Survey Complete the


confidential survey htps://www.


surveymonkey.co.uk /r/NUJCovid19


Take part in the Covid-19 survey


T T


he Covid-19 green buton on NUJ website is the go- to place for advice, guidance and the


latest announcements from the UK and Irish governments and organisations such the TUC and Acas on employment maters, health and safety and how to contact NUJ officials. Tere is advice for freelances, including a helpline, and


☞


policy making, so in our meetings with


ministers at the Treasury we


the protocol between the police and journalists covering the crisis. To help the union help its members and also to guide us in our lobbying of government, we have launched a survey to find out how the effects of Covid-19 are affecting us and our jobs. Tis will give the union a greater insight into the range and breadth of the effects of the pandemic on the industry and individual lives of members. Tis will feed into our


Support public service broadcasting


he present emergency has shown just how important it is to


have trusted news sources and properly funded, independent public service broadcasters. People are turning to the


BBC for news during this crisis, with a third of the population watching the BBC News at Six and digital audiences increasing, with more than 40m unique UK browsers daily. Te BBC has risen to the occasion by


deferring payment of the licence fee for the over-75s, at a cost of over £80m, and postponed cuts of £40m in news which would have resulted in 450 job losses. As well as providing


around-the-clock news on the pandemic, the BBC is offering advice on everything from helping people protect themselves against the virus to healthy eating on a low income and keeping fit. But this comes at a cost. Te NUJ has called for the government to ditch its inquiry into


whether to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence – this wrongheaded act of ideological malice would cost anything between £200m and £500m. Te political mood-music


towards the BBC has improved, but there will be a financial reckoning and we need to be making the case for proper funding, especially in the run up to the 2022 mid-term review of the licence. Sadly, while viewing


figures have probably never


been higher for the news on the commercial public broadcasting services (PBS), advertising revenue is hiting rock-botom at ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.


What your branch can do:


• Lobby to get the decriminalisation inquiry ditched. • Invite a speaker from your local radio station. • Irish branches should


invite Seamus Dooley to brief on the crisis.


will have strong examples of where their schemes are leting people down. Michelle Stanistreet said: “We want to hear from all members how they’re being impacted by Covid-19 – the effect on their work, their livelihoods and pay, any challenges they’re facing in working from home and juggling family life. All contributions will be treated in confidence.”


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COVID-19 ADVICE


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