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Keep journalists safe, employers urged after attacks during riots


THE INTERNATIONAL Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and the NUJ have urged employers to ensure the safety of staff and freelances in the wake of the summer riots across the UK. Journalists were attacked,


intimidated and their equipment destroyed during the unrest, triggered by an anti-immigrant disinformation campaign following multiple stabbings in Southport on July 29. At the time of the riots, the


NUJ organised an emergency legal number for members covering the protests and recommended its Journalists’ Safety Toolkit, which contains advice for reporters, photographers and


LUKE HALL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


damaged his car and tried to enter it. In Bolton, an agency


photographer, quoted anonymously by The Guardian, said that while he was looking through his camera lens at a riot in the town on August 4, he was punched by an Asian man in a balaclava who was part of a counter-protest against the far right.


Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ


videographers reporting on the disturbances. On August 3, Belfast-based


freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson was attacked while covering a far-right riot in the city. When Ferguson approached a protester who


was filming her, the man called her a ‘traitor’ and hit her phone out of her hand, damaging it. Three days later, Belfast


Telegraph photographer Kevin Scott was attacked by a crowd of masked men, who


Don’t seize images, police told


THE UNION has warned police chiefs that attempts to force photographers and videographers to hand over images is an attack on media freedom. In a letter to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the


union also emphasised that such tactics put the media workers’ safety at risk. The letter followed reports that South Yorkshire Police had demanded a photographer hand over images taken during rioting


in Rotherham, threatening a court order if the request was ignored. However, Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, asserted that journalists would not be exploited as ‘investigative shortcuts’.


Ignore status in scandals, BBC told Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general


IN THE wake of the Huw Edwards scandal, the NUJ has demanded that the BBC treats everyone the same, regardless of their role or perceived status in the organisation. ‘Power imbalances’ should not be allowed


to influence decision-making and contractual and collective agreements should be respected, the union declared. The NUJ said it was aware of the importance of due process in internal procedures and of an employer’s duty of care. Nonetheless, the corporation should be ‘fully transparent’ in its account of the handling of the investigation into Edwards, its knowledge of his arrest and the circumstances of the ‘shocking crimes’ to which he had pleaded guilty.


secretary, said: “The appalling revelations about Huw Edwards have been met with shock and revulsion across the BBC, with morale amongst newsroom colleagues particularly low.”


general secretary, described the riots as “some of the worst and most widespread public order disturbances in modern times”. Police and employers should do “all in their power” to ensure that journalists can work safely, she said.


Any member who faced such demands should approach the NUJ immediately for assistance, she said. Stanistreet added that


news outlets must also be mindful of their obligation towards journalists when taking decisions about how their material is used.


Tim Dawson, IFJ deputy


general secretary said: “Those who attack journalists are attacking democracy, and undermining everyone’s right to know.”


On a visit to The Yorkshire


Post, media minister Stephanie Peacock, Labour MP for Barnsley South, praised the ‘really important’ work of the local media in covering the riots. As a consequence of the


riots, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said there would be a review of the primary and secondary school curriculum. This would seek to enable children to tell authentic from fake news and arm them against ‘putrid conspiracy theories’.


Bristol Cable’s prize for challenging status quo


Independent news title The Bristol Cable has raised more than its £100,000 membership


target and has unlocked a £40,000 grant as a consequence. The additional cash came from Chicago-based charity Reva & David Logan


Foundation that supports investigative journalism. The Cable launched its membership campaign in September 2023 to encourage more Bristolians to back their in-depth reporting. The charity’s website says its mission is to “initiate and support powerful innovative ideas and approaches that challenge the status quo”.


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