’s alumni who journalism.” have made outstanding contributions to Kate Day The Daily Telegraph’s Social journalism – in particular, a difference in Thrilled Media and Engagement Editor, for the way news and features are written or Awards always have a major morale- her work on the Debate 2010 project. presented. boosting impact on our profession, and (Graduated with a Newspaper Simon is The Guardian’s Editor of Simon (who completed his diploma at City Diploma, 2007.) Datablog and Datastore, the online in 1991) told those who had gathered for the resources responsible for highlighting ceremony: “I’m thrilled that City University Tom Whitwell from Times news-related data from around the world London has awarded me this prize. City Digital for his work on paywalls. and representing it visually. He played a gave me my first big break into journalism (Graduated with MA in Newspaper crucial role in the newspaper’s decision and I’ll always be grateful for the quality of Journalism,1996.) to “crowdsource” data on MPs’ expenses learning that I enjoyed at the University. when they were released in 2009, as well as It has stayed with me throughout my James Ball for his work in being a key part of The Guardian’s coverage career. This award also provides important investigative data journalism at of WikiLeak’s Afghan war logs. industry recognition of the impact that data The Guardian, WikiLeaks and The Professor George Brock, Head of journalism is having on the journalism Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Journalism at City University London profession and news reporting. Over (Graduated with MA in Investigative commented: “I wholeheartedly congratulate the past year, with organisations such as Journalism, 2008.) Simon on receiving this prize. We were WikiLeaks driving data related media thoroughly impressed by the diverse range stories, we have seen data journalism really Nathalie McDermott, founder of On of nominations, demonstrating the quality gain momentum. Data journalism serves an the Road Media, an organisation and high level of professionalism of alumni important role in serving the public interest which was set up in 2005 with the aim from City’s journalism programmes. and I hope this will continue.” of advising marginalised groups on Choosing one winner was difficult, but The Royal Statistical Society also how to use social media, so they have Simon’s contribution to the advancement awarded Simon a special commendation a say in the issues at the heart of their of data journalism clearly places him at for excellence in journalism last year. communities.

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Mosley case Hacked off! continued from page  By Steven Barnett report, or watching its video, would find it slaughtering their own people, mowing Professor of Communications, hard to argue that it was. down unarmed civilians in cold blood. University of Westminster Until that Sunday morning, Mosley was So, one cheer for Mosley’s defeat, but three hardly a public figure in the true sense of large boos for the behaviour of the NoW and ews International’s belated the word. His name may have been familiar other papers and websites who recklessly put Nadmission of liability for some to F1 fans, and to students of his father’s at risk genuine investigative journalism in of the phone-hacking cases now going colourful political career, but most of us had the service of truth and justice by continuing through the courts is to be welcomed, but never heard of him. to hand crates of ammunition to the enemies leaves major questions unanswered. We And he had never set himself up as a of press freedom by abusing this tactic to still know little about how widespread paragon of family values, telling the rest achieve grubby and sordid ends. this practice was at the News of the World, of us to live pure and chaste lives. So there how many journalists were involved could be no accusation of hypocrisy or and – crucially – how many senior double standards, as is often the case in Lebedev warns of a return to executives at News International may exposes of the moral turpitude of politicians, ‘dark days’ of media control be implicated. sportsmen or film and TV stars. It is only through the determined There was no public interest in the NoW’s buse of press freedom could trigger pursuit of civil cases through the courts story, so while champions of press freedom ADraconian regulations that would by a few victims – and some dogged will be delighted that Mosley’s campaign for not have been out of place in the “dark, investigative journalism – that the full “prior notification” has apparently failed (at totalitarian days of Russia”. extent of this criminal activity in the the time of writing he says he is considering The stark warning came from Evgeny country’s biggest-selling newspaper further options), many of us are concerned Lebedev, the Russian chairman of the has come to light. News International’s that the fight has been over such a weak and Independent and the Evening Standard in a insistence that a single “rogue reporter” flawed case. speech at Oxford University. was responsible has been discredited. Within hours of the ECHR ruling, Tory Giving the first lecture of the Gorbachev backbencher Zac Goldsmith – and son of the series on press freedom on the day that the Press ethics late businessman and serial litigant Sir James ECHR ruled on the Mosley case, Lebedev It is now essential for the revival of Goldsmith – had jumped on the gag-the- said that the media had to act responsibly reputable press ethics in Britain that press bandwagon and called for Parliament or risk doing society a “terrible injustice”. all the information now being made to pass a tough privacy law. Journalists who behaved irresponsibly available to litigants is placed in the were guilty of dereliction of duty which public domain, that we know the full Prurient brought all the press into disrepute and extent of alleged executive involvement, He argued that: “Some newspapers are invited a legal crackdown threatening “our and that a full inquiry is launched unwilling to distinguish between what is much-valued press freedom.” into the Metropolitan Police’s first in the public interest and what is merely of There was too much trivialisation and investigation. This apology should not prurient interest to some of the public”. tittle-tattle in the UK press. be used as an excuse to brush the full It is depressing to have to agree that he He said: “When that meaningless trivia scale of journalistic malpractice and has a point. is procured via illegal means, we are on a possible inadequate policing under the Others will no doubt join him in offering slippery slope as this becomes the accepted carpet. some support to Mosley’s ambition, so the standard or norm,” citing phone hacking threat has not gone away. and payments to police officers. “Ambush reporting” is a legitimate and “We must be wary of abusing our useful tactic in the exposure, or prevention, freedom, which could result in losing that Don’t forget of criminal activity, abuse of power, or the very same freedom. We know we must be You will find many of the CIoJ’s hypocrisy of those who seek to impose strict alert to preserving press freedom when the forms, leaflets and guides available moral codes on the public while having no Leader of the Opposition calls for a public as downloads on the members’ area intention of behaving that way themselves. inquiry into press behaviour. In 35 years as a local newspaper reporter “We cannot allow this kind of corruption of the Institute’s website, www.cioj. and editor I used “ambush reporting” to pave the way for the suppression of the org/members. regularly against local authorities, the police fundamental right to express views.” and even the NHS (although never to expose “If we slip up, the judges and politicians sexual shenanigans) and it is even more vital will enforce the restrictions that will not that the national press and broadcasters be so different from those in regimes Press abused continue to have this vital weapon in their where there are institutional straitjackets, arsenals. preventing the freedom to report. in Palestine It is not just those of us working in the “We cannot allow our hunger for a story news media who think so. Human rights about a celebrity to produce a system that he Doha Centre for Media Freedom activists gave evidence to the ECHR judges would not look out of place in the dark, Thas noted a remarkable increase opposing Mosley’s case. Banning “ambush totalitarian days of my native Russia.” in violations of press freedom in the reporting” would dangerously hamper the Lebedev said responsibility involved Palestinian territories - the West Bank, exposure of crimes against humanity by “voluntary restrictions”, adding: “To occupied East Jerusalem and the Gaza dictators, it was argued. comfort the afflicted and afflict the Strip - over recent months. The Centre’s Had Mosley won, they claimed, thugs like comfortable is one definition of a vigilant researchers monitor violations against Gadaffi and Assad would have been entitled press. We need to fight the suppression journalists, both by the Israeli military to prior warning that the European media of this free flow of information, yet, stay and by the ruling Palestinian authorities were planning to report that they were firmly within the boundaries of the law.” in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Bomber on Institute man launches moon! (But no more…) new agricultural title Known for their unbelievable headlines and eye-catching, jaw- Blue Force Heritage magazine set to become “leader in their field” dropping picture content, the famous Sport newspapers have By Stuart Millson ceased publication or those unaware of the tractor and agricultural machinery industry in he Daily Sport and Sunday Sport Britain and Ireland (and the numerous Thave suspended publication and clubsF and associations out there which will go into administration. celebrate the various makes of tractor!) Launched in 1986, The Sunday Sport allow us at The Journal to acquaint you with set a new standard in journalism. Five one of the leading lights of this specialised years later, its owner, David Sullivan, scene: CIoJ member Peter D. Simpson. decided that the time was right for a Peter is an internationally-renowned daily version of the paper, and so the figure in his field, and is known from two titles marched forth – annoying Wyoming to Wakefield for his expert feminists and the politically-correct in knowledge of giant mechanical diggers equal measure. and massive earthmoving machinery; Sport Media Group, which was tractors, trailers and ploughs; seed-drills saved from going out of business and combines, and (just for good measure) by former owner David Sullivan in vintage bulldozers. A writer, narrator and 2009, said it had ceased trading with producer of DVD films dedicated to the immediate effect. The Group warned monster-machinery of the United States; it had experienced “an insufficient an engineering journalist and author; and recovery” since December. If no buyer a photographer – always at large at shows is found, the Sport will be the first UK and events – Peter is the man to go to for all Success national newspaper to close since the matters agricultural. Believing that a new publishing venture demise of News International’s Today and club formation was needed, Peter in November 1995. Publishing vision decided to launch the Blue Force Club Now working for the highly-respected and Blue Force Heritage magazine (also on- “Bomber on moon” Mortons Publishers, Peter (assisted by line at www.blueforce.uk.com). And what The Daily Sport was relaunched in fellow journalist and photographer, Gina a success it has been, if the Club’s recent April 2008 under the editorship of Harvey) has embarked upon an exciting inaugural Leicestershire rally was anything Barry McIlheney and James Brown (the new project which has managed to capture to go by. Peter takes up the story: “We are founder of Loaded magazine) with the the imagination of one huge group of a fresh name on the scene, and we knew stated aim of going from “sleazy” to tractor enthusiasts. Peter and his colleagues that we would get plenty of support as “sexy”. Mr McIlheney was forthright had long believed that more could be done a result of the power of word-of-mouth. in his vision for the papers: “If it is not for the thousands of supporters of the But we were not prepared for the 100 about sport, if it is not about girls and classic and distinctive blue-livery Ford and or so tractors, and the large numbers of does not make you laugh, then don’t Fordson (and derivative) tractors. His vision individuals and families who turned out bother.” was to create a magazine independent of for our first big event. So far, the Blue Force The relaunch managed an important any commercial publishing concern – and Heritage magazine has gone down well with political coup when the former Liberal one that would be run, as Peter puts it, “for everyone, and those who really know their Democrat MP, Lembit Opik, began a the members and by the members”. The tractors love the iconic and historic Ford weekly political column. Circulation magazine, says Peter, must “do what it industrial-agricultural emblem, which Ford peaked in 2005 at 189,473, while the says it will do, reflect interest in one of the in the United States have authorised us, and Sunday edition reached a high in the world’s great industrial names.” no-one else, to use!” same year of 167,473. Further back, both papers were May the force be with them! edited by Tony Livesey, who now Blue Force Heritage magazine, it has to be presents a programme on BBC Radio said, sets a new benchmark as far as niche 5 live. Under his tutelage, the Sunday publishing in this field is concerned, and edition in particular became known effortlessly outguns the opposition. High- for its incredible stories, including: quality colour-work adorns the publication. “World War Two Bomber Found on An attractive typeface, good use of headings, the Moon!” a reader-friendly design, and a remarkable Sport Media Group (SMG) said on selection of period advertisements and its website that it had ceased trading images of classic tractor scenes create a truly because of its “inability to meet certain superior type of club journal. Substantial creditors as they fall due” and was in the and technical, yet readable and generally process of appointing administrators. Little and large: Here is one of Henry Ford’s early informative, Peter’s publishing venture is SMG suspended trading in its shares offerings – a Fordson Model F of the early 1920s – being something of which we at the Institute can “pending clarification of its financial dwarfed by the latest offering from New Holland. all be proud. We wish Blue Force Heritage position”. every success.

