news


TUC women call for equal pay and opportunities


MOTIONS CALLING for action against the pay and pensions gap dominated the TUC’s Women’s conference. Delegates unanimously backed the NUJ’s


call for the development of opportunities for women in photography via mentoring schemes, scholarships and grants. The conference was held as the TUC


published analysis that showed the gender pay gap means that women work for nothing for two calendar months of the year.


The UK gap stands at


17.9 per cent, which means that women effectively work without pay for the first 65 days of the year until Women’s Pay Day on 6 March. In the information and communications industry, women must wait until 18 March. Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary,


told the conference: “The UK has one of the worst gender pay gaps in Europe – and at current rates of progress it will take another


60 years for this gap to close. ”Making employers publish information on their gaps is a start, but it’s nowhere near enough. Employers must be legally required to explain how they’ll tackle pay inequality at their workplaces and advertise jobs on a more flexible basis.”


The NUJ’s motion on the gender imbalance among photographers and videographers pointed out that only 15 per cent were women. Natasha Hirst, the first


woman chair of the NUJ’s Photographers’ Council, said ethical photojournalism was essential to hold power to account and to reflect society.


“It is crucial that we have a diversity of


voices in photojournalism. We need opportunities for a wide range of women, from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds with experience of disability, poverty and oppression in a variety of forms,” she said “Photography is a traditionally male- dominated industry, and this means the stories being told are framed largely by men.”


Black workers discuss a rise in racism


THE LARGE rise in racism hate crime and far-right attacks because of Brexit and wider global trends were themes picked up by a succession of speakers at this year’s TUC Black Workers’ Conference Brussels-based NUJ delegate Martin Todd said


racism in the European Union institutions was increasing. He said: “The situation has become worse since the accession of the eastern European counties, some which actively oppose the European Parliament’s anti-discrimination agenda.” An NUJ motion, passed


unanimously by conference, said the “frequent negative representation of minority groups within some quarters of the media industry” were linked to the discrimination faced by BME (black and ethnic minority) people and that more needed to be done to increase diversity


Power to Mike’s War Child triathlon


FORMER TUC communications officer and long-time NUJ member Mike Power is about to embark on his fifth and final triathlon for the charity War Child in memory of his father who was killed in action during the Normandy landings 75 years ago. Mike is proud to be the oldest contestant in the July triathlon. He said: “I never knew my Dad as I was born three months after he was killed, which is why as an aged ‘war child’ I’m so committed to raising money for the charity War Child.” If he reaches this year’s fundraising target, he will have raised £20,000 over his five swims,


bike rides and runs. You can see Power’s story on at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUpgeUvkQR4 and sponsor him at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-power9


among journalists. Simon Hinds, proposing the motion, said the media’s portrayal of Muslims after terrorist events had led to attacks on mosques and in Surrey a 19-year-old man was stabbed in what police described as a far-right attack.


“


Photography is a traditionally male-dominated industry, and this means the stories being told are framed largely by men


Natasha Hirst NUJ’s Photographers’ Council chair


inbrief...


DIMBLEBY TO TAKE NO MORE QUESTIONS Jonathan Dimbleby will step down as host of BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? at the end of June after 32 years. He said: “It has been a great privilege to have been in this role for so long and in the great broadcasting institution which is the BBC.” He is talking to the corporation about other projects.


UNSWORTH JOINS THE BBC’S BOARD BBC director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth has joined the corporation’s board, the first new appointment since it was set up in 2017. She replaces deputy director general Anne Bulford who has left the BBC. Unsworth’s news responsibilities remain unchanged.


TELEGRAPH STARTS WOMEN’S SPORT The Telegraph has started a dedicated women’s sport section and a monthly print supplement. Telegraph Women’s Sport is staffed by editor Anna Kessel, deputy editor Vicki Hodges and two reporters. Contributors include sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and tennis coach Judy Murray.


FROM INDEPENDENT TO THE GOVERNMENT The Independent’s political editor is the Department for International Trade’s new head of news. Joe Watts has led the title’s Westminster coverage since August 2016, shortly after Britain voted to leave the European Union. He joined the Independent from the Evening Standard, where he was a political correspondent.


INVERDALE LEAVES BBC RADIO 5 LIVE John Inverdale has left BBC Radio 5 Live after being a presenter at the station for 25 years since its launch in 1994. He did his last presenting stint for 5 Live in covering the Cheltenham Gold Cup horse race in March, but he will continue to work for BBC Sport.


theJournalist | 05


NATASHA HIRST


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