Informed 05


admit that such “programme junctions” affect all programmes, including Points of View. A farcical explanation of why this was the fault of schedule changes not linked to Jeremy Vine followed. One headline summed it up the approach – “BBC trash talks its own outputs”. The corporation was content to denigrate its own content and people if that was required to persuade the panel that Jeremy Vine was worth more than six times the fee paid to Samira. The apogee of this tactic came when, in summation, the BBC’s QC likened Samira’s role to playing piano for a children’s ballet class, whilst Vine’s was more akin to a concert pianist. They might be playing the same tune but their performances were incomparable. Sitting listening to this guff, it was easy


to blame the legal team for their low-rent approach. But of course they are merely its personification. These were the BBC’s decisions and the BBC is responsible for their consequences. And these are serious. Burning so much money on a case while losing the moral high ground is a bad look. It is doubly foolhardy when its decision to means test free licences to the over-75s is causing such damage. Failing to consider or care about the internal consequences of this case is crass. In short, the BBC’s top brass have lost the plot. An expected announcement of


further massive cuts – in “BBC speak” restructuring leading to £40million of savings – was due around now. The election means that it is postponed until 2020. Our public service broadcaster is in a fragile, vulnerable position at a critical time in its history. It needs champions and support if it is to sustain its purpose and values. It cannot afford to engage in acts of self-harm by defending the indefensible. Now the hearing is over, this should be a sobering moment of reflection. Whatever the outcome of the tribunal, the BBC should work with the NUJ to resolve all outstanding cases on equal pay and ensure that pay inequity is part of the BBC’s past and not its future.


Diary


Confessional journalism Father Brian D’Arcy is multiply distinguished. Life membership of the NUJ; first priest to join our union (his Sunday World weekly column has run since 1976); and officiant at the weddings of the children of Terry Wogan – who, despite his atheism, Fr Brian insists will have been welcomed at the pearly gates. Te 74-year-old’s greatest claim to fame, however, is surely that he was the inspiration for “Father Trendy”, Dermot Morgan’s forerunner of Father Ted. D’Arcy has also penned many books. His latest, A Different Journey is published by Sliabh Ban Productions. Here’s wishing the Passionate Priest many more travels to come.


White man’s burden NUJ activists’ dedication


is legendary. Few match that of erstwhile NEC member Barry White, however. Recent removal from Walthamstow, London, to Setle, North Yorkshire, necessitates an 85-mile round trip to atend Leeds branch – but his enthusiasm is undimmed. Surely, though, establishing his own branch in the Dales would save White countless railway miles? Unless, of course the prospect of introducing his every contribution at delegate meetings with the injunction “Setle” is simply too awful to contemplate?


Donating seaman To Bread & Roses at Te Chapel, where our movement’s gliterati gathered to toast TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady’s 60th. Te 80s disco paused momentarily for O’Grady’s daughter to recount her delighted realisation that her mother was not only the superhero of childish imagination,


but also a real life crusader for justice. Te prize for most imaginative general secretary, incidentally, goes to Mark Dickinson of seafarers’ union Nautilus. He arrived bearing a surprise birthday cake in the shape of a container ship. Perhaps plans for a General Council “bake off” should be tabled?


Old news NUJ life membership is not lightly bestowed. Indeed, Tony Mulvey (below) of the Clare Champion had reason to fear having been overlooked aſter six decades paying his subs. A polite enquiry


revealed that early records of his membership were missing. “No problem” replied Mulvey who worked at the Champion from 1959 until 2018. He brought his 1961 membership card with him to the ceremony. And to butress his pedigree, he also brought along his late father’s 1945 NUJ membership card. Like Tony, father George also worked at the Champion – as editor until his death in 1958.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12