No place like home - Remote working, love it or loathe it - MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
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M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N AT I O N A L U N I O N O F J O U R N A L I S T S
WWW.NUJ.ORG.UK | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021
No place like home...
Remote working, love it or loathe it
“
Contents
Main feature
12 All well on the home front?
Pros and cons of remote working
S
o, after a very long time, life is
News
beginning to feel like it is returning to a
3 Plan for gag on journalists
semblance of normality. Reporters treated like spies
Social restrictions imposed in the face 4 BBC staff ‘pushed to the limit’
of the pandemic are lifting and people NUJ warns over staff morale
are venturing out more. Some are going back
into offices that have been deserted for nearly 18 5 Journalists as spyware target
months. But the probability is that not all of us will go back to Governments’ plans revealed
working in exactly the same way as we did before the pandemic. 6 ‘Mean-spirited’ Newsquest
Enforced homeworking has changed the shape of work for good Anger over ‘fire and rehire’
in the industries where it can operate effectively.
Our cover feature looks at the pros and cons of homeworking, 7 Channel 4 up for sale?
drawing on an extensive survey of the book industry carried Consultation on privatisation
out by the union’s Oxford branch. Working from home is not
ideal for everyone. While it offers some people much-needed Features
”
flexibility and a release from time-consuming commuting, it
can also impose isolation on others, and it can be tricky if your 10 Spotlight on Exeter
home isn’t suited to converting to a work space. In our ‘And The media-friendly city
Finally’ column Chris Proctor also looks at the ergonomics of 14 Remembering lives
working at home.
Pandemic highlights obituaries
Another flicker of good news is that recruitment seems on the
rise in parts of our industry, particularly at Reach as the biggest 16 Inside Out
publisher starts hiring again. Looking back to outside broadcasts
Here’s hoping that the feel better factor lasts beyond the
summer.
Regulars
21 Technology
22 Obituaries
25 And finally...
Christine Buckley
Editor
@mschrisbuckley
Editor NUJ Arts
journalist@nuj.org.uk 72 Acton Street Page
London WC1X 9NB
Design
Surgerycreations.com info@nuj.org.uk 20
info@surgerycreations.com www.nuj.org.uk
Advertising Tel: 020 7843 3700
Ray
Melanie Richards
Tel: 07494975239
Manchester office
nujmanchester@nuj.org.uk Snoddy
ads@journalistmagazine.co.uk Glasgow office Page 19
Print nujscotland@nuj.org.uk
Warners Cover picture
www.warners.co.uk Dublin office
info@nuj.ie Stephen Collins
Distribution
GB Mail ISSN: 0022-5541
www.gb-mail.co.uk
02 | theJournalist
news
Courts could treat journalists inbrief...
as spies under planned laws
RUSBRIDGER TO EDIT
PROSPECT MAGAZINE
“
Alan Rusbridger, the former
editor-in-chief of the Guardian, has
The union’s submission to the Home Office been appointed the next editor of
states: Prospect, the monthly current
• The threat of prosecution has been used affairs magazine. He succeeds Tom
against NUJ members in an attempt to silence Clark, who has been editor since
public interest journalism. ‘The union has 2016. Rusbridger was editor-in-
• There should be explicit limits within any chief of the Guardian from 1995 to
new legislation to restrict extra-territorial pressed the 2015, taking it from being a printed
offences in regard to journalists and media
organisations abroad.
Government to paper only to one of the most used
and recognised news websites.
• New legislation should not remove the introduce a public
JOURNALISTS could be treated like spies and
requirement for prosecutors to prove that an
unauthorised disclosure was damaging.
interest defence SALES FALL AT
the Government would be able to block more • Whistleblowers and journalists acting in in law REGIONAL PUBLISHER
information under plans being considered to the public interest should not be subjected to Sales at regional publisher Midland
overhaul official secrets laws. increased prison sentences. News Association fell by almost a
NUJ analysis of the Government’s proposed • Journalism should not be equated with third last year because of the
legislation finds that they conflate journalism, espionage and media employees should not impact of the pandemic. Its biggest
espionage and ‘hostile activity’. There also be criminalised under any future espionage paper the Express and Star also lost
appears to be the intention to increase the laws. its position as England’s largest
risks and penalties for journalists and media News organisations have also warned that paid-for regional daily last year. It
organisations acting in the public interest. the media’s work is under threat. The Sun has reported sales of £17.8 million,
The union has pressed the Government to said that its exclusive on the former health down 31 per cent from £26 million
introduce a public interest defence in law for secretary Matt Hancock’s relationship with an in the previous year. .
journalists investigating and reporting on state aide would not have been possible under the
wrongdoing. intended legislation.
KEATING ACCEPTS
HACKING DAMAGES
Fears for parliamentary coverage Ronan Keating, the former Boyzone
singer, has accepted substantial
CROSS-PARTY concern has been that a 40 per cent reduction in the staff work in parliament. It could also phone-hacking damages from News
expressed about cuts to the unit which in the BBC Regional Political Unit will mean no specialist political reporter Group Newspapers, publisher of the
supplies local BBC TV and radio stations mean contributions to debates from will be available to explain the key now-defunct News of the World
with news and clips of their MP local backbench MPs will no longer be political events to a local radio and The Sun. Mr Keating had said
speaking about local issues. covered to the same extent. The cuts audience for breakfast programmes, that he was suspicious about the
MPs who have signed an early day could lead tofewer stories being the most listened to broadcasts of origins of stories about him that
motion about the intended cuts fear spotted and less scrutiny of the routine the day. appeared between 1996 and 2011..
