08 Informed Update


Scotland explores public interest journalism body


Te NUJ will be part of a steering group to set up the Scotish Public Interest Journalism Institute (SPIJI) to champion quality journalism, increase media literacy and examine fresh ways to fund news provision in Scotland. Tis was one of a set of


recommendations made by an independent working group drawn from the industry. However, the enthusiasm for SPIJI demonstrated by Angus Robertson, the cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture, was not matched by hard cash. He said the government would pay for the steering group which would “explore funding options”. Te working group had said the government should be lobbying the tech companies to support journalism in Scotland. Te minister agreed to investigate legislation to allow community groups to take over a local newspaper threatened with closure. However, he turned down a recommendation for charitable status to be available for certain publications


Public order training Members of the NUJ have been invited by Avon & Somerset police to take part in public order training this September. Tis follows a similar exercise with the Metropolitan Police in May, when an NUJ delegation visited the specialist training centre in Gravesend. Members witnessed police officers equipped with shields, helmets, fire- retardant uniforms and stab vests being pelted


and was unable to give guarantees on government spending on advertising and public notices. John Toner, NUJ national organiser Scotland, said: “Scotland desperately needs an organisation to champion public interest news following year-on- year cuts and loss of many titles.” He added that the government should provide start-up money to establish SPIJI. Te long-awaited report of the Irish


Future of Media Commission, published this month, was greeted with grave disappointment by the NUJ. Te cabinet rejected the commission’s recommendation to abolish the TV licence from 2024 and replace it


with abuse, missiles and petrol bombs, as instructors shouted orders and monitored reactions. NUJ members joined discussions on how best journalists and officers can work together at large scale events. David Ayrton, NUJ senior organiser, said the NUJ had put a lot of work into building its relationship with the Met in recent years, adding: “Te Gravesend training centre is an extraordinary facility and gives a real sense of the


with exchequer funding. While the government accepted 49 of the 50 recommendations, the failure to immediately act to reform the funding system was profoundly disappointing, said Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary. He feared many worthwhile initiatives in the comprehensive report would wither on the vine of political inertia. Te recommendations included tax


breaks for media start-ups, a review of the provision of Irish language services, an obligation by 2024 for public service media to gather and publish diversity data and a new media fund to support the press and broadcasting. Séamus Dooley was happier with the Press Council of Ireland’s choice of the new Press Ombudsman, Susan McKay, saying her energy, independence of thought and journalistic experience will be enormously valuable. Meanwhile, a public interest journalism


working group in Wales continues to meet to set out ways to stem the crisis in news provision and will report at the end of the year.


challenges that public-order officers face.”


Verso recognition Verso Books, which describes itself as the largest independent, radical publishing house in the English-speaking world, has agreed to recognise the NUJ, so it can negotiate on staff pay and terms and conditions on behalf of employees at the company. Te NUJ Verso chapel said: “In deciding to


unionise, our staff looks to combine radical publishing with organising and real solidarity with the wider trade union movement. We hope that fellow book workers continue pushing for more dignified terms and conditions in their own workplaces.” Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said it was a positive step and he looked forward to Verso working in genuine partnership with the union.


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