This is the second video interview produced for the branch’s Working Lives project, which grew out of a discussion at a branch meeting in 2012, at the height of the furore surrounding the Hacked Off campaign and the Leveson enquiry. At the time, photographers of all kinds were being maligned as a result of allegations about the behaviour of a very small number of so-called paparazzi, and it seemed clear that the public at large had little idea of the great variety of work that photojournalists do on a daily basis.
In this video branch member John Sturrock, a freelance, talks about his working life, starting with his early work on social and political issues for the renowned Report photo agency in the mid-1970s, and going on to describe how he has adapted to the many changes in the industry over subsequent years, culminating in his current photography on major regeneration and construction projects.
A higher resolution version of this video can be viewed on the LPB Vimeo site, and the first interview in the series, with Anne-Marie Sanderson, chief photographer at North London and Herts News, can be seen here.
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After many years of campaigning inside the NUJ, the first ever meeting of the new Photographers’ Council, representing photographers and videographers throughout the Union, was held on July 12th. Photo © Nigel Dickinson ( International ), far left, then L-R Barbara Lindberg ( Ireland ), Pete Jenkins (Midlands/East Anglia ), Dominic Bascombe ( seated, Servicing Officer ), Carole Edrich ( London ), Simon Chapman ( South West England ), Gerry McCann ( Scotland ), Andrew Wiard ( London ), John Jones ( Northern England ). Also elected but not present Steven Kettle ( South East England ).
London delegate Andrew Wiard will give a report of the meeting to LPB members at next Tuesday’s branch meeting: 6.00pm, 30 July at Headland House.
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How, for example, can conscience clauses in journalists’ contracts work?
This is the topic of a meeting on Thursday 28 February with speakers including NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet and Helen Goodman MP, the Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, who has specific responsibility for media reform.
This meeting is called by the NUJ PR and Communications Branch, London Freelance Branch and London Magazine Branch and is at 6:30pm, at NUJ headquarters, 308/312 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8DP – nearest Tube King’s Cross. (MAP)
Refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited: registration is essential, to register please drop an email to [email protected] with subject line “After Leveson”.
]]>It will take place on Thursday 28 February at Headland House from 10:00 and is all day.
The course will be tutored by Isabel Jamal, an IP Barrister from 8 New Square Chambers, who specialises in all areas of IP law and contractual disputes and media and entertainment, and Kate Fox, Solicitor at Thompsons, the Union’ s solicitors.
It will run through the preparatory work, setting out the claim, issuing proceedings, court procedure, and the trial hearing itself.
It’s for members who want to take claims to the PCC small claims track, and also activists who may be interested in supporting others.
There is a charge of £10 for members to cover refreshments and course material and numbers are limited, so it will be first come first served: book via [email protected].
]]>September Branch Meeting: Rates and New Media from London Photographers’ Branch on Vimeo.
We were very pleased to have Anna Stevens, the multimedia producer at Panos Pictures and video journalist Jason Parkinson to discuss the issues around getting the rate for the job and embracing new forms of media. The event was Chaired by Jess Hurd.
]]>Sexism & Bullying in the Media from London Photographers’ Branch on Vimeo.
NUJ calls for Leveson to back conscience clause for journalists
]]>Tomorrow Lord Justice Leveson will publish the findings of his inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics in the press and his examination of the relationship of the press with the public, police and politicians.
It was a year ago that the NUJ fought to be a core participant in the inquiry. We had to battle to ensure that the voice of working journalists was heard, and not just that of owners and the editors of the national press. To inform our submissions and evidence we set up a Leveson email address and asked all members to contribute their concerns, experiences and views. In particular we asked members who wished to contribute evidence to the inquiry to come forward anonymously if they felt unable to speak openly about their experiences.
We came into the inquiry with a strong view on the present Press Complaints Commission. At the NUJ’s 2011 delegate meeting in Southport – after a long and fruitless campaign for reform of the PCC – delegates voted for it to be scrapped and to campaign for its replacement. This came on the background of previous policy built up over many years of campaigning for change within the regulatory framework of the press and for a properly accountable media complaints commission. All union policy is made democratically from decisions taken at delegate meetings and by the union’s ruling lay body the NEC.
From the outset of the Leveson inquiry, we demanded a conscience clause to safeguard journalists who object to being made to act unethically in the pursuit of a story. The industry – both the PCC and the Society of Editors – has repeatedly refused to bring in a conscience clause, despite the Home Affairs Select Committee backing the NUJ’s campaign as long ago as 2003.
