Branch July 2023


Te latest report on the diversity of our newsrooms, commissioned by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, is useful if depressing reading. As a union we must address the issues and continue to promote opportunities via the George Viner Memorial Fund’s bursaries – applications for the next intake have just opened


range of experiences. Yet that’s not the world of journalism. Open the door to the average newsroom and TV studio and you’ll not find this rich and diverse mix. Women are under- represented and only six per cent of editors, managers and commissioners are people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Interestingly, the proportion of women in senior journalism roles is higher than in the more junior roles, but that doesn’t appear to make journalism any more atractive to women. Most journalists’ parents are wealthy with jobs as managers, directors and from the professional occupations; very few work in low-paid sectors. And guess what, generally speaking the more senior the manager, the posher the background, says the Diversity in Journalism 2023 report. Tracing the trends shows an


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entrenched culture that is not shiſting anywhere fast enough. News organisations must understand


how events and government policies are experienced by all citizens and different communities, and they must avoid the stereotypes and biases that can creep into reporting when only a narrow range of perspectives is represented. Newsrooms must rejoice and embrace as many voices and talent as possible; news coverage can become only richer if they do. It’s not just in the UK. Noel Curran,


t is essential the media reflects the real world. Te real world of the people we are surrounded with, and who come from a huge range of backgrounds and have lived a huge


European Broadcasting Union (EBU) director general, speaking at the News Xchange conference in Dublin, said: “I visit newsrooms all around the continent every month and there is a sameness to what I see – in terms of background, race and age profile. As there is at the EBU to be honest. We all need to look at ourselves and ask do we have the right mix of staff to ensure we nourish our experience but also appeal to a generation who are growing up with very litle knowledge of what we actually do.”


Donate Te George Viner Memorial Fund


is the NUJ’s charity which provides bursaries for black and minority ethnic journalism students and offers mentoring, career guidance and support during and beyond their course. Te bursaries help cover tuition fees, travel, accommodation and other costs. It allows people who cannot afford the fees to fulfil their dream. Invite a George Viner scholar to your branch meeting. Donate here


Te NUJ’s charity George Viner Memorial Foundation has provided bursaries for more than 200 black and ethnic minority journalism students. Many of the George Viner scholars have gone on to stellar careers in the media, and many are happy to say thank you by mentoring the next generation of students. Applications are now open, and branches can play a huge role in


spreading the word and encouraging young people to apply. We need to seek candidates from those communities who may not trust journalists and find those young people who have never even dreamed of a career in the media. Jordan Jarret-Bryan, a sports reporter


for Channel 4 News, said during the report’s launch: “Geting people in the door is only half the job. Tere is a balance between geting people into the industry and keeping them there.” While many organisations have schemes to recruit young people from non-traditional backgrounds, they don’t always do enough to encourage, promote and treasure them. So, it’s not surprising when they leave. Meaningful progression is key. Tat’s where the NUJ can have a role in persuading employers to make their newsrooms places where everyone can thrive. You can read details on the NCTJ report on page three. Also in this edition of NUJ Branch is an interview with Gwenno Robinson, winner of the column category of the NUJ/Orwell Society Young Journalist Award, Member of Honour John Lister on the NHS’s 75th birthday party, and why forensic science can be a rich source of stories.


Michelle Stanistreet


NUJ


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