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NUJ responds to Murdoch's evidence at the Leveson Inquiry
NUJ web site
DATELINE: 28/4/12
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) represented at the Leveson Inquiry by John Hendy QC quizzed Rupert Murdoch on press ethics, practices and culture on Thursday. Although he backed the NUJ conscience clause - he predictably did not back a return of the NUJ to his titles, unless the move was supported by a majority of journalists
The areas of questioning included:
- The treatment of journalists/photographers and the culture of bullying as factors influencing unethical news gathering practices
- NUJ recognition at New International
- News International's role in the creation of trade union laws in the UK
- The NUJ's conscience clause proposal
- The role of the management standards committee
Rupert Murdoch claimed –
The management and standards committee "did not disclose any sources of any journalists at all"
When asked if News International had discussions with Tony Blair or his officials about trade union recognition provisions in labour law, Murdoch answered "no"
Murdoch said there has been no investigation within News International of allegations of bullying "They always strike me as a very happy crowd"
"Our journalists are perfectly free to make complaints and perfectly free to join the NUJ"
When questioned by Lord Leveson about the NUJ's conscience clause proposal Murdoch said "I think that's a good idea."
"If they could find a majority of our journalists who want to join the NUJ, we would have no choice…. I'd accept their democratic decision."
In response Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary said:
"The NUJ was pleased to have the opportunity to quiz Rupert Murdoch at the Leveson Inquiry.
"We're pleased that Rupert Murdoch gave his support for a conscience clause in journalism contracts – a long-standing campaign by the NUJ. We hope that other media owners and editors now commit to back our plan, which will give journalists legal protection if they refuse assignments that they believe would breach the NUJ's Code of Conduct.
"It was also heartening to hear Murdoch envisage a future where the NUJ will be back representing journalists in News International. Now that the owner of the UK's largest media group has conceded that he has no problem with his staff choosing to be represented by an independent trade union of their choice instead of a management-imposed staff association, I'm sure recruitment and organisation across the titles will see a big boost. The NUJ will now step up its work supporting journalists and building the recently-established News International NUJ chapel in the coming weeks and months.
The transcript and video of the Leveson Inquiry session, including the NUJ questions, are available here - http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/hearing/2012-04-26am/
The NUJ questions start on page 91 of the transcript and/or at 183 minutes on the video footage.
Last modified: Saturday, April 28, 2012
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Notices
Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
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MEDIA FOR ALL CONFERENCE
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
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Previous stories
Leveson Inquiry
Leveson Inquiry: Rupert Murdoch off the hook over alleged illegal payments to public officials
Leveson Inquiry shock news: Rupert Murdoch says his political influence was just 'a myth'
Now we come to the dark heart of this strange affair
Leveson Inquiry: Rupert Murdoch and son to appear
Money talks: no wonder so many rival journalists were beaten by the Sun's exclusive stories
If the Sun hates attacks on press freedom, how must it despise itself!
Jeremy Hunt calls for regulation of press content free of political interference...but no promise that politicians will refrain from meddling in media ownership
Iraq War: "Implacable support" of Murdoch press a key factor for Blair
Women's groups - Leveson must back ban on sexualized images in media
Ofcom and BSkyB bid: We should have looked at News Corporation's political influence
Leveson Inquiry: PCC chief says appetite for fresh start
Chilling effect on BBC journalism of licence freeze: a warning to Leveson Inquiry
Co-ordinating Committee for Media Reform call for change
BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten rebukes David Cameron
Opinion: "Leveson: reasons to be wary of press promises"
Cameron's links with the Murdoch press: only superficial probing at Leveson
Press Freedom: a democratic rubric
Leveson Inquiry edges closer to Cameron
James Murdoch 'shown damning email'
Rupert Murdoch met David Cameron at Downing Street twice during BSkyB bid
The Leveson Inquiry: Should We Care?
Leveson Inquiry kicks off but ministers could still act
Ditch the PCC: CPBF backs inquiry into the ethics and culture of the press
