MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS

WWW.NUJ.ORG.UK | APRIL-MAY 2020

Global

Coronavirus energy glutton Pages 3, 4, 5, 7, Media must practise what it preaches 19, 22 Contents

Main feature 12 The media climate News groups must cut carbon footprint News he world of work is unrecognisable 03 The impact of coronavirus from just a short time ago. The coronavirus has closed vast areas of Jobs fall-out and how the NUJ can help employment and made many people 06 Local Democracy Reporters financially insecure despite the Journalists share their experiences Tsupport packages offered by the Government. In journalism, freelances have been 07 Call for 25% subs increase particularly hard hit but staff who have been laid off or have NUJ executive to seek rise suffered pay cuts are also facing hardship. 08 TUC conference hears Samira’s story These are very challenging times for the future of the media Women delegates celebrate pay victory and some print titles are ceasing for the duration of the pandemic. But right now we need professional journalism and “a great amount of news more than ever . TV news audiences Features have rocketed, and the BBC has put on hold its plans for 450 job 10 Reporting poverty losses so it can maintain top quality, plentiful news coverage. How best to cover hardship This is also a challenging time for the NUJ as more members turn to it for help and advice. The union has closed its offices 11 Emergency emergency but is very much open for business from our various remote First aid courses can be invaluable locations. In this edition you’ll find details of where to go 14 Eyes on the town hall for help, reports of the specific impact on publications and Local Democracy Reporters in action comment on the crisis, along with other news and features from our industry. Here’s hoping for an early end to the this dreadful situation Regulars and wishing everyone stays safe. 09 Viewpoint 22 And finally...

Christine Buckley Editor @mschrisbuckley Media Anniversary Pages 16 Editor NUJ [email protected] 72 Acton Street Design London WC1X 9NB Surgerycreations.com [email protected] [email protected] www.nuj.org.uk Advertising Tel: 020 7843 3700 Letters Page 21 Melanie Richards Manchester office Raymond Tel: 07494975239 [email protected] Snoddy [email protected] Glasgow office Print [email protected] Page 19 Warners Cover picture www.warners.co.uk Dublin office [email protected] Gary Neill Distribution ” GB Mail ISSN: 0022-5541 www.gb-mail.co.uk

The Journalist’s polyfilm wrapping is recyclable at carrier bag recycling points in supermarkets.

02 | theJournalist coronavirus Newsquest and JPI Media put inbrief... BIG ISSUE PLEADS FOR SUBSCRIBERS some journalists on furlough The Big Issue could be closed permanently unless it can secure NEWSQUEST and JPI Media have laid off a coordinator, said: “Clearly, there are massive enough subscribers, its founder has significant number of staff and are using the changes around us brought on as a result of said. Vendors, who are homeless or government’s coronavirus job retention Covid-19. But Newsquest’s harsh and knee-jerk vulnerably housed, stopped selling scheme, which funds 80 per cent of the pay response came without warning to staff on the streets in March to obey social of employees on enforced leave. Newsquest struggling with their important work in At a time when we distancing rules. The magazine’s has not ruled out laying off more staff at a incredibly difficult circumstances.” founder Baron Bird said it needed later date. Fed Bedendo, Newsquest NUJ group mother are working harder 60,000 subscribers to survive. Newsquest has also cut pay for all workers. of chapel, said: “At a time when we are than ever to keep the From the start of April, it implemented a 15 working harder than ever to keep the public per cent wage cut on informed and public informed and JPI SUSPENDS SEVEN those earning more demonstrating how vital “ PRINT ISSUES than £18,000, local journalism is, this demonstrating how JPI Media suspended 12 local print including those comes as a real kick in vital local journalism titles following a big drop in working part time or the teeth. advertising and concerns over pro rata. “Staff are working from is, this comes as a real home deliveries because of social JPI Media, which home, facing extra kick in the teeth distancing rules. Seven paid-for publishes the Yorkshire Post and Scotsman expenses for electricity and heating bills, and newspapers, one magazine and among other titles, is putting about 60 some of us already face hardship due to other four free papers in Bedfordshire, journalists on furlough and is cutting the household members losing trade. Fed Bedendo Sussex and the North-East stopped salaries of those who continue working by up “Newsquest is taking part in the Newsquest NUJ group printing at the end of March. The to 15 per cent. The impact on sales staff is #ThereForYou campaign urging communities chapel mother of chapel related websites are continuing. greater with 250 posts affected because of the to pull together, yet this is the support downturn in advertising. their staff are receiving – an attempt to cut Chris Morley, Newsquest NUJ national their wages.” HOME DELIVERY FOR EVENING STANDARD London’s Evening Standard began delivering to some homes as Lay-offs and job threats at Irish titles footfall in the capital slumped because of coronavirus. The Evening JOURNALISTS have been laid off at Seamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary, said there had been no consultation. Standard usually distributes Iconic Newspapers, which publishes 20 said: “Given that the announcement Celtic Media had planned to lay off 800,000 copies a day, with more regional papers in Ireland. Iconic, led by had been signalled in advance, and journalists before the wage aid plan than half of those handed out at Malcolm Denmark, is taking up the Irish against the backdrop of Malcolm was announced, triggering a call from railway and tube stations. It aimed government’s wage subsidy scheme for Denmark’s circular, this move came as the NUJ for a crisis forum involving the to distribute 500,000 copies to companies affected by coronavirus. a devastating bolt from the blue.” He government and other groups. homes in 26 areas in travel zones two and three in London.

NUJ still operating but City AM hiatus as commuters vanish delegate event deferred Most staff at City AM have been put on paid leave and the digital THE NUJ’S biennial delegate council and other bodies will edition of the financial free meeting, which is attended by remain in place until the end newspaper has been halted. City AM, hundreds of representatives of the rescheduled meeting. which is distributed in central from NUJ branches, has been All NUJ offices – London, London and at stations, stopped its postponed because of the Manchester, Glasgow and printed edition in March. Staff coronavirus. Dublin – were closed when who are still working on the The event, which was due the government advised to take place in Southport in people to work from home website will be paid 80 per cent of April, was postponed by the where possible and meetings their salary, the same as union’s emergency have been held by video or the Government scheme for committee. conference call. furloughed workers. In the absence of a However, the union’s work delegate meeting, the continues by email, phone current national executive and video.

theJournalist | 03 coronavirus Unions take a lead in securing financial support for workers THE NUJ, other unions and the TUC were quick to lobby for along with NHS staff, supermarket and food distribution employees protection for workers as the coronavirus pandemic unfolded and others in key activities. Key workers benefit from receiving and have been instrumental in influencing the Government’s childcare and schooling amid the current school shutdown. Oliver response to the health crisis. Dowden, secretary of state for digital, Unions successfully argued that culture, media and sport, tweeted Public service news the British and Irish governments about the key worker classification: should provide money to keep “Public service news across TV, radio across TV, radio and workers in jobs amid a massive and print has never been more print has never been decline in business. While whole important than it is right now.” industries have shut down The union is updating information “more important than overnight such as hospitality, the frequently as the Government it is right now’ arts and sports, journalism has announces new measures. Visit the been particularly hard hit by the website – www.nuj.org.uk – to find decline in advertising as much of out the latest; for help in how to Oliver Dowden, digital, normal life has closed down. access assistance; and for health and culture, media and Newspapers have halted their print 2020 GETTY IMAGES safety guidance as well as other sport secretary editions, especially those that relied support: If members have further on free distribution at train stations and in central city questions they can email the relevant NUJ departments or the locations. Journalists covering sport and the arts have also ‘contact us’ section of the website. seen their work disappear. The NUJ has also been vocal in getting help for freelance and Other useful points of contact are: self-employed workers and a similar help package to the job The TUC – www.tuc.org.uk retention scheme was set up in the UK and Ireland a little time The Health Service – www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus- after the job retention programme was established. Freelance covid-19/ journalists including photographers have seen their work The UK Government – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for- disappear overnight as media organisations grappled with wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme uncertainty and events which are usually covered were The Health and Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.uk scrapped. The Irish Government – https://www.gov.ie/en/service/ The NUJ also successfully pressed for journalists who are be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/ covering coronavirus developments to be classed as key workers Irish Congress of Trade Unions – www.icte.ie

NUJ Extra offers help to members but who lose significant income from the economic NUJ EXTRA, the union’s have received a statutory surrounding it. We self-isolate because of it. We impact of Covid-19 and the charity, has offered help to warning letter that the value anticipate awarding an will also consider response to it – this is a union members whose of our investments has fallen unprecedented level of applications from those who significant variation to our income has been hit by the by more than 10 per cent, by grants in the current do not contract the disease normal policy.” effects of coronavirus and it more than £300,000. financial year. We will help has also asked for members Despite this, we are gearing those directly affected and To apply or donate please go who are earning to donate up to support those affected who lose money as a result, to https://www.nuj.org.uk/ to the charity. by Covid-19 and the those who contract the news/nuj-extra-response-to- The trustees said: “We economic shocks disease or who have to covid-19/