We highlighted the vital role a trade union plays in any workplace, and how in journalism the NUJ plays a role in maintaining standards and standing up for ethical journalism, as well as the bread and butter industrial issues of pay and conditions. We explained to Lord Leveson that an NUJ workplace chapel is not simply the vehicle for putting together pay claims and campaigning for better terms and conditions it is also the place where members can raise issues of concern on ethical matters, on staffing levels, and on bullying and editorial pressure within their workplace.
It is significant that the unfolding scandal at News International happened in a workplace where the NUJ has been effectively blocked by Rupert Murdoch, where journalists working across the titles have been denied the collective representation of an independent trade union for a generation.
We pointed to a model of regulation the NUJ is particularly familiar with – the Press Council of Ireland (PCI). The PCI is recognised under statute once it meets minimum standards which guarantee independence from ownership control. These minimum standards include civic society involvement and representation of the profession of journalism, which is provided by the NUJ. There is no direct or indirect State involvement in the regulatory system or in the work of the Press Ombudsman. No publisher is forced to join. If they do they enjoy legal privileges including a defence in libel actions. If they decide not to join they forfeit that benefit.
The new, slightly beefed up PCC proposed by Lords Hunt and Black represents more of the same. It does not propose a conscience clause; they have ruled out the involvement of working journalists in the make-up of a PCC mark 2; and worryingly it suggests that this should be the body to determine who gets a press card. A system that could withdraw an individual journalists’ press card – and livelihood – would transfer accountability from the publisher to the journalist. This is unacceptable and would be akin to the licensing of journalists, something the NUJ is wholly opposed to.
The NUJ has argued for an independent regulatory body – independent of government and of the industry – that will:
- protect free expression and a free press
- ensure high standards of journalism
- have the authority and ability to regulate all commercially-driven press
- include, as does the Irish Press Council, union representatives
- fully defend journalists who protect their sources
- enshrine a conscience clause for journalist
- take to task the bullying newsrooms exposed by our evidence to Leveson, recognising the vital role trade unions play in media newsrooms
- have the power to instigate investigations, including acting on complaints from journalists
- provide a right of reply
- be backed by the ability to impose sanctions, such as fines
- take third-party complaints, not allowed in the current system
- represent members of the public
One of the red letter days of the Leveson inquiry was when John Hendy QC, NUJ counsel, had the opportunity to quiz Rupert Murdoch – he even got the media baron to admit that a conscience clause could be a good thing. When Murdoch was asked about the testimony from a journalist working for his titles who had experienced bullying, he said: “Why didn’t she resign?” As Lord Leveson had to point out, “I think the problem with that might be that she needs a job.”
The Inquiry has revealed the unhealthy relationship between politicians, the police and sections of the press. It has been a powerful argument for the need for greater transparency between the political elite and the leaders and acolytes of powerful media conglomerates.
The NUJ’s position has been misrepresented and attacked in many quarters of the press – including in The Sun, which accused the union of trying to end free speech in the UK, and create a press akin to that in Zimbabwe or Iran. The NUJ has been accused of supporting state control of the press.
The union does not back statutory regulation of the press. We support an independent system of regulation – independent from the industry and, crucially, from government. The long years the NUJ has campaigned for a more accountable press and for high standards of journalism have gone hand in hand with countless campaigns defending press freedom, battles to protect journalistic sources, and fights to extend the public’s right to know. Our participation at the Leveson Inquiry has been a continuation of those campaigns and battles.
Yours sincerely,
Michelle Stanistreet
You can read all the NUJ submissions to the Inquiry here
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The NUJ has announced a series of dates for NUJ members trade union training in 2012 and 2013.
The following courses are now available, most of the training will take place in London at NUJ Headland House -
Getting Started as a Freelance
On Friday 16 November 2012
NUJ members £60
Non-members £110
Students £50
Public speaking training – FREE for NUJ members
Training available on 20/21 March 2013
Topics covered on the course include -
- Identifying key do’s and don’ts when making an effective speech
- Tips on how to structure a speech
- Insight into the terms used in formal trade union meetings and conferences.