Rolling Stone
Irish code of practice rejected British style
Rolling Stone is soon to have a
dedicated British edition more than 50
THE UNION’S Irish executive workers”. He added: “The
years after Mick Jagger first tried to start
council has dismissed the NUJ is currently seeking to
a UK version of the iconic US magazine.
proposed new code of vindicate the rights of workers
practice on employment in RTÉ, where a review of Stream Publishing, which publishes LGBTQ
status as “a tired old solution bogus, self-employed magazine Attitude, has signed an exclusive
which will not solve the contracts has not resolved the licensing deal with Rolling Stone owner
problem of bogus issue of retrospective rights of Penske Media Corporation to launch the
employment contracts.” workers wrongly misclassified brand in print and online in the UK. The
It has urged robust as self-employed workers over launches are planned for the autumn and
legislation rather than what many years. Against this seven jobs will be created. Rolling Stone is a
Irish secretary Séamus Dooley backdrop it is shocking to monthly publication in the US, but the
described as “a feeble and read a code which fails to frequency of the UK title hasn’t
inadequate response dressed recognise the genuine losses been confirmed.
up in fancy words and breezy suffered by misclassified
photographs of happy workers.”
theJournalist | 03
news
Longer hours and job cuts at BBC
leave staff ‘pushed to the limit’
“
THE NUJ has warned about staff morale at the BBC following “Staff, many of whom worked flat out during the pandemic
the publication of the corporation’s annual report. and were rewarded with a pay freeze over the past 12 months,
The report for 2020-21 shows that the BBC has reduced its are rightly aggrieved.”
workforce by more than 1,200, equivalent to six per cent. The report said: “Time spent with the BBC went up to
Senior manager numbers were also down by more than five 18 hours two minutes, from 17 hours 45 minutes, on average, Staff, many of whom
per cent, and spending on top stars reduced by 10 per cent. per week. Over 28 million people came to the BBC for evening
The BBC said it had made £272 million in annual savings (up entertainment on an average day... In a year of complex news, worked flat out during
from £199 million in the previous year), bringing its cumulative
savings since 2017/18 to £890 million this financial
as the UK battled the global coronavirus pandemic, audiences
for the BBC News at Six were the
the pandemic and
year. In 2021/22, it plans to largest in almost two decades. were rewarded with
raise that total to more than
£950 million.
BBC One’s 6.30pm bulletin in
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
a pay freeze over the
Paul Siegert, NUJ national and the English regions is the past 12 months, are
broadcasting organiser, said: UK’s most watched
“The BBC is clearly doing many news programme.” rightly aggrieved
things right – and it’s good to Research from accountancy
hear that the gender pay gap is firm KPMG showed the corporation delivered £2.63 of
Paul Siegert
narrowing and that the salaries for some of the top stars have direct economic impact for every £1 spent with 50 per cent of
NUJ national
reduced. that occurring outside London, compared to a sector average of
broadcasting organiser
“But the recent staff survey shows the BBC is far from a 20 per cent.
happy place to work. Staff say they don’t believe recruitment is It won more than 130 awards since last April, including:
fair and transparent or that their careers are likely to progress. • 31 out of 48 BAFTAs
“The reduction of the workforce by six per cent while not • 16 out of 23 broadcast awards, including Channel of the
reducing the amount of output means there are now fewer Year for BBC Two.
staff doing the same amount or work. Staff are overworked • 16 out 25 gold wins at the Audio and Radio Industry
and suffering from burnout. Many journalists say they are Awards, from best news coverage to best music breakfast show
being pushed to the limit. to best local station.
Remembering Veronica Guerin national executive council,
and Séamus Dooley,
journalists everywhere to do
their job. Veronica was a
NUJ members marked the behalf of the union by her member of honour. Irish secretary. brave freelance journalist
anniversary of the murder of former Sunday Independent NUJ representatives Dooley said: “Veronica’s who was devoted to her work
Sunday Independent colleague Martin Fitzpatrick, included Cearbhailld death was an assault on at the Sunday Independent.
journalist and union who is chair of the Dublin O’Siochain from the media freedom and, as “Her enthusiasm,
member Veronica Guerin. (Newspapers) branch, and Irish executive council, journalists, we honour her by commitment and courage
A wreath was laid on Mary Curtin, who is a Fran McNulty from the standing up for the right of remain an inspiration.”
Your next We carry the best roles from the employers across all sectors,
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W W W.C IS IO NJ O B S .CO.U K
04 | theJournalist
news
Journalists targeted for inbrief...
possible surveillance
JEWISH CHRONICLE
PAYS DAMAGES
“
The Jewish Chronicle has fully
apologised and paid substantial
AT LEAST 180 journalists, including the editor libel damages to journalist and
of the Financial Times, were selected as campaigner Marc Wadsworth
potential targets of surveillance by following an article which alleged
governments around the world using a that Mr Wadsworth was involved
spyware surveillance tool called Pegasus. Pegasus is a malware with a group of Labour members
which intended to intimidate Jewish
The targeting was revealed in a report by
Forbidden Stories - a Paris-based worldwide
that infects iPhones Labour activists. The paper said it
collaborative group of journalists and media and Android devices fully acknowledged that the
groups which aims to protect media freedom. allegations were entirely untrue.
Pegasus is a malware that infects iPhones
and Android devices to enable operators of
the tool to extract messages, photos and on governments to enshrine in domestic law GUILTY VERDICTS
emails, record calls and secretly activate the inviolability of journalists’ AFTER BLOCKADE
microphones. It has been developed by the communications. Six Extinction Rebellion protesters
JOEL SAGET/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Israeli cybersurveillance company NSO and Among others who have been the targets of were found guilty of obstructing
sold to a number of clients, including states the global spying operations are human rights the highway after a blockade of the
across the world. defenders, political protestors, lawyers, Newsprinters plant in Hertfordshire
The NUJ and the International Federation of diplomats and heads of state. last year. Judge Sally Fudge at St
Journalists have condemned all attempts to It is thought that Roula Khalaf, editor of the Albans magistrates court said that
interfere with journalists’ private FT, was targeted for surveillance by the United while the demonstration was
communications, encourage journalists to use Arab Emirates in 2018 when she was deputy ‘peaceful’ it had a significant impact
extra vigilance to protect their data and call editor. on the businesses and caused
newspapers to lose an estimated £1
million.
