Freedom of Information (Scotland)
The NUJ is continuing to lobby on meaningful reform of Scotland’s 20 year old FOI laws, many of whose provisions are out of date. Katy Clark MSP, RIGHT, has tabled a Members’ Bill to reform the law, extending FOI to private companies and other bodies delivering public services, and strengthening the proactive publication of information.
Her final proposal can be seen here: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/proposals-for-bills/proposed-freedom-of-information-scotland-bill
It requires backing from at least 18 MSPs from across the political parties to back it by the 6th January.
We urge you to support this by contacting your local MSP(s) and ask them to back it. We can provide a draft letter if this would help. You can find your local MSPs by typing your postcode at this link and clicking on the MSP’s name to obtain contact details.
Training Courses in 2024
Places are currently still available on the following courses:
- Climate Emergency Training for Journalists, 12 January, 10am-noon
- Filming and editing for iDevices, 15 & 16 January(2 day course running from 10am-2pm both days)
- Writing for the web, 16 January 2024 (10am-1pm) (one place still available)
- WordPress Introduction, 17 January 2024 (10am-4.30pm)
- Special Effects for Film & Photography, 19 January 2024 (10am-12noon)
These courses are at no cost to NUJ members as they are funded by Scottish Union Learning and the Scottish Government. To book, email nujscotland@nuj.org.uk
Christmas Office Hours for NUJ
The NUJ’s Scottish Office will close at lunchtime on Friday 22nd December, and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 3rd January 2024.
If you require urgent assistance during that time, text 07801 382782.
Banned
Bill Heaney, editor/owner of The Dumbarton Democrat continues to be banned by West Dunbartonshire Council from receiving full accreditation as a journalist. He was banned under an SNP administration for allegedly interrupting a council, which he vigorously denies, and for telling a press officer to “bugger off” when she an a number of senior officials attempted to throw him out of a council meeting. The ban has been carried on by the new Labour administration. He has asked frequently to have the ban quashed since it was never passed by the council and he has ben told that he has to be a member of IPSO before they will even consider it. Heaney is a Life Member of the NUJ and a member of the Society of Editors and has been a journalist for 60 years. He says: “I have been stitched up by the Council because they are angry about some of the articles I have written about them. This is a breach of Press Freedom by a Labour Council and I would call on NUJ members to support me in this.” Heaney has been Scotland’s Weekly Newspaper Journalist of the Year three times.