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition ‘The test of a free press is its

capacity to unearth the truth’ photo: Cabinet Office continued from page  a chilling effect on scientific and academic “We intend to provide a new statutory debate, and investigative journalism. defence for those speaking out in the public “The Government’s draft Defamation interest, whether they are big broadcasters Bill will ensure that anyone who makes a or the humble blogger. And we intend to statement of fact or expresses an honest clarify the law around the existing defences opinion, can do so with confidence. of fair comment, and justification. “However it is never acceptable to “We believe claimants should not be able Clegg: “We want to ensure the right balance is achieved” harm someone’s reputation without just to threaten claims on what are essentially • In the next issue of the Journal, we cause, so the Bill will ensure defamation trivial grounds. We are going to tackle libel look at the proposals in more detail law continues to balance the needs of both tourism. And we're going to look at how and Robin Morgan delves into the sides and encourage a just outcome in libel the law can be updated to better reflect the CIoJ archives to see how libel cases cases.” realities of the internet. were handled many years ago. The draft Bill, which relates to the law in “We are also going to address the high • Have your say – write a letter to England and Wales only, includes provision costs of defamation proceedings. As part the Journal with your views on the for: of that we have published a consultation reforms. • A new “public interest” defence paper on proposals by Lord Justice Jackson to reform civil litigation funding – and in • The full consultation document for which can be used by defendants the draft bill can be found at: www. particular ‘no win no fee’ arrangements – to in defamation cases. justice.gov.uk/consultations and make costs more proportionate.” • A requirement for claimants to select draft defamation bills. demonstrate ‘substantial harm’ before they can sue. • Reducing so-called “libel tourism” Libel reform and the CIoJ by making it tougher to bring ur Institute has been involved with Commenting on the wider issue, the overseas claims which have little Othe consultation process over the Institute added: “Libel impacts primarily connection to the UK in the English libel issue for some time. upon reputation. Not everyone has or courts. In 2009 we were consulted on the deserves a good reputation. Journalists multiple publication rule (defamation and • must have the freedom to investigate A single publication rule, meaning the internet) by the Ministry of Justice. potential corruption and wilful repeat claims for libel cannot be We outlined our objection to the rule, wrongdoing against the public. Mistakes made every time a publication is which potentially meant journalists and in all walks of life occur and journalism is accessed on the internet. publications could be sued for libel every no exception. Where mistakes do happen time an article was re-read on the internet, then rectification should be made, In a speech given in January this year, since every time someone downloaded a apologies given and retractions published Nick Clegg said: “Recent years have seen story, it could be deemed re-publication in short time scales. some progress on transparency, most in law. “So long as the original publisher/ notably through the Freedom of Information In the consultation report, the CIoJ author discharges their duty to retract the Act. But progress has stalled. Exceptions said: “We regard the introduction of a libel as far as can be reasonably expected, [to the Act] remain far too common, and workable and equitable single publication their liabilities should be limited to a information is too often placed behind rule in libel to be an essential first step in single publication rule.” tedious bureaucratic hurdles. the modernisation of the law in England The new draft Defamation Bill proposes and Wales. Other countries have workable “We still live in a society where important introducing a single-publication rule for defamation laws which do not have or libel, including a one-year time limit on information is hoarded by the few. And as require a multiple publication rule.” bringing cases. we know, knowledge is power.” The Deputy PM said it was important that people were able to use information to scrutinise public services, because this drives up standards. Whistleblowing and WikiLeaks He added: “The test of a free press is its capacity to unearth the truth, exposing Assange goes head-to-head with Douglas Murray charlatans and vested interests along the parks flew at a debate between Henry you the right to decide what should way. It is simply not right when journalists SJackson Society Associate Director, be known or not? Governments are are effectively bullied into silence by the Douglas Murray, and Julian Assange elected. You, Mr. Assange are not.” prospect of costly legal battles. of WikiLeaks. Hosted by the Frontline Murray also tore into Assange over an “Nor should foreign claimants be able to Club and The New Statesman, the debate account in a book by Guardian writers exploit these laws, bringing cases against on whistleblowing was a sell-out. The David Leigh and Luke Harding, in which foreign defendants here to our courts even Guardian reported the proceedings: the authors quote him suggesting that if if the connection with England is tenuous. “Douglas Murray…challenged informants were to be killed following “It is a farce – and an international Assange over the website’s publication of the leaks, they “had it embarrassment – that the American sources of funding, its staffing and coming to them”. Congress has felt it necessary to legislate connections with the Holocaust The debate appears on YouTube: to protect their citizens from our libel laws. denier Israel Shamir, who has http://www.youtube.com/ This Government wants to restore our worked with the site. Murray watch?v=emPIz7Sv1LE international reputation for free speech. demanded answers: ‘What gives

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Health – and journalism? Numbers The journalist’s lifestyle doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence from crunched at our healthier colleagues in other professions. But did you know that Accountancy Age the EU has a Health Prize for Journalists? Stuart Millson looks at the hanging reader habits and competition of the year Cburgeoning subscription rates for emailed newswires are said to be the ver my fried egg and bacon There is even a special prize for the best cause for Incisive Media’s decision to breakfast, I read that registration report into the damage caused by smoking cease printing Accountancy Age. Ohas opened for the third EU Health and nicotine. (No after-dinner speeches The well-known magazine was Prize for Journalists. The aim of this prize with cigars at this one, just a prize of 3,000 published in printed form for the last is as follows: “To raise awareness on euros!) time in April, and it seems that no jobs health issues by showcasing the talents of are to be lost as a result of the change. the best health journalists from across the The rules According to its most recent ABC 27 Member States.” As with the previous • Participants in the competition must be figures, Accountancy Age has (or had!) two prizes, the theme of the third prize is nationals or residents of one of the 27 EU an average weekly print circulation “Europe for Patients”, which from this year, Member States and aged 18 or over. of 31,951. The digital edition of the includes the topic of pharmaceuticals. • A maximum of two articles can be submitted magazine counts 13,650 weekly Reading about the EU is enough to turn per participant and team submissions are subscribers. us all into patients, but the prizewinners accepted as long as the team does not exceed The Accountancy Age website could well be enjoying Champagne (or five people. featured the following announcement: maybe, top-quality carrot juice) for a long • All articles must be in one of the official “Obviously, there is a great fondness time to come. The winning journalists will languages of the EU and have been originally and attachment to Accountancy Age in receive cash prizes of €6.000 for first place, published in either a print or online media print. For forty years the publication 2.500 for second place and 1.500 (euros outlet. has been the vehicle through which again) for third place. • The maximum length of the article should not exclusive news and analysis has been exceed 20, 000 characters (including spaces). delivered to the UK’s accounting Huge interest • More rules and conditions can be found on profession. The publication now has Interest in the project has, so far, been the dedicated website. to take the next step in ensuring it alarmingly strong. can continue to provide the service Over 700 journalists from all over the Selecting the winners that readers have come to expect, and European Union have participated in this In each Member State, a national support their reading habits as they Health Prize already. jury composed of journalists and public become increasingly focused on the If you are interested in: cross-border health experts, chaired by the European internet.” healthcare, rare diseases, health workforce, Commission, will select one national patient safety, organ donation and finalist. transplantation, cancer, flu vaccination, To submit an article and find out more Reporters’ prudent use of antibiotics, mental health, about the EU Health Prize for Journalists Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias please visit the dedicated website: and childhood vaccination, this could be http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/journalist_ stories on the the prize for you! prize/2011/index_en.htm London stage n July and August 2011, the Iiceandfire theatre company will produce a five-week run at the Courting publicity prestigious London fringe theatre, Advances in technology may assist the media in reporting court the Arcola, of their new play “On the deliberations, according to the Lord Chief Justice Record”, which has been constructed from interviews with journalists from he Press Gazette has reported the tweeting in court has been given, for the Russia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, the USA Tcomments of the Lord Chief Justice, purposes of a consultation into the use Lord Judge, which may signal a new of modern technology and its impact on and Israel. dimension to the world of court reporting. the processes of the court. Obviously I “On the Record” is a powerful Speaking at a lecture at Jerusalem’s must wait for the end of the consultation, piece which exposes the work of Hebrew University, Lord Judge said but can anyone doubt that the issues of independent journalists who, day-in, that it was his “fervent hope” that the the impact of modern technology both day-out, put their lives on the line so new world of communications would as they apply to the judicial system and that readers, viewers and listeners improve the immediacy and accuracy of as they apply to the world of the media, across the world might see the truth legal reporting. and indeed as they impinge on the behind the headlines. The characters He continued: “It is now possible, relationship of both the judiciary and the in “On the Record” are real, and as you know, for a contemporaneous media, should be examined now rather you may recognise their names and report of what is being said to be put than later.” stories. up on a television screen as the words His lordship argued that there must be There are preview shows on 20, 23, are spoken, or more realistically, three “open justice” – expressing the view that 25, 27, 28 July. Tickets are just £10 for or four seconds after they have been new technology would make it easier for these shows but must be booked in spoken. At present interim guidance on the media to be “present in court”. advance by phone (020 7503 1646).

