Update 10 Informed


No change to media reporting of child homicide victims


Te NUJ’s Scotish office has been lobbying for the past year against proposals to restrict reporting of the identities of children who die as a result of homicide in Scotland. Te highly sensitive topic had been the


subject of a government consultation with evidence heard from people with lived experience about the impact of unwanted, intrusive and traumatising media coverage. Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ national organiser for Scotland, consulted the union’s Ethics council relaying varying viewpoints and encouraging views from the council. A vigorous campaign to introduce anonymity for child victims of homicide was led by Victim Support Scotland


and other organisations. Amid this, McGowan-Lowe met with the cabinet secretary for justice, together with representatives from the Media Lawyers Association and Newsbrands Scotland who represent many Scotish titles. Last month, the union welcomed the announcement by the Scotish government that it does not intend to introduce any legal changes to restrict reporting of identities of children who die as a result of homicide. “Faced with a difficult decision, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has reached the only reasonable conclusion, having weighed up the interests of open justice and the right to report responsibly about the most horrific of


Apple at the IPT


Te private nature of hearings held by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal received opposition once again last month, when calls for an open hearing between the UK government and Apple over a recent


Home Office order seeking access to data held by the technology company was not granted.


A public hearing on the


mater the NUJ believes is in the public interest, would have allowed scrutiny of


crimes. No journalist can imagine the pain and anguish felt by the families and friends coming to terms with a child’s death, nor do we pretend to. Trough this process we have listened carefully to the views put forward by Victim Support Scotland and other organisations representing bereaved families. Tey have made a strong and emotive case. However, any restrictions would have fundamentally been to the detriment of press freedom, would have hindered the police’s ability to hold public appeals and investigate murders, and would have obscured that a significant number of child homicides are carried out by a parent or relative.” said McGowan-Lowe.


issues regarding encryption and online safety impacting journalists to be heard by the union. It would also have allowed for technical specialists to explain how the order – a technical capability notice – issued by government could expose cyber security risks. Secure communications


lie at the heart of everyday journalistic activities and the NUJ’s code of conduct states a journalist “protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work.” Te union continues to monitor developments.


STV pay agreement Aſter a good turnout that showed the strength of feeling, NUJ members at Scotish broadcaster STV voted to accept an improved offer of 3% for 2025 aſter three rounds of pay talks. Just over three- quarters of members at STV voted to accept, with a 73% turnout.


Te negotiations were coordinated with fellow union Bectu members, who also voted to accept. NUJ members may recall last year’s industrial action dispute in spring 2024 at the broadcaster, which led to Scotish news programmes being taken off air and almost all digital website news stopped.


Welsh working group concern


Te NUJ has expressed its worry over the Wales Public Interest Journalism working group’s function. Huda Elmi, NUJ Magazines, Books and Wales national organiser said: “Te working group must not serve solely as a mouthpiece for the industry; we are deeply concerned


funding decisions are being made within the working group that directly benefit organisations on the group.” Te Union continues its engagement with the Welsh government to explore how money can be invested into public interest journalism via a strategic organisation instead: but urges a well- thought cohesive strategy.


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