November 5th: the time for fireworks and the ceremonial burning of the guy. But for the NUJ, the National Union of Journalists, it was a day of solidarity as journalists from across the country and across Europe reunited to campaign for the return of quality journalism.
Forming part of their Journalism Matters campaign, November 5th was ‘Stand Up for Journalism’ day and saw journalists from all sectors of the media - broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, PR, and online - protest against ‘savage’ cuts that according to the NUJ are ‘hampering their ability to keep the public informed’.
“Most media companies make big money, but they engage in round after round of cuts to increase their profit margins,” read a statement on the campaign website.
“Journalists are reduced to a cross between call-centre workers and data processors, stuck at their desks re-jigging press releases.”
In Sheffield, local NUJ members cheered on as an effigy of the media-mogul and owner of the Sun and the Times newspapers amongst others, Rupert Murdoch was burned in the beer garden of the University Arms on Western Bank, near the University.
In Manchester, more than 200 journalists took to the streets in the rain shouting ‘Stand Up for Journalism’ outside the Radisson Hotel, as editors ‘looking embarrassed’ headed for their ‘slap-up lunches’.
In Huddersfield, NUJ members handed in a collective grievance to their managers while far away in Greece, workers walked out for five minutes earlier in the day.
Guy Smallman, a freelance photographer who spoke at the Sheffield event, explained that he was supporting this campaign to promote quality journalism because “at the end of the day it is that which matters.”
For more information about the campaign, you can log onto the campaign website at: www.standupforjournalism.org.uk
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:58 am
Love the pic of Mr Murdoch. Bit harsh maybe… on the other hand, maybe not.