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition The fight over Hungary’s media law

By Norman Bartlett n December 2010 the European media by which time the Hungarian government was seized with panic about a new law had backed down significantly but not Ithat had been introduced in Hungary entirely. He wrote: that appeared to be a grave threat to freedom of the press. From all parts the warnings “We believe that all Hungarian citizens flared, demonstrations were staged and have the right to get information and balanced coverage, which is a cornerstone petitions launched. Party Photo: European Peoples The English language reports of the law in the work of such prestigious institutions certainly seemed to show a gross intrusion as the BBC…those experts who drafted into the independence of the press. There the legislation did consult other European would be a new media authority dominated media regulations and were dedicated by five appointees of the ruling Fidesz to be in line with EU regulations, too. I am afraid that many who criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. party, which would oversee all public news the new legislation have not yet had the production. The body could also levy huge chance to read it at the time of expressing fines on media it deemed “unbalanced” or Opposition’s underground culture.” He their criticism as it was not available in “offensive to human dignity”. Journalists English…the Government asked the studied law in Budapest and got a Soros could be forced to identify their sources and Commission to make it possible…for Foundation scholarship to study English the right to secrecy would only be upheld their experts to consult with Commission liberalism at Pembroke College, Oxford. He if it were in the public interest. There were officials regarding the contested provisions turned out to be a fine political operator. In also other limitations. The villain of the in the media legislation…” 1995 he changed the direction of the party piece was identified as the Prime Minister, to centre-right to take advantage of disarray Viktor Orbán. It is interesting to try and unravel why by existing rightist parties (think Blair and Many organisations made their a democratically elected government the New Labour!) and led Fidesz to its first representations and the CIoJ was among origins of whose governing party was election victory in 1998. He became Prime them. We wrote to the Hungarian founded as a youthful libertarian group, Minister and promptly launched a massive Ambassador in London after the Budapest has become identified with the opposite re-organisation of the civil service but authorities had attempted to counter the sentiment. The party was founded in 1988, characterised by an enormous strengthening first phase of European criticism. We said: named simply Fidesz (Fiatal Demokraták of the prime minister’s office. Szövetsége, Alliance of Young Democrats) He lost the election in 2002 and in the “Your government has attempted to defend and comprised mainly students who met following years built up his international the new law on very dubious grounds in small, clandestine groups. It was anti- profile. He was awarded numerous in the view of the Institute. While many communist and its members saw themselves distinctions and prizes by European and European countries may have bodies to as guardians of fundamental human rights. American organisations of which the most monitor and possibly penalise offensive For the first five years of its existence it had odd was the Grand Cross of the Order of publications or broadcasts, such bodies an upper age limit of 35 years. After the Saint Gregory the Great from the Vatican – have only limited powers and, above all, fall of communism it became a major force despite him being a free-thinking Calvinist! are impartial. Since the merging of the in modern Hungary’s political and social The next stage is best summarised national media supervisory authority fabric. by a paragraph from a recent article in (ORTT) with the telecommunications Viktor Orbán was one of the founders Der Spiegel. “There are many reasons authority (NHH) into the new Media of Fidesz. One of his contemporaries for Hungary’s descent into the ranks of Council (NMHH) there is no longer any semblance of impartiality in the Hungarian described him as “the ultimate anarcho- countries that are only partially democratic, body. The appointees are from supporters liberal…an embodiment of the Democratic but archconservatives and the radical of just one political right wing are party – Fidesz.” not the only ones responsible In our letter we for this adverse went on to remind the development. The Ambassador of the Hungarian left

European context: Photo: Norman Bartlett has committed a form of gradual “What is particularly suicide. For several worrying is that p a r l i a m e n t a r y your government terms it had the purports to subscribe chance to shape to universal West Hungary, most European values. The recently between constitution, setting- 2006 and the up and operation of spring of 2010. But the NMHH give the hopeful steps were lie to that. It should be quickly abandoned abolished as it offends as corruption and all those who believe in press freedom”. nepotism shaped the political The Ambassador Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest. This was inaugarated in 1896 in the Gothic Revival style, replied in due course, inspired by London’s Houses of Parliament that had been completed about 25 years earlier. continued on page 

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition continued from page  From the President’s Desk scene. Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány highlighted the dilemma By Norman Bartlett in a 2006 speech, when he said: “No amilton Hall adjacent to Liverpool person to take European country has done something Street Station once formed part o w n e r s h i p as boneheaded as we have … We have Hof the Great Eastern Hotel and is of the issues. lied in the morning, at noon and at named after an eminent Chairman of the This is night.” erstwhile Great Eastern Railway, Lord diametrically It was as a reaction from the Claud John Hamilton, second son of the opposite to deceit enacted by Gyurcsány and his 1st Duke of Abercorn. He presided over the the classic socialists that Orbán swept back into old GER for almost 30 years from 1893 until approach of Norman Bartlett power in May 2010. Fidusz had an the company was merged with the LNER forming a absolute majority in parliament and on grouping in 1923. So distinguished a c o m m i t t e e . proceeded to change things around. chairman was he that a very elegant and Committees do not do things. Individuals The start was some gerrymandering powerful 4-4-0 class of locomotives was do things. But individuals able to draw on – changing boundaries of election named after him. Sadly none survived support from others do even better. districts to ensure that Fidesz would into preservation. Member focus is needed because since win almost all mayoral elections at But that’s enough for the railway the collapse of the old regional structure, October’s municipal elections. There anoraks among us. Hamilton Hall is where there has been rather a hole in the middle were new rules for the nomination of one of the first steps was taken in my of the CIoJ. Here in London it may have felt constitutional judges. Leftist professors aspiration to see better cooperation with less but in the rest of the country a journalist in official positions were sacked and other journalists’ organisations. can feel lonely. On-line facilities such as even some directors of government Those of you who attended the JournaList help but this whole area must be theatres. The pension system was Presidential handover may recall that I strengthened. nationalized with powers granted to explained that I wanted to focus on four I want to try and get about more and meet vary payments. strands of activity over the next two years: our members outside London. I want to Yet it was the media law that partnerships, team structure, member focus determine what the value proposition of the propelled Orbán, Fidesz and and HQ admin. Institute is. And as important is to compare Hungarian politics to the world’s front I went into more detail when I spoke to the that with the perceived value proposition. pages. Institute’s freelance division at their AGM. I One difficulty in making that evaluation is “The freedom that Hungary explained that many years ago I heard from that the annual subscription has been held achieved for itself and others two a guy who worked for the National Coal at just under £200 for so many years, that decades ago is disappearing” – Die Board a story about Peter Walker, sometime it has almost become a benchmark of value Welt, Berlin Secretary of State for Energy in one of in itself. “…an embarrassing move” – Corriere Margaret Thatcher’s governments. When And finally there are administrative della Sera, Milano appointed, Walker asked his Permanent matters mainly concerned with the lack of “We express our solidarity with Secretary what were the four things he resources at Head Office. This is something Hungarian media, which Orbán wanted him, as a minister, to push for, that I shall have to address with the General intends to silence” – Gazeta Wyborcza, where his effort was to be focused. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer. Warzawa I was impressed with that approach So, after that rather long digression, back “The freedom of the press in although less impressed with other aspects to Hamilton Hall. This is where I saw the Hungary has come to an end” – of the gentleman. Earlier he had been the first and second of those strands at work Nepszabadsag, Budapest. junior partner in the infamous firm of – discussing co-operation and using a team. Many politicians – not all on Slater-Walker, takeover experts and asset There was a meeting held with the Bureau the left – criticised the Hungarian strippers. Later he left government, one of of Investigative Journalism (BoIJ) – of which government. Fidesz has been labelled the first to claim he wanted “to spend more more in the next issue – and it was organised as authoritarian with doubtful time with his family” and became Lord by one of our team leaders: Amanda Brodie, economic policies. Yet the European Walker. Anyway, I like the idea of a selective chairman of PPB. Union has been tolerant, even of the approach to presidency as it provides a sort Now it may or may not develop into a media law. of blueprint for actions. more productive relationship but it was a On 21 December 2010, the day the So the first of my interests will be useful discussion with Iris Maor, the BoIJ’s law was enacted in Parliament, EU’s associations that may or may not lead to head of operations. As well as explaining President Herman Van Rompuy paid partnerships. Which associations should the modus operandi of her organisation, an official visit to Budapest. There we be getting closer to? How would we get she learnt some facts about the CIoJ of was no word of criticism from Van closer? What would we offer? What would which she was unaware. Rompuy but instead he spoke of we expect? How much would it cost? It was excellent to see that this first “the power of ideas” and “Europe’s Now I know some of you may already be initiative that Amanda has undertaken values”. He congratulated Orbán on members of other organisations. If you are, since she took over at the PPB, resulted in his assumption of a EU presidency and you think a closer relationship would what was a promising exchange of views. a fortnight later and predicted be useful, please let me know. Other contacts have come in from “excellent cooperation”. He went on Teams are not new to the Institute. We journalist organisations abroad and to say: “I will return to Brussels with already have some: Professional Practices these will be considered carefully. These an excellent impression.” Board (PPB), International Division, and approaches demonstrate that the CIoJ Perhaps the “excellent cooperation” the editorial team are examples. Other image is not insignificant. However, our did work and led to the worst features possibilities that I want to work on are a reputation has been hard won and we shall of the media law being rescinded. Or marketing team, a student team, a finance not allow that to be degraded by careless maybe it was the modest contribution team and a government team. My aim is to association or linking with inappropriate from your Institute that did the trick! get one key person per team. I want that organisations.

