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CIoJ welcomes Judges’ ruling on Dale Farm disclosure orders

Posted on May 18, 2012 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases | Leave a comment

18 May 2012

The Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) today welcomed the High Court ruling that disclosure orders can never be granted as a formality.

Lord Justice Moses and Mr Justice Eady have quashed an order for media organisations to hand over footage shot during the Dale Farm eviction in October 2011. The written judgement cited that “police had failed to make a sufficiently strong case” and accepted the media’s joint position that it was a fishing expedition for evidence.

The application was granted by Judge Gratwicke at Chelmsford Crown Court in February whenEssex Police submitted the application claiming the footage was needed to pursue prosecutions.

Mr Justice Eady said disclosure orders “can never be granted as a formality” and that while the police should not be discouraged from seeking to obtain material in the future, “it is not easy to do so and it should not be easy.”

The fact that Judge Gratwicke was unable to justify the order he made “stemmed from the inadequacy of the evidence and the grounds advanced by the police”, the judgement recorded.

The CIoJ said: “We welcome the comments that have been made regarding disclosure orders. Handing over material without a fight would allow people to think that the media is part of the establishment or in league with public authorities.”

“This ruling sends a stark warning to anyone who thinks journalists are there to gather material for anything other than the reporting of fact. It is a clear message that journalists remain independent, impartial witnesses to events. The media organisations who challenged it and won will give heart to many others in the media, because communities like Dale Farm would never have trusted a journalist again.”

The Judgement is available at http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Judgments/bskyb-others-judgment-17052012.pdf

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The footage was shot during the operation to evict travellers from the site near Basildon on 19 and 20 October 2011 and included scenes of violence as bailiffs dismantled barricades.

2. The media involved – The BBC, Independent Television News, Channel 5, BSkyB, Hardcash Productions and freelance video journalist Jason Parkinson – joined forces to oppose the orders fearing it would blur the lines of independent journalism.

3. In the judgement Mr Justice Eady said it was difficult to dispute there was a real public interest in tracing people involved in public disorder or violence, but that has to be set against the level of interference with the media’s right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

4. “Because the cupboard was bare” when it came to demonstrating that the material would be of substantial value to the police investigation, the claimants were denied a fair opportunity to demonstrate to the (Chelmsford) court why much, if not the totality, of their material was unlikely to be of any assistance.”

5. Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

Chartered Institute of Journalists to honour WT Stead

Posted on February 13, 2012 by CIoJ in CIoJ News, CIoJ Press releases | Leave a comment

The Chartered Institute of Journalists is to honour Britain’s first investigative journalist – on the 100th anniversary of his death aboard the Titanic. President Norman Bartlett will lay a wreath at the memorial to W.T Stead on the Victoria Embankment in London on April 15.

William Thomas Stead was acknowledged as Britain’s leading campaigning and investigative journalist in the late 1800s, particularly for his work in exposing the white-slave trade and child sex abuse in London’s brothels by the nation’s upper classes. This resulted in the passing of the Criminal Amendment Act which raised the age of consent from 13 to 16.

As part of his campaign, Stead “bought” a chimney sweep’s 13-year-old daughter (Eliza Armstrong) for £5 which earned him a three-month prison sentence. He continued to edit the Pall Mall Gazette (which later merged into the Evening Standard) from his prison cell.

After his death on the Titanic, the Institute of Journalists launched an appeal to raise funds for a memorial. So much was raised that two memorials were erected, one on Victoria Embankment opposite Temple Tube station in London and the other in Central Park, New York.

For further details, contact Robin Morgan: 01226 203778 / 07594 672540 / robinmorgan@ardsleydemon.co.uk

Journalists condemn ads on BBC

Posted on January 9, 2012 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases | Leave a comment

CIoJ PRESS RELEASE

9 JANUARY 2012

Plans to allow advertising on the BBC World Service have been condemned as a damaging precedent – and likely to prove “the thin end of the wedge” for BBC broadcasting.