Fighting for freelances in the eye of the storm

IN MANY ways, freelance journalists are in the due course. If you want to contribute your available from the Government including the eye of the coronavirus storm because for some experience now, please email freelance@nuj. taxable grant worth 80 per cent of their their income has disappeared virtually org.uk average monthly profits over the last three overnight. There are many different types of financial years, up to £2,500 a month and existing The NUJ’s freelance department will be help that freelances can access but the process benefits such as statutory sick pay and running a comprehensive survey of how the can be complicated. The freelance department universal credit. https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/ pandemic has affected freelance journalists in has compiled a guide to the new help covid-19-update-from-the-nujs-freelance-office/

04 | theJournalist coronavirus BBC halts 450 job losses inbrief... ASSANGE BAIL REQUEST REFUSED to help its crisis coverage Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was refused bail after applying BBC News has suspended plans to cut 450 the job that you and your colleagues are doing because he said he was vulnerable jobs amid the demands of covering the amazingly.” to a coronavirus outbreak in jail. He coronavirus pandemic. Some programmes, such as Politics Live and is being held in Belmarsh prison The job losses were announced in January Victoria Derbyshire, have been taken off air to ahead of an extradition hearing. as part of an £80 million prioritise coronavirus coverage, For the moment District Judge Vanessa Baraitser cost-cutting plan. Programmes and several radio networks are said: “As matters stand today, this that were due to be hit sharing news bulletins. The BBC is we just want to global pandemic does not of itself included BBC Two’s Newsnight, operating a core news service make sure you are yet provide grounds for Mr and BBC Radio 5 Live. during the pandemic. Assange’s release.” The job cut delay came Question Time is on at the “supported, and you’ve shortly after the BBC said it earlier time of 8pm on Thursdays got the resources to was postponing the end of the and, like Radio 4’s Any Questions, DEPP CASE AGAINST free TV licence scheme for all is broadcast without a live studio do the job SUN POSTPONED over-75s because it was audience and guests sit apart from Johnny Depp’s libel claim against important that everyone each other in line with the social The Sun over allegations that he should be able to access news distancing guidelines. Lord Tony Hall was violent and abusive towards during the health crisis. Fran Unsworth, BBC director of his ex-wife, Amber Heard, has been Lord Tony Hall, director news, told staff: “Like many postponed due to the coronavirus general, told staff: “We organisations we are unable to crisis. Depp is suing the tabloid’s haven’t got the resource to plough ahead with have all our staff on site due to the coronavirus publisher, News Group Newspapers, those plans at the moment, so we’ll come outbreak. We are therefore making some and its executive editor Dan back to that at some point. But for the changes to what we do to streamline our Wootton over an article in April moment we just want to make sure you are output to ensure we can work with fewer 2018 that made the allegations.

supported, and you’ve got the resources to do people and protect the staff who are at work.” JESS HURD

LEAP IN VIEWERS FOR TELEVISION NEWS Egypt expels reporter over corona research TV news channels are seeing a big jump in audiences because of EGYPTIAN authorities forced cases than have been to leave immediately after University of Toronto as well coronavirus coverage. In mid-March a Guardian journalist to officially confirmed. her press accreditation was as public health data and the BBC News Channel recorded its leave the country after she Ruth Michaelson, who has revoked. news stories that pointed to biggest weekly audience since reported on a scientific study reported from Egypt since On March 15, she reported Egypt having a higher rate of 2015 - a 70 per cent increase on that said Egypt was likely to 2014, was advised that on research by infectious coronavirus cases than the normal viewing. Channel 4 News have many more coronavirus security services wanted her disease specialists from the government’s estimate. said its audience had nearly doubled in 10 days.

Claim that free press may Dialling into the Old Bailey have helped halt pandemic Journalists have been able to phone into Old Bailey hearings for the first time. REPORTERS Without Borders (Reporters Most court hearings are being Sans Frontieres) has said that the coronavirus held remotely, by phone and pandemic might have been avoided video conference. The Old Bailey and thousands of lives saved if China had a made the decision following an free press. application from journalists at the BBC, the The organisation has used evidence from Press Association and Evening Standard. a variety of studies and reviewed events in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan New jury trials have been halted, with province during December and January to partially heard cases continuing under new make its case. social distancing measures. China ranks 177 out of 180 on RSF’s World Press Freedom Index. The ruling Communist Party controls and censors news media in

the country. PHOTO STOCK / ALAMY AMIE LORRIMAN

theJournalist | 05 news Local Democracy Reporters speak of work pressures and uncertainty LOCAL Democracy Reporters to use the skill. ‘(LDRs) have raised concerns However, in general, the over a lack of opportunities LDRs said they enjoyed their to use new skills, pressure to role and could see the value meet targets and being used their work was adding to There appears to be as staff cover. local journalism. The BBC-funded journalists, Andy Smith, NUJ a huge variation in who work with ‘host’ news newspapers and agencies the way managers organisations and cover local organiser, told the meeting: authorities and other public “There appears to be a huge understand the bodies, were at an NUJ variation in the way managers “ meeting organised to share understand the scheme. scheme experiences and concerns. “We can help through the The BBC is reviewing the group chapels in providing a Andy Smith scheme, which funds 150 collective voice in our NUJ newspapers and journalists. The existing and how it will develop. • Host newspapers were discussions with the employers agencies organiser contracts are due to be LDRs outlined their not putting out stories about the role of LDRs and re-tendered in the spring or concerns: within the agreed deadline help iron out these problems.” early summer. • Some said they were of 12 hours and many were The NUJ is applying for The LDRs were told by NUJ being put under pressure to not promoting articles on union recognition on behalf officials that they had been get online hits and meet social media. of LDRs but, so far, the big advised that the their jobs targets by their host • Some LDRs were three publishers have not would be protected, even newspaper expected to put up their agreed to this. if the contract went to • Some are being directed stories on the host paper’s An application has been another employer. by their host newspaper to content management made to the Central However, there is cover certain stories systems and social media. Arbitration Committee for uncertainty over how the •Some were being used to • Despite having had recognition at Newsquest. scheme is operated, fill already vacant reporting video training, the reporters particularly by employers, posts. had few or no opportunities Feature, page 12

Bread and Roses leaves the Chapel bar theatre and venue hire as well as by the NUJ for THE BREAD and Roses pub runs an eponymous pub and stage at the Glastonbury NUJ’s headquarters but meetings and events. and theatre venture has left theatre in Clapham, south festival and the Workers’ this was not compatible Talks have begun with the NUJ’s Chapel bar after a London, is operated by the Beer Company runs bars at with the union’s needs for another potential operator year of running the King’s Workers’ Beer Company, various festivals. the building. of the bar and restaurant, Cross venue. owned by the Battersea and It had wanted full-time use The lower floor was used which were created when Bread and Roses, which Wandsworth TUC. It has a of the lower floor of the by Bread and Roses for the offices were refurbished.

Australian news agency closure a ‘wake-up call’

AUSTRALIAN Associated Press is to close in criticised the Australian government for failing June after 85 years in operation, putting 1 to protect the news agency. 80 editorial jobs at risk. Reid said: “The AAP decision is a wake-up AAP’s chairman Campbell Reid said call for Australia that the detrimental impact search engines and news stories being the digital platforms are having on media published free of charge by social media had companies is very real and has now reached a forced the closure. tipping point. That is the reality. No one should The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance kid themselves otherwise.”

06 | theJournalist news Call for 25 per cent rise inbrief... PROFITS FALL AT INDEPENDENT in union subscriptions Independent Digital News and Media saw pre-tax profits fall to THE NUJ’S national executive council (NEC) is would rise this year to £17 (€20.50) for £2.3 million in 2018-19 from seeking increases in subscription rates of grade 1; £20.5 (€26.50) for grade 2; and £29 £3.1 million in the previous year. It between 25 per cent and 28 per cent over two (€35.60) for grade 3. Next year subscriptions attributed much of the fall to a years. There has been no increase for six years. would rise to: £18.70 (€22.5) for grade 1; boost in its editorial team and Its motion to the union’s delegate meeting £22.5 (€31.90) for grade 2; and £32 (€39.20) The increase is product development. Revenues (DM), which was due to be held in April but is grade 3. That is an increase over the two years rose by 9 per cent to £27 million. now on hold because of the coronavirus crisis, of 24.6 per cent for grade 1, 25 per cent for needed for the says the rise is needed grade 2 and 28 per cent for NUJ to sustain itself to “reflect the increase grade 3 members. as an independent, ALAMY BOUGHT BY in the cost of living and Some NUJ branches want “ PA MEDIA GROUP the challenges facing smaller increases, and for vibrant, campaigning Photo agency Alamy has been the union in order for higher paid members to pay bought by the PA Media Group, the NUJ to sustain itself more. There is also a call for a trade union which is attempting to diversify its as an independent, discounted new joiners’ rate. sources of revenue. Natasha Hirst, vibrant campaigning The last DM rejected a subs chair of the NUJ’s photographers’ trade union”. increase after the union NUJ National Executive council, said: “While the NUJ Currently, the reported a £200,000 budget Council welcomes the assurance from PA monthly rates are: £15 (€18) for grade 1 surplus. Those who spoke against a rise Media Group that it has no plans to members earning up to £20,000 (€24,000); warned of the impact on the lower paid. change prices or terms, it will be £18 (€23) for grade 2 members earning Changes to subs rates need to be approved writing to the new owners seeking £20,001-£29,000 (€24,001-€36,000); and by two-thirds of delegates rather than by a a meeting for guarantees around its £25 per month (€31) for those earning above simple majority. The next DM may also be future direction.” £29,000 (€36,000). asked to change that requirement so only a Under the NEC’s plan, the monthly rates simple majority is needed in future. MILLS QUITS SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE Eleanor Mills is leaving her role as Student wins prize for sport injury story the Sunday Times’ magazine editor and the paper’s editorial director JAMIE BRAIDWOOD, 22, a His winning investigation articles investigating memory of award-winning after 22 years with Times student at Edinburgh Napier was entitled: ‘Why isn’t concussion in Scottish sport journalist and author Ian Newspapers. This follows the University, won this year’s football taking concussion and was produced for my Bell, who died in December appointment of Emma Tucker as Ian Bell New Writing award more seriously?’ fourth-year major journalism 2015. It was set up by his the new editor of the paper. Mills is for unpublished writers in He said: “My piece was project at university.” family and the Edinburgh thought to have also been in the Scotland aged 30 and under. part of a wider series of The competition is in branch of the NUJ. running for the editorship. She joined The Sunday Times in 1998.