 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Turning back the clock It’s not like the good old days...or is it? Welcome to a new regular feature in The Journal looking at events in 1911 as reported by the Institute’s voluminous Minutes book. We find that events a century ago have an uncanny relevance to what is happening today! Order, order – the Hon members speak rubbish! oday’s politicians take note when you start kicking journalists for political ends: we had the measure of you Smoking in concert 100 years ago... T oday’s anti-smoking campaigners would be aghast at the Arthur Walter presented an “interesting” paper on “Parliamentary Reporting” to a meeting of the West Riding District Tadvice from President John Mitchell to Institute members and pulled no punches in his condemnation of Parliamentary in 1911. Warming to his year in office, the highly respected speaking standards. editor-in-chief of the Dundee Courier urged members to get “Oratory, as our forefathers understood it, was quite out of together more frequently to strengthen the Institute. date in Parliament. The politician had come to rely more upon the “In many Districts...social meetings – usually the reporter putting his observations into shape than upon his own unorthodox but exceedingly enjoyable “smoking concert” – language”, reported the Minute book. are held, at which opinions regarding the Institute are freely “As Parliamentary oratory had declined, the unconscious exchanged, and members frequently secured. humour of Parliamentary speech had increased, for the “bull” “The social gathering are eminently worthy of support. and the mixed metaphor were the children of careless speaking. Journalists cannot have too many facilities for the free Phrases were borrowed ready-made from the floating mass interchange of ideas. The result will always prove beneficial of metaphors, proverbs and colloquialisms, and disaster came to the Institute of Journalists”, he wrote in a New Year when a speaker put two incongruous ideas into juxtaposition and message to members. produced his “bull”. London District preferred to do it with song....in March “Concluding his remarks, Mr Walter said that the Press it held its “annual conversazione – an excellent programme Gallery was now recognised in the amplest way by Ministers and of music, songs and stories contributed to one of the most officials, and the annual dinner of ‘the Gallery’ was practically a successful of these afternoon gatherings”. Parliamentary event. “Today it might truly be said that Press and Parliament were mutually dependent. “The Press was the voice without which Parliament could not speak.” Cracking down on freeloaders

roblems with freeloaders masquerading as journalists were LEST WE FORGET... A QUOTABLE QUOTE Pjust as rife in 1911 as they are today and with no “Gatekeepers” press card to weed out imposters in those days, the Institute’s “It is men who make newspapers. The most London District was reduced to writing letters appealing for help perfect machinery, the finest organisation, to stamp out abuses. “The Committee have had under consideration certain abuses world-wide agencies of information and the of the invitations sent to newspapers by public authorities, railway most lavish expenditure, fail of half their companies and other bodies desirous of drawing attention to new effect without the gifted mind to think and the enterprises.” A circular letter was sent to the editors of the Metropolitan’s hand to write...” – Lord Burnham, treasurer newspapers drawing attention to the fact “that these invitations of the Orphan Fund, writing a forward to a found their way into the hands of persons who were not member’s book of Fleet Street reminiscences. journalists, some of whom did not reflect credit on the profession to which they might naturally be supposed to belong.” Today’s bean-counters take note! Replies were sympathetic with promises to help check the abuse.

10 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition An appreciative banker Generous Scots boost gives the Institute cash care for “the bairns” hen, as now, the Orphan Fund was the star performer of the for responsible reporting TInstitute’s finances and it entered 1911 with assets of £16,000 – or the equivalent of £912,000 at today’s values. To put this into ashing bankers is the flavour of the moment, with “greedy” perspective, the Fund’s 2011 assets are just about £1.8m depending being the favourite headline adjective. But in 1911, one bank on the current valuations of the stock markets. Bwhich had hit the headlines, the Birkbeck, of Chancery The creation of the Fund was proposed at the Institute’s first Lane, London, was so grateful for the responsible reporting by Dublin conference of 1891 by Major G F Gratwicke, who became our profession of its troubles of 1910 that it gave 100 guineas to the its chairman on its launch in 1892 but who, in 1911, decided to Institute’s Auxiliary Fund (forerunner for a new Unemployment retire from that responsibility amidst many generous valedictions Fund, launched later that year ). from our members. It was, said the bank: “A mark of appreciation of the temperate Income to the Fund came from many sources, including and helpful attitude of numerous members of the professions personal gifts from members – News of the World editor Emsley who are clients of the Bank...and of the assistance given by the Carr had given £5,000 in 1893! – and outside organisations. The London Press in informing and reassuring the public.” Minutes reported “the handsome gift which lately came to the In 1911 100 guineas – or £105 – was the equivalent of £6,000 Fund through the good offices of its friends in the Edinburgh today. District. Out of the financial surplus of the Scottish National Reporting the gift, the Minute book said: “Fortune has begun Exhibition of Industry (1908) the Authorities of that successful to smile upon the Auxiliary Fund. The short-lived run upon enterprise generously voted our Orphan Fund a hundred pounds the Birkbeck Bank (in June 1910) is commemorated with our (£5,700 in 2011 values). It came towards the Old Year’s end, as corporate profession by the gift of 100 guineas from the Managers a very welcome token of “auld acquaintance”; and it has been of the Bank. snugly put by for the bairns of the Institute, of whom Scotland has “It is a coincidence and a good omen for the Auxiliary Fund furnished forth a share.” that this gift from the Birkbeck Bank corresponds, in time and Generous people these Scots – “there was a sequel also to the circumstance, almost precisely with a similar gift which, in the big cheque that issued from the Glasgow festival of ‘cake and autumn of 1892, found place amongst the initial contributions to candy’,”...but no record of how much! our successful and beneficent Orphan Fund.” An obviously popular book of the time was The Press Album That referred to a Northern Rock-style run on the Birkbeck in compiled by Institute member Thomas Catling, which included September 1892, when clients – including journalists – demanded contributions from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Galsworthy their money back, and got it thanks to interventions by the Bank and Jerome K. Jerome. Selling at one shilling (5p) the book made of England and others. Press reportage helped calm fears. “well past the round thousand pounds” for the Fund. (That occasion proved dangerous for some customers. The New York Times in September 1892 reported: “Thieves took advantage of the crush and confusion and many depositors were robbed of their money after they had drawn it from the bank. One man was relieved of £1,100 [about £62,700 in today’s values!], while two The start of a others lost £250 [£14,250] and £120 [£6,840)] respectively.”) The 1911 Minutes concluded: “It (the 100 guineas) comes with the good wishes of Messrs Ravenscroft (the Bank’s owners) valuable tradition towards the provident and benevolent features of the Institute’s n early work.” Aluminary of The gift came just in time – in June 1911 the Bank finally the Institute, Miss collapsed! It was purchased from the receiver by the London Catherine Drew, County and Westminster Bank and today its roots can be traced the leading woman in the Royal Bank of Scotland – which is not without its problems in 2011! journalist of her day, had been presented with an ornate – and valuable Freelances want just payment – gold bracelet by appreciative members in 1908 and her dying wish The problems of freelances getting paid are was that it should, in future, be worn by the lady of not new. Surrey member W. A. Shattower the then President. complained of not getting his lineage, “especially In 1911 it was handed back to the Institute, following her death the previous year, and, ever from the London evening papers” which had since, its presentation to the incoming “President’s numerous editions. If correspondents did not lady” – when the president is a man, that is! – has see the particular edition, they could not cite the been a feature of the hand-over ceremony. The story’s page and column in which it appeared in bracelet, which features the Institute’s coat of arms, is, by far, the most valuable piece of our regalia and their claim and were not paid. Surrey wanted the this year “celebrates” the centenary of a tradition. Council to persuade proprietors to keep better In her will, Miss Drew left £10 plus “a residue” records of submitted stories – and pay up. from her estate to the Orphan Fund.