The attack comes from the oldest organisation representing media workers – The London-based Chartered Institute of Journalists, and follows an announcement that the BBC Trust has approved a year-long pilot scheme to permit adverts to appear on BBC World Service.

BBC

The Corporation says that the move follows a Government request that the World Service generate £3million by 2013/14 to compensate for budget cuts made necessary by the end of Foreign Office funding. The Service’s Berlin frequency and its Arabic, Spanish and Russian Websites will all carry advertising.

The Chairman of the Institute’s Broadcasting Division, Paul Leighton said: “The move utterly undermines the BBC’s world-wide image as a source of authoritative news and information, totally independent and free from commercial or governmental influences”.

With the BBC’s licence fee income frozen for some years, he warned that the move set a precedent which could lead to advertising appearing on other BBC Radio outlets. “For years there have been calls from some MP’s for domestic Radio to carry advertising. Once this step has been taken those calls will become louder and more difficult to resist. Which branch of the BBC will be next on the list, BBC Radio 1? Radio 2? The Corporation’s Local Radio stations?”

The Chartered Institute is writing to the BBC Trust urging them not to proceed with the pilot and lobby Government for the restoration of Foreign Office “grant-in-aid”.

ENDS

Note to Editors

• Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

Government attacks employment rights

Posted on December 12, 2011 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases | Leave a comment

CIoJ

DECEMBER 2011

CHANGES TO THE employment tribunal system announced by the Government are very bad news for employees, says trade union the Institute of Journalists (IOJ).

A decision to extend the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims from one to two years will come into force in April next year. And there are moves to introduce a fee which all claimants will have to pay if they want to make a claim to the tribunal.

Amanda Brodie, chairman of the Institute’s Professional Practices Board, said: “There is no justification whatsoever for reducing employment rights in this way.

“We made strong representations about this on behalf of our members, at the initial consultation stage, and yet our concerns seem to have been largely ignored.

“Any decent employer has no reason to fear offering employment law protection to their journalists from day one, after an initial probationary period. The only employers needing this protection are those who wish to treat their workforce unfairly. And the government has rubber-stamped their mandate.

“What we will find is firms employing journalists on short-term contracts with no intention of long-term employment.”

The second part of the proposal, about claimant fees being introduced, is scheduled to be implemented from April 2013, subject to a consultation period.

She added: “If this goes ahead, this extra burden on the wronged journalist when they are already under serious financial pressure having lost their job, will simply put off legitimate claims.”

“There is some good news in the planned requirement for all claims to go to the conciliation service ACAS before reaching employment tribunal. However, this needs careful implementation in order that it may be used as a genuine means to resolution rather than a delaying tactic, as it has been in the past by unscrupulous employers.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.
The IOJ (TU) is the trade union arm of the Chartered Institute of Journalists. The Institute represents staff and freelance journalists in every sector of the industry, including local and regional newspapers.

Communications Industry Carol Service

Posted on September 30, 2011 by CIoJ in Events | Leave a comment

Family, Friends and Colleagues welcome

St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4

Monday 12th December, 6.30pm (Please be in your seat by 6.20 at the latest)

Join other communications groups for a Christmas Carol Concert at St Bride’s Church and share in a programme of traditional and contemporary carols, readings and music, including the renowned St.Bride’s Choir, guest performers, Aisling Agnew (Flute) and Matthew McAllister (Guitar) and soloist James Irving.

Christmas Message by: Rachel Johnson, Editor, The Lady.

This is the one time in the year when the whole of the communications industry, irrespective of professional or religious affiliations, can come together and sing with one voice! Members are encouraged to bring along family and friends to the Service.

Please note that while this event is free please let head office know if you would like to come to the Carol Service, as allocated seats are always snapped-up early.

A complimentary mince pie and a pay bar will be available at The Press House Wine Bar, to the rear and underneath the Church at 1 St Bride’s Passage. Your membership organisation will have its own dedicated area, so look out for your association’s logo, and arrange to meet your friends and colleagues for some Christmas cheer!

