news in brief...


PHONES BEAT DESKS FOR NEWS WEBSITE UK adults are twice as likely to look at news websites on a smartphone than they are a desktop computer. According to an Ofcom survey, the most used devices to access news websites were: laptop/netbook: 36 per cent; smartphone: 32 per cent; desktop computer: 16 per cent; other device: 16 per cent.


POLITICIANS FAVOUR BROADCAST NEWS MPs prefer to get their news by broadcast, according to a poll by ON-Broadcast Communications. Some 44 per cent of MPs surveyed preferred a print product compared with 40 per cent who listed a TV source, Some 28 per cent chose radio and 29 per cent chose online. The BBC was the most popular single news provider and The Times was the most popular newspaper.


WHEELER AWARD FOR SKY’S CRAWFORD Sky News journalist Alex Crawford was awarded the Charles Wheeler Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcast Journalism by the University of Westminster and the British Journalism Review. Alex Crawford has been named Journalist of the Year four times by the Royal Television Society and was awarded an OBE for her services to broadcast journalism.


CORNISH EDITOR MOVES TO SOMERSET Zena O’Rourke, former editor of the Cornish Guardian, a Local World title, has become editor of the Somerset County Gazette, which is owned by Newsquest. She was at the Cornish Guardian for six years. Jacqui Walls, editor of the West Briton and The Cornishman, is acting editor of the Cornish Guardian.


CHANGES AT THE TOP IN CROYDON Croydon Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey has left and his role has been divided between existing staff. Deanne Blaylock and Andrew Worden have been appointed as senior editors in charge of various titles in the Local World group.


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Scottish journalists suffer online bullying


Our research shows that significant numbers of journalists experience online abuse in their daily work


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cottish NUJ members have received death threats and fear for their safety through cyberbullying.


In a survey conducted by the union and the University of Strathclyde, many spoke of damage to confidence and self-esteem and feelings of anger, stress and anxiety. In some cases journalists stopped using social media and were worried about what stories they could cover. One said they were left “almost feeling apologetic for being a journalist”. Another said “As a young journalist it significantly dented confidence and contributed to fears over career progression”. Some journalists had suffered online abuse


as a result of reporting on contentious stories, with some experiencing cyberbullying more than 50 times in the past year. Twitter was the source of bullying in 65 per cent of responses and through comments


after online articles or commentary. Twenty eight per cent were threatened with violence or serious harm to themselves and five per cent were subjected to threats of violence or serious harm to their families. Paul Holleran, Scottish organiser, said


there was an urgent need for a zero tolerance approach to cyberbullying. He said: “In recent weeks there has been a spate of attacks on journalists and the union has responded by targeting the bullies and demanding a stop to the abuse. This stage of our campaign is about stepping up the pressure on the bullies but also calling for employers to step up to the plate and stand up for journalists working for their titles or stations.” Dr Sallyanne Duncan of the University of


Strathclyde, said: “Our research shows that significant numbers of journalists experience online abuse in their daily work.”


HIGHFIELD IS PRESSED OVER HIS BONUS


he union urged Ashley Highfield, the chief executive of Johnston Press, chief executive forgo his £645,000 bonus. The regional publisher’s annual


report showed that Highfield received a total remuneration of £1.65m for last year. This compares with his total pay


of £592,000 in 2013 and £702,000 in 2012.


And Johnston Press said that Mr Highfield will also receive a pay rise of 7.5 per cent, taking his basic salary from £404,000 to £430,000. Mr Highfield’s pay for 2014 comprised: salary (£404,000),


benefits (£11,000), annual bonuses (£483,000), long-term incentives (£645,000) and pension (£106,000). Laura Davison, NUJ national


organiser for newspapers, said that the £26,000 pay increase is greater than the salaries of some Johnston Press weekly news editors.


A third chapel success at RTE A


nother NUJ chapel has been established in RTÉ, the Irish national


broadcaster. It is the third to be set up at RTE in less than a year. Ian McGuinness, NUJ Irish


assistant organiser, said: “This level of renewed


activity in RTÉ is excellent news for the union and its members and is unprecedented in recent years. The establishment of three new chapels and the sub branch has been met with enthusiasm by our members, who are bringing even more


of their problems to our attention. As ever, the NUJ’s officials will work with our committed representatives to attempt to solve these issues, create a better working environment for NUJ members and strengthen the union.”


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