Disqus - Latest Comments for RichSimcox

Re: Media Wales journalists vote for strike - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:40:41 -0000

Great. No surprise, but still great. Now here this, Sly Bailey - http://bit.ly/4393Dk

Re: Grey Cardigan: October column

RichSimcox — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:02:08 -0000

The interesting thing about this is that it all comes from a quote from the NUJ's magazine, the Journalist.

This shows just how important the magazine is for leading the debate about how we fight the cuts and plan for the future, looking at alternative ownership models like co-ops and new start ups, and discussing our response.

We need a vibrant Journalist, on paper and on the web, for this. This is the proper role of a union journal, not as just another lifestyle magazine, but as a vital part of the union's armoury - informing, inspiring and mobilising NUJ members. And winning new members along the way.

That's why I am standing in the election to find the next editor. You can find out more, if you are so inclined, at http://richsimcox.co.uk

Re: Eight Journalist editor candidates set out their stalls - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:51:58 -0000

I didn't really want to contribute to this thread because I think it's for others to make comments and ask questions of the candidates.

But, as you've raised the salary/workload issue, I have to say this election is about the future, not the past. And the bi-monthly nature of the print journal is a bit of a red herring.

All the candidates have said openly that the Journalist needs more of a visible and vibrant online presence. And, more prosaically, it's also actually union policy.

Re: Grey Cardigan: October column

RichSimcox — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:38:53 -0000

Dominic, if that's the case then perhaps Grey and PG should come out in full support of Jeremy's call for an occupation and then you'll have another story when Sly Bailey and Paul Davidson issue their enthusiastic endorsements. Yes?

Re: Grey Cardigan: October column

RichSimcox — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:27:