Online journalism:
myth and reality

The NUJ's online journalism conference in October was a sell-out success. For those who couldn't get in, our guest speaker at this monthÕs branch meeting is Paul Iredale, who chaired the conference

Mega salaries and share options may be the first things that print journalists associate with online journalism. The second thought might be of long hours and sleeping bags under desks. But how true are these impressions, and what are the practical steps we need to take to help online colleagues organise and recruit?

The demand for experienced journalists from internet publishers Ð whether they are start-ups or large print-based companies - certainly appears to have had a beneficial effect on pay for well-qualified print journalists, as well as for those who work mainly online. A recent survey commissioned by the NUJ found that 22% of members who work only in the online sector earn over £35,000 a year. For more details on pay.

Print journalists are often directly involved in providing content for web services, which raises the issue of increased workloads Ð often for little or no extra pay. If you want to know more, and you missed out on the recent conference, come along to this monthÕs branch meeting.

Recruiting in cyberspace

The NUJ urgently needs an organiser for online journalists - that's the message from an online conference organised by the union last month.

About 50 online journalists and NUJ officials met at the TUC on 14 October to discuss how to build effective NUJ representation one of the fastest growing sectors of the union.

The journalists, many from small web operations, called for an Online Industrial Council to give them representation and an Online Branch to provide a forum where they could meet to discuss online issues. The branch would probably be based initially in London.

But the most pressing need was for a point of contact at Acorn House, an organiser who was responsible for handling their particular problems.

The conference heard national organiser Jeremy Dear talk of the layoffs and long hours worked by online journalists. "It may be new media but itÕs the same old problems," he said.

FoC Nigel Clarke from ft.com said a mix of new and experienced journalists was important online, while Outtherenews director Paul Eedle talked of the difficulties in making money from news on the internet. Maxwell Cooter urged online journalists to set up their own branch and said it was important to establish basic conditions in start-up operations.

Gary Herman outlined a seven-point proposal for online training in the NUJ, while Brian Trench urged the union to press colleges to ensure that online training became "mainstream" in their courses.

Online journalists called for more practical help in setting up chapels in small, web-based companies and asked for union literature that addressed their particular needs. They urged that the union website post information for online journalists and host discussion groups where they could air their problems.

Paul Iredale

What's your job worth?

Just over half of NUJ members who work on trade magazines earn at least £25,000 a year, according to a national survey commissioned by the union. Only 42% of members working on consumer titles, and a mere 36% of members on ÒotherÓ magazines, earned that much. A third of the 4,809 members surveyed by the Trade Union Research Unit worked wholly or partly in magazines.

Although half of the NUJ members in London earn at least £30,000 (remember, this includes broadcasting and national newspapers), a scandalous 10% earn less than £10,000. Nationally, within magazines, a third of reporters earn £15,000 to £25,000, but one in five earns less than £15,000.

A third of sub-editors earn £20,000 to £30,000; 14% earn less than £15,000; 16% earn £15,000 to £20,000; and 14% earn £30,000 to £35,000.

A third of editors earn £20,000 to £30,000, and one in four earns less than £20,000; 16% earn £30,000 to £35,000.

Around 2% of the membership now works exclusively online and, of them, half earn £20,000 to £35,000. One in four earns less than £20,000, but 22% earn more than £35,000.

The survey also showed that 6% of the membership describe themselves as black, Asian or Middle Eastern, and 4% are disabled.

Still time to contribute

Thanks to everyone who has returned a questionnaire for London Magazine Branch's own pay survey. The results will be published in the December issue of the Report. But it is not too late to contribute - just get your form back to us (by fax, email or post) by Monday 20 November).

The Media After Stephen Lawrence

Fresh start or the same old story?

Just how much has the way racism is reported by the British media been changed by more than seven years of persistent campaigning by the family of Stephen Lawrence and their supporters? The NUJ held a conference last month to find out. Called by the union's Black Members Council in conjunction with the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, the conference brought together around 150 journalists, academics and campaigners in Notting HillÕs Tabernacle.

The tone of the conference, The media after Stephen Lawrence: fresh start or same old story?, was set by Alex Pascall, chair of the Black Members Council. He said: "Not long after what was described as a catharsis, the media circus has moved on and the Lawrence familyÕs tragedy has become a blur É Britain has changed, but racism, inter-ethnic tensions and new forms of nationalism are still a part of what we have become today."

Pascall said the fight against "lily-white newsrooms", allegedly Òcolour-blind employersÓ and "racist myths and stereotypes" had to continue. "We owe it to people like the Lawrence family who have become an inspiration for all those seeking justice."

The first of four panel discussions concentrated on the implications of the Macpherson inquiry, particularly its recommendations. Bikhu Parekh, chair of the Commission on the Future of Multi-ethnic Britain, which recently published its own report, said: "Getting legislation right should come before structures."

Picking up on one of the issues raised by the Macpherson report, Doreen Lawrence remarked that "there is always something behind the way that people report things." The unspoken assumptions about what is newsworthy and how it should be presented are, of course, a fundamental journalistic issue. The hope has been that the Lawrence saga has at least made it a bit easier to challenge some lazy, ill-informed or malicious editorial judgements.

The other panellists were Simon Israel of Channel 4 and Gurbux Singh, chair of the Commission for Racial Equality.

The second panel, which looked at cultural diversity, noted the greater progress towards black representation made by broadcasting compared with print media.

The third panel, with Gary Younge of the Guardian, Peter Victor of the Express and Busola Odulate of the People, looked at the experience of black journalists. Discussion centred on the continuing problem of black journalists being patronised and pigeonholed, particularly the tendency for them to be selected to report on race or campaigning issues. Most black journalists are hired as reporters or columnists rather than subs.

The final panel, before NUJ general secretary John Foster's summing up, examined black broadcastersÕ representation on air. Foster said: "We only get what we do for ourselves." With new employment legislation finally in place, the union was in a better position to negotiate better journalistic practice and fairer access to employment in many more workplaces. "This is the beginning of a new agenda."

Themon Djaksam

London Magazine Branch

Online journalism: myth and reality

What's your job worth?

The Media After Stephen Lawrence

Fresh start or the same old story?

Online journalism:
myth and reality