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Fury as News UK photographers’ contract grabs all rights for ever


THE NUJ and the British Press Photographers’ Association have reacted with anger over a new contract for photographers who regularly contribute to News UK titles, which include The Times and The Sun. They say the new contract strips photographers of almost all their rights in their commissioned work, drastically reducing their income. One single fee will give


News UK exclusive rights to use commissioned work in perpetuity across Times titles, leaving photographers unable to ever resell their commissioned work themselves. Additionally, the publisher has demanded exclusive syndication rights to sub-license and resell the work in perpetuity. News UK also wants to have three days’ use of


non-commissioned images both online and in print publications for the price of one use. For both commissioned and non-commissioned work, the


contract strips contributors of their secondary rights, requires all moral rights to be waived and subjects them to an indemnity clause, which would make contributors, not News UK, liable for


claims and costs incurred against the publisher in relation to the images provided. Photographers were asked to sign the contract or no longer


be classed as ‘preferred’ photographers. Natasha Hirst, chair of the NUJ’s photographers’ council, said: “This disgraceful contract is wholly unacceptable and has no place in our industry. “It is completely exploitative,


strips photographers of most of their rights and will leave them much worse off. “Why a news organisation


feels it needs to give photographers – most of whom have struggled to work because of Covid-19 – this sort of kicking beggars belief.” The British Press


Photographers’ Association


said: “Publishers imposing new contracts without discussion, explanation or negotiation is a poor way to deal with loyal and committed freelances at any time – and to do this when incomes are down and in the middle of a worldwide pandemic would appear to be both opportunistic and ill-judged.”


Legal bid to get freelances in Covid-19 scheme halted The NUJ had sent a


THE UNION has dropped its legal challenge for all freelances to be included in the government’s self employment income support scheme (SEISS) following legal advice.


pre-action letter but it was obliged to lodge a claim before receiving a response from the Government. So it was agreed with the Treasury to lodge a brief


claim and then take a further legal view upon receipt of the response. The Government has


stressed its willingness to engage with the NUJ directly, which is the route now being


pursued along with renewed lobbying and campaigning. Some freelances, especially those who pay tax as PAYE on shifts, have been excluded from the SEISS. The chancellor had said that the


“ Ruling against Paul Blanchard


PAUL BLANCHARD, owner of Right Angles PR, has been found to be in breach of NUJ membership responsibilities by a panel investigating a rule 24 complaint against him by freelance Nick Huber who said he was owed money by Mr Blanchard. The panel reported to the NUJ’s ruling national executive council: “We uphold Nick Huber’s complaint, and find that Paul Blanchard is in breach of the NUJ Membership Responsibilities, clause (b)(i),


04 | theJournalist


which requires members to ‘treat other members of the union and union staff, with consideration and respect and not to take actions which would threaten their livelihood or working conditions’. “We note that Mr Blanchard resigned


his NUJ membership on receipt of the complaint. However, we recommend that if he should re-apply for membership at any time he should provide evidence that he has paid all monies owing to Mr Huber.”


It is completely exploitative. Why a news organisation feels it needs to give photographers this sort of kicking beggars belief


Natasha Hirst chair, NUJ photographers’ council


support scheme would be available to 95 per cent of self employed people but the NUJ’s freelance office had found a large number of freelances fell iwithin the five per cent.


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