Cummings ‘whacked’ over BBC Radio station fined over Galloway comments A GAME of Dominic Cummings Whack-A-Mole kicked off a campaign to protect the BBC. It was coordinated by public Talkradio has been ordered to pay a

JESS HURD ownership campaign group We Own It. £75,000 fine by Ofcom after the broadcast People dressed as the prime minister’s adviser whacked watchdog found George Galloway broke popular BBC programmes, including Planet Earth and impartiality rules in three programmes in the Eastenders, with a giant mallet. We Own It is calling for the space of five months in 2018. Two BBC to remain publicly owned and funded. breaches were over Galloway’s The Sunday Times quoted a government source saying that comments on anti-Semitism ministers were planning to ‘whack’ the BBC. in the Labour Party and the The campaign is also supported by the New Economics third related to the government’s Foundation and the New Weather Institute. response to the Salisbury We Own It director Cat Hobbs said: “If Dominic Cummings poisoning. gets his way, we’ll be left with little more than a Fox News style broadcast media.” Clive Lewis MP, a former BBC journalist, joined the

campaign launch outside Broadcasting House. PHOTO STOCK / ALAMY MARK KERRISON

theJournalist | 07 news Samira Ahmed’s equal pay victory inspires TUC delegates DELEGATES at the TUC’s that enabled her to pull her women’s conference in March case together. celebrated the NUJ’s victory in However, without the expert winning an equal pay case for help of the legal team, paid for BBC presenter Samira Ahmed. by her union, and support All the things I had Speaking at the conference, from Michelle and others at Ahmed said she read the the NUJ, she could not have been saying were judgment over the shoulder of taken it forward, she said. now backed up by a Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ “I talk a lot to young general secretary. journalists about the distinguished panel “It was amazing,” she said. importance of being a “ “Over 40 pages, my case was member of a union,” she said. so clearly set out and all the The NUJ was represented at Samira Ahmed things I had been saying the women’s conference by were now backed up by a Natasha Hirst, Magda Ibrahim, distinguished panel. I couldn’t NATASHA HIRST Ann Galpin and Ann Coltart, help hugging Michelle.” who took part in many debates. Ahmed had successfully challenged the BBC over being paid Ibrahim brought her experience as a journalist to bear in a half the amount of her male predecessor on Radio 4 arts show motion about girls and knife crime. Seconding an Equity Front Row, and being underpaid in comparison with male motion, she said: “I work as a night reporter and one of the colleagues on Radio 3’s Night Waves. However, the BBC would first jobs I was sent on for my current newspaper was the not settle a third case – the fact that Jeremy Vine was being stabbing of a young teenage girl. The saddest thing about her paid six times more than she was for presenting Points of View, horrific death was that she had been fatally stabbed through a similar programme to Newswatch. the heart after falling onto a knife she was carrying in her own “Every man I asked, including Jeremy Vine, told me how handbag. This poor 17-year-old’s brother told me she was much they were paid,” she said. It was this cooperation carrying the knife as protection.”

Showing that local news matters

THE NUJ has been two years ago, comes as communities and the issues restaurant menus and campaigning to show that regional journalism is under that matter to them is other mundane local news matters by increasing pressure because further exacerbated by the information. highlighting the reasons why of job cuts and moves to shift to online traffic and Seamus Dooley, NUJ communities need good- relocate local journalists into click targets. assistant general secretary, quality, well-resourced central hubs, away from the Reports that often attract said: “Quality journalism journalism. areas they report on. the most online interest can does not just happen. It And it demands supportive The initiative, which The distancing of be those with the least local requires resources. It editors and publishers.“ follows a similar campaign journalists from their importance, such as requires brave journalists. Viewpoint, page 9

Turkey charges 20 over murder of Jamal Khashoggi

TURKEY has charged 20 suspects, including Istanbul, where he gone to collect paperwork he a former Saudi royal aide, over the killing of needed to marry his Turkish fiancée. journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. He had left Saudi Arabia in 2017 to go into Former Saudi deputy intelligence chief self-imposed exile in the US, and wrote for Ahmad Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a former the Washington Post. He had been a aide to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince newspaper editor and editor in chief of a Mohammed bin Salman, were charged with broadcasting channel. “instigating a premeditated murder”, with the He wrote articles critical of the Saudi HANSMUSA / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO STOCK / ALAMY HANSMUSA remaining 18 charged with “deliberately and government and the crown prince, and had monstrously killing” the journalist. set up a political party called Democracy for Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in the Arab World Now.

08 | theJournalist viewpoint

Digital news shift is diluting democracy

Click targets push pub menus above politics, says Martin Shipton

e are in extraordinary was still Trinity Mirror) saw no irony in imperative – not because of it. times amid the telling a conference that “the trouble The great majority of my work coronavirus crisis and with papers is that they still make appears in the Western Mail, still styled W we have an urgent money”. What the digital executive as the national newspaper of Wales need for accurate should have said was that without the despite circulations that are a fraction news. This makes the recent words to group’s print revenue, they themselves of what they once were. Most of my me from a former council leader in would not be in their highly paid job. articles concern Welsh politics, which South Wales all the more poignant. He From the point of view of those who the paper’s largely ABC1 readership was talking nostalgically. about the believe in the crucial importance of tend to be engaged with. time when almost everyone bought local news, the changing culture of The Welsh political class is constantly and read the local weekly paper. newsrooms is seriously worrying. agonising about the devolution “People took a great interest in what A story is not judged on its own settlement. Questions of funding are was going on. If there was controversy merits but on how many page views it very important and determine the at the council, they’d have a view, generates. A piece about Wetherspoon’s quality of public services that can be especially if it involved a waste of new menu (much the same as the old provided. Austerity has hit Welsh money. Nowadays, hardly anyone reads one) is rated highly because of the communities hard, some of which are the paper and, while it still comes out, number of page views by the large among the poorest in Europe. it has very little worth reading. No one number of people anywhere who, for Yet pure political coverage without knows or cares what’s going on at the some reason, have an insatiable appetite some personal animus is not favoured council, unless it’s something that puts for trivia relating to the pub chain. because it doesn’t get enough them directly at a disadvantage. “ Reporters are under pressure to get page views. The days of well-staffed local papers as many page views as they can. Paradoxically, the papers are lasting are over. They are the victims of a Inevitably, this frames the kind of longer than many of us believed a few failed business model that relies on pieces they write. years ago, for the reason that digital cutting back to survive. But cutting While people to one degree or another advertising revenue has not taken off back has increasingly deprived papers are consuming such material, they are in the way expected. of their raison d’être. becoming alienated from their But papers cannot carry on forever Instead of the lively reporting of communities. A vacuum is created, with declining revenues and the worry controversy, the weekly papers that which is filled by unwholesome material is that, when they go, the remaining once meant so much to their from social media that pushes simplistic digital offering will be a stripped-down communities are full of bland press and sometimes racist solutions to model based on ‘breaking news’, sport, releases promoting things for readers complex problems. Of course, other Pure political food reviews and stories tied into the to buy and stories that have already factors are involved in the rising coverage without interests of advertisers – with even appeared in sister daily titles. influence of far-right narratives, but I fewer journalists in employment. It is increasingly the case that weekly believe the decline of well-resourced some personal The rumour-mongering and papers have no dedicated reporting local papers has played a significant part. animus isn’t ill-informed speculation about staff – or, indeed, staff of any kind. I work in Cardiff for Media Wales, a “ coronavirus spread on social media Their overheads are therefore Reach subsidiary. I have the good favoured because it during this unprecedented crisis show extremely low and, while sales have fortune to be classified as a print how important the existence of reliable dipped greatly, they are still journalist, which means I have escaped doesn’t get enough sources of local information is for our contributing to company profits. the click-chasing imperative that is page views very survival. These days, in digital-first newsrooms, driving most of my colleagues. We have papers are often seen as embarrassing a talented team, and much high- • Martin Shipton is Reach NUJ group survivors of a bygone age. A few years quality journalism is created by my chapel chair and a member of the ago, a Reach digital executive (when it co-workers. But that is despite the click union’s Welsh executive council. ” theJournalist | 09 society