11 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition The relentless advance of paywalls – or not? Norman Bartlett reports on a recent debate on the success or otherwise of on-line newspapers

upert Murdoch’s decision to send The over 50,000 to about 30,000 in 15 years or so. charges (CPM or cost per million) and value Times off on a voyage of discovery He expected the growth of devices would because the metrics were so uncertain. Rinto the brave new world of paywalls lead to even greater growth in online. He quoted research that calculated 85% was announced last year. Instead of the The final formal contribution was from of click-throughs came from just 8% of great unwashed of the web gaining free Jonathan Foster Kenny, VP International visitors. Thus the responses of well over access to the jewels of News International’s Sales Director, Bloomberg Business Week. 90% of visitors were not being measured in finest journalism, they would have to pay. He explained that Bloomberg’s whole any way. It drew a lot of comment at the time with premise was online delivery but with The contributors agreed that it would be media watchers keen to see the outcome. a difference – as Bloomberg provides easier to educate readers of publications At the beginning of March, the Media the terminal as well. There are 300,000 like the FT to the virtue of paywalls and Society staged a debate in association with subscribers paying $20,000/year. (That is a much more difficult for tabloids. the Foreign Press Association. It was a serious amount of moulah – $6 billion for An early questioner was Peter Jennings, lively meeting. In the chair was the puckish those whose who can’t add up!) Subscribers a journalist. He explained how he was a figure of Raymond Snoddy, broadcaster get both factual stuff and functional regular contributor to The Times, both print and leading media commentator. analysis, charts, trends and forecasts etc. and website. The first contributor was tall, youthful On the more general Bloomberg website “Why”, he asked, “am I not being paid and handsome Tom Whitwell, Assistant there are around 220,000 users behind the for my contributions to the website which is Editor of Times Digital. He explained that Paywall and it is just 8.6% of those who now behind a paywall? some 18 months had been spent preparing generate 85% of the queries. Since acquiring “We pay journalists for what they for the paywall launch. The concept was Business Week, Bloomberg has strengthened deliver,” asserted Whitwell. that people would be prepared to pay the title with circulation up to 920,000. It has “But you don’t,” interrupted Jennings. regardless of the medium through which 1,700 journalists – no freelances. There is “Then don’t work for us,“ was the it was delivered – iPad, web or print. also Bloomberg.com that is free to use and bad tempered reply from The Times Their customer research showed that the has 12.5 million readers on line. About 10% representative. Chairman Snoddy had a key elements were quality journalism of those take content on their mobiles each minor explosion of indignation. “My wife and exclusives - books, interviews and so week and 220,000 on iPads. is a freelance,” Whitwell defended himself forth. Social media was used extensively to In the general discussion that followed, lamely. promote the concept. From this developed the debate about paywalls and advertising A lady from Arab News – where print is the idea of a community within the got quite pointed. There did not appear more significant – wanted to know how to paywall. to be any advertising folks there to refute make it more attractive as a concept. The two In November 2010 there were 105,000 their arguments. Whitwell was disparaging suggestions were that print needed to be distinct subscribers. Snoddy jumped on this of the Daily Mail model. It had developed more “luxurious” than the web experience piece of info and worried at it like a terrier. media type content based on celebrities and and, secondly, free. The evidence of the He got an assurance that these subscribers entertainment “to maximise eyeballs on Evening Standard was quoted. were distinct from existing Times readers. their site,” in his words. They had achieved The challenge for journalists in the But it did include people who may have a massive throughput of fifty million unit future will be to deal with implications of paid for a 24-hour dip into the paywall. users. Yet for all those readers, only £12 the multiple platforms available. The key Next up was Rob Aherne, publisher of million revenues were generated. “Typical brands will probably survive but what form Autosport and autosport.com. He said that of undifferentiated free traffic”. will they take? about a third of the revenues came from The debate widened to consider Most of the debate is available on online and two thirds from print. The effectiveness of online advertising. Kenny YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/ magazine circulation had declined from claimed there was little connection between watch?v=fC8eQhOCYmo

Student membership banner ad?

12 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Goggling at Google? What price quality? Not in the British Kathleen Lyle and Helen Stevens of the Society for workplace you Editors and Proof-readers (SfEP) on the perils of don’t! overseas outsourcing of editorial services early three quarters of British Nworkplaces (74%) restrict their he use of overseas suppliers, freelance brought editorial work back to the UK. employees’ access to the Internet, or corporate, is well established While this may mean more work for UK- according to a recent survey by office Tthroughout the UK publishing based freelances, the consequences have design specialist, Maris Interiors. industry. been mixed. Some editors have found that Almost half of UK employees are Many British publishers have routinely pay rates are the lowest they have been unable to access personal emails, and and successfully used overseas typesetters offered for many years. some 71% of offices surveyed have a for many years. When it comes to working practices, filter for pornographic websites, with The concern is that some overseas some overseas suppliers appear to perform 52% of employees unable to access suppliers whose staff do not have English well in terms of effective communication social networking sites such as Twitter as a first language are now offering editorial and streamlined processes. However, in or Facebook. services, often based on a rigid, rule-based other cases, aspects of overseas outsourcing YouTube was blocked by 30% of approach. Many of the authors concerned were reported to hinder rather than help the employers, and news websites by 27%. do not have English as a first language editorial process. Lack of communication Just under 10% of offices only allow either, and may require considerable with the author can lead to queries having access to certain specific sites, and 4% editorial help. to be repeated for chapter after chapter. only allow staff to use the company’s During 2010 the Society for Editors Queries inserted by the typesetters are intranet – not even allowing search and Proofreaders (SfEP) asked members sometimes inappropriate or poorly engines such as Google. to report their experiences of this type of worded, perhaps as a result of the inflexible Just over 80% of the employees editorial outsourcing. The full report is protocols. surveyed said that restrictions to available on the SfEP website (http://sfep. Some freelances have been left without internet access made their jobs more org.uk/pub/news/outsourcing.asp). a source of income, sometimes with no boring. Maris Interiors Chairman One major issue was that in-house staff warning. Although this is one of the risks Michael Howard commented: “It’s often had to carry out additional work on of freelance life, it is clear that a great deal a difficult decision about blocking material that had been edited overseas. of valuable expertise has been jettisoned, websites in the workplace – by doing The use of freelances for additional quality and there is often no one left in-house who so you have to balance employees’ control or proofreading can be set against knows the details of the editorial process. productivity against their morale. the savings derived from outsourcing. The publisher is at the mercy of suppliers At our company we restrict access to This is not the case for additional work by who may not be adequately briefed, may not pornographic sites – hopefully this in-house staff, whose costs are counted as understand the brief, or may not be capable doesn’t affect their morale too much!” overheads. of providing the quality they promise. Various issues were raised concerning Freelances need to do more to sell the lack of quality in language editing: themselves to the decision-makers in large The Rory Peck inadequate knowledge of English, lack of publishing houses. Although the focus in subject knowledge, changes that altered such companies has moved from editorial the sense or introduced errors, and an to marketing in recent decades, editors Awards, 2011 over-reliance on rule-based procedures and have continued to assume that everyone pre-editing macros. There also seems to be understands the value of their work, and is Now open for prospective a lack of the kind of lateral thinking that a prepared to pay them to do it. entrants good editor requires. That is no longer the case. If publishers he only competition in the world (free to Some publishers are attempting to have now think that substandard but cheap Tenter) dedicated to the work of freelance the best of both worlds: they now require editing is good enough, that’s what they cameramen and women in news and current their overseas suppliers to use native- will use. It is up to anyone who is interested affairs has three competitive categories: English-speaking editors. Other publishers in editorial quality to demonstrate what • The Rory Peck Award for News have experienced so many problems good editing is, and the value it can add to (max duration: 10 mins) with overseas outsourcing that they have publications. • The Rory Peck Award for Features (max duration: 60 New online news source for journalists mins) aunched in May, JournalistFeed is a support UK charities by donating £5 of each • The Sony Professional Impact Lnew online source of news stories and membership subscription fee to the Charity Award (max duration: 60 mins) features. JournalistFeed puts journalists in of the Month, voted for by members. All entries must have had their first touch with those who have stories to share Journalists can send press requests to broadcast (television, agency feed, and voices to be heard, particularly in the JournalistFeed member organisations, and recognised online news publisher) between charity and NGO sector. Members of the can opt-in to receive press releases by topic, 1 August 2010 and 31 May 2011. scheme include many leading charities search member profiles and download press Closing date for Entries is Monday 6 June as well as a wide range of companies and information. Whilst organisations putting 2011 (please note the earlier dates for this other organisations that are seeking to their news on JournalistFeed are expected year’s event). raise their profiles through direct contact to pay an annual membership subscription, For more information: http://www. with the media. The aim of JournalistFeed the scheme is completely free to journalists. rorypecktrust.org is to deliver “PR with a purpose”, and to Go to www.journalistfeed.co.uk.

13 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Journalism and developments in UK higher education