Dutch crime reporter killed investigating the 2006
disappearance of teenager REACH HIRES MORE
AN AWARD-winning Dutch hailed as a hero for his work threatened for his Natalee Holloway in Aruba. SPORTS JOURNALISTS
journalist who exposed on behalf of the families of involvement in criminal cases. Tony Sheldon, chair of the Reach, the UK’s largest publisher, is
criminal and drugs gangs victims of crime. People De Vries has worked for De NUJ’s Netherlands branch, hiring 76 sports journalists. It said
died last month days after queued early in the morning Telegraaf, Panorama said: “NUJ members are the jobs would enable more
being shot in Amsterdam as to file past his coffin which magazine, Algemeen shocked and angry at the in-depth coverage of some of the
he left a TV studio. was displayed in a theatre. Dagblad and ran his own TV murder of Peter R de Vries biggest football clubs. It said it
Thousands turned out at a It is believed that he had crime programme. He won and stand shoulder to would build on projects such as
public memorial for reporter previously had police an international Emmy Award shoulder with our Dutch and Liverpool Echo’s Blood Red podcast.
Peter R DeVries who was protection after being in 2008 for his work international colleagues.“
LGBT+ pressure on Harri quits after
taking the knee
government Broadcaster Guto Harri resigned from
GB News after he was suspended for taking
the knee during a discussion about racism
THE NUJ has signed a TUC letter criticising the Government over
towards England footballers. GB News
its inaction to address the inequality experienced by the LGBT+
had apologised after Harri, a former BBC
community who face discrimination at work.
correspondent and advisor to Boris Johnson
The letter, signed by Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary,
and Ann Galpin, co-chair of the TUC disabled workers’ committee when he was London mayor, made the gesture.
to Liz Truss, women and equalities minister, says: The broadcaster said it had breached its
“We were dismayed that you have jettisoned the 2018 LGBT standards. In his resignation letter, Harri asked
Action Plan, which was based on evidence from more than the organisation to “please explain how that
100,000 LGBT+ people. And we were disappointed at the [Farage’s stance] does not breach editorial
decision to disband the LGBT Advisory Panel. standards but I did”. Nigel
“Nearly two in five LGBT workers have been harassed or Farage had said he wouldn’t
discriminated against by a colleague. A quarter have been take the knee for anyone.
discriminated against by their manager, and around one in seven
by a client or patient.” ATHENA PICTURE AGENCY LTD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
theJournalist | 05
news
Anger mounts at Newsquest in
over 'mean-spirited' fire and rehire
“
PRESSURE is growing on duty of care to journalists and “We believe that the “Our members throughout
Newsquest to end its practice journalism at the centre. actions of Newsquest in Newsquest are appalled and
of firing journalists and “The practice of fire and Oxford are detrimental and also bemused as to why the
rehiring them on worse rehire has been roundly damaging to regional company is choosing to take
terms – especially at the condemned by trade unions journalism and that such an extreme measure as The fact that this
Oxford Mail. and politicians, has no place Mr Walker should practise fire and rehire against their
The NUJ chapel at the within Newsquest and should ‘charity begins at home’ and Oxford colleagues for such a action is being
Oxford newspaper said: “This be banned. immediately end this small saving. taken against local
Newsquest group chapel “The company is risking its
condemns the use of fire reputation with the local journalists sullies the
and rehire tactics at the
Oxford Mail to force through
community by deploying
disproportionate measures to
award made to the
cuts to members’ terms achieve so little and the fact chief executive for his
and conditions. that this controversial action
“Stripping journalists of “We also note that chief unethical employment is being taken against services to regional
bank holiday payments in the executive Henry Faure practice in his company.” hard-working local journalists journalism
wake of a year when they Walker was awarded an MBE The chapel is pressing the sullies the award made to the
have pulled out all the in this year’s Queen’s publisher to withdraw chief executive for his services
stops to serve their local Birthday Honours List for dismissal notices and work to regional journalism. Chris Morley
communities is disgraceful services to ‘regional with the union to resolve the “There can be no legitimate NUJ organiser and
and has piled stress and journalism and charity’. dispute and also address place for fire and rehire tactics Newsquest group
anxiety onto a newsroom In accepting the award, staffing and workload issues and our group chapel urges chapel coordinator
already facing reduced staffing Mr Walker said: ‘The real in Oxford. the company to engage in
levels and unacceptably long recognition should go to the Chris Morley, NUJ Northern proper negotiations to resolve
working hours. amazing people that work in and Midlands regional matters honourably rather
“The treatment of staff in local news publishing across organiser and Newsquest than using this depressingly
Oxford symbolises a failed the UK.’ group chapel coordinator, said: mean-spirited action.”
New home for Hebrides history collection we have ever
received. We are
overwhelmed with
RETIRED freelance journalist Butt of Lewis to Barra – an photographs, negatives and gratitude to Bill.”
Bill Lucas of Stornoway in area of 1200 square miles transparencies – as well as Lucas started his
the Hebrides, an NUJ life – by car, ferry and air. He tapes for the BBC. Major journalistic career on his
member, made the local provided a news service to all stories as well as official home town’s paper, the
headlines when he donated the national and regional reports of some major Hamilton Advertiser. After
his extensive Hebridean papers, trade and technical inquires are also included. national service, he moved 1961 to set up his freelance
Press Service archive to the journals, magazines, and Malcolm Macdonald, to the Stornoway Gazette, agency. In 2005, he was
Stornoway Historical Society. radio and television stations. chair of the Stornoway then spent three years on awarded the Barron Trophy,
For 50 years, Lucas covered The archive contains more Historical Society, said: The Scotsman before which recognises a lifetime
the Western Isles from the than 3,000 images – “This is the most remarkable returning the Stornoway in achievement in journalism.
'Endemic' abuse leads Reach to create safety editor role
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER Reach is searching media platforms about cases of abuse and Reach’s management decided to create the
for an online safety editor, a new position campaign for action to address the problem role after a survey of more than 550 staff
believed to be the first of its kind in Britain. in general. showed the extent of online abuse.
The remit will be to tackle ‘endemic’ abuse The editor will ensure Reach’s online abuse The move came as the Media Lawyers
and harassment of its journalists. policies are followed and also support staff Association published Online Harassment and
Reach, which publishes the Mirror, Express who are victims. They will also develop Abuse: a Legal Guide for Journalists in England
and many regional newspapers and websites, training for employees on how to deal with and Wales, which can be downloaded from
said the appointee would liaise with social online abuse. https://medialawyersassociation.org/news-2.
