The NUJ's conference is over - it's been a weekend when we've faced up to the real challenges facing members and the union as a result of both the economic crisis and the structural changes hitting our industry.
It led to tough debate, inspiring speeches and the odd moment of fun, all resulting in a mass of new campaigns, policy ideas and action to defend journalists and journalism.
It has been rigorously documented by 25 student journalists here and there's a round-up on the NUJ website and there will be more in-depth coverage in the next issue of The Journalist.
Thanks to all those who helped make the conference such a success...I'm off to lie down in a darkened room. I'll be back at work Thursday.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Resign, resign..oh, you have. Well done.
Good decision by Alan Rusbridger to resign from the PCC Code Committee and he set out precisely why we've had so many concerns about the failings of the PCC in recent years.
Today we've also been reacting to the DCMS response to the consultation on the future of local news. There are good (no top-slicing at this stage) and bad points (still relying on that dodgy poll to say people support top-slicing) about it - but there are so many unanswered questions. And it's not as if some of them are new questions. I've personally asked Ofcom and the Secretary of State and the Special Advisers at DCMS and many others have too - what will happen to existing staff when you have pilots of the Independently Funded News Consortia, what happens if the pilots fail, what criteria are there for quality and so much else.
"If you have a self-regulation system that's finding nothing out and has no teeth, and all the work is being done by external people, it's dangerous for self-regulation. If you have a regulator behaving this uselessly, I suspect MPs will start saying this is not regulation...I believe in self-regulation because I cannot imagine a country in which the government regulates the press, or there is statutory regulation. But the press is in a very weak position today because its own regulator, its self-regulation, has proved so weak."
Today we've also been reacting to the DCMS response to the consultation on the future of local news. There are good (no top-slicing at this stage) and bad points (still relying on that dodgy poll to say people support top-slicing) about it - but there are so many unanswered questions. And it's not as if some of them are new questions. I've personally asked Ofcom and the Secretary of State and the Special Advisers at DCMS and many others have too - what will happen to existing staff when you have pilots of the Independently Funded News Consortia, what happens if the pilots fail, what criteria are there for quality and so much else.
Now it's back to preparing for our National Executive tomorrow and writing speeches for our conference which starts on Thursday in Southport
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Journalist - the end of one era, the start of another
Big congratulations to Christine Buckley who has been elected the new editor of The Journalist. She led from start to finish in the eight-person contest, winning by almost 1000 votes.
I've known Christine as an industrial correspondent for many years, covering TUC conference and enjoying the odd drink at Glastonbury's sorely-missed Leftfield. She'll be a real asset to the union and I'm excited about working with her to oversee the integration of our communications.
I've kept as quiet as possible during the campaign about the relative merits of candidates but I am angry at the way Richard Simcox was attacked and the union's reputation rubbished by Mark Watts. Richard didn't deserve that.
It's also a sad day for the NUJ - Tim Gopsill, editor for the past 21 years leaves today and I wish him well and hope he enjoys the retirement he deserves. I have said in the annual report that Tim wrote the union's history but he deserves a place in it himself. We've not always seen eye-to-eye - it's I suppose inevitable that the General Secretary and editor of the union's journal will not always agree - and for others it's probably a good thing, but I respect greatly the work Tim has done, particularly around press freedom issues which he has championed in the union.
I've known Christine as an industrial correspondent for many years, covering TUC conference and enjoying the odd drink at Glastonbury's sorely-missed Leftfield. She'll be a real asset to the union and I'm excited about working with her to oversee the integration of our communications.
I've kept as quiet as possible during the campaign about the relative merits of candidates but I am angry at the way Richard Simcox was attacked and the union's reputation rubbished by Mark Watts. Richard didn't deserve that.
It's also a sad day for the NUJ - Tim Gopsill, editor for the past 21 years leaves today and I wish him well and hope he enjoys the retirement he deserves. I have said in the annual report that Tim wrote the union's history but he deserves a place in it himself. We've not always seen eye-to-eye - it's I suppose inevitable that the General Secretary and editor of the union's journal will not always agree - and for others it's probably a good thing, but I respect greatly the work Tim has done, particularly around press freedom issues which he has championed in the union.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Global organising....in London
Have spent a full day with representatives from the International Federation of Journalists and unions, media and journalism colleges in South Africa, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Spain as part of the IFJ Future of Journalism group, discussing the changes to media, jobs and union organising priorities. We are putting together a report and action plan for journalists' unions. I will present details of the first draft on Saturday morning to the IFJ Executive which is meeting in London.