Supported by: Association of Online Publishers; Audit Bureau of Circulations; Chartered Institute of Journalists; Chartered Institute of Public Relations; Gorkana; Incorporated Society of British Advertisers; Institute of Practitioners in Advertising; International Advertising Association UK Chapter; International Building Press; London Press Club; Periodical Publishers Association; Society of Editors; The Advertising Association; Women in Advertising & Communications London and the Worshipful Company of Marketors.

CIoJ Training – 1 November 2011 – Using Search Engines -The Correct and Easy Way

Posted on September 21, 2011 by CIoJ in CIoJ News, Training | Leave a comment

This training with Alun Hill will “take you by the hand” and show you, in simple, straightforward terms just how to interrogate the Internet and quickly find the information you want.

This updated course is specifically designed for journalists, young and old, Internet experienced or not and will be delivered in a relaxed environment at a simple pace.

Here’s what you will learn:

How to really interrogate the Internet – including simple and advanced use of Google.

When NOT to use Google. And what to use instead!

Using search engines and search tools effectively.

Precision searching using advanced (but simple to use) techniques.

Do you need to search for trends, for Patents, businesses? No problem!

How to access the “invisible web”. When your research fails, try this!

People search – do you need to find information on a particular person?

Searching on maps – looking at the streets and buildings from online photographs.

Find historical copies of websites – do you want to see what a site used to say? Perhaps they copied some of your work and you want evidence? Perhaps they’ve changed what they said!

Anonymous searching of the Internet – very useful these days!…and much more.

CIoJ Training – 1 November 2011 – Making Money From Your Writing

Posted on September 21, 2011 by CIoJ in Training | Leave a comment

Learn the latest ways to to make money from what you do best - writing!

In this fact packed 3 hour session, Alun Hill will take you through a myriad of paying writing opportunities.

Despite what the doom-mongers tell you, the spread of the Internet and e-commerce has created a demand bigger than ever before for professional writers – and there is good money to be made. They will tell you that all writing is for free these days, that no-one pays, that it’s all kids trying to “get on the ladder”. Yes, there are such publications, but they’re not for us!

We’re talking about Forbes, we’re talking about the amazing opportunities offered by the Kindle ebook reader, we’re talking about the demand from Amazon to have your own books printed and published by them worldwide(and you get 70% of the price you set), we’re talking about the banks and other big companies who are looking for professional writers.

Again, we’re not talking about “blogging for free”, no Huffington Post nonsense here!

…although, actually, Alun will explain why you should give up an hour or two a week and write for both Yahoo and the New York Times online for free – but he’ll show you to turn that into good money, too!

Riot assaults no surprise

Posted on September 12, 2011 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases, Safety | Leave a comment

News Release

8 SEPTEMBER 2011

NEWS that journalists have been injured and their lives put at risk while covering the recent riots has angered the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ).

The Institute has been warning of the dangers for some years and produced its guide to safety “Revolting Britain” in 2005.

General secretary Dominic Cooper said: “It is very frustrating, but sadly no great surprise, that despite urging employers more than five years ago to make safety of their journalists their top priority nothing appears to have been done.

“Employers who send their staff into dangerous situations without adequate training or protection may be considered to be in contravention of health and safety regulations.”

In 2006, after an attack by rioters on journalists in Birmingham, the CIoJ warned: “The Institute has, for some time, been concerned about safety, especially where journalists find themselves covering civil disturbances and public order events. In recent times a number of these events have turned violent in an instant and journalists have found themselves targeted by the baying mob.”

Mr Cooper added: “These words now sound chillingly prophetic – as we said years ago, now is the time for publishers to come together to take action to ensure the safety of journalists who have to face this kind of threat.”

Amanda Brodie, chairman of the CIoJ’s Professional Practices Board, added: “Employers need to take the safety of their journalists seriously. Other workers who are put in these situations as part of their work, such as the police and fire crews, receive specific training for the event. They are also supplied with protective clothing, which should be provided as standard to journalists who are sent into potentially life-threatening situations.