‘Giving’ a voice to those in poverty can sideline them, says Gavin Aitchison

were joined by reporters, photographers and NUJ ethics committee members. Topics discussed included how clichéd stock images skewed public perceptions, painting a narrow and extreme understanding of poverty. We talked also about the lack of diversity in newsrooms (and in many charities), which restricts understanding; the need to identify solutions and causes as well as the nature of poverty; and some recurring, damaging narratives. Sydnie Corley, from York Food Justice Alliance, challenged preconceptions: “Journalists say they print what people want to read – why not challenge them more to read something that challenges what they think?” Mary Passeri, also from York, recounted positive and negative media experiences, and said: “You shouldn’t be making people in poverty feel like they’re on trial to prove what they’re saying. Of course, fact-check things, but interview more sensitively and sincerely than sometimes happens.” Let people tell their own Fundamentally, the speakers with experience of poverty called for deeper relationships with journalists and a more collaborative approach. Too stories of their hardship often, journalists seek input only when a story is already written or nearing completion. ‘Case studies’ are sought very so often, I see a flimsy and fleeting. Sometimes, that is for preconceived narratives, with little journalist online talking down to wilful and cynical distortion regard for the broader insights an about giving a voice to but, often, it is because people who interviewee may bring. E the voiceless, and it truly understand the issues are left out. Deep coverage is not easy – good always makes me wince. In 2016, stirred by antagonistic Case studies journalism rarely is. Where journalists This is well intentioned but flawed. It coverage, some NUJ members took a have invested time in understanding wrongly presents marginalised people stand. Research in 2014 found that only are sought for issues and been receptive to as inactive and portrays us journalists four per cent of articles on UK poverty preconceived unforeseen stories, people have told as some sort of saviours. included significant input from people compelling stories in greater depth. Only rarely are those we write or talk with personal experience of it, so the narratives, with Support is available. Church Action on about genuinely voiceless. More often, Manchester and Salford branch worked “ Poverty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation they have been using their voices with Church Action on Poverty and little regard for the and On Road Media are working with tirelessly, only to find society (and the those with first-hand insight to broader insights journalists and people in poverty to media) too inattentive or distracted. produce a reporting guide. enable coverage that is responsible, Marginalised people do not need to Its premise was ‘nothing about us, an interviewee considered and collaborative. be given a voice; they need access to an without us, is for us’. “The UK media is may bring As Diana Skelton from ATD Fourth audience. So a journalist’s role is not to saturated with stereotypes and World, said at the event: “If you are see themselves as ‘giving’ a voice to misinformation, creating a persistent interviewing someone who might anyone but to ensure compelling persecution of the poor,” the guide never have been asked their opinion voices with important messages are notes. It covers how to avoid and before in their life, it’s really important afforded fair and due coverage. counter stereotypes and to ensure they have the opportunity to Who are your most vulnerable discriminatory language. influence your narrative. We want to be readers, viewers or listeners – and what The branch worked with Church part of designing stories together.” is making their message inaudible? Action on Poverty and the Reporters’ What is causing or exacerbating Academy to produce a short film in • Gavin Aitchison is media unit poverty, and who are you speaking to 2017 (search ‘nuj poverty’ on YouTube), coordinator at Church Action on about these issues? On the flip side, then a discussion event was held at the Poverty and a former reporter, whose voices are being drowned out? NUJ HQ. Six people with experience of news editor and NUJ father of Media coverage of poverty is often poverty in Halifax, York and London chapel at The Press in York.

10 | theJournalist first aid Emergency emergency

backward in coming forward if they Jenny Sims explains why she took a first aid course – were aware the law is there to protect and how journalists can use their role to help save lives them should they intervene with good intention. And, maybe, more lives would be saved if they did. confess my reasons for experience, shared a wealth of More lives could undoubtedly be signing up to a first aid information and anecdotes, gradually saved if they were aware of what to do training course for built up our confidence and gave us an in a medical emergency such as a I journalists were insight into why people often walk by serious allergic reaction. In the UK, 44 probably more when they see someone injured or ill per cent of adults suffer from at least personal than professional. – even stepping over them as they lie one allergy. Having written too many stories on the ground. Having done the course, I feel hugely over many years about preventable In some cases, it is simply because relieved that at least after calling 999 I deaths as a result of anaphylactic they are afraid that if they intervene now know how to help someone shock, I’d become concerned about and inadvertently exacerbate the injury administer an adrenalin injection – what I would do, apart from call 999, in or cause harm, they might be sued. and also how to administer it myself a real-life situation if someone However, this is highly unlikely, since (after getting the person’s consent) if experienced a severe allergic reaction. a parliamentary act has been they are carrying an auto-injector I’d tinkered with the idea of doing introduced to protect such heroes and device, commonly called an EpiPen. some sort of first aid course, but did heroines. Unfortunately, the Social There’s a role This is a brand name; it’s the biggest nothing about it. Then, when NUJ Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act for the media. on the market and manufactured in Training Wales recently offered a one 2015 does not seem to be widely known the US. Two other auto-injector devices day accredited course, I had no excuse by the general public. People might be are available in the UK – Jext and but to enrol. It asks: was the person acting for the Emerade; pharmacists, nurses and The email flyer to photographers, benefit of society or any of its “less backward in doctors, as well as the media, routinely reporters and communications members? Demonstrating a use or rather misuse EpiPen as an specialists suggested “a recognised first predominantly responsible approach coming forward if umbrella term. aid qualification can really boost your towards protecting the safety or other they were made People diagnosed with allergies CV and employability”. Whether you’re interests of others? Acting heroically should carry two auto-injectors, but a freelancer or staffer, who can afford by intervening in an emergency to aware of the law many fail to do so. One reason in 2018 to ignore an opportunity to upskill and assist an individual in danger? was that because of manufacturing add an extra string to their bow these There’s a role here for the media in problems of EpiPen, there was a global days? A small group of us were able to drawing attention to it, Wilcox seemed shortage. take it. to suggest. People might be less However we can help people with As promised, by the end of the day’s first aid treatment, Wilcox drummed hands-on (mostly on a dummy) course into us that accidents and incidents at in Cardiff city centre, we had learned a work and their treatments should significant amount about emergency always be recorded ‘in case of a first aid including assessing injuries, future event’. putting people in the recovery The NUJ’s health and safety position, cardiopulmonary ” committee chair Adam Christie is an resuscitation (CPR), how to use a expert on the legislation that requires defibrillator, how to deal with employers “to provide adequate and choking, bleeding, poisoning, appropriate equipment and stroke and heart attacks, and facilities for enabling first aid to much, much more. be given to employees”. Communications specialist He points out that Sheila, by far the most organisations must have suitably knowledgeable of the group, I trained and qualified people to do suspected of having done the that or, if they only have a few course before. But no, she assured staff, an ‘appointed person’. me, she was just a Holby City So maybe my course organisers watcher. may be right that a first aid Course trainer Stephan qualification can make you Wilcox, a paramedic with more employable more than 30 years’ My certificate’s in the post, frontline NHS I’m told.

theJournalist | 11 environment

“In the race to provide more compelling content for consumers, the media industry will continue to drive demand for energy and for technology products because of these developments,” says Rogoyski. He says more companies are becoming aware of the issues of sustainability as energy and technology costs hit bottom lines and as brand reputations start to reflect environmental standpoints. “Understanding the technology platforms they The depend upon, from AI to mobile, today and in the future, is becoming an essential part of everyone’s strategic business planning, no more so than in the media industry,” he says. Of course, technology is not the only contributor to climate change made by the media industry. James Longley, managing director of B2B energy specialists Utility Bidder, says: “There’s a real issue with news corporations in general. media With so much international travel and multiple offices across the world, the idea of a carbon footprint being reduced is a tough one to crack. “Where a news corporation can crack this is sourcing reporters closer to the action, rather than sending correspondents whenever they have the opportunity. In businesses where air travel is an element of the day-to-day, climate this can be a real killer. More than 50 per cent of a company’s carbon footprint can be burned up with air travel so anything that can be done to reduce this is welcome news.” Media bodies can cut their carbon footprint Change is now happening. Longley says: “In the wake of the in several ways, says Nicholas Fearn issues surrounding climate change in recent years and a turn in the corporate world towards sustainability, it is interesting to see the media taking this seriously. There are many ways in hether it is though using technology, sending which the media can start to make changes,” he says. reporters across the world to cover breaking “The biggest we would suggest is culture. If each and every news or operating numerous buildings in strand of the often extended supply chain can be made W different countries, the media industry is a carbon neutral or at least reduced then, overall, the industry major contributor to the climate crisis. will have a better reputation and will perform better.” As the digital ecosystem has expanded, the way we Changing production methods and investing in sustainable consume media has changed dramatically. Through smart forms of energy can also reduce environmental impact, he devices, people can access the day’s news, tune in to their favourite shows and watch movies at the touch of a fingertip. According to Andrew Rogoyski, innovation director at Roke generate extremely high Manor Research, technology has a big part to play in the Even emails harm emissions.” consumption of energy in the media industry. He explains that the “The shift to digital and the use of mobile and cloud the environment communications and technologies are core to today’s media platforms, especially technology industry with the transformative impact of social media. MORE than 300 billion Vaughan Lindsay, CEO of produces over 830 million Unfortunately, the demand for energy – the most obvious emails are sent globally ClimateCare, says: “In our tons of carbon annually. He side-effect of our insatiable desire to consume more and every day. Journalists rush to stream films, send tells The Journalist: “This more digital content – is rising year on year. Similarly, the particularly rely on emails as emails, store data and update means that the energy used demand for computer devices such as mobile phones, laptops a primary form of our social media posts, we’ve in our digital consumption and tablets,” he explains. communication.. lost sight of how energy- collectively emits the Rogoyski says that as computer use shifts to the cloud and Although emails seem hungry the digital equivalent amount of carbon mobile devices, our total energy consumed may eventually harmless, they actually industry really is. We need to as the entire airline industry. drop or become more efficient. He adds: “The cloud providers contribute greatly to the understand that the internet “Businesses need to take are acutely aware of the energy cost of their data centres, climate crisis. Writing and digital technology responsibility for their entire resulting in countries like Iceland becoming data centre focal in How Bad are Bananas?: involves far more than just carbon footprint in order to points because they provide geothermal energy and cheap The Carbon Footprint of the energy required to run achieve a net zero position. natural cooling.” Everything, Mike Berners- our devices. Rather, the This involves everything However, he says, technological developments such as 5G, Lee claims that spam emails storing of data, otherwise from business travel, energy artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will increase contain 0.3g of CO2e (carbon known to us all as the cloud, use at the office and even the need for computer power and communications dioxide equivalent), standard is one of the worst offenders. their digital footprint. infrastructure. A survey of 200 editors, chief executives and emails contain 4g and emails Far from being invisible, the Anything less than that is digital leaders by the Reuters Institute found that 78 per cent with multiple attachments cloud and the technical not a responsible position for of them believed it was important to invest in AI to ‘help contain 50g. components to run it a business today.” secure the future of journalism’.