Yesterday I met with our officials dealing with Trinity Mirror to plan responses to the proposal to axe the final salary pension scheme before a meeting with union leaders from the PCS, RMT, FBU, URTU and NAPO to plan a major trade union conference for early next year and discuss our lobbying and amendments around the Equality Bill, the Agency Workers' Directive and public services, including public service broadcasting.
Had a management meeting yesterday afternoon and a big run through all the details for the union's conference which takes place at the end of next week.
Yesterday I met with our officials dealing with Trinity Mirror to plan responses to the proposal to axe the final salary pension scheme before a meeting with union leaders from the PCS, RMT, FBU, URTU and NAPO to plan a major trade union conference for early next year and discuss our lobbying and amendments around the Equality Bill, the Agency Workers' Directive and public services, including public service broadcasting.
Had a management meeting yesterday afternoon and a big run through all the details for the union's conference which takes place at the end of next week.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Another Mirror pensions scandal
Spent yesterday morning at Canary Wharf being briefed by senior Trinity Mirror managers about their proposals to close the final salary pension scheme to all - and replace it with an inferior scheme.
The company had written to everyone late on Friday afternoon (they're all heart) saying they could no longer afford the scheme and therefore had to close it. There is a consultation until 8 January about the plans but no-one is under any illusion that this is a consultation in name only to meet legal obligations, not to really listen to the views of staff. NUJ officials will be meeting on Wednesday to plan our response. The problem we will face is years of poor decision making and returning cash to shareholders instead of saving for a rainy day mean that now it is pouring down and with a refinancing deal looming the company has little cash, despite the fact it keeps churning our profits. The problem for the company is that most people now no longer believe they have a strategy to grow the company.
Friday's news came as I was attending the seminar A Media Manifesto for the Digital Age and speaking as part of a panel which included Lord Norman Fowler, Don Foster MP, Caroline Thompson from the BBC and Natalie Fenton from Goldsmith's. A copy of my speech is available here
Saturday morning I spoke at the SERTUC Building Trades Councils' conference. A copy of my speech is available here.
Saturday evening I had dinner with Mark Serwotka and Christine Blower, General Secretaries of the PCS and NUT respectively, their partners and some friends. A very pleasant way to set the world to rights.
After yesterday's Trinity Mirror meeting I met Meic Birtwistle, NEC member for Wales and Ken Smith, chair of the NUJ's Welsh Executive Council to discuss the work there, including the prospect of recognition at the Trinity titles in Llandudno and recruitment initiatives in Caernavon before speaking at the London Magazine Branch, which ended up in a really interesting discussion about unpaid work experience and the future organisation of the union - should we be organised on a sector basis, company basis, geographical basis and should subscriptions be based on income, sector or some other factor. This is a debate which will have to be had across the whole union because the current structures and subscriptions grades are outdated and will be incapable of supporting the union's activities in the future.
This morning I'm off to the TUC Executive.
The company had written to everyone late on Friday afternoon (they're all heart) saying they could no longer afford the scheme and therefore had to close it. There is a consultation until 8 January about the plans but no-one is under any illusion that this is a consultation in name only to meet legal obligations, not to really listen to the views of staff. NUJ officials will be meeting on Wednesday to plan our response. The problem we will face is years of poor decision making and returning cash to shareholders instead of saving for a rainy day mean that now it is pouring down and with a refinancing deal looming the company has little cash, despite the fact it keeps churning our profits. The problem for the company is that most people now no longer believe they have a strategy to grow the company.
Friday's news came as I was attending the seminar A Media Manifesto for the Digital Age and speaking as part of a panel which included Lord Norman Fowler, Don Foster MP, Caroline Thompson from the BBC and Natalie Fenton from Goldsmith's. A copy of my speech is available here
Saturday morning I spoke at the SERTUC Building Trades Councils' conference. A copy of my speech is available here.