Bullying and harassment and stress training - FREE for NUJ members
Training available on 23/24 April 2013
The course will cover -
- Defining what is meant by bullying, harassment and stress and the causes and effects on your members
- How to use health and safety standards to help challenge and deal with bullying, harassment and stress
- Identify key arguments to be used with employers with a view to reducing the incidences of bullying, stress and harassment
- Developing a trade union strategy when dealing with issues raised within your workplace
Pitch & Deal
Friday 18 January 2013
NUJ members £70
Non-members £130
Students £60
Health and safety training - FREE for NUJ members
Training available on 31 January/1 February 2013
The course will cover -
- Understanding the role and responsibilities of an NUJ safety representative
- Awareness of the law and what facilities and rights are afforded to NUJ safety reps
- Develop an understanding of the legal framework and how the law can be enforced
- Using workplace regulations to set standards and knowing how these can be built into a systematic approach to handling health and safety problems
- Identify ways in which health and safety can be integrated into NUJ chapel and branch organisation
Stage 1 officers training -
Training available on 22/23 November 2012, 23/24 January and 7/8 May 2013
Training is also available on 11/12 in Manchester
This course is designed to develop the key skills and knowledge associated with being an effective and confident NUJ representative and includes -
- Identifying the main roles and responsibilities associated with being an NUJ representative
- Understanding the structure of the NUJ and the NUJ’s role within the global trade union movement
- Collective agreements and grievance and disciplinary procedures
- Developing a trade union approach to dealing with members problems
Stage 2 officers training -
Training available on 21/22 February and 18/19 June 2013
This course is designed to cover -
- Identification of strengths and weaknesses in both the form and application of workplace procedures
- Assessment of workplace procedures in relation to the ACAS Code of Practice
- Analysis of written transcripts and identify and evaluate key evidence
- Development of an awareness of legislation in relation to disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Preparation and presentation of an appeal
- Examine the role of grievance procedures in relation to disciplinary proceedings
Stage 3 officers training -
Training available on 5/6 December 2012 and 28/29 May 2013
The course will cover essential negotiation techniques including -
- Defining what is meant by negotiation and what can affect a union’s bargaining power
- Preparing and applying a strategic approach to collective bargaining
- Developing arguments to support a union’s position
- Understanding the roles and responsibilities associated with working in a union’s negotiating team
- Awareness of key negotiating skills and how and when to apply them during joint negotiations
Advanced Negotiations training -
Training available on 3/4 July 2013
The course will cover -
- Understanding your power and influence
- Knowing how to access the Disclosure of Information, and Information and Consultation legislation as part of your negotiating preparation
- How to use company accounts to help cost pay claims, and be able to develop strategies for negotiation based on company information
- Using appropriate tactics as part of your union’s negotiating strategy
To book a place on any of the training courses please email - [email protected]
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Topshop security guard. UK Uncut – Big Society Revenue and Customs, campaign for companies to pay tax. Oxford St, London © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk
This is a report from Roy Mincoff, NUJ Legal Officer who attended a meeting with Topshop’s Operations manager following an apology for an assault and ban of London Photographer’ Branch Chair Jess Hurd.
“Jess Hurd was manhandled, assaulted and detained when covering a protest at Topshop in Oxford Street. Jess rightly wanted an apology for the distress she suffered and withdrawal of a ban from her entering the store. She did not want legal action or damages for what had happened, preferring to use her time on her work and union commitments.
After initially ignoring representations from the union, further legal and public representations were made after which Jess and I met senior representatives of Arcadia group, the store owners. They apologised verbally and sent a written apology for publication. The ban on Jess was removed. Also, they welcomed input from the NUJ into ensuring their security personnel were aware of the rights of the media, to try to ensure that similar situations are not repeated.
Subsequently I met with the shop Operations manager and one of his team, explaining media rights, such as not to be assaulted or detained, not to have equipment or photographs seized and to be treated with respect whilst covering events, not forcibly ejected if asked and agreeing to leave.
Additionally, they would be pleased to contact the union should other protests or events be known to be occurring so that union members could attend and report these. A suitable number would need to be supplied.
These events apparently rarely happen inside Topshop though occasionally outside.
The shop is under no obligation to permit photographs inside but is willing to have NUJ photographers attend and would consider having an advance briefing if possible. Clearly the shop would want to know that those attending are genuine members of the media, working professionally, and are not protestors or ordinary members of the public. Production and preferably display of a UK Press Card or other internationally recognised one would assist in avoiding difficulties, and is recommended. This also assists in police recognising genuine members of the media.
Topshop security staff will be informed of the rights of the media and will have a senior operative to refer to should difficulties arise. The Topshop contractors in their various stores will similarly be informed and trained. The union is prepared to assist in that if needed, so that our members are better able to work without these problems.
Arcadia is aware that should there be breaches of the rights of the media in future, particularly having had these explained at a senior level, the company is at serious risk of legal action, which unsurprisingly it wishes to avoid.
The union will monitor this closely, and be prepared to take appropriate action should there be further incidents.”
]]>We, the LPB committee, know very well that similar attacks on our living standards in the UK and our trade union, the NUJ, organises and fights against forced redundancies and managements’ relentless attempts to continue lowering our rates of pay.
Please let us know how we can further express our solidarity.
Unity is our strength.
London Photographers’ Branch Committee
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