The NUJ in the newsLast year, the BBC’s Newsbeat programme interviewed two “ordinary” members of the BNP and gave them anonymity. It transpired that rather than being just any old members, the two were leading lights. The BBC has now admitted that it broke its own code in not reporting who the two were and that their views should have been challenged more. Press Gazette has the story
Staff at the Telegraph returned after Christmas with an extra present – a pay rise and bonus won by the NUJ. Staff received a £500 bonus and a 1.5 per cent pay rise. Full story here
Meanwhile at the BBC, the NUJ branch has secured pay rises for six members of staff who had been historically underpaid for the jobs. The victory may lead to more cases of staff who are acting up or underpaid for their job winning pay rises. More here
The BBC’s outrageous decision to announce its intention to invite the BNP onto Question Time has understandably caused outrage on the left.
Unite Against Fascism was quick to condemn the move and has launched a campaign, which it is hoping will gain traction among the unions, calling on BBC management to reverse their decision.
What exactly is Stephen Glover admitting to in his attack on the BBC in the Independent today?
The Indie’s media columnist complains the BBC suffocates newspaper publishers’ ability to charge for online content.
Strathclyde Police’s investigation of BBC Scotland for incitement to racial hatred over a phone-in show should give editors a wake-up call about how they handle coverage of the BNP.
The case, reported by the Socialist Unity blog, clearly has more editorial than criminal implications as it is unlikely that anyone will be prosecuted.
Nick Higham’s report on tonight’s News at Ten into the decimation of regional media by profit-hungry news organisations was long-overdue – if a little light on analysis when it finally arrived.
Odd though that he didn’t seem to have spoken to the NUJ. Or if he had, its view or those of its members affected by the cuts was not reported, or even reflected.
By Pete Murray, NUJ vice president
The jobs carnage across the media in the UK has now triggered a vote for strike action among one of the largest single groups of journalists in the UK.
NUJ members at the BBC have voted by 77% to take industrial action against compulsory redundancies – beginning with two strike days on the 3 and 9 April.