06 | theJournalist
news
Auction block beckons for inbrief...
Channel 4 after 40 years
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE
ECONOMIST RISE 9%
“
The Economist has reported a nine
per cent increase in subscribers in
CHANNEL 4’s near 40 years in public the year to the end of March. The
ownership appears to be nearing the end rise takes the total to 1.12 million
after the Government announced plans to sell However, revenues at the
the broadcaster. Economist Group fell three per cent
Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary It's hard to see any to £310.3 million partly because of
the decline in events revenues.
(pictured right), said there would be a
consultation on proposed privatisation, in a
justification for
move that would mark the end of an era in privatising Channel 4
British broadcasting. BUZZFEED LISTS ON
Paul Siegert, NUJ national broadcasting other than ideology US STOCK MARKET
organiser, said: Buzzfeed is listing on the US stock
“It’s hard to see any justification for distinctive programming and serve diverse market through a merger with 890
privatising Channel Four other than ideology. audiences across the UK. Unlike other Paul Siegart, NUJ 5th Avenue Partners, an acquisition
Channel 4 has achieved what it was asked to broadcasters it is required to reinvest its profits broadcasting officer company. Buzzfeed is valued at $1.5
do and has proved a hit with viewers. So, if it in new shows. billion. As part of the deal,
Buzzfeed which also owns the
UWE DEFFNER / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
isn’t broke, why is the government proposing Mr Dowden said that privatisation would
the fix of privatising it? Four years ago, the ensure Channel 4 kept “its place at the heart HuffPost, is to buy the speciality
Government said it would continue to be of British broadcasting” and allowed it to publisher Complex Networks.This
owned by the public and it should honour that adapt to audiences drifting away from year, Buzzfeed forecasts that the
promise.” traditional television channels in favour of combined group will have a
Channel 4, which broadcasts its own news, streaming services. turnover of $521 million.
is editorially independent but has been owned A swift consultation period could mean
by the state since it was established created in draft legislation on privatisation being
1982. It operates with a remit to commission published by the autumn. KEVIN PALMER AND
DERBY BRANCH
In the last edition of The Journalist
Kidnap attempt on Iranian journalist the reporting of the union’s delegate
meeting accidentally assigned Kevin
THE ATTEMPTED kidnapping Persian service. journalists based in this harassment and abuse they Palmer to the new newly created
of an Iranian-American The intended target of the country live in fear that have to live with. Their Leeds and West Yorkshire branch.
journalist in New York has kidnapping plot was Masih what happened in New York families are also constantly Kevin is in fact chair of Derby and
increased fears for the safety Alinejad, who reports and could happen to them,” said targeted and used as Burton branch. Kevin had spoken in
of the Iranian press in the campaigns on human rights the NUJ’s broadcasting weapons against them. And support of a motion tabled by Leeds
UK, particularly those issues in Iran. organiser, Paul Siegert. all just because they are and West Yorkshire. We apologise for
reporting for the BBC “Everyday, Iranian “That’s on top of the daily journalists doing their job." the mistake.
The Sun sees its
TUC call on Long Covid value drop to £0
News Group Newspapers, publisher
of The Sun titles, has reduced the balance
LONG Covid should be • More than nine in 10 (95
sheet value of the news paper to nil, down from
recognised as an per cent) have been left with
£112 million in 2019. The group reported a loss
occupational disease to give ongoing symptoms.
workers access to legal • A majority had of £201 million on sales of £324 million for the
protections and experienced side effects year ended June 2020. Damages and legal fees
compensation, the TUC has including brain fog (72 per for claims of phone hacking at the now closed
said. cent), shortness of breath (70 News of the World cost £52. 3 million last year
Its call came after more than per cent), difficulty which was nearly double the amount in 2019.
3,500 workers responded to its concentrating (62 per cent) News Group Newspapers is part of
survey on the impact of long and memory problems (54 per Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, which
Covid on daily working lives. cent). publishes The Times stable
The survey found that: • Over half (52 per cent) had of publications.
• Nearly three in 10 (29 per experienced some form of
cent) have had symptoms discrimination or disadvantage
lasting longer than a year. due to their condition.
theJournalist | 07
Online activism
Clicking into action
The pandemic has led to better use of technology and
update and support branches about
the delegate meeting and what’s been
this is bringing us together, says Chris Merriman going on with motions. In that respect,
it has enabled me to be more accessible
“
to members, which is important to me.
“In-person meetings fatigue me far
A
s we crawl, blinking, convenient to invite speakers from all more quickly than online ones, so I can
back into the light after over the UK and, in a couple of cases, participate and follow much better
two years of restrictions abroad. In both cases, it’s much easier online, as well as fitting more in,
that have, at times, for people to commit an hour of their because I don’t need to travel.
proved more difficult time when they don’t have to factor in Geographical “The opportunities to engage more,
to follow than the instructions for an
Ikea Wørrdrobe, the world has been
travel and accommodation.”
“Edinburgh freelance attracted barriers, such as the on councils and committees and with
members directly put me in a better
transformed. It’s time to take stock. several new regular attenders during expense and time it position to be elected as vice-president.
It’s not that there’s been a quantum the pandemic, in part because we’ve “As someone who advocates for more
leap in technology since 2019 – it’s us upped our frequency from monthly to takes to travel, were disabled people being in leadership
who have changed, forced to embrace
technology that passed us by before. In
weekly, something that would have
been too costly and inconvenient if we
eliminated, and we roles, it’s really important for me to
have this platform to do more for our
2014, I wrote an article about the 50th weren’t online. On many occasions, it appealed to a much disabled members and challenge the
anniversary of the first video call, and
questioned society’s reluctance (at that
also seems to have encouraged a better
gender balance.” wider group inequality that disabled people
experience.”
point) to embrace it. How things change. Training too has moved online to of learners Some of our number have always
The pandemic has proved to the rest great success. Rachel Howells, training been happy to travel from wherever
of the world what journalists have project manager for NUJ Wales they’re based down to ‘that’ London for
always known – you don’t need to be explains: “We found traditional meetings but many more people are
sitting in an office to do a brilliant job. geographical barriers, such as the able to take part in union activity
Whether it’s conducting on-air additional expense and time it takes to online.. That matters. We’re stronger
interviews over Zoom or an editorial travel from north Wales to south, were together, especially given the variety of
meeting on Slack, we’ve been forced to eliminated, and we appealed to a much issues facing our profession and the
rethink our processes and it hasn’t wider group of learners from across range of people affected.