By Ioannis Soilemetzidis urrently the jobs market is seeking to open up the university sector challenging for all and especially to private providers, led many to support Cfor those who strive to get their the view that we are moving toward a full- foot in the door. Since this is the time for scale and ‘de facto’ privatisation of higher the survival of the fittest, now more than education in the UK. ever before we all need to focus on what a With student debt levels estimated to potential employer and the market needs. rise at graduation to £35,000, for students Everybody is cost conscious, so a key point entering university education in 2012, to focus on for students or recent graduates students from less well-off backgrounds aspiring to enter the profession is to could be put off from going to university answer the question: what kind of unique once fees start to rise. Some argue that advantage can I bring to my employer, how with the continued rise of the university much value can I add with my presence? population – a trend that started during the Recent developments in UK higher 1980s – and the fall of funding per student by more and more, countries and institutions education are expected to have a significant 40% by the mid-1990s – compared with the are eager to use English as a medium of effect on newcomers to the journalism mid-1970s – the university funding model instruction. So pupils who wish to attend profession. Issues such as top up fees and was in need of an urgent make over. While university education in Europe have real the internationalisation agenda of British new fee levels are not applicable to the entire choices. This trend will only continue, universities will also have significant United Kingdom, the reality is that English already top schools, both state and private, influence. Six universities have already universities both in terms of numbers and are reported to be appointing student announced their intention to charge home student population are the dominant force counsellors to help pupils apply for their students the maximum £9,000 allowed by in British higher education. Therefore social university education overseas. Well, why the government from 2012. The previous fee mobility and access to some career paths not? For example if one lives in London increase that set undergraduate university such as journalism may be restricted for or the South East, the Netherlands is fees at £3,290 for the 2010-11 cohort, was those from a less privileged background. probably closer than Scotland and the a direct consequence of the changes in the On the other hand while home universities weather is certainly much better. With funding of higher education announced have no trouble recruiting students from many countries in Europe providing free in January 2004. At that point a political abroad, sending British students to study university education in English and in decision was made by the United Kingdom outside UK is a totally different issue. some cases offering a student maintenance government to increase the level of tuition But why is it that British students are not grant, we should see an increasing number fees that universities were so keen about the idea of of students going abroad for their entire allowed to charge to £3,000 studying abroad? university education. a year. Following that first ...last year for Reasons have included If one considers that even if one chose a university top-up fee decision the chronic lack of foreign university that charges fees, both fee levels we all witnessed a reaction the first time language skills and and the cost of living in most European by the public and the student financial constraints. But countries are lower in comparison with community, similar to the a significant recent developments in UK, the UK. A university education in another recent widespread protests. number of European and global higher European country could be excellent value In the end Scotland followed education have created for money choice. Arguably the affects a different system, and the British students new realities. Consequently on professional journalism and students changes were applicable only were seeking to last year for the first time a that aspire to enter the industry could be to students in England, Wales significant number of British significant. and Northern Ireland. enter university students were seeking to But is graduating from a university We are now far away from education enter university education course in journalism, the fastest and indeed the times – following the abroad. The Netherlands the best way to enter the profession? Not end of World War 2 – when abroad... was the country of first that long ago becoming a journalist in the under the Education Act choice, probably due to UK was a long journey not suitable for 1962 a national mandatory the country’s geographical the fainthearted and one needed to know student maintenance grant was established. proximity to the UK and the largely English- someone to get his/her foot in the door. Then Local Education Authorities (LEAs) speaking population. One needed to be prepared and willing paid the student tuition fees and provided Now UK students and their families are to work hard, long and unsocial hours to students with a maintenance grant. discovering that the internationalisation climb the ladder from local newspapers Nowadays following the developments process in higher education has created and radio stations thence to regional and of the publication of the Lord Browne an entire world of English-speaking national tabloids, broadsheets and the glory of Madingley, Independent Review into universities on their doorstep. In almost of a national radio and television post, this Higher Education Funding and Student every European country one can find a was a reward achieved by the very few Finance, the cost of university attendance variety of higher educational providers after a lifetime of struggle and excellence. and student debt are expected to skyrocket. offering their degrees in English. Trial and error was the way to learn the That in combination with the decision of Having seen that the use of English as trade. Women were restricted to write on the previous government to grant degree an institutional language is a tool that can specific topics such as home decorating and awarding power to private providers, while increase and diversify student numbers gardening, women’s fashion, motherhood

14 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition and housekeeping, that is if they were a journalist, and indeed nowadays we have for any professional with high aspirations. fortunate enough to enter the profession in a larger number of “part-time” journalists Vacations and study abroad does not make the first place. than ever before. Many will work in the one knowledgeable about other countries, Luckily, over the last decades things industry for some years and then follow the only thing worse than not knowing is have changed significantly. Some link that another path, while others will combine thinking that you do. with generic UK and global socio-economic journalism with other professions. Diversification is also important, today developments. Others identify universities Also, journalism attracts the young more than ever before, and one needs to as the driving force behind this and other rebellious generation, eager to initiate and be able to change with the times. Students’ progress in professional journalism. participate in changing the socio-economic currently studying journalism or other It is true that nowadays universities all status quo, since it is one of the few subjects who plan to enter the industry need over the country offer a range of degrees, professions that actually enhances social to be versatile and open minded. At times both at undergraduate and postgraduate mobility. Journalism is a considerably more it is not only what you can write about but level providing some training for open profession than others, such as the also what you can find out about, how fast students who aspire to enter the world of law, and has more top positions available. you can deliver the work and what the final journalism. Degrees in Journalism, Media, And it has a culture that noticeably lacks quality will be. Creative Writing, and many other titles are elitism. The ability to write and report on a variety competing for students’ preferences. Nevertheless, critics support the idea of subjects is a must and that is achievable But do you need to graduate from a that journalism is among the most difficult if one has broader knowledge in a variety journalism course and does a degree make professions and getting that top job is of subject matter and the ability to process, one a journalist? One closely related to understand, evaluate and effectively use could argue that the background, social new, quickly presented information. The cowl does not make ...Students’ currently cycles and schooling. ability to do rapid and to the point research, the monk! Do you The right connections both online and in a printed form, is equally need a degree to be studying journalism or and networks do vital. knowledgeable in a other subjects who plan appear to matter. Increases of fees and other student costs, particular subject, have to enter the industry So the universities the privatisation and globalisation of higher an opinion, a judgment, – whether Oxbridge education and the greater interdependence or be capable of need to be versatile and or “red brick” – are of countries and societies, financial systems analytical thinking and open minded... considered by many and markets, the instant transfer and have the appropriate to be the fast track to a sharing of information, are some of the writing style? Anyone successful high-level characteristics of the modern smaller and can write and at times it seems that this is journalistic career. ‘faster’ world. This modern world is full of the case. W.F. Deedes once said, “Give me To be fair, since writing an article is opportunities for those ready to adapt, learn an hour and I’ll write you a thousand words not exactly a textbook science – like heart and seize the day and the new possibilities. on pretty well anything.” surgery, landing a plane under difficult Professions will vanish, new ones will be So, can one become a journalist by circumstances on the Hudson River, or created, but journalism and university graduating from a university course? winning a court case against the odds education is here to stay, in one form or One of the major challenges of academia – it is quite a task to evaluate, judge and another. is to strike the right balance between the distinguish one professional from another, Both journalism and universities are practical elements of the real professional at the end it is a matter of one’s personal currently at a ‘major crossroad’ due to new world and the wider academic content. It opinion. Therefore promotion to the top technologies, socio-economic and global is very easy to get this balance wrong and jobs is more subjective than in most other political developments. So the future will in the end just offer an academic education career paths. never be as the past or the present. And in communication, public relations, With what is and what is not politically the future will belong to those who can media studies, etc, all useful again, but correct changing constantly, whatever your envision, dream, adapt and act. probably not meeting the current needs of opinion, one thing is certain. The recent professional journalism. global financial crisis, new technologies, and Mr Ioannis Soilemetzidis BA (Hons), Some support the view that it is probably the developments in UK and global higher PgQ, MBA, MCMI, MCQI CQP, a better idea to study a more generic subject, education will have significant influence MCIJ is the Editor of AngloHigher® maybe related to the specialised areas on over the future of professional journalism. magazine, ISSN 2041-8469 (Online) which one would like to report. Some degree In that respect professional journalism www.anglohigher.com choices could be law, sport, international will always need journalists with language relations, diplomacy, etc. Afterwards if one skills, international worldwide knowledge decides to follow journalism as a profession, and local culture experience. On the other Did you know? a postgraduate or a professional training hand, unemployment is rising and many course in journalism could help. I think that are desperately hanging on to their current Your annual subscription to the this is closely linked with a more generic position; afraid of possible redundancy Chartered Institute of Journalists question: does one at the age 16 to 18 know they increase their productivity to make is tax-deductible? This applies to definitely which profession he/she wants to themselves more valuable and therefore any Institute member who is a follow? less disposable, if and when the axe falls. UK taxpayer, whether you are a It is widely proven that the majority of Consequently entering the profession in the staff journalist or a freelance. graduates will end up doing a job not related current market conditions is more difficult with their studies – with the exception of a than ever before. But how can a journalist very small number of specialised degree make him/her self more valuable? Can prior Also, you may pay your courses – and that most will change several work experience and a diverse academic subscription online or by jobs and career directions in their lifetime. background help? internet banking. Ask head Today in the era of social media, blogs, Foreign languages, in-depth knowledge office or check our website for smart phones and all the rest of the of local cultures, civilisations and the more details. intelligent gadgets we are all a little bit of current socio-economic realities are vital