Saturday evening I had dinner with Mark Serwotka and Christine Blower, General Secretaries of the PCS and NUT respectively, their partners and some friends. A very pleasant way to set the world to rights.
After yesterday's Trinity Mirror meeting I met Meic Birtwistle, NEC member for Wales and Ken Smith, chair of the NUJ's Welsh Executive Council to discuss the work there, including the prospect of recognition at the Trinity titles in Llandudno and recruitment initiatives in Caernavon before speaking at the London Magazine Branch, which ended up in a really interesting discussion about unpaid work experience and the future organisation of the union - should we be organised on a sector basis, company basis, geographical basis and should subscriptions be based on income, sector or some other factor. This is a debate which will have to be had across the whole union because the current structures and subscriptions grades are outdated and will be incapable of supporting the union's activities in the future.
This morning I'm off to the TUC Executive.
Friday, November 06, 2009
A postcard (or a1000) to Ben Bradshaw
Had a lie in till 7am following the news that the postal workers action had been called off while talks go on. It meant no early morning picket line visit.
Yesterday afternoon NUJ Broadcasting Organiser Sue Harris and I delivered 1000 signed postcards to Ben Bradshaw's office protesting about government plans to top slice the licence fee. That 1000 added to hundreds, possibly thousands of others sent in by other organisations across the UK. But don't stop sending them in. The Queen's Speech later this month will signal the start of the parliamentary battle against top-slicing - so keep up the pressure.
pic: Jonathan Warren
The debate on the future of the media switches to the British Academy tonight where I will share a platform with a government minister, Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster, Lord Norman Fowler, Caroline Thomson, the chief operating officer from the BBC, Peter Wilby and others in an open seminar "A Media manifesto for the Digital Age". The premise of my contribution, being surrounded by so many politicians, will be that the media are failing democracy because politicians are failing the media. It will be a strong call for an economic stimulus plan for journalism not to prop up failed corporate business models but to invest in newsgathering in the public interest.
Before heading off to that I'm meeting the Latin American Workers Association and have staff meetings. Tomorrow morning I'm speaking at the South East Region TUC Conference.
Yesterday afternoon NUJ Broadcasting Organiser Sue Harris and I delivered 1000 signed postcards to Ben Bradshaw's office protesting about government plans to top slice the licence fee. That 1000 added to hundreds, possibly thousands of others sent in by other organisations across the UK. But don't stop sending them in. The Queen's Speech later this month will signal the start of the parliamentary battle against top-slicing - so keep up the pressure.
pic: Jonathan Warren
The debate on the future of the media switches to the British Academy tonight where I will share a platform with a government minister, Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster, Lord Norman Fowler, Caroline Thomson, the chief operating officer from the BBC, Peter Wilby and others in an open seminar "A Media manifesto for the Digital Age". The premise of my contribution, being surrounded by so many politicians, will be that the media are failing democracy because politicians are failing the media. It will be a strong call for an economic stimulus plan for journalism not to prop up failed corporate business models but to invest in newsgathering in the public interest.
Before heading off to that I'm meeting the Latin American Workers Association and have staff meetings. Tomorrow morning I'm speaking at the South East Region TUC Conference.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
It's in the post...
Spent yesterday buzzing between meetings with Skillset, the BBC's new Director of People Lucy Adams and then did some clandestine union organising at a national newspaper (the fruits of which you will have to wait until they blossom - that sounds like a badly mixed metaphor but I can't work out what it should be).
I also finished my contribution for an International Federation of Journalists' discussion document on the future of journalism, due to be considered by their Executive which meets in London in a week's time with a final report presented to their Congress in Cadiz in May next year. Given the speed things are moving at I'll probably have to rewrite my section a few times before then!
This afternoon I'm off to DCMS to hand over 1000 Don't Top Slice the BBC Licence Fee postcards as part of our campaign to defend public service broadcasting.
In the morning I'll be off to support CWU members on their picket lines. Find out what you can do to support their action here - remember, in every dispute we have had they've supported us. You never know when you might need the posties!