turned out nearly as bad as it seemed Wales, including people of colour and By moving online, we’ve taken away
when we were first being told to stay those with disabilities. We are now the biggest obstacles to engaging
at home. building on these successes and members – time, distance and the
The NUJ has also been forced to beginning to offer our first human condition (the part that says
adapt. I’d be the first to put my hand courses delivered in the that the spirit is willing, but there’s
up and say that I’ve not always been medium of Welsh.” something good on TV later). Zoom and
the most active union member over Our recently elected its ilk have their own challenges but, in
the years and generally only pipe up if vice-president Natasha 2021, things are advanced enough for us
my boss tries to pull a fast one. Yet, Hirst, who has a hearing to consider a hybrid future.
since the first lockdown, we’ve been disability, agrees: In these interesting times, where
holding branch meetings over Zoom. “I’ve also been outlets are closing or slashing their
Voting has been possible through the able to roster, the role of the NUJ has never
magic of the interweb. This should be been more important, and we should
our legacy of the pandemic, because it all be glad that we live in an age where
has seen engagement with the NUJ technology has advanced enough that
growing steadily. we’ve not only survived but have
Mark Fisher, secretary of the actually become stronger as a result.
Edinburgh freelance branch, shares
his experiences, which are echoed
in branches up and down the
country: “Going online has
had two clear advantages. It
has encouraged
attendance from
NED JOLLIFFE
members who live
further afield and it
has made it
08 | theJournalist
viewpoint
When stealing your own
words can be a minefield
We should be able to copy not waste, says Rahila Gupta
B
efore we consider the She then expressed the hope that If I have already crafted a succinct
ethics of self- those changes would be enough to paragraph about the ‘facts’, why can I
plagiarism, we need to pacify the senior editor who had been not copy and paste it? Why reinvent
ask whether such a considering taking the article down. the wheel?
thing even exists, I was told that up to 200 words It is not something I would put in
given that plagiarism means theft (of self-plagiarism) would have quote marks because it is not an
and, in theory, you cannot steal been acceptable. Surely this is an opinion where I need the precise
from yourself. arbitrary number? In the article of wording of the speaker.
If I had any doubts, they were soon 800 words, that would be nearly a I could insert a hyperlink to another
put to rest when I was accused of quarter, which would surely be article I have written about it but that
self-plagiarism recently. My cheeks too much. is only useful when I am referring to
burn with shame even as I recall it. As Christine Buckley, editor of something in passing and I want to
I wrote a 4,000-plus word article The Journalist, notes, if she is paying give readers the opportunity to find
in 2019 for a digital magazine on good money for an article she expects out more.
whether ‘crip’ theory – riding on the a journalist to produce fresh material If my current article is focused on,
coattails of queer theory – empowered not simply regurgitate copy published say, the restorative principles of their
disability activism or not, using my elsewhere. I get that. But what are the justice system, I need to provide a
personal experience of bringing up a boundaries? description of the political structure so
disabled child. It is a particular problem for readers can follow my argument.
In it was a 400-word section on campaigning journalists like myself, if I Self-plagiarism seems, unfairly to
my battles to get my son into want to spread the word and reach new me, to apply more to the act of writing
mainstream school. I lifted it from an audiences for an issue that I am than speaking. I use my articles
article with a completely different passionate about. frequently as the raw material for
angle that I had written in 2012 for Ever since I visited Rojava in 2016 in my speeches in public debates
openDemocracy, which was about the Northeastern Syria where a women’s about the subject and nobody raises
difficulty of expressing grief publicly revolution is taking place behind the an eyebrow.
“
over the loss of ability, when disability battle lines with ISIS and now Turkey, I There are two further compulsions
politics requires you to value disability have been writing about it as that make self-plagiarism so attractive.
at all times. extensively as possible to counter what First, I hate waste of all kinds (I put
A few days after the article was appears to be a deliberate silence. that down to my Indian upbringing):
published, the editor contacted me to While the angle may by different old clothes are torn into kitchen rags;
say that this act of self-plagiarism had
been brought to their attention.
in each article or be pegged to
some newsy development, there If I have already elastic bands from store-bought spring
onions are used as stationery; and I
I went through a mental list of is a core part of it that needs to crafted a succinct reuse words that may otherwise vanish
enemies who had enough time and be repeated. into obscurity.
vindictiveness to trawl the internet and A different readership needs the paragraph about Don’t we all use secondhand words?
report me.
I felt so humiliated that I could
facts: the structure of democratic
confederalism; direct democracy from
the ‘facts’, why can Is self-plagiarism simply an argument
about syntax, about recycling the same
think of nothing else for the next the neighbourhood commune up to I not copy and paste order of words?
few days.
To add insult, the editor then rewrote
city level with a co-presidentship rule
that gives equal power, presence and it? Why reinvent Second, I can’t let go of my faves.
They have to be born again. My twitter
”
that section by changing a few words opportunity to women; the raft of the wheel? biog says, ‘I wring the fabric of my life
here and there as if I couldn’t be relied women-friendly laws; the commitment to produce words. They could so easily
upon to rewrite it myself. Did those to ecological sustainability; and equal have been tears.’
cosmetic changes make it OK to repeat representation for racial and Remember, you didn’t read it
the substantive content? religious minorities. here first.
theJournalist | 09
Exeter
Spotlight on...