15 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition freelance news The Freelance Committee asks... A RANT this month – and no RAVES How can we help you? Don’t use D.O.B. for security questions eeting for the first time under Can you help...? Yes, you can. new Chairman Jeff Stuart, You can do so by telling us what By Verité Reilly-Collins on March 1, the Freelance training you feel would benefit you most ver since Scotland Yard’s Fraud Squad CommitteeM prepared its Budget for 2011 and/or what information you need or Eshowed me how easy it was to get a and discussed the range of ways it could want most. Do this by simply e-mailing DOB off the internet, and told me never to contribute most to helping the members Chairman Jeff on: Stuart077@btinternet. use this as a security question – I haven’t. of the Division in what are tough times com . After banking with Midland Bank for for freelances. The Committee is planning a minimum yonks, when it became HSBC, and went As a result of those discussions, it of four, maximum of six training events over to closing branches and using call swiftly became clear that the provision in 2011 (budget allowing) and already centres abroad, I went over to a bank in the of training for members, and the has some proposals of their own to “get NatWest stable (you still have a contactable dissemination of up-to-date information the ball rolling”. bank manager with them). to members, remained the Committee’s It is vital to speak up swiftly, though, or Now I seldom use my HSBC card, even main priorities. the necessary “windows of opportunity” though I am the sixth generation of the But what training...? in the year may no longer be available. family to bank with them, as the bosses What information...? Remember, it is your suggestions in Hong Kong have cut off all customer These are the areas in which the and your proposals that we’d like to contact with the people whom I knew. Committee needs help in determining incorporate in this year’s programme. One day I was phoned by HSBC to the type of practical steps they can take Please write and tell us what your ask why I hadn’t repaid my credit card to help meet members’ requirements. needs are as soon as you can. borrowings. I had paid my annual tax bill via them – but that had been three months ago, and since then – nothing. No statements came out, so I thought I had some money in That’s right . . ! credit (sometimes I do!). HSBC couldn’t tell me why they hadn’t Have you noticed this overused phrase in every sent out statements, and said that as I couldn’t give my DOB they couldn’t tell me single news programme? to which address they had sent these. By Tom Caldwell How did good factual TV reporting After all day on the phone to Bangladesh, he newsreader in a warm cosy studio descend into this level of macho Manila and Malta (lots of banter with Treads out the report you are about to posturing? Terence when I said I knew the island), hear from the on-the scene-reporter. The obvious candidate is the 24-hours I get calls very early in the morning and So what else can they possibly reply news channel format with the constant late at night at the weekend, from Manila, when the newsreader switches to that competition between channels and even threatening me if I didn’t “pay up”. reporter but “That’s right” ... especially the news presenters themselves. This was becoming nasty – not only do when they are up to their armpits in One presumes “That’s right!” then HSBC not give a monkey’s about problems water or muck, even bullets for the sake became fashionable in the USA and with my card, but they are starting to use of “authenticity”! They can only repeat spread like an unmentionable disease illegal methods to make me pay. Again the report you have just heard announced until it became ingrained in every refuse to give my DOB (after the £25 million from the studio. station. loss in Switzerland at an HSBC bank, I am When they try to amplify it they are Worse, the habit has now spread to not too keen on their security) – they refuse constantly interrupted with irrelevant radio reporting making listening to to talk to me, or let me talk to a security questions as if to try to quash the reality. a news bulletin irritating and an in- officer. Most responses come with their own depth piece an excruciating abuse of the So when demonstrators set fire to a “That’s right!” An advocate in court journalistic art. branch of HSBC during the London demos, would be admonished by the judge if he Has it now become as impossible to I could empathise. . ! tried to examine a witness in this fashion eradicate as foul language? Will someone To comply with security, I had twice because it draws a conclusion, or just have enough courage to ask routinely been into different branches of HSBC, puts words into their mouths. “What do you say about this?” and spent an hour in setting up security questions, which I was promised would be the questions I would be asked. Don’t you believe it – both managers can’t have sent on my details, as none of the call centres will ask me the questions I thought had CIoJ online been set up. The sad thing is that, once this is sorted out, if anyone has used my card illegally, directory the amount lost will be amortised over all other customers’ accounts. So next time you www.cioj.co.uk query your bank charges, sorry if I have added to them, but I did try to stop this. 16 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition international news Death-threat editor Russian journalist thanks CIoJ for support attacked Journalists at a northern Cyprus newspaper are The veteran reporter Sergei in fear of their lives after receiving death threats Topolhas survived a vicious beating outside his own home, but wo shots were fired at the building of attacks on press freedom continue the daily paper Afrika on 25 February in oligarch-dominated Russia Tand a note was left threatening editor Şener Levent that if he continued writing, he Chartered Institute of Journalists he would be killed. Tand numerous Human Rights Speaking to The Journal, Şener Levent’s groups have criticised the Kremlin brother Osman, a reporter on the paper, for doing too little to solve a string of

said: “We are very grateful and pleased Afrika staff photographer Photo: attacks against Russian journalists. to have your support and will keep you “Sergei Topol, 65, was beaten around updated with events over here – if we are the head by an unknown person and still alive.” is currently in hospital,” announced a He added: “We are all targets. We get these Moscow police spokesman – prompting threatening calls from Turkish nationalists, questions and anger from civil liberties and they tell us what they want to do to us. and journalists’ organisations. Reuters The latest was the two gunshots at the door. reported that the attack came six They left a note that said: ‘To Şener. This months after leading Russian journalist time we do it like this, but next time you Oleg Kashin, 30, was savagely beaten won’t be alive.’ They don’t like us because in Moscow. Kashin, who was sent into we want to decide our future as Cypriots, a coma by the assault, worked at the and they take their orders from Turkey . We Journalists on the march popular business daily Kommersant, don’t like Turkey telling us what to do, so where Sergei Topol had also been they don’t like what we write - but we will condemn the threats against Şener Levent, employed. keep writing.” and are happy to support our colleagues Police would not comment on the in the Greek Cypriot Journalists’ Union motive behind the attack on Topol, (ESK) who have called for the international who published a string of articles in community to speak out about this 2008 which said that Prime Minister intimidation. This is not just a threat to an Vladimir Putin, 58, was to leave his individual, but to freedom of the press, and wife Lyudmila for 27-year-old Olympic to democracy itself. This sort of criminal champion gymnast Alina Kabayeva. act should not be tolerated, and we call on the Turkish authorities to act swiftly to Paper is mysteriously shut down Photo: Afrika staff photographer Photo: ensure the safety of journalists in northern Putin dismissed the allegations, Cyprus.” telling journalists to keep their Meanwhile, the Institute has contacted “snotty” noses out of his private life. the Turkish Consul-General in London to Kabayeva has denied an affair with express concern at the situation. Russia’s leader. Shortly after the Police confront protesters on the march articles were published, Topol’s paper, MoskovskyKorrespondent, was shut Thousands join march down. Alexander Lebedev, the paper’s Afrika journalists joined thousands billionaire owner, who has close links of Turkish Cypriots who marched on to the Kremlin, called Topol’s articles Wednesday 2 March in the Turkish sector “nonsense” and said he shut the daily of the divided Cypriot capital, Nicosia, because it was losing money. protesting at Ankara-inspired spending According to the New York-based cuts. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ),

In one of the biggest demonstrations Afrika staff photographer Photo: there have been 19 unsolved murders ever seen in north Cyprus, the underlying of journalists in Russia, including the message from the estimated 25,000 protesters 2006 killing of Kremlin critic Anna was resentment at what they see as efforts Politkovskaya. CPJ lists Russia as by Turkey to exert more control over the eighth on its “Impunity Index,” a Turkish Cypriots. Police confronted Şener listing of states where journalists are Levent and Afrika staff and seized flags of killed regularly and governments fail the internationally-recognised Republic of to solve the crimes. Cyprus. Şener Levent, centre, makes a point during the The CIoJ was swift to respond: “We protest march

17 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition international news THE SANDS OF TIME: Can we live with Arab democracy? A personal view of the Middle East crisis

By Patrick Emek s the British media, learned with considerable concern about institutes and think-tanks, filled events in Bahrain and expressed Ato overflowing with former civil its desire to see that dialogue as servants and military professionals, opposed to confrontation must continue to reel in disbelief at the sight of prevail for long-term stability to the once-secure political order in North be achieved. Africa and the Middle East collapsing or tottering on the brink of collapse, there Pressure for change never was any doubt in my mind why Saudi Arabia, next door to they had all got it wrong for the past four Bahrain, will not be able to buy decades. its way out of reform indefinitely. Questions such as how can we facilitate Continued oppression of women Bahrain in its dilemma of political reform and the glaring inequality and when being criticised on one side by Saudi mistreatment of non-European Arabia for being too liberal (Bahrain is one “guest workers” and other of the few Gulf states to respect the rights of minorities are creating growing all religious faiths to openly practice – and pressures for change. As much that includes its Jewish population) and on of the rest of the Arab world bushfires across the internet, influencing the other by fundamentalist Iran, which has democratizes, there is fear that with every everyone from schoolchildren to adults. for years been stirring up dissent within influx of pilgrims and every byte of internet We in the West have dug ourselves into Bahrain. data, the inevitable fall of the House of Saud an economic and political pit by supporting Iran actually claims Bahrain as part of a draws closer. the tyrants for so long – and now we must province stretching from Basra to the Straits What about Oman and Yemen, where dig ourselves out again. of Hormuz and is waiting for the right decades-old grievances have fuelled What sort of economic and political moment to enforce this claim – similar to dissent insurgency and insurrection? unions or caliphates of a pan-Arab nature, Adolf Hitler’s annexation of the Sudetenland Into the vacuum created by weak central cognisant of the modern world but on the pretext that ethnic slaughter could administrations in Yemen have stepped Al conscious of their national identity and only be prevented by Nazi intervention. Qaeda and radical Wahabist and Salafist spiritual unity, will emerge over the next Iranian supporters in the Kingdom, acting groups – supported in their clandestine decade and what new terms and conditions as agent provocateurs, have tried for a long activities by Saudi Arabia and with arms will they set for a reset of relations with time to make foreigners feel unwelcome, coming through Somalia, another country America and Europe and the Christian destabilize the Royal household and in chaos and instability. world as a whole? sabotage constitutional reforms. Who will be the main winners from The history of the rights and equality The recent intervention of a Gulf democratisation in North Africa and of Christians, Black Africans and the Cooperation Military Task Force to assist the Middle East? Will it be the ordinary Coptic Church in North African countries the Royal Family and Bahrain government downtrodden people – the very people – especially Egypt – is not a promising maintain order amongst the Shia majority the West has ignored for the past 40 years, one. Discrimination has always been rife may in the short-term stabilize the situation preferring instead to deal with tyrants who – placing such indigenous communities but is likely also to torpedo any prospects of ruled these police-states? Who then will at the bottom of the social and economic a long-term peaceful reconciliation between these new democracies look to for their new ladders and condemning them to the Shia majority and the ruling Sunni models of political, economic and spiritual permanent impoverishment and leper-like minority as its presence will inevitably be development? Naturally they will look to isolation. What has happened to Christians seen as an abrogation by the government, those countries that have supported their in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories Royal household and Bahrain armed forces “liberation” struggles – the likes of Iran, should serve as an example of what of their ability to manage the country’s China and Russia. happens when parties like Hezbollah and affairs without external assistance. China and Russia will benefit from Hamas take power. To make matters even more complicated, the political changes because of what is As has happened in Iraq after the Iran’s only obstacle to annexation is the fact perceived as their less intrusive approach second Gulf War, the exodus of indigenous that Bahrain is home to the American 5th to the economic and political determination Christians from North Africa could Fleet in the Gulf. So getting the American of Arab domestic and foreign policies, and intensify, creating, as has been seen in presence out of the Gulf and replacing it with also for what is perceived as more even- Morocco, elites of non-indigenous Christian Russia and China has long been a political handed policies in the search for peace expatriates who have no political voice in objective of the Iranian government, as it between Israel and its neighbours, and the country and can be told to leave the appreciates that it cannot alone achieve this consistent support in the United Nations country at any time. task. for Palestinian justice and human rights. Change is imminent – but not uniform The presence of GCC forces must This is a belief widely shared by ordinary – throughout the Arab world. We have to raise concerns that Bahrain’s future as an people throughout the Arab world – decide now whether we want to be a part independent Kingdom hangs by a thread. fuelled as it has been by hate media and of it, and can live with it, or again bury our The U.S. State Department has reacted underground literature spreading like heads in the sand.

