Manchester Rally November 8, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in London Magazine Branch, day of action.Tags: NUJ unions journalism rally
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On Monday, members of the union traveled up to Manchester to stage a rally to mark Stand up for Journalism Day. The rally coincided with the Society of Editors’ conference which was being held in the city.
London magazine branch member, Chris Wheal (pictured above) has recorded a podcast about the rally. To listen to his podcast click here
More to come on the London rally soon…
NUJ Policy gets its 1,000th hit July 19, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in London Magazine Branch, NUJ, NUJ blogs.1 comment so far
Just thought I’d celebrate a major landmark for this blog. We’ve reached 1,000* hits. Thanks to everyone who has posted or left comments so far – please continue to do so.
*This figure does not include blog aggrigators, so the actual number of readers could be even higher!
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!
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.
News round-up: Tony Benn and Monday’s LMB meeting June 13, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in London Magazine Branch, NUJ, meeting.add a comment
On Friday the union is hosting an event at the Frontline Club on the role of the NUJ in today’s media.
New media is springing up all the time and the old ones are rushing to keep up. Journalists are being driven harder to keep their publications going. This meeting will discuss the role of union and what approach it should take
Heading the bill is veteran politician Tony Benn, seen here speaking at Leveller Day 2007. The panel will also include Jeremy Dear, NUJ General Secretary and David Aaronovitch, columnist for the Times. The moderator will be Charlie Beckett, Director of the Polis think tank at the London School of Economics.
The debate is at 7.30 pm on Friday June 15th at the Frontline Club, Paddington. Admission £7.00. Please visit the NUJ website for more information and for details of how to get tickets.
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