The Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan MP, pictured at top of page, has this week vowed to be a “champion of journalism” and reiterated the government’s commitment to making sure the “industry thrives in the digital age”.
Writing as part of an op-ed to mark Journalism Matters Week, Donelan said that she recognised that big tech had “contributed to the closure of too many newsrooms” by swallowing up much of the advertising market and that the government remained committed to tackling the dominance of social media platforms through forthcoming legislation.
She said: “While the internet has transformed all of our lives for the better, I know that it has also completely uprooted the business models of local publishers. True, online readership of local media is growing – up 18 percent on last year. But it is clear that big tech has swallowed up much of the ad market and contributed to the closure of too many newsrooms.”
Read more here.
Less than a week until the Media Freedom Awards 2022Only a handful of tickets remain for next week’s high-profile Media Freedom Awards ceremony which will see more than 200 journalists come together for a champagne reception, dinner and awards presentation in London on the evening of Wednesday 9 November 2022.
Taking place at the Globe Theatre, the awards are held in association with WeShop, with the ceremony hosted by ITV News’ Lucrezia Millarini. Launched earlier this year, the awards set the benchmark for a celebration of UK public interest journalism and will shine a light on the crucial role that the UK news media plays in promoting media freedom, championing the public’s right to know and holding power to account.
To secure your place email office@societyofeditors.org.
SoE and NUJ launch Journalists Safety ToolkitThe Society of Editors and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have this week launched a mobile-friendly safety toolkit to help journalists find advice and information surrounding their safety while on the move.
The free-to-access toolkit is part of the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ action plan which aims to find ways to protect journalists from threats of violence and online abuse in the course of their work.
The toolkit provides clear, simple information and advice on topics such as physical safety, information security, mental health care, health and safety at work and gives advice on how to take action against abuse on social media platforms. The toolkit also signposts journalists to other important resources and provides information around the protection of sources and ways to secure communications.
Find out more here.
Journalism celebrated at London Press Club AwardsThe Daily Mirror and The Sunday Times were named newspapers of the year at the London Press Club Awards 2022 last week.
In a packed lunch ceremony at Stationers Hall other awards included Paul Brand UK Editor of ITV News as Broadcaster of the Year and the Sun’s Defence Editor Jerome Starkey as Multi-Media Journalist of the Year.
Pippa Crerar then of the Daily Mirror was awarded Journalist of the Year, and Scoop of the Year won jointly by the Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times for “cash for honours” exclusives.
The event began with a tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was the recipient of the coveted ‘Londoner of the Year’ award, following a lifetime of duty and service. The award was presented by London Press Club Chair Doug Wills and LBC presenter Nick Ferrari.
Read more here.
Nation values role of journalists during cost of living crisis, new study findsTrusted journalism is playing a vital role for society through its coverage of the cost-of-living crisis, a new study has this week revealed.
The survey of 2,000 people, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Newsworks for Journalism Matters week, found that most Brits (62%) believe journalists are playing a “valuable role” in covering the cost-of-living crisis while 36% of people believe journalism is more important now than before the crisis started.
Jo Allan, Newsworks CEO, said: “This research demonstrates the significant role journalism plays in people’s lives, which is especially vital in these incredibly difficult times.
“Trusted journalism helps provide people with a clear understanding of what is going on in the world, and how it affects them day-to-day. Quality journalism also offers vital information and advice while challenging the powerful by scrutinising every decision made. And given the current global economic backdrop and political chaos here in the UK the role of journalists couldn’t be more vital right now.”
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Save the Date: SoE conference, 15 March 2023The Society of Editors high-profile annual conference will take place next year on 15 March 2023. A must-attend event for industry leaders, the conference will bring together an exceptional line-up of speakers and industry experts to debate the issues of the day.
To be kept updated on confirmed speakers, to enquire about speaker or sponsor opportunities or to be notified when booking opens, please email office@societyofeditors.org to register your interest.
