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changed out of all recognition. But it is only now that the scale of the damage


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is beginning to emerge. Now the job retention furlough scheme is moving towards its end, employers are cutting jobs. Sadly, thousands of journalists will lose their jobs and much news will be less diverse and detailed as media organisations centralise their editorial processes to save money. Details of the cuts are on our news pages. The NUJ has been working hard promoting its news recovery plan to reinvigorate the media industry post pandemic. If Google and Facebook are subject to a special tax and other measures are taken the prospects for the media would be a lot more promising. Meanwhile, some journalists have been using the lockdown to boost their skills with online training. In our features, Jenny Sims looks at some of the courses on offer. And some journalists have had new skills thrust upon them as they have grappled with the huge amount of statistics involved in the coronavirus story. In our cover feature Neil Merrick looks at how news reporters have shaped up to the data challenge. We also have our regular pieces including our technology page and arts for online enjoyment. Here’s hoping for a strengthening of our industry soon.


Christine Buckley Editor @mschrisbuckley


Editor journalist@nuj.org.uk


Design Surgerycreations.com info@surgerycreations.com


Advertising Melanie Richards Tel: 07494975239 ads@journalistmagazine.co.uk Print Warners www.warners.co.uk


Distribution GB Mail www.gb-mail.co.uk


NUJ 72 Acton Street London WC1X 9NB info@nuj.org.uk www.nuj.org.uk Tel: 020 7843 3700


Main feature 10 Dazed by the data Statistics shape coronavirus coverage


t was clear from the start of the coronavirus crisis that journalism would take a bad hit. Advertising virtually collapsed and newspaper sales dropped dramatically as the economy contracted and our way of life


News 03 Coronavirus triggers huge job losses Counting the redundancies cost


04 Intimidation against journalists Threats and violence on the increase


05 BBC to cut more than 1100 jobs Axe falls in national and regional news


06 Ireland considers media’s future Union welcomes ’overdue” move


Features


08 Learn while in lockdown Making the most of online training


19 Story behind the picture The toppling of the Colston statue


Regulars


14 Looking back to...1930 16 Technology 22 And finally...


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ISSN: 0022-5541


The Journalist’s polyfilm wrapping is recyclable at carrier bag recycling points in supermarkets. 02 | theJournalist


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Cover picture Peter Grundy


Arts Page 17


Letters Page 21-22


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