12 | theJournalist ILLUSTRATION: GARY NEILL Carnstone, says content strategies willhave abiggerimpact coveragecarbon footprint andincrease oftheclimate crisis. net zeroby2030.Like theBBC,itisworking toreduce its staff anditsaudience.TheGuardian anticipates becoming and educatingbuildings andtechnologiesmoreefficient, 24 percent throughusingrenewable energy, making its next two years, theBBCwants tocut itscarbonemissionsby or unused consumables togoodcauses.” neutrality andwe’re researchinghow we candonate leftover how eachproduction canplant treestowork towards carbon economy inthenorthofEngland. We’re already looking into can byemploying localcrew andsupporting thelocal generators andkeep HellFire!’s carbon footprint aslow aswe reusable anddigital. keeping asmany elements oftheproduction renewable, production,actively aimingtoreduce generalwaste by We’ll have each atotalbanonsingle useplasticsacross says: “We usesustainable practicesfromthegrassrootsup. co-owner ofLeeds-basedproduction company HellFire!TV, taking stepstoreduce theircarbonfootprint. Nate Camponi, these optionsseemsirresponsible.” excess energyback Afailure tothegrid. toat least investigate maintain somesortofsupply chain loopwhereby you deliver source fromsustainable producers ofenergyorat least can addressright away. Therearemeasuresyou cantake to down tothesmallest ofsmall and medium-sizedenterprises for thetimetheyareonlocation.,” says Longley. if theproduction isable, suchasbyfeedingback into thegrid Measures couldbeintroduced tomitigate this,forexample, theysetupenergy fortheperiod temporary residence. adds. “On-location filmshootsoftenusea huge amount of Christian Toennesen,Christian seniorpartnerat consultancy The BBCandtheGuardian have alsoset out plans.Over the “Where we can,we useLEDlighting, usebiodieselfor With theseissuesinmind,many mediacompanies are energyisobviously“Sourcing somewhere any corporation understand and manage the media outlets better online calculator willhelp from servers, the DIMPACT and energy consumption data analytics from user devices carbon footprint. help the industry reduce its of Bristol on creating atool to academics at the University and Sky collaborated with industry. action taken in the media it is encouraging to see continues to make headlines, calculator Carbon emissions AS THE Drawing on behavioural In January, the BBC, ITV climate crisis organisation needstodoitsbit,including mediaoutlets. delivery ofitscontent.” – thecarbonemissionsassociated withtheproduction and psychological impact on itsreaders,rather than itsfootprint in itsbrainprint, which and istheintellectual, social relating tocontent beforereducing theoperational footprint. getting thehouseinorder soyou can’tdotheinteresting stuff than othermeasures.Hesays: “There isobviously anelement of Inaction onclimate change couldaffectmillions,soevery “The biggestenvironmental impact ofamediacompany is sustainable: “Because these products and bemore carbon footprint of their it difficult to work out the explains why companies find at the University of Bristol, lecturer in computer science footprint of digital services”. reduce the overall carbon informed decision-making to emissions” and “enable calculating digital carbon “complexity out of university, it willtake the products and services. carbon generated by digital Dr Daniel Schien, senior According to the environment environmental design.” attention during which they can focus their second, identify hot spots on their carbon footprints and, enable them to report on organisations. This will,first, tool that is specific to media an online self-assessment project we are constructing and the BBC, in the DIMPACT research with The Guardian climate change. Based on our is areal risk in the face of to assess their own footprint. lack the knowledge of how bodies, media organisations operated by many separate infrastructure that is fast-changing, complicated services are provided by a “This lack of transparency the J ournalist | 13 reporting Eyes on the town hall

Thanks to the BBC scheme, local democracy public interest journalism was flagged up in last year’s Cairncross review. is back in the news, says Neil Merrick “Scrutiny committees are exactly the sort of meetings we need a presence at,” says Higgerson. “The whole point of the LDR scheme is to have reporters shed a spotlight on meetings hen Eddie Bisknell began reporting on local that take place in public.” authorities in Derbyshire two years ago, he The distribution of LDRs has caused some anomalies. While got used to caustic remarks from councillors two reporters share responsibility for Sheffield Council (see W who were familiar with press seats staying boxes), LDRs in London typically cover three boroughs each. empty during meetings. Barraclough is keen that the workload of LDRs in the capital But within a few months, he was part of the furniture, with is examined in a review over the coming months. “I would councillors joking he attended more meetings than they did. like London to be much better covered and for more LDRs to For years, councils in Derbyshire had been subject to little attend meetings of district councils in two-tier areas.” scrutiny. “If there was scrutiny, it was from a distance,” says Leigh Boobyer, the LDR for Gloucestershire, sees the Bisknell, local democracy reporter for the county council and importance of covering district councils. “They provide the four lower-tier authorities. “Reporters were not in the room services that are closer to home,” he says. “Readers care about face to face with councillors.” their bin collections and whether they could be changed to But that changed in 2018, when the first local democracy every three weeks.” reporters (LDRs) were appointed in Derbyshire and elsewhere Boobyer also has opportunities to work off diary. In 2018, under a scheme funded by the BBC and backed by regional he was tipped off that staff maintaining vehicles at publishers. Bisknell is now one of about 150 LDRs in the UK, Gloucestershire Constabulary made money by selling tyres providing copy for a range of media but based mostly at local online. This was confirmed following an FOI request. “It came papers. He is employed by the Derby Telegraph. through a contact who knew me because I went to council Bisknell stresses that councillors are not afraid of scrutiny. meetings,” he says. “They’ll often ask me afterwards if I want further information,” More than 30 LDRs are employed by JPI titles (previously he says. At the heart of the scheme is a desire that journalists attend meetings and uncover stories that council press officers are less inclined to publicise. NHS trusts, clinical commissioning understands political topics. groups and police and crime commissioners also come under ‘They know we “We meet them for coffee. It’s the LDR’s responsibility – where time allows. good to build up a trust and While their salaries are paid by the BBC, the reporters are understand politics’ rapport,” she says. recruited by a publisher or other media organisation and Unlike 10 years ago, under contract to them. Each is assigned a council or group of WHEN Lucy Ashton meetings of the full council Ashton is under pressure to councils, with most attention given to county and unitary returned to reporting on and then, perhaps, for only a provide video and audio for councils (including London and metropolitan boroughs). Sheffield City Council two few main items.. broadcasters that take her Stories are circulated to a range of media, including TV and years ago, it was as if she Now councillors are copy. It can be difficult to radio, which have equal access to all copy. had never been away. used to seeing Ashton keep tabs on whether this Matthew Barraclough, BBC head of local news partnerships, “A lot of councillors were or her colleague Molly material is used by TV or is pleased to see journalists witnessing what happens in the same. Meetings were Williams, another LDR, at radio stations. council chambers first hand. “Councillors make impassioned the same. Even the most meetings. She and Williams also speeches and, until recently, nobody was there to hear it.” receptionist,” says Ashton, “We have the luxury – if provide stories for the About 950 media organisations take stories from LDRs. An who was political editor you can call it that – of Yorkshire Post. appraisal carried out by the BBC last September showed that of the Sheffield Star sitting through a meeting of “You need to be disciplined 99 per cent of stories filed by LDRs over a four-day period until 2010. the planning committee for and write a story to the were used at least once. Following her departure, five hours,” she adds. length you think it’s worth,” Just over one third of LDRs are directly employed by Reach. the post disappeared, and Another benefit, says says Ashton. “Then you let David Higgerson, its chief audience officer, says the scheme council coverage dwindled. Ashton, is councillors who the news editor cut it to a nib enables journalists to report stories that might escape The Star would generally call the paper know they can or get another reporter to attention and cover a wider range of committees and panels. send a reporter only to speak to a journalist who expand it.” The decline in reporting local government and other

14 | theJournalist reporting

JULIA CLAXTON Eyes on the town hall

‘Local people are more engaged’

AFTER Sarah Booker-Lewis, While some councillors LDR in Brighton and Hove, have been confused to see began reporting on the her byline in more than one council’s licensing panel, she paper, they generally noted more members of the welcome the extra attention. public were attending too. In a typical week, Booker- “They’re quite exciting,” Lewis attends at least three she says. “I’m seeing more meetings. engagement from people Sometimes she will be the coming along to the events.” only reporter there, but not Booker-Lewis (pictured always. “When it’s sexy stuff right) was working as a tutor such as the budget, the BBC with Brighton Journalist sends its political guy,” she Works when the post was says. “The Argus may cover a about the meetings she plans her editor subs her copy received training from the advertised two years ago. protest, then they go back to to attend the following week, before putting it into the BBC BBC for radio bulletins and Previously web editor at the office.” plus other story ideas. system for other media other broadcasting skills. the Brighton Argus, she now Each Thursday, she sends Her direct employer is organisations. However, BBC South is sees her stories in up to three an ‘advisory’ to editors in the Brighton and Hove News, an Following her generally less inclined to use papers or websites, plus TV. partnership, informing them independent website, where appointment, Booker-Lewis her stories.

