NUJ Policy

One of the hot issues in the NUJ right now is the issue of convergence. Basically, convergence is the current trend of the press becoming more multimedia. Let’s take the Guardian for example. It has being published in both paper and electronic form for years. Now you can go online and download podcasts or videocasts from it. Even trade magazines have got in on the act, with the publishing company VNU leading the way on its titles.

Convergence, or integration, as some like to call it, poses major challenges to journalists. Many of the publications who use it require a single journalist to cover an event or story in print, online and via a podcast. This can be very time consuming for the journalist, who can spend hours, just editing and uploading a podcast. Very often these extra hours is not reflected in their pay.

There’s also the issue of training. Many journalists are already up to speed on recording, audio and video editing. Many more have some experience of content management systems and web design. But many more have not, and these journalists risk falling behind.

At last weekend’s ADM, there was a fringe meeting held on convergence issues. The speakers were:

Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary
Jemima Kiss, NUJ, New Media Council and new media correspondent at the MediaGuardian
Helene Mulholland, NUJ Central London Branch and MOC at the Guardian
Paula Dear, BBC London
Dr Andy Williams, University of Cardiff

You can see a videocast of Dr Williams speech here. In his speech, he summarised his report into Trinity Mirror’s online strategy.

At the moment, the union is still developing its policy on convergence. But its general position seems to be that convergence is welcomed, providing it is backed with sufficient resources and staff training. Draft guidelines are available here.

The conference elected a Commission on Multi-Media Working to co-ordinate the union’s response to the integration and convergence of media platforms. This will produce a report within three months drawing up key lessons and good practice from members experience of the move to new ways of working.

The Commission will be launched at the Educate, Agitate, Integrate conference to be held on 5 May 2007