Ruth Addicott talks to 15 journalists work across the print edition and website
DevonLive.com, around 10 of whom live in Exeter or just
journalists about what it’s like outside. All staff are now working remotely.
to live and work in Exeter
It was the cuts in local newspapers that prompted former
Express & Echo editor Marc Astley to look for other revenue
streams when he left the paper in 2011. “I spent the last three
years of my career making people redundant and that made
A
cream tea one minute, a grisly murder the me miserable,” he says.
next… it might sound like a scene from Recognising the situation wasn’t about to change, he set
Agatha Christie but, for journalists in the up independent crowdsourced website The Exeter Daily as
West Country, it’s not far from the truth. ‘an antidote to hard news’ and the ‘courts, crime and crashes’
As an ITV regional reporter, based in Exeter, covered by DevonLive. He now has 12 websites under the
Richard Lawrence has covered it all from the collapse of Flybe Daily banner, covering Devon and Eastbourne, as well as
to unexploded Second World War bombs to Dartmoor ponies. lifestyle, travel, property, parenting and pets sections.
Lawrence moved to Devon from the Midlands in 1991 and is Eighty per cent of the content comes from people who use
one of two ITV reporters in Exeter, based in the same building the sites – the rest they curate from sources such as press
as the Met Office. releases or write themselves.
“Devon was always a holiday destination for us so, in some “On an average day, there will be at least six stories written
respects I’ve always felt I’m on holiday down here, whether to be published and photographs sent too. I give it a check,
that’s doing something hideous or something of interest,” he hit the publish button and up it goes,” he says.
says. “We try and celebrate the region – all the colour and life “They may not be Pulitzer prize winning but they’re
in the West Country, from your Dartmoor ponies to murders perfectly well written and legible and, most importantly, it’s
and arguments over cream teas.” good local community grass roots content.”
While the West Country escaped the worst of the crisis, the The pandemic worked in his favour. With a lot of
pandemic still brought new ways of working. advertising moving online and people taking more of an
“The NHS weren’t very cooperative to our requests, even interest in their local community, revenue increased by
simple answers to simple questions, so we did very little 10-15 per cent, prompting him to launch six sites in the last
intensive care unit type stuff,” says Lawrence. year alone.
Some interviews were done over Zoom, but he also got out “It took a while to get the model right – we tweaked it as we
and about, looking for light-hearted stories as well to balance went along – and we’re now in a position where the Exeter
the doom and gloom. The difficulty was trying not to alienate site is a strong revenue generator, Devon is coming up close
the viewers by being in too many locations. “You don’t want behind and the lifestyle sites are generating cash as well,”
to be stood there talking about the beach when your viewers he says.
are stuck at home,” he observes. Astley absorbs the initial costs and the website editors work
Although Exeter is a rapidly expanding city, jobs in for free until their site starts to generate an income and they
SAM FROST
journalism are in steady decline. The local newspaper, the do a revenue split.
Express & Echo (published by Reach), moved from daily His biggest decision now is whether to grow organically,
to weekly in 2011 and is now based in Plymouth. Around albeit slowly, or look to invest. (He has already had
10 | theJournalistworking life
Local opportunities – that’s part of the BBC’s
commitment to encouraging
and content for corporate
clients. They work with
several other crowdsourced
websites, believes there is
and developing new talent.” the BBC and charities such “a massive opportunity”
BBC goes to college produce output for BBC as the MS Society and hire to take the model further.
The BBC is opening a Spotlight on BBC 1, Radio Independent films freelances on a project basis. “In terms of subject matter
newsroom inside Exeter Devon and the BBC News Preston Street Films and geography, there is
College this year. Mark website. Journalism and media is one of a number of No limit to absolutely no limit to what
Grinnell, editor of BBC Radio students at Exeter College small independent community news we can do, but each site takes
Devon, says: “BBC journalists will also pitch story ideas companies creating Marc Astley, founder of investment and a while to
working in the office will and have mentoring sessions videos, documentaries The Exeter Daily and generate money.”
approaches.) “I’m surprised not more people are doing what “People can enjoy that The move would enable services like XpressionFM, the
we’re doing,” he says. “It’s a no-brainer.” rare thing – a work/life Exeter University station, and Spark Radio at Exeter College
The appetite for local news is also driving Radio Exe, the balance. Meetings are a to go digital too.
only commercial radio station broadcasting from Exeter. cup of coffee on the So what is Exeter like as a place to live? Lifestyle magazines
Managing director Paul Nero describes the impact of the quayside, weekends are Exeter Living (owned by Bath-based publisher Media Clash)
pandemic on Radio Exe as ‘catastrophic’. spent walking along the and Exeter Life (published by Archant) offer a glimpse of not
The station launched a crowdfunding campaign and BBC River Exe, taking in a only the scenery but also the sense of community.
Radio Devon (based in Plymouth) stepped in to provide news pint along the way, and Although the pandemic has seen some big restaurant
bulletins. All the staff, bar one presenter, were furloughed beaches and green chains collapse, it has paved the way for independents.
and the station relied on volunteers and freelance help to countryside are nearby.” “The entrepreneurial spirit in Exeter runs deep and
maintain the service. Harriet Noble, innovative indies are popping up all the time,” says Harriet
“This is a team of eight people producing a 24/7 radio Exeter Living Noble, editor of Exeter Living. “Businesses like Sacred
station,” says Nero. “We don’t get any public money – Grounds, the hi-end vegan eaterie, Pura Vida, the cool cafe
our advertising funding is all we have and most of our “There is never any with eye-popping interiors, and Bookbag, the city’s newest
clients were in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors shortage of stories.” independent bookshop.”
so, as soon as the pandemic came on, just about all our Richard Lawrence, As well as the university, the city is home to Premiership
revenue disappeared.” ITV and European rugby champions the Exeter Chiefs, and
Having said that, Nero is hopeful for the future. The station football club, Exeter City, one of the few clubs to be owned
has just hired three local democracy reporters and there are “Diversity and by its supporters. The city is also a big shopping destination
signs the audience is growing. opportunities are with a John Lewis and an IKEA; it has a good range of bars and
“Local content is what drives this station,” he says. “We limited but, if you have a restaurants, including The Ivy, which has recently opened
can see the importance of news through the readers on our young family, it’s a nice opposite the cathedral.
website – we actually have more readers on our website than city to be in.” Guy Natanel, a documentary filmmaker and co-director of
listeners. That shows it’s driven by news.” Guy Natanel, Preston Street Films, moved to Exeter from London in 2016.
Exeter has been chosen as one of 25 locations in the Preston Street Films One attraction for him was the open space.