Johnston Press). Jeremy Clifford, editor-in-chief at JPI Media, says and working conditions at a JD Sports warehouse in realisation is growing within local government that reporters Rochdale. are more likely to be present for key decisions. “Councils are Collaboration with weekly titles that share LDR copy is under a higher level of scrutiny,” he says. “That can lead to some strong. “We get calls from newspapers asking if we’re going to uncomfortable reading for council officers and council leaders.” a meeting and planning to file something,” says Lester. “The David Summers, JPI’s editorial director in the home Leigh Boobyer pictured BBC is a soft target, but they have a really good thing here.” counties, says LDRs provide far greater in-depth coverage of below Many LDRs are in their first or second post. “It’s a stepping council affairs than when different reporters attend meetings SIMON PIZZEY stone to a specialism or more senior job in the newsroom,” on an ad-hoc basis. Most stories are well read. “It’s democracy says Higgerson. Others may have covered local government in in action, making people aware of decisions that are taken the past and welcome the revival of political reporting. on their behalf,” he says. Interest in the LDR scheme has come from Canada and In better-staffed newsrooms, political New Zealand, both of which have launched their own correspondents can work off diary, as they have more versions. Back in the UK, an original target of 200 LDRs time to report other news. At last year’s general or more seems unlikely without extra funding. election, LDRs from the Manchester Evening News That will almost certainly not come from the BBC, (MEN) worked with political editor Jen Williams on which is making cuts in journalism. Publishers, says an extensive profile of voters in different Clifford, would probably want exclusivity with constituencies, including voting intentions. stories if they paid all or part of a LDR’s salary. Sarah Lester, senior editor at the MEN, says the Maybe the government will step in following scheme means boroughs across Greater Cairncross’s call for funding to protect public-interest Manchester are covered as well as the city council news. LDRs such as Leigh Boobyer certainly hopes so, and mayor Andy Burnham. Five LDRs with along with the councillor in Gloucestershire who once responsibility for eight boroughs are based at the MEN. told him: “I don’t like everything you write, but I’m really Stories include efforts to stop fly-tipping, planning disputes glad you’re here.”

theJournalist | 15

he did in his despicable life. There’s no business like no-show business. MARTIN BORMANN’S Admittedly, some of the reincarnations did not give him a long ‘life’. As its title suggested, I Killed Martin Bormann! by ‘British army intelligence agent’ Ronald Gray demonstrated that, even if he had escaped having a funeral in Berlin, the subject of the book was no longer available for interviews. Serialised in the News of the World, the narrative relates how Gray encountered a German who could have been Bormann and who in March 1946 accompanied him through a GHOST defeated Germany to the Danish border, where he led the British agent into an ambush. Understandably, Gray promptly opened up on the war criminal he was escorting: “Bormann is dead, his body riddled by a burst from a Sten gun. And it was my finger that pulled the trigger.” This meant that Bormann had died twice, both WRITERS in fact and in Gray’s elegy – three times pushed Jonathan Sale goes on the trail of reporters who off his perch if you include the Nuremberg sentence. But was he, in fact, three times lucky? A attempted to track down Hitler’s second in command wide variety of other ‘sightings’ gave the (deluded) impression that his deaths were, as Mark Twain t was like the start of A Christmas have seriously believed the Bormann and Hitler didn’t quite put it, much exaggerated. Carol: Martin Bormann was dead escape stories – and wanted them to be true – The best of accounts had him up a Tibetan – to begin with. But, like Marley’s were Nazis and neo-Nazis,” says Daly-Groves. mountain with Hitler: two war criminals for the I ghost, he returned to haunt the Others were journalists swept away by the price of one. A corroborative detail was that the living. There should have been blitzkrieg of a very good story. While Hitler Führer looked rather pale, as would be expected no doubt about the fate, 75 years ago, of Hitler’s would have taken his place in the history of of someone who was reincarnated and on the run. number 2. He met his end on May 2 1945 during infamy even without rumours of his surviving An increasingly exasperated MI5 accumulated the fighting in Berlin with a reliable witness (the the end of the Second World War, his sidekick a large number of press cuttings about Bormann’s leader of the Hitler Youth, appositely named Bormann became more famous for his whereabouts, of which the least helpful was an Herr Axmann) definitely seeing his corpse not imaginary exploits after his death than for what Egyptian newspaper’s tip-off: ‘the Middle East’ far from the Fuhrerbunker. Bormann was the WORLD HISTORY ARCHIVE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO man they couldn’t hang at the Nuremberg Trials a few months later because he wasn’t in court. could have been a wax This was on account of him being dead. Or was Back from the dead? dummy – his nose he? (Yes – Ed.) looked flat, as if melted, In a more straightforward world, this would LORD LUCAN killed the later, Czech spy) faked swears he’s Elvis,” in the for a start. have been the end of my article. Talk among family’s nanny in 1974 his death by leaving his words of Kirsty MacColl. In 1969, the student yourselves for the next 1200 words. However, in and is thought to have clothes on a beach in According to newspaper of Drake 1945, living German war criminals were two a thrown himself off a Miami and doing a conspiracy theorists, University, Iowa, pfennig. Wernher von Braun gave up his day job cross-Channel ferry or runner to Australia ‘The King’ faked his printed a rumour that with V2 rockets and moved from the Nazis to been eaten by a lion, a (what is it about death. Admittedly, there went round the globe: NASA. Those who were less employable went to tiger or perhaps pigs at Australia?), where police were 80,000 mourners Paul McCartney had ground, frequently to somewhere with a South his friend John Aspinall’s initially suspected he who saw him in his gone to the Great American postal address. friend’s zoo. With friends was Lord Lucan. funeral casket. Recording Studio in According to rumours, a host of Third Reich like that… “There’s a guy works However, the body the Sky. folk, from Hitler downwards, did a runner from This year, the nanny’s down the chip shop The evidence was Berlin’s burning ruins. So prolific are these tales son identified an elderly that if you put the that you could give a course of fascinating Buddhist in Australia as needle on Revolution 9 academic lectures on them – and this is precisely being in fact his lordship. on the White Album what historian Luke Daly-Groves, author of Hitler’s Lucan’s son disagrees. and played it backwards Death: the Case Against Conspiracy, does at the In the same year, John (as you do), you would University of Leeds. The Führer, who in reality had Stonehouse really did hear what sounded to a for once done the decent thing and killed himself, come back from a stoned listener like lived on afterwards in tall tales about him shaving (bogus) death. Facing “Turn me on, dead man.” off his moustache and, together with Bormann, fraud charges, the MP The former Beatle is taking a getaway submarine to Argentina. (and, it turned out much still with us. “I think that those who in the 40s and 50s may

16 | theJournalist

Looking back to: 1945 KEYSTONE PRESS / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

didn’t narrow it down much. A British agent in Führerbunker uncovered a skeleton identified as Sri Lanka named Mr Merry seriously asked for a Bormann’s, which was confirmed by DNA in photograph in case Bormann’s peregrinations 2009. Yet the rumour mill rolled on. should take him to that part of the Indian Ocean. “I hope the thing you won’t do is jeer at this An MI5 officer responded: “The press is doubtless story,” begged Milton Shulman, the late Evening waiting to break the Silly Season scoop: that he Standard theatre critic, in a 1995 radio interview. has been seen riding the Loch Ness Monster.” Someone had informed him that, towards the Well, not quite. But, one evening in November end of the war, Ian Fleming plus a band of crack 1972, it emerged that the Daily Express was commando kayakers had captured Bormann vastly increasing its print run for the next day’s and paddled back to Britain, where the war paper; it clearly was on to some very big story. criminal had lived quietly ‘in a village’ until Syndicated in the New York Times, this turned dying a decade later. out to be the exclusive news that Bormann was As Shulman says, we should try not to laugh alive and well and on his perch in South too loudly at this account – or, I must add, the America. An interview with the journalist in rest of the ‘Bormann was here’ reports. As the charge of the story, Stewart Steven, who went on Bible nearly says, Let he who has never featured to edit the Mail on Sunday and then the Evening in a Corrections column cast the first Rolling Standard, can still be found on the internet. Stone. There but for the grace of Goebbels goes “The difference between this story and every He added that the runaway used ‘several any journalist who gets carried away. We all other Martin Bormann story is that we have got names’ and went to ‘a specific country’ after the make mistakes; remember The Sunday Times total documentary evidence of every word we war. He knew ‘precisely’ where Bormann was. and the Hitler Diaries, said to have been rescued say,” he declared. (Unfortunately, the similarity “There is virtually nothing this man has done from a plane crash in Germany? between the Express story and everyone else’s which is not known,” he said. That plane crash did take place but what was was that they were all absolutely barking – up That at least was dead right in the sense that in fact rescued was not the forged Führer’s the wrong tree.) ‘this man’, being dead, had done nothing since memoirs but the luggage of one of the “Have you yourself spoken to Bormann?” 1945. Six days after the story appeared, the passengers booked on the flight. She was duly probed the bewildered interviewer. Express discovered that the source, a man declared dead. “No, we didn’t.” named Ladislas Farago, was a conman who had It turned out later that she had missed the “Did you meet him?” given the paper a farrago of lies. The Express plane and was still alive. So, although he himself “No.” photographs were of an Argentinian teacher may not have enjoyed any sort of resurrection, “Have you seen him?” disappointingly innocent of a single war crime. Bormann’s secretary was the one who in a sense “No.” In the following month, excavations near the came back from the grave.