I also finished my contribution for an International Federation of Journalists' discussion document on the future of journalism, due to be considered by their Executive which meets in London in a week's time with a final report presented to their Congress in Cadiz in May next year. Given the speed things are moving at I'll probably have to rewrite my section a few times before then!
This afternoon I'm off to DCMS to hand over 1000 Don't Top Slice the BBC Licence Fee postcards as part of our campaign to defend public service broadcasting.
In the morning I'll be off to support CWU members on their picket lines. Find out what you can do to support their action here - remember, in every dispute we have had they've supported us. You never know when you might need the posties!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Citizens, rise up...
Last night I was at the Parliamentary launch of the Citizens Coalition for Public Service Broadcasting hosted by John Grogan MP, a brilliant defender of PSB.
He rightly ridiculed James Murdoch's assertion that profit is the guarantor of quality and independence and set out a very firm opposition to top-slicing the licence fee as part of the attempts to maintain quality local and regional news on ITV.
Carole Tongue, former MEP, set out clearly the case for levies to address the funding gap, a move supported by the NUJ and BECTU.
He rightly ridiculed James Murdoch's assertion that profit is the guarantor of quality and independence and set out a very firm opposition to top-slicing the licence fee as part of the attempts to maintain quality local and regional news on ITV.
Carole Tongue, former MEP, set out clearly the case for levies to address the funding gap, a move supported by the NUJ and BECTU.
Levies operate in almost every other European country - and it seems logical that those who benefit from public service content should pay towards its creation. Not if you're a politician maybe, but to the rest of us it's logical. Carole also pointed out that the 5 terrestrial TV stations - BBC 1 and 2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five - are responsible for 90% of the investment in original UK PSB content. All the others put together are responsible for just 10%, despite the fact their revenues are 10 times those of the terrestrial PSBs.
John Whittingdale displayed a remarkable political arrogance in saying, despite the fact that the public had consistently backed levies over top-slicing the licence fee in Ofcom consultations, that he "didn't believe what people told Ofcom". He also said the BBC had more resources than the rest of the broadcasting industry put together. It's not true. He also signalled that commercial public service broadcasters would get a far easier ride under the Tories (and here were we thinking it couldn't get any easier!). He said: "We can't go on requiring them by law to carry on providing public service content". All hail the market!
What became clear from the civil servant from DCMS present is that mechanisms for distributing contestable funds (from top-slicing?) will be in the Queen's Speech and that there is effectively then a 12-week Parliamentary timetable to get it on to the statute books.
That means all of us who care about quality public service broadcasting, who oppose top-slicing as the thin end of the wedge, who care about the universality of PSB need to get active now. There's some ideas for action here.
John Whittingdale displayed a remarkable political arrogance in saying, despite the fact that the public had consistently backed levies over top-slicing the licence fee in Ofcom consultations, that he "didn't believe what people told Ofcom". He also said the BBC had more resources than the rest of the broadcasting industry put together. It's not true. He also signalled that commercial public service broadcasters would get a far easier ride under the Tories (and here were we thinking it couldn't get any easier!). He said: "We can't go on requiring them by law to carry on providing public service content". All hail the market!
What became clear from the civil servant from DCMS present is that mechanisms for distributing contestable funds (from top-slicing?) will be in the Queen's Speech and that there is effectively then a 12-week Parliamentary timetable to get it on to the statute books.
That means all of us who care about quality public service broadcasting, who oppose top-slicing as the thin end of the wedge, who care about the universality of PSB need to get active now. There's some ideas for action here.
Monday, November 02, 2009
If it's good enough for Robert Peston....
Remember me?
OK, so it’s been a while..but I see even Robert Peston has had to make excuses on his blog today for a long period with no posts. He's been too busy too.
If I tried and catch up on everything that’s happened since my last post we’d be here ‘til Christmas. So instead you can get the highlights on the NUJ website including:
* news about our campaign to protect public service broadcasting
* the latest on our equal pay campaigning
* our jobs summit for journalists in the magazine and book sector
And of course there’s more: dozens of internal meetings, rallies and events. I could go on, but I won’t.
Now back to business…
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