news NUJ and ITV Wales celebrate Nick Powell


MORE than 100 of the great and the good of journalism and Welsh politics came together at the Senedd in February at an NUJ/ITV Wales celebration of the life and work of Nick Powell, David Nicholson writes. He died suddenly of a heart attack aged 66 in an Azerbaijan


hotel covering a conference for news website EU Reporter. Powell was a former political editor of ITV Wales, chair of the


NUJ’s Welsh executive council and South Wales branch secretary and a prominent member of the Journalists’ Charity in Wales. Former first minister Mark Drakeford, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and former ministers Julie Morgan, Lee Waters and Mick Antoniw were among those attending. A message from the current first minister for Wales was


also read out. Eluned Morgan could not attend but wanted to show her appreciation for Powell’s work as a journalist and trade unionist. “He was like a part of the furniture in Welsh political journalism and was taken from us far too young,” Morgan’s message said. Martin Shipton spoke on behalf of the NUJ and as a friend


of Powell’s: “Most people in Wales would not recognise him, but Nick had a huge knowledge of politics and had a tremendous influence on the coverage of devolution.” Shipton spoke about Powell’s work developing NUJ policy in


Wales to combat the crisis in the country’s media industry. In a nod to the many politicians in the room, Shipton said it would be a fitting tribute to Powell for public interest journalism


to be designated a public service and to establish a Wales Media Institute funded by the Welsh government. Many speakers referred to Powell’s terrible driving; his younger


brother Mike recalled him driving into a field through a hedge and promptly turning round and driving out through the gap he had made without anyone in the car saying a word about this. Waters, a former environment minister and journalist, said


that after Powell had been appointed as ITV Wales political editor, he went on to guide coverage of devolution and politics for more than two decades. Adrian Masters succeeded Nick as ITV Wales political editor and paid a moving tribute to his friend and colleague: “He was the best political journalist I have worked with.”


Coroner backtracks on secret inquest plans


A FREELANCE journalist and a group of media lawyers have succeeded in forcing a senior coroner to reverse a decision to hold an inquest in secret. Charlie Moloney, who specialises


in court reporting, launched a challenge after the senior coroner for Buckinghamshire, Crispin Butler, had refused to provide him with the


record of inquest (ROI) in the case of 38-year-old electrician Graham Whelan. The ROI was crucial for Moloney


because Butler had decided to hold Whelan’s inquest ‘in writing’, under powers to avoid unnecessary hearings in uncontentious cases. This meant there was no hearing in


open court, with the coroner concluding the inquest and sending his conclusions to the family. Moloney argued refusal to the ROI


amounted to a secret inquest, which he described as ‘unprecedented’. Moloney obtained assistance


from the Media Lawyers Association. He stated the coroner’s


Two-year pay deal agreed at the FT


AFTER months of pay talks between the NUJ and FT management, a 3.75 per cent increase for editorial staff was agreed for this year and an increase of 3.5 per cent for 2026, with agreement to review next year’s deal should annual inflation reach 3.5 per cent or beyond. For 2026, if annual inflation in 2025


reaches a level of 3.5 per cent or higher, management and unions will renegotiate the agreement. It has been agreed the inflation gauge for this assessment will be annual UK CPI for 2025


04 | theJournalist


as calculated by the UK Office for Budget Responsibility in its 2025 autumn forecast. The break clause provides a commitment to negotiate in good faith, taking into consideration all relevant factors. It does not mean an automatic commitment to raise the 2026 pay increase beyond 3.5 per cent. Steve Bird, NUJ FT chapel chair, said:


“At a time of record profits for the FT, members have sent a strong signal that they will continue to fight for a fair share and for pay rises that do not leave them lagging behind inflation.”


decision was unlawful and warned he would issue proceedings if the ROI was not disclosed. The coroner disclosed the ROI and a ruling, which revealed Whelan had died from unintentional hanging, which was ruled misadventure.


Family Courts, Page 17 EU REPORTER. “


Nick had a huge knowledge of politics and had a tremendous influence on the coverage of devolution


Martin Shipton


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