theJournalist | 17 The National Union of Journalists Is the voice of journalism in the UK and Ireland for all media, communications and PR workers. It represents staff and freelances working in newspapers, news agencies, broadcasting, magazines, online, book publishing, social REASONS media, copy writing and as photographers and illustrators. The NUJ supports members throughout their professional TO JOIN careers, provides a collective voice for industrial issues and ☞ freelance rights and defends press freedom.

Ending the Gender Pay Gap A Press Gazette analysis showed that 91 per cent of UK media companies paid men more than women and 85 per cent of men got better bonuses and it’s a similar picture in Ireland. One magazine group’s gap was almost 37 per cent. Opaque, unfair pay structures and unlawful sex discrimination are contributing factors. The NUJ negotiates on transparent pay structures, progressive work-life balance policies, better maternity and paternity deals and fair recruitment procedures.

Be Part of a Collective Voice As a member of the NUJ you are part of a united force championing the rights of media workers and defending attacks on press freedom. Successful workplaces are those where the management and workers share the same aims and talk to each other. Being a member of the NUJ means giving yourself and colleagues a real voice at work.

Respect at Work The NUJ challenges work cultures which lead to bullying and harassment. It will represent you if you experience this behaviour. It uses its collective voice industry- wide to argue that media workers are treated with respect. We promote workplaces where workers and managers are constructive with their criticism during the creative process, and the union publishes codes of conduct and dignity at work policies.

Are you keeping good company?

You can contact the NUJ at: [email protected] Join the NUJ today at or for membership queries at: [email protected] nuj.org.uk/join Tel: 020 7843 3700 Follow: @nujofficial on Twitter www.nuj.org.uk on media

Public service news is vital in times of crisis

Covid-19 shows need for good journalism, says Raymond Snoddy

he headlines have not Regional newspapers have run After all, public service news is so all been perfectly matching front pages to reach out to important that the BBC has postponed judged. The Sun’s their readers – ‘When You’re On Your the loss of 450 news jobs. T ‘House Arrest’ against Own, We Are There With You’. Another task will be to make such a the background of a Papers as different as the Belfast postponement permanent in order to padlock, and the Daily Telegraph’s ‘End Telegraph and the Daily Mail have help cover the years of disruption we to Freedom’ to mark the appeal to UK produced, for the first time, thoroughly now likely face. citizens to stay at home if they possibly professional editions without having a With the collapse of advertising can spring to mind. single person in the office. revenue – and for free newspaper People are not under house arrest It is time to be proud but also time publishers in major cities, the and the freedom that was being lost was to ask questions about how the evaporation of their audience of the freedom to increase your chances of pandemic coverage could be improved. commuters – serious financial help will contracting the deadly Covid-19 virus or Even more importantly, it is time to be needed from the government. spreading it to someone else. start thinking about what sort of media It will have to go far beyond the At the height of a pandemic, the industry and journalism will emerge small but welcome sop in the Budget nature of the message in the media when the virus has run its course. that removed VAT from online and its tone and balance matter hugely. Too often, there has been too great publications. As far as any one pair of eyes and an inclination to take the sayings of The biggest question of all involves ears can fairly judge, journalists, from prime minister Boris Johnson at face the future of the BBC. the local, regional and national press value, albeit backed as he has been by If the Johnson/Cummings and across broadcasting, have risen to perfectly respectable scientists. administration survives the crisis, the unprecedented challenge. Johnson’s ‘science’, with its politically will it push on as if nothing They have provided knowledge, facts, attachment for several weeks to has happened with its vendetta context and explanation in the face of theories of ‘herd immunity’, was flawed. against the BBC? Or will lessons have the usual torrents of unfiltered We now know, thanks to Imperial been learned? misinformation and conspiracy College researchers, that the Johnson/ Even this government must surely theories from the social media. Cummings approach could have led to now notice that a national public Their role has even been recognised 250,000 deaths in the UK and, service broadcaster funded by a by this government, which more than mercifully, there was a swift U-turn. universal licence fee is not the same as any other has been reluctant to expose How costly has that delay been? Journalists have subscription services such as Netflix itself to the scrutiny of difficult Journalists should also stay on the or Disney+. journalists, preferring instead the trail of where precisely all those provided facts, An early step to show good intent slippery Facebook route to the public. ventilators, personal protective context and would be to postpone the public Above all, journalists reporting on equipment for medical staff and testing consultation on decriminalising the the crisis have, with the help of provision so frequently promised at explanation in the BBC licence fee. Decriminalisation pressure from the NUJ, been press conferences actually got to. “ would simply be a first step towards recognised as key workers although we The world that emerges from the face of the torrents the ultimate marginalisation of the will never be as key as those risking worst pandemic since 1918 will be a of misinformation corporation. their lives to run intensive care units. very different one and it will be one We must all hope that Johnson In confirming the key worker status that inevitably involves much more and conspiracy from shares his culture secretary’s view that for broadcasters and journalists, remote working. social media public service news has never been culture secretary Oliver Dowden noted It will be a challenge for the NUJ to more important than now. that: “Public service news across TV, prevent the increasing casualisation of Except that this is the case not just radio and print has never been more journalism with an accompanying now – but going forward into any important than it is right now.” erosion of rights and salaries. foreseeable future. ” theJournalist | 19 obituaries

Calmness in crisis was his He was father of chapel at the trademark. He showed this in the Daily Record during the Maxwell 1980s when the station’s radio car years, guiding staff through was wrecked during a Loyalist day redundancy after they were told to of action, and when a reporter was clear their desks at the end of a hit by a rubber bullet during rioting shift. He took redundancy himself, at a Republican funeral. calling himself ‘the last man out’. It was a time of deep political He then set up a PR company, division, but he had good relations made business and historical videos, with members of all factions. and worked at the Falkirk Herald. After the BBC, he worked part He was approached to be editor of time as a subeditor on the Derry a new paper for Clackmannanshire Jim Lindsay Journal, and was a PR consultant. David in 1995 – the Wee County News A cricket man, he served as – which soon went on to win awards. NUJ life member Jim Lindsay has secretary and treasurer of the Bytheway Here, he took no nonsense from died in his native Derry after a long North West Cricket Union, and anyone. A few times, he ‘quit’ in the illness. Jim was a journalist to his known for his compassion with David Bytheway, born in Aberdeen middle of a stormy discussion to get fingertips. He was pivotal to setting clubs that faced difficulties. in 1947, began his career in what was right. He was protective of up BBC Radio Foyle, serving as news He was also deeply involved in journalism at the BBC in Aberdeen reporters, but if the rival paper got editor and station manager. All Saints Parish Church, Clooney, and went on to be launch editor of an exclusive story, he wanted to He was born in 1945, the where he served on the select vestry. an award-winning local paper. know why his staff had missed it. youngest of three children. After Colleagues fondly remember him After the BBC, he worked at the A former WCN colleague said he leaving technical college, he studied as ‘decent spud’, who would always Daily Express in Stirling, then as had a ‘winning combination of journalism in Belfast. In 1961, he do a good turn if he could. news editor at the Strathearn greatness and utter ridiculousness’. began working for the Londonderry He is survived by his wife Herald, editor of the Cumbernauld He was later group editor at the Sentinel and joined the NUJ. From Norma, daughter Kathryn, son News and news editor at Radio Forth Helensburgh Advertiser and lectured the Sentinel, he moved to the Laurie and grandchildren. (he was part of the team to launch in journalism at Telford College. north-west edition of the Belfast the station). He was also a subeditor Telegraph, then BBC Radio Foyle. Anton McCabe at the Daily Record for 18 years. Jackie Stewart

Moved house or The Journalist is looking for a new advertising agency changed your following the decision by our email address? current one to close their business in the summer.

We are looking for an agency with good contacts that can grow our advertising. The Journalist goes to 25,000 journalists in print or digital format. They work for a wide variety of media organisations in roles such as reporters, editors, photographers and public relations officers.

