Stand up for Journalism: London Rally November 11, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in Campaigns, NUJ, day of action, journalism, meeting.Tags: NUJ journalism rally
add a comment
Sorry for the belated post. I’m sure you’ll agree that I have the perfect excuse in that I’m revising for my NCTJ News Journalism exam.
Pictures: Steve Usher
Last Monday evening, NUJ members gathered in Kings Cross to mark stand up for Journalism day. This day seeks to raise awareness about the value of quality journalism.
The previous post described the Manchester rally outside the Society of Editors’ conference. This event was slightly different – we had five speakers including former MP Tony Benn, BBC Newsnight’s Paul Mason and NUJ President Jeremy Dear (seen above with Michelle Stanistreet.
Back… September 25, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in Campaigns, NUJ, day of action, journalism, organising.add a comment
…Well nothing really happened over the summer, did it? But leaving this any longer would make this blogger look like one of those damn MPs.
It’s just over a month to go until the Stand up for Journalism day on 5 November. There’s now a petition and a demo organised to coincide with the Society of Editor’s conference in Manchester. Members are also urged to organise workplace surveys and write to their MPs.
So how would you like to mark Stand up for Journalism day? What issues would you like to see highlighted? Please feel free to share your ideas here.
Stand up for Journalism on Nov 5 July 4, 2007
Posted by martincloake in London Magazine Branch, day of action, ethics, journalism.add a comment
There’s an international day of action in defence of quality journalism on Nov 5. Magazine branch should have input into it. Hence this discussion.
Often, when the NUJ campaigns on issues of quality journalism, the terms used and issued coveres heavily reflect the way news reporters work. This is partly because the NUJ has traditionally been strongest in newpapers and broadcasting. But it also may be because many mag journalists find it hard to identify with these campaigns – like ‘Journalism Matters’ for eg. So we need to take ownership of the campaign as it relates to mag journalists – in the business and consumer sectors. And also to make it reflect the concerns of people like designers who, unlike in newspapers, are considered integral parts of the editorial team.
There aren’t any right or wrong answers, but there are some questions we could discuss.
• How does quality relate to the consumer arena? Clearly members on Heat and Pick Me Up don’t have the same problems and pressures as a local paper news desk denied resources to report their community – but there will be issues.
• Should we concentrate on pay and conditions instead of professional issues, or would we be missing a trick?
• Is ‘convergence’ the big issue for our sector, with its problems of multi or de-skilling etc.
This has gone on far too long for an initial post, but it’s just intended to kick things off. Over to the blogosphere!
Alan Johnston – now free July 4, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in global issues, journalism, press coverage.add a comment
Just a note to welcome the news of Alan Johnston’s freedom and to recognise the hard work of those who tried to secure his release.
Well done everyone who signed the petition or attended vigils – apparently Alan knew all about this via his radio and it helped boost his morale during captivity.
This demonstrates the power of campaigning!
US news anchor direct action July 2, 2007
Posted by martincloake in ethics, journalism.1 comment so far
Has everyone seen the Mika Brzezinski footage from the American news show Morning Joe in which she repeatedly refuses to read a scripted news lead on Paris Hilton, saying it wasn’t news on a day when important Iraq news was breaking. It’s become a bit of a YouTube phenomenon, but it raises some very interesting questions. What do people think? Are there lessons for us? Would some people argue that Mika has ‘compromised her impartiality’ by expressing the opinion she has?
It would be good to get some discussion going on this – although it’s possible many of the people who say they want to discuss professional issues are too busy discussing the issues they think we shouldn’t be discussing to, er, discuss them. But we live in hope.
Edited highlights of “In or Out” speeches June 30, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in London Magazine Branch, NUJ, global issues, journalism, meeting, politicisation.add a comment
As promised, we now have edited versions of the “Politics: In or Out of the union” speeches from May’s meeting.
The original 77-minute director’s cut is still available at NUJ Policy Podcasts. But now there are also shorter podcasts of the speeches by branch member Martin Cloake (standing) and NEC member Nick Serpell (left). Both are approximately 10 minutes long.
Nick Serpell’s speech argued that we should keep politics out of the union. Martin Cloake, argued in favour of the union’s involvement in wider political issues. For more information on this debate view the post on the meeting.
For Martin’s speech, click here.
For Nick’s speech, click here.
I hope to put edited highlights in a separate podcast in the near future.
Speaker details for Educate…Agitate…Integrate May 3, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in convergence, integration, journalism, multimedia.add a comment
More details have been released about speakers for Saturday’s (5 May 2007) one-day conference on integration.
The Guardian’s Michael White and The Telegraph’s Chi Chan will lead a discussion on the impact of the convergence and integration of media technologies on the role of journalists.
Standards, ethics, staffing levels are among the issues that will be discussed at this round table discussion.
The event is held at Headland House, The NUJ’s London HQ. If you would like to attend please contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk as soon as possible.
Alan Johnston April 21, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in ADM, global issues, journalism.add a comment
Alan Johnston, the BBC’s reporter in Gaza, has now been missing for more than a month. The past week has seen the campaign for his release stepped up, with an vigil organised by the NUJ. This will be held on Wednesday, outside the Palestinian General Delegation in Hammersmith.
VIGIL FOR ALAN JOHNSTON – 25 APRIL @ 12.30PM
5 Galena Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0LT
Last week our members in Ireland held a vigil outside the Palestine Delegation in Dublin.
The BBC is continuing to campaign for Alan’s freedom. As of Thursday 12th March, 42,000 BBC online users had signed a petition demanding his release.
Educate, Agitate, Integrate April 19, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in convergence, integration, journalism, multimedia.1 comment so far
Just a note to say that there are still places at this event on Saturday 5th May 2007. It is being held to discuss integration/convergence issues and the union’s position on them. It will also see the launch of the union’s Commission on Multimedia, which is investigating the relevant issues.
Contributions from The Guardian, Guardian Unlimited, BBC News, Johnston Press, Trinity Mirror, Telegraph Media and many more…
The above list may sound overwhelmingly newspaper dominated, but magazine journalists contributions will also be welcome.
You can view a leaflet about the conference here.
If you wish to attend email: campaigns@nuj.org.uk
ADM round up April 19, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in ADM, journalism.add a comment
Well, the press might be focusing on only one issue from the ADM, but there was other work done at ADM.
The highlight for me was the discussion on the code of conduct on day three. There were a number of motions proposing to change the draft code. You can read these on the ADM final agenda.