UK to get new ‘small-scale DAB’ radio stations, which could “You have the hills, rivers, moors, beaches and that’s
see the launch of 25 radio stations for the city by the end of “It feels like a city on amazing,” he says. “After I moved here from London, I
the year. the up.” understood green space a bit differently.
Radio Exe has applied to run the network as part of Paul Nero, “When you’re in the city, especially during the pandemic,
a consortium called ExeDAB with community stations Radio Exe the parks and green space are like islands within the city
Phonic FM and Riviera FM, and hopes to set up a station where people find refuge. I see Exeter as the opposite – an
called Devon20Twenty (‘everything you need to know in urban space within a green landscape and that’s really good
Devon in 20 minutes, every 20 minutes’). for work-life balance.”
theJournalist | 11All well on the hom
Remote working is welcomed by some but boss has converted a spare room into a lovely office at her
house, I am stuck working from home in a studio, so no divide
tough on many, finds Gill Oliver between work and personal, on a desk barely wider than my
computer and a chair that isn’t very supportive, both of which
I had to purchase myself specifically for WFH and not even
T
here are always winners and losers in any storage for work documents, meaning I have piles of work and
situation and working from home provides magazines on my floor.”
the perfect example. Some felt the need to move – decamping to parents’ homes
After more than a year of staff being or renting or buying a bigger house in another (cheaper) area.
encouraged not to go into the workplace, The erosion of boundaries between home and working lives
there is a growing gulf regarding the experiences and and an inability to switch off were also major source of stress.
prospects of publishing professionals whose homes have had This has led to ‘accidental overworking’. One in three
to become their office. respondents were working more hours than before and a
Working from home has upsides, such as saving time and significant number were doing unpaid extra work.
money from not commuting and the opportunity to live One wrote: “Far easier to work overtime without the prompt
further away. It works better for some, particularly those with of getting a train or seeing everyone else put on their coats.”
a dedicated working space. Another said: “Without having to commute, I start earlier
But younger and earlier-stage career employees have been and tend to get carried away at the end of the day so finish
hit hard, with many frustrated that those making the decisions later as well, without having a deadline to stop such as train
appear to have little or no understanding of their situation. to catch/office closing.”
These findings are from a national survey carried out by the Other issues included the feeling of being expected to be
Oxford branch of the NUJ working with the Oxford Publishing ‘always on’ and Microsoft Teams and Zoom ‘fatigue’.
Society (OpuS) and the Oxford branch of the Society of Young
Publishers (SYP). Almost 1,000 publishing professionals took
part in ‘Beyond lockdown – does working from home work for
you?’, representing academic books and journals and schools/
educational publishing, through to trade publishing,
children’s books and magazines and newsletters.
The majority (87 per cent) work full time but the survey also
included part-time, freelance and short-term contract workers.
From the outset, Oxford branch felt it crucial to allow
respondents to add comments throughout the questionnaire
and as follow-up. Nothing could have prepared us for the
outpouring of heartfelt insights about a lack of suitable
equipment, unreliable broadband, childcare problems,
impossibly cramped working conditions, isolation and longer
working hours.
But back to the positives. Just over half of respondents said
their working from home environment in terms of space,
lighting, heat, noise and less interruptions was ‘slightly better’
or ‘a lot better’ than their usual office. Workers with
disabilities, such as anxiety and ADHD, particularly valued
being away from the workplace.
However, the picture is far less rosy for younger and earlier
career staff. Home working requires space, so those sharing
flats or houses often struggled with difficult conditions.
Many just did not have the space for equipment that
complies with health and safety regulations, such as a
properly adjusted screen, separate keyboard and mouse,
supportive chair and suitable desk. More than half (57 per
cent) were managing with ‘slightly worse’ or ‘a lot worse’
STEPHEN COLLINS
equipment while working from home.
A significant number were suffering back pain, eye strain,
shoulder and arm tension, wrist pain and even sciatica.
There was a degree of exasperation. One wrote: “While myworking from home
ome front?
She adds: “Members tell us they are struggling with
musculoskeletal and mental health issues and feelings of
isolation. What was coped with because we knew we were in an
emergency situation is now becoming a long-term requirement
with companies closing offices. We’re seeing members leave
“
jobs because they don’t want to work in this way any more.”
So, where do we go from here? Oxford branch, with OPuS and
“We’re always at work – meetings are arranged for all hours SYP, aims to open up an inclusive, national conversation about
of the day to fit global timetables and now there is no ‘home how we all want to shape the home/office balance in the future.
time’ and no need for commuting. There is an unspoken Anna Wagstaff, Oxford branch secretary, explains: “While
expectation that we are available,” one reported. some of us have enjoyed working from home, others have
Anxiety over not being able to read colleagues’ and They are losing found it highly stressful. The survey’s value has been to shed
opportunities
managers’ body language during video calls was coupled with light on the reasons behind these different experiences.”
a fear of interrupting when direct messaging with a query. And spare a thought for those just starting out in their
Perhaps most concerning is the large number of
respondents who felt isolated. This often affected confidence,
most of us took publishing career, since opportunities for informal teaching
and learning and networking are lost when working remotely.
relationships with colleagues and mental health. for granted to Wagstaff says: “The survey reveals they are being particularly
Asked what were the key stresses, one respondent wrote: hard hit because they are losing opportunities most of us took
“Confidence – you feel like you’re on your own so attending/ listen to and for granted to listen to and learn from those around them, and
presenting at meetings can be more overwhelming somehow.” meet and interact with people beyond their immediate team.
Another commented: “Isolation – this has led to me learn from those “This poses a question about not only the development of
second-guessing a lot of my decision making and my
around them the next generation but also how the industry will deliver on
”
self-confidence has taken a hit. I feel less self-assured.” its commitments to become more diverse and inclusive.
Pamela Morton, NUJ national organiser for magazines and These and other issues are going to be a huge issue across the
books, says: “This survey brings into sharp focus how working publishing industry as we move towards a new normal.”
from home impacts people differently and the difficulties She adds: “As a publishing union, it is up to us to take a lead
individuals are facing. While it works for many, lots of members in arguing for companies to carry out meaningful and
are having to work in unsuitable accommodation and work transparent impact assessments before introducing major
environments, with inadequate space and equipment.” changes to how we work, and to monitor the impact to ensure
new arrangements don’t disadvantage those who are already
struggling the most.”