Please apply to: [email protected]

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

20 | theJournalist inbox

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

£40 H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Political chiefs ban local prize media to stifle reporting too letter The last issue of The Journalist reported Should we be soliciting that Conservative and Labour leaders were banning journalists they see as Amazon’s tainted cash? critical from briefings. This is increasing trend and not confined to major political I was interested to see the letter from Chris Wheal, chair of NUJ Extra, in parties and national media outlets. the February/March issue of The Journalist. After exposés on expenses abuse by He lists several systems that involve people signing up to asking councillors and chief police officers and companies or groups of companies to make donations as they shop. The a paedophile ring involving the point here is that the companies are the ones donating – and making Conservative mayor of Scarborough useful contributions. and Jimmy Savile (who the police But including AmazonSmile in that list is worrying. It means protected), Scarborough Borough the NUJ’s charity is soliciting donations from an organisation that Council (under both Labour and has a particularly appalling employment record in various parts of Conservative leaders), North Yorkshire the world and is in dispute with trade unions in several countries, Police and the Police Fire and Crime including the US as well as the UK (see: ‘GMB calls for parliamentary Commissioner for North Yorkshire all inquiry into Amazon as conditions for workers worsen’: https://tinyurl. banned the local outlet that exposed com/ryjmpxw). these scandals. This restricts public Amazon is quite clear that the donations made through AmazonSmile awareness and strangles local media. come from Amazon itself, stating that ‘when you shop on AmazonSmile, The journalists who boycotted a Amazon will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price… from your eligible Downing Street briefing are a credit to AmazonSmile purchases’. the profession. Are we really happy with seeking donations from an openly Tim Hicks anti-union company that has such a poor reputation when it comes to North Yorks Enquirer treating its workers? Jenny Vaughan We shall fight on the

DENIS CARRIER London Freelance Branch beaches, not on air… I really enjoyed Jonathan Sale’s article, H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Radio Shack, on the birth of broadcasting (February/March). A majority wanted Brexit so Brexit, stating that ‘more people voted many pro-Brexit Labour supporters who It is a sign of the myth-making stop pretending otherwise for remain parties than leave parties’. could not bring themselves to change. around Churchill’s speeches that it I’m afraid The Journalist is still trying to However, this is palpable nonsense The only political party that fought included a common error; Churchill’s present myth as fact regarding Brexit. when Corbyn himself declared he was their election campaign on a largely words about fighting on the beaches Francis Beckett, in an otherwise ‘neutral’ on the issue of Brexit. remain ticket was the Lib Dems, and were not broadcast. The speech was excellent article on Corbyn’s election Yes, many Labour voters in the north look what happened to them. made in the House of Commons. The disaster (Control freaks and Corbyn’s and Midlands abandoned their party Antony Collins recording was made later for posterity. catastrophe, February/March), claims a and voted Conservative for the first time Staffordshire James Rodgers ‘clear majority’ of voters did not want to get Brexit done, but there were also Life member London

An excellent read twitter feed Denis Macshane William French The December-January of The Journalist Tweet us your feedback: (@DenisMacShane) (@wtfrench76) was excellent and thought provoking. @mschrisbuckley Fascinating insights into disaster of The times they are a-changin’? I read just about all of the Zwarte Piet, Corbyn’s media operation by An article in @NUJofficial Irish question, Sunday supplement, @francisbeckett in The Journalist. house mag ‘The Journalist’ alternative press and class ceiling articles. Beckett witht @MarkSeddon1962 ventures to suggest that The idea of PressPad is wonderful and I wrote ‘Jeremy Corbyn and the Strange Jeremy Corbyn may not possibly would love to take part, but Montrose no Rebirth of Labour England’ have been the best thing since longer has a newspaper office. so not anti-Jezza but his media sliced bread. Good work! handlers – useless #mieuxvauttardquejamais Chad Neighbor Montrose

theJournalist | 21 and finally...

Hurray, a newspaper comes to the rescue!

Chris Proctor stops guarding toilet rolls to read the Standard

y partner Amanda listen to the BBC World Service but just Familiarity with them has changed rushes into the as I was settling into accounts of my view. I now entirely believe a good kitchen, an expression modern dance trends in Taiwan or proportion of them: the ones that M on her face like she’s Sengalese butterfly fanciers, they say everything’s going to be fine. The copped for the lottery suddenly cut it off and infested the miserable ones I continue to view jackpot, put the money on a virtual airwaves with a Coronavirus Special. with scepticism. casino, and cleaned up. If glee was glue This caused leaping from the bath, They rival political manifestos in she’d be stuck to the floor. soaking the bathroom and being their first-rate lack of precision. In her shaking hand is a newspaper. handed the mop. Recently they’ve been mentioning that It is the Evening Standard. This Evening Standard was the first ‘change is inevitable’ and ‘plans may Abandoning my toilet roll security actual, physical, real, blessed need rethinking’. They stress that duties, I rush to her, imagining strains newspaper that I had beheld for several ‘you’re unclear what’s next’. I have been of Cole Porter emitting from the months. (Six days for the pedants). advised to ‘act swiftly and with scullery; cheek to cheek we shuffle I virtually hugged it. I perused every courage.’ I’m pondering how to do this around the printed paper, gazing at it letter of every syllable of every word effectively from my front room. But as if it were the image of a newborn on every page apart from those with I’m pleased someone cares about me, child on Facebook. At that sort of virus reports. even if it is an astrologer called Shelley distance, even I find tiny babies You realise that papers aren’t simply Von Strunckel. appealing. a method of conveying news. They are As I avoid the news, I’ve been taking The Evening Standard has been part of our culture. To one degree or more interest in the advertising. Most delivered to our door to keep up its another, they are our entertainment, of the adverts these days are from readership because people aren’t source of information, our eye on the banks who I presume are trying to get picking it up at its usual distribution world and a form of diversion. They in with us before they ask us for money points. Yes, the Standard - despite its offer a glimpse of normality in these to bale them out. editor being George Osborne - is one of housebound times. Towards the back comes the pinnacle the most beautiful things I’ve touched I have even, initially reluctantly and of our profession: the sports pages. I since my last draught stout. now I find addictively, taken to trying positively marvel how it is possible to The fact is, that once I was to fill in crosswords. They’re not the report on sport when there isn’t any voluntarily banged up, I stopped the ludicrous cryptic ones which to me are taking place. But the lack of newspapers and ceased to pay akin to some form of masonic rite, they competition hinders our sport attention to the news. This, I felt, was a are incomprehensible and scribblers not one jot. Here’s a bit of old logical response. Everything in the inexplicable: puzzles that are like sport, they say; or a rumour to enjoy newspapers was bad news; I dislike bad condensed versions of Finnegans Wake, and hopefully forget before things news; so I decided to cut off its method full of arbitrary words and empty of I can’t be doing with return to normal. of entry. Others might suggest this is a obvious reason. I’ve even tried doing The union fights to retain print less than mature approach. It’s like them with the answers in front of me incessant misery. editions not from some sense of watching general election results from and I still have no idea what’s Supporting Everton nostalgia or hankering back to the behind the sofa. I do that too. happening. I have no time for them. I ‘good old days’ of the industry, but I can’t be doing with incessant like ones with clues like ‘Animal. Barks. is bad enough. because print offers something misery. Supporting Everton is bad (3)’. They are good for the ego and keep “ different from mere on-line scanning. enough. So, I decided to avoid the news up the spirits. And even now, when I don’t want to websites, radio broadcasts and written And there’s the horoscopes, which I know what’s happening, print is an publications. At first, I continued to previously ignored as nonsense. indispensable part of my life. 22 | theJournalist ” Do you want to unplug and read your magazine in print Can you trust rather than online? your sources?

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

Who Funds You? promotes funding transparency among UK think tanks and political campaigns. We ask organisations to publish their annual income and declare their major funders. Please let us know. You can change your member preferences on the website nuj.org.uk WhoFundsYou.org or email [email protected]

wfy-nuj-quarter.indd 1 12/02/2015 14:10 Advertise in The Journalist To advertise contact Melanie Richards 020 3026 9239 or email: [email protected]

Financial advice for hacks from a hack and qualified financial adviser. Contact Nigel Bolitho of BV Services, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Services Authority. Email: [email protected] Phone 01954 251521

TAX CONSULTANTS We are an established firm based in the City, specialising in handling the taxation and accountancy affairs of freelance journalists. Clients throughout the UK. For further details contact: 020 7606 9787 SOUTHWELL TYRRELL & CO Helping NUJ members effect real change

Samira Ahmed, NUJ member represented by Thompsons Solicitors. Image credit: NUJ

NUJ members are entitled to free, specialist legal advice and representation on: We at Thompsons care about your story, that’s why we guarantee all current and retired NUJ members Personal injury - at or away from work, on the roads or on holiday 100% compensation. No hidden costs. Student Serious injury - including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries members also get free personal injury cover. Special terms for medical negligence Employment law advice (accessed via your Chapel representative or the NUJ head office) For more information, contact one of our Work-related emergency criminal law advice on 0800 587 7530 specialist solicitors today. (non-emergency criminal law advice accessed via the NUJ head office) Online wills service Competitive rates for conveyancing

Your family is also covered for: Personal injury away from work, on holiday or on the roads Special terms for medical negligence 0800 587 7528 www.thompsonstradeunion.law/nuj Standing up for you