news PA Media plans UK redundancies


BRITAIN’S biggest news agency PA Media is cutting 25 jobs or about eight per cent of its UK editorial staff. Some 74 roles in the


content team have been put at risk while management decides which 25 to cut. As The Journalist went to


press, the NUJ chapel at PA Media, which was officially recognised last year, was consulting its members about a formal response. It was discussing a range of options including industrial action. Last summer PA Media was


forced to recognise the NUJ chapel by the Central Arbitration Committee after a lengthy campaign and recruitment drive by the union. It was the first time the NUJ had been recognised for negotiating pay and conditions at PA since the 1980s.


The planned job cuts were announced by Jack Lefley, the editor-in-chief. He started in the top job at


reporting the day-to-day business of Government and the wider implications that has on our democracy. “In addition, the cuts to


production journalists will delay the flow of breaking news and put additional strain on our already overworked colleagues. “We have seen little


IMAGEBROKER.COM / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


the beginning of this year, after spending 18 years at the Standard in London where he became acting editor and publisher. In February he embarked


on a round of discussions with PA Media’s leading customers to determine their current and future needs. As the chapel began


consulting its members it gave a statement to PA management saying: “The PA Chapel of the National Union of Journalists is disappointed by the management decision to


ignore our substantial contributions to the consultation process and continue to pursue plans to make up to 25 editorial staff redundant. We fear these cuts will affect the quality and quantity of the service to PA customers and ultimately damage PA’s brand and reputation for fast, fair and accurate content. “We are particularly


concerned about the impact a reduction of dedicated political reporters in the Commons, House of Lords and Holyrood will have on


BBC aims to restore trust


TIM DAVIE, director-general of the BBC, has warned that the UK is facing a crisis of trust, which may have significant implications for cohesion, democratic stability, and economic growth. In a speech on the future of


the BBC he said the corporation can play a central role in a renewal of trust. He said the BBC can become:


“An institution that builds social capital and stimulates growth in the online, AI age.” He said this could happen


through a number of measures including expanding local democracy reporters, increasing the presence of the BBC on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, and expanding the use of BBC Verify around the world.


More journalists jailed in Russia


THE NUJ has joined the International Federation of Journalists in condemning the Russian government’s continued imprisonment of independent journalists. In April Antonina Kravtsova, Artem Kriger,


Konstantin Gabov, and Sergei Karelin were sentenced to five and a half years in a penal colony following a closed-door trial. The four journalists were accused of working for the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK)


established by former opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Siberian prison in February 2024. Kravtsova, Kriger, Gabov, and Karelin argued that they were prosecuted simply for doing their jobs. Their lawyers said they would appeal the verdict. Kravtsova filmed the final footage of Navalny


before his death while Kriger had interviewed opposition politicians and reported on opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.


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evidence to back up the management claims these cuts are needed to respond to what PA customers most value, and to make necessary cost savings. Indeed, the most recent annual accounts filed by PA Media Group hailed record revenues with growth across all areas of the business and recorded shareholder dividends of £7.5 million. “In light of this, the


voluntary redundancy package on offer is disappointing and poor. Improving this could reduce the number of those who may face compulsory redundancy.”


Paul Siegert, NUJ national


broadcasting organiser, said: “The NUJ welcomes the


prospect of opening up more of the BBC to local communities across the UK and the promise of building trust through the expansion of initiatives like BBC Verify. This must be matched, though,


with proper funding and investment. That means resourcing any expansion with journalists on the ground and considering reversing some of the devastating cuts seen in BBC Local Radio. Local teams are by far in the best position to know what’s right for the audience.”


SIPA US / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO “


We fear these cuts will affect the quality and quantity of the service to PA customers


PA Media NUJ chapel


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