It is a view shared by Morton, who adds: “Companies should
be consulting and making sure they do impact assessments,
looking at the impact on those with protected characteristics,
regularly checking how staff are – and companies need to be
flexible and offer individuals choice and control.”
Too little help, too low pay
OVERALL, the ‘Beyond Another said: “Don’t have setup?” Another wrote:
lockdown’ survey shows space for a desk, so work “The last year has thrown
that many employers area is a combination of side into sharp relief how awful
provided support that was table, small chest of drawers salaries are in publishing and
too little or too late – one and knitting machine table.” how little sense it makes to
year into the pandemic, in Employees allowed to expect us to live in one of
some cases. collect office equipment the most expensive cities
Some respondents had to were often left to arrange in the world on such little
buy or borrow equipment, transport but, without a car, money.
and many could not take up this was not feasible. “I didn’t mind my rubbish
offers of workstations owing Many feel strongly that flat when I had an office to
to cramped living conditions. salaries needed to be work in but now I’m trapped
“It’s a small flat, it’s not increased – especially at in it, unable to afford to rent
designed to be lived and early career level. anything better but also
worked in at this level. There One asked: “How can the unable to take the plunge
are four of us squashed in, publishing industry pay and leave London because
all needing tech and entry level staff £23,000 and we might be back in the
broadband access,” one expect them to have a office at some undetermined
wrote. comfortable work from home point.”
theJournalist | 13Remembering
their lives
The pandemic has “Last March, I was prepared for the worst,
thinking I would be snowed under with
I felt was a convincing case to my editors to
expand the obituary pages, but to no avail,”
highlighted the work of candidates,” says Ann Wroe, obituaries editor at
The Economist. “I remember a week when Tom
he says.
“Maybe it was considered in poor taste, or
obituary writers, says Hanks caught Covid, and I imagined a long perhaps it was felt readers would tire of too
Simon Creasey
queue of famous names all jostling for my single much death. There certainly have been the
weekly slot. candidates to fill additional pages.
“But it hasn’t worked out that way. The great “There’s always a backlog of obits in winter,
majority of the people I’ve covered – perhaps 90 but the backlog never eased up in the summer
O
ne group of journalists who have – didn’t even die from Covid but from months and I’m sure some excellent stories have
been busier than others something else entirely, usually just the wear never been told.”
throughout the pandemic are and tear of old age.” When it comes to editorial decision-making
the obituarists. In 2020, the UK She adds that this might be because the around who is be included in the obituary pages,
experienced an estimated people she covers in the magazine White says he has been applying the same
additional 85,000 deaths, many as a direct result “predominantly fall into the middle- or upper- criteria as he always applies throughout the
of the Covid-19 pandemic. And 2021 is shaping middle classes – that is true of all obituary pages pandemic – “the useful difference a subject
up to be another year that will see a high in the national press – and people in that made, expressed in terms that readers will find
number of additional deaths. How have obituary demographic haven’t been so susceptible to the interesting. It’s always difficult, but the last year
writers and editors coped with these pressures virus. That may explain why nothing seemed hasn’t been any worse.”
and how has the way they work changed? to change”. It is an approach shared by Cooke, who says
The biggest and most obvious change Although Ben Cooke, an obituary writer at that, when writing an obituary, you have to
obituarists have experienced over the past The Times, says the past year has been choose a lens through which to view someone.
12 months is the sheer number of deaths that challenging in many ways, his workload as an “For instance, I’ve just been writing an
have been recorded on a daily basis, month obituarist has not been more demanding obituary of a physicist and theologian,” he says.
after month. For freelance obituary writers than usual. “In so doing, I had to decide whether to see his
such as Tim Bullamore, work has felt ‘relentless’ “I haven’t been much busier or had to work to story through the lens of his scientific or his
at times. tighter deadlines because we haven’t actually theological work. Was he a theologian who
“As soon as one obit is written, another is increased the page count of the obituaries happened also to be a scientist, or a scientist
waiting to be started,” says Bullamore. “That’s not section,” says Cooke. “So the increase in the who happened also to be a theologian?
unusual in the winter months, but it has been death rate this year hasn’t translated into a “For a few people, Tom Moore included, Covid
like this for a long time now. There has been little higher number of words to write.” has become that lens. Another example would
time to write advance pieces and even less time Although The Times did not increase the be Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who tried to
to spend hunting down fascinating stories of pagination of their obituary section, some rival warn people about Covid before falling victim to
people who are not famous, which in quieter publications did to ensure they were in a it himself.
months is one of the more interesting parts of position to cover additional deaths. “For many other people, Covid hasn’t had
this job.” “When the Journal section was reorganised at quite such a defining effect on their legacy, but it
Chris Maume, deputy editor at The Telegraph, the start of lockdown a year ago, our pages went has impinged upon it. For instance, I mentioned
reports a similar situation. He says the paper has up from 10 to 14,” recalls Robert White, Covid in my obituary of hygiene expert Val
had more obituary pieces to contend with obituaries editor at The Guardian. “Our previous Curtis even though she didn’t die of it, because it
because of the pandemic. space had been rather cramped, with single illustrated, in the last year of her life, the
“At the end of the year, we did a gallery of all pages on three days of the week, and we now importance of her work.”
the Covid-related deaths we’d covered – and publish an Other Lives spread every week, as Maume says that decisions on who to cover
there were 53,” says Maume. opposed to fortnightly previously.” and who not to cover in the obituary section of
While the number of additional deaths in the Bullamore believes that some editors missed a his newspaper did not change as a result of the
UK over the past year has been high because of trick and that more publications could have set pandemic. “If they’re worth doing a piece on, it
Covid-19, for some obituarists it has not turned aside additional pages to cover obituaries. doesn’t matter how they died,” he says.
out to be as torrid a period workwise as they had “In the early days of the pandemic, when arts However, he adds that towards the end of last
initially feared. and sports news all but evaporated, I made what year “we were asked by the back bench if it was
14 | theJournalistYou can also read