“These attacks are only going to increase as baying mobs attempt to stop images being taken. No more time should be lost. Employers need to take action now.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

• Earlier this week the CIoJ warned that journalists were being put at risk by police action in pressurising the media to hand over footage obtained by them in covering the riots. It urged journalists not to hand over material unless ordered to do so by the courts.

Riot footage demands put journalists at risk

Posted on September 5, 2011 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases, Safety | Leave a comment

NEWS RELEASE

2 SEPTEMBER 2011

DEMANDS by police for media organisations to hand over footage obtained during the recent riots could lead to journalists’ lives being put at risk, says the Chartered Institute of Journalists.

Earlier this week it was reported that numerous newspapers and broadcasters – including The Guardian, The Times, BBC, Sky News and ITN – had been pressured by the Metropolitan Police into handing over pictures and video footage of the disturbances.

The danger is that rioters will see the media as collaborating with the state, and so they will become targets themselves, the CIoJ says.

Amanda Brodie, chairman of the Institute’s Professional Practices Board, said: “We urge all journalists to refuse to hand over their material unless ordered to do so by the courts. This is the proper procedure to which the police should adhere.

“Police are fully aware that they have no right to demand the handing over of such material on the spot, and that they must obtain a court order to do so. But there is evidence that they are putting pressure on journalists to do this.”

She added: “We also urge the courts to think twice before making blanket orders for material to be released. The police should have to demonstrate that there is a genuine need for this information, which can often be obtained from CCTV footage or even from media broadcasts already in the public domain.

“Applications for a production order should be limited to what is necessary and proportionate,” she said. “Police should not be requesting access to large quantities of footage from many media organisations, as this is tantamount to a fishing expedition.”

The CIoJ warns that such demands not only put lives at risk but may lead to democratic reporting being stifled due to safety fears.

This is already a reality in Northern Ireland, where newsgroups say that in recent weeks one photo-journalist was injured by a bullet and a cameraman provided evidence in court that a bullet passed through his trousers. He believed the media were being deliberately targeted whilst covering civil disturbances.

ENDS

NUJ strike at BBC “misguided, misdirected and mistaken”

Posted on August 15, 2011 by CIoJ in CIoJ Press releases, Events, Public Service Broadcasting | Leave a comment

News Release

August 12, 2011

“Misguided, misdirected and mistaken” - a former BBC Radio 4 Announcer and News Editor has hit out at NUJ strikes which have crippled some parts of the Corporation’s output in recent weeks.

Paul Leighton, Broadcasting Division chairman of the Chartered Institute of Journalists said “The NUJ has completely lost the plot in its otherwise laudable campaign against compulsory redundancies at the BBC. It needs to stop fighting lost battles when it could be doing so much better looking after the real needs of journalists in trouble. Their current action simply antagonises listeners and viewers.

Leighton said “In common with the NUJ, we are utterly opposed to the corporation’s determination to axe so many jobs in radio – particularly at the World Service. We have told the chairman of the BBC Trust, the Culture Secretary and the chairman of the Commons Media Select Committee, that it is a massive mistake. But, we are also realists, and from bitter experience know that strikes have rarely altered the Corporation’s views once it is dead-set on a policy.”

Leighton said opponents of the BBC’s plans should be seeking to improve staff’s pension prospects and working conditions and ensuring that employees forced to go would get decent financial packages on leaving.

He added: “Those of us who worked for the corporation for a long time know it’s hard to knock it off-course however good your counter argument might be. That is not a counsel of despair, it is simply an appreciation of the realities. ‘Gesture trade-unionism’ simply does not work.”

The Institute said it would continue to fight redundancies throughout the BBC, and hoped that recent strike action would not undermine listeners’ and viewers’ loyalty to the corporation.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

Contact: Paul Leighton FCIJ