18 international news The Journal - Spring 2011 edition Dismay as Pakistan: outrage as Rwandan journalists are murdered journalists The press freedom group, Reporters Now we learn that 13 journalists have been Without Borders, has told The Journal killed, just for pursuing their professional that Pakistan has become one of the most vocation. jailed dangerous countries in the world for An RWB spokesman told us: “The reporters. At the time of going to press, 13 Pakistani media are still young and often Two journalists with the journalists have been killed in the past 13 inexperienced. Due to a lack of resources Umurabyo newspaper have months in the country. and ignorance of protective mechanisms, been sentenced to long jail eporters Without Borders has some news media often send their reporters out terms after being found Rgrim news for members of the on the most dangerous assignments without “guilty” of stirring up ethnic CIoJ. Pakistan – with its continuing, any kind of safety net. At the same time, the problematic relations with India and its authorities have little consideration for a divisions links to terrorism, is one of the world’s profession that keeps on raising awkward most complex nations and its journalists issues. Inadequate laws and a shaky eporting the news and making confront a daunting array of problems that constitution mean that media freedom is Rpolitical comment is a difficult include terrorist threats, police violence, not yet fully recognised. It is easy to sue business in the Republic of Rwanda. the unbridled power of local potentates journalists over what they report and easier The Editor, Agnes Nkusi, has been and dangerous conflicts in the tribal areas. still to force them to shut up.” imprisoned for 17 years, while her colleague, reporter Saidath Mukakibibi, was sentenced to seven. Arabic media is changing, says Slade Their crime? The writing of articles – or in the language of the Rwandan n expert in Arabic media believes quite understandably, as a triumph for Government: “disrupting state Athat the influence of Al-Qaeda and US technology and justice. Al Jazeera security”. Among several articles the radical Islamist movement has been English portrays Muslims in Washington selected by the trial judge was one declining dramatically and that young welcoming the death. At the same time, which simply reported how Rwandans Muslims are far less susceptible nowadays there are concerns about the role of the were unhappy with their country’s to Al-Qaeda propaganda than in previous government of Pakistan and potential acts rulers! Prosecutors said that the piece years. of recrimination. was “meant to stir [up] hatred and As news of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin “Perhaps the most interesting fury against the government”. Laden’s death spread across the globe, commentaries note that this is the end of a President Paul Kagame came to Professor Christina Slade, Dean of Arts & saga that was already out of fashion in the power in 1994, ending the genocide in Social Sciences at City University London, Arabic speaking world. The events in North which some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and and a leading expert in Arabic media, Africa this year have brought into focus a moderate Hutus were slaughtered. revealed the findings of her research into younger generation of media-savvy Arabic He has recently been accused of the viewing habits of Arabic speaking speakers, who wish to bring new forms of intolerance and of harassing anyone audiences in Europe, including insights democracy to the Arab world. who criticises him. He defends his into the role of channels such as Al Jazeera. “Arabic speakers today, in Europe and in Government’s tough media laws, Prof Slade says the news of Bin Laden’s the Arab world, share a media environment pointing to the role of “hate media” death is being depicted by Arabic channels which includes not just Arabic national ahead of the genocide. in a way that reflects the new ideology of channels but also transnational channels The judge cited several other younger, media-saavy, Arabic speakers in such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya and a offending articles, including one Europe and throughout the Arab world. range of channels in European languages. which criticised the gacaca traditional She told The Journal: “Bin Laden’s death as The new governments forming in Egypt community courts set up to deal a result of a Navy Seal intervention in the and Tunisia may well have Islamic parties, with 1994 genocide cases and others mountain town of Abbottabad in Pakistan, but extremist groups are no longer the only criticising Rwanda’s reconciliation has been portrayed in the Western Media, opposition to entrenched dictators.” process. Last month, four former top officials who disagreed with President Kagame and who have gone into exile, were Middle East journalists appeal for help sentenced in absentia to long jail terms With an absence of press freedom, there will be no democratisation in the for “threatening state security and Middle East. Journalism continues to be a lynchpin in the march to democratic promoting ethnic divisions”. values. But the brave journalists on the ground need immediate help from those of us who want to see democratic values emerge from the unrest. The deadline for Independent news organisations cannot survive without our help. contributions for the next The Media Line, an American non-profit news agency has contacted The issue of The Journal is: Journal with this plea – and has especially identified the emerging (and June 30. difficult) role of women in the Middle Eastern media. For more information on how you might help, please contact: The Media Line Ltd., 1325Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019

19 The Journal - Spring 2011 edition

bookshelf By Em Marshall The English Year Gustav Mahler – A New Stradivari STEWART POLLENS A month-by-month guide to Life Cut Short HENRY-LOUIS DE LA Cambridge University Press 2010 the Nation’s Customs and GRANGE ISBN 978-0-521-87304-8 Festivals, from May Day to Oxford University his beautifully- Mischief Night Press, 2008 Tpresented hard-back STEVE ROUD ISBN 978-0-19-816387-9 is a glorified biography of the famous instrument- Penguin 2008 £9.99 his weighty tome maker, Stradivari, and ISBN 978-0-141-02106-5 Tcomprises the fourth of the instruments that his superb and and final volume of de he fashioned. Drawing Tintriguing book, La Grange’s incredibly on the latest research true to its rather lengthy comprehensive and authoritative study – including a newly- subtitle, takes the reader of the life of Gustav Mahler (the author discovered horde of archive material, Pollens through the often bizarre and always has devoted over fifty years of research to takes us, in clear, interesting prose, through interesting English traditions of each month. compiling these volumes). It covers from the master’s life and his different instruments It is a treasury of the weird and wonderful, the start of 1908 through to Mahler’s death (including guitars, lutes and harps as well as Roud spans the centuries and both reveals in 1911 – his American years. Considering as the violins for which he is so celebrated), customs that will be utterly unfamiliar to the that the book is nearly 2000 pages long illustrating their descriptions with drawings, reader and elucidates the often surprising for just those three years, that’s a lot of photographs and paintings. He sets the origins of events and traditions that have detail! De La Grange brings history to life history in context, with information about now become a recognised part of our culture. by his inclusion of letters, contemporary Stradivari’s workshop, materials and even Roud’s prose is clear and readable; witty articles and reviews. The text is illustrated his assistants. A fascinating book to dip into, and scholarly. The book is well-presented, by numerous photos – including some that giving a wonderful taste of the time and an with colour pictures, maps, and a full list of Mahler admirers will be unfamiliar with insight into a truly great craftsman. sources. Guaranteed to astonish, sometimes – as well as pictures, cartoons, facsimiles shock, but also delight. and autographs. In the appendix we find a catalogue of works with in-depth analyses, descriptions of, and historical details about the pieces, as well as such interesting oddities as lists of performers, obituary The Good Food Guide 2010 The Empire Stops Here – A articles, further articles, performance Which? 2009, £16.99 histories, Mahler “mythomania”, poems ISBN 978-1-84490-066-4 Journey along the Frontiers copied by the composer and even the recipe for Mahler’s favourite dessert! One gets the he Good Food of the Roman World impression that de La Grange has left no TGuide is based on PHILIP PARKER stone unturned... reader feedback and Jonathan Cape 2009, £25 anonymous inspections. Although first published ISBN 978-0-224-07788-0 in 1951, it is compiled he frontier of the from scratch each year TRoman empire to ensure that all entries reached for some Oxford Dictionary of are up-to-date and 10,000 kilometres, Proverbs worthy of inclusion. It from Britain and ED. JENNIFER SPEAKE is easy to use, with maps, Africa, to Arabia useful symbols and extra information and and Armenia. In this Oxford University Press features. Of course, one can always quibble book, Parker travels 2008 £8.99 – certain restaurants that one is convinced the frontier, and ISBN 978-0-19-953953-6 should be included are omitted and some describes from first- he Fifth edition of the included that should definitely be left hand knowledge not TOxford Dictionary of out! I was looking forward to the gourmet just the geographical sites, but the history Proverbs is as thorough “authentic regional Italian food” said to be of these places, and the people who lived in and scholarly a book as found at one particular inn and was deeply them, and who contested Roman rule thus one would expect from disappointed to find the rather grotty preventing further expansion. Cultures, OUP. Including well pub serving bog-standard pub-grub in religions, customs are all examined, as over a thousand English somewhat shabby surroundings! Such odd are buildings, fortifications, cities and proverbs, it set them in oversight aside; it is a useful guide. settlements. Parker draws the reader in context citing their origins, a history of by his informal and unstuffy depictions, usage, quotations and examples of use. The and with the superb black and white thematic index is extremely useful. I was, photographs that accompany the text. Part however, surprised by the odd omission history, part travelogue, and meticulously of an apt quotation – (such as the lack of researched, this book comes with the highest Tolkien under “All that glitters is not gold”, bookshelf recommendation. for instance).

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