By Bill Heaney, of The Democrat
The Society of Editors has welcomed the decision by a court to back journalist Chris Mullin in his fight against a police production order to disclose information that would reveal his sources.
The decision, announced yesterday by Judge Mark Lucraft, concluded that Mullin would not have to disclose his notes relating to his investigations into the 1974 IRA Birmingham pub bombings.
The Society of Editors had warned last month that the decision by West Midlands Police (WMP) to use the Terrorism Act against Mullin in an effort to force him to reveal his sources threatened one of the most fundamental principles of journalism. WMP had sought a production order for Mullin’s notes in the belief that it would identify an individual responsible for the bombings.
Responding to yesterday’s ruling, Dawn Alford, left, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, said: “The Society of Editors welcomes this landmark decision by the court to back Chris Mullin in his fight against West Midlands Police. The Society also welcomes the judge’s recognition of the fundamental principle at stake and the importance of journalistic source protection.
“Moving forward, if we want important investigations like that conducted by Chris Mullin into the Birmingham Six to continue, sources must remain confident in the ability of journalists to protect their identity. Yesterday’s ruling is a victory for both freedom of expression and the public interest.”
Announcing the decision, Lucraft said that he did not find an “overriding public interest to displace the journalistic source protection right”. On this basis he declined to grant the production order sought by West Midlands Police.
Responding to the ruling, Mullin said: “My actions in this case were primarily in the public interest. They led to the release of six innocent men after 17 years in prison, the winding up of the notorious West Midlands Serious Crime Squad and the quashing of some 30 wrongful convictions. This case also led to the establishment of a Royal Commission which, among other reforms, led to the creation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the quashing of another 500 or more wrongful convictions. My research is also the main reason why the identities of three of the four terrorists are known.”
Society announces inaugural Media Freedom Awards to champion campaigning journalism
The Society of Editors has today announced the launch of its inaugural Media Freedom Awards that will champion campaigning journalism across the UK.
The awards, which will culminate in a ceremony on Wednesday 9 November 2022 at The Underglobe in London, will recognise individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond to promote freedom of expression and media freedom with full details of the categories and entry process to be announced.
Announcing the awards, Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors said: “The Society’s inaugural Media Freedom Awards will recognise the individuals and organisations that are championing media freedom at a time when accurate, timely and verifiable news and information has never been more vital.
“The public must only look to the coverage of the crisis in Ukraine to see the necessity of an open, free, and independent media that is able to hold power to account without fear or favour.
“Full details of the awards – which will be free to enter – will be published, alongside a list of categories, in the coming weeks.”
The awards come in the wake of an announcement earlier this month of the return of the Society’s annual conference. Considered a major highlight of the media calendar, the conference will take place on Wednesday 11 May 2022 at Mary Ward House in London and will bring together speakers and figures from across the industry with in-person discussions planned on technological trends and innovation and avenues for engaging audiences and making content pay.
Booking is now open for the conference with a preferential members rate of £120+VAT if booked before 31st March 2022. Attendance for non-members is priced at an early-bird rate of £130+VAT. Contact office@societyofeditors.org to book.
The Society’s campaigning work on behalf of press freedom is made possible thanks to the support of Camelot, Meta and Google.
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CALLING ALL UK JOURNALISTS:
Share your experiences of online abuse, physical threats and harm in survey
Journalists in the UK are being urged to share their experiences of online abuse, physical threats and harm in an online survey with research to be used by the government to improve protections.
The survey – the largest of its kind in the UK – wants to hear from journalists who have and those who have not encountered threats. The research – commissioned by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – with the support of the Society of Editors and National Union of Journalists follows the publication of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists in 2021, delivered by the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, which brings together all relevant parties to ensure that journalists operating within the UK can do so free from physical threats, abuse and violence.
The research aims to capture information which will feed into ongoing work to improve journalists’ safety, including by shaping informed and targeted measures implemented by those including the police, employers and government. It is hoped the survey will be repeated at regular intervals so that journalists’ experiences – and the measures to improve them – can be tracked over time. This year’s survey will form the baseline against which to measure future change.
All information provided will be treated confidentially, and the results will be published in a way that will ensure that individuals and the organisations they work for will remain anonymous.
Journalists working in the UK can take part in the survey here and are encouraged to share the link with their UK-based colleagues.
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Regional news brands launch campaigns and highlight Ukraine appeals
Regional news organisations across the UK have been assisting with aid to Ukraine with ongoing appeals and campaigns.
Alongside national campaigns which the Society has highlighted, regional papers have also been campaigning and showing their support with several papers hitting targets and hailing the support of their readers.
The Portsmouth-based News announced earlier this week that thanks to the efforts of its readers, an office load of military kit supplied would be shipped out to Ukrainians fighting on the frontline against Russia.
Worth an estimated £60,000, donations including medical supplies, boots, sleeping bags, clothing and body armour were sent to the News offices following a campaign by the paper alongside Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, left. Editor Mark Waldron said: “We’re humbled by the efforts that people went to for the donations. The office was full of gear and we hope it proves helpful to the Ukrainians in their hour of need.”
Former defence secretary Ms Mordaunt had spoken to four Ukrainian MPs about the campaign.
She told The News: “They had heard about the kit campaign and were immensely grateful to everyone who had contributed. The time people took to dig out supplies and get it to us will result in lives being saved.”
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IPSO launches guidance on court reporting The press regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has issued new guidance on court reporting.
The guidance, introduced in a blog post by IPSO board member Martin Trepte, aims to assist ‘time poor’ journalists and build on existing guidance elsewhere to ensure that reporters comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice both in relation to what they produce and how they behave.
Trepte said: “Covering the courts is fundamental to the principle of open justice – that justice is not just done but seen to be done. This new guidance will provide added confidence to know what can – and can’t – be reported to ensure we fulfill our role as the eyes and ears of the public in court.
“To produce it has been an exhaustive process with input from working journalists, editors and media lawyers. It isn’t a top-down set of instructions imposed on the industry by its regulator but an important addition to IPSO’s growing body of guidance that aims to help reporters work to the highest standards – something that defines and distinguishes the journalism produced by IPSO members.
“Whether you cover Magistrate’s, Crown, Youth or Sheriff Court, this guidance is essential reading. If you’re new to court reporting it will be packed with essential advice and information. If you’re an old hand, you’ll find useful reminders and valuable insights based on the latest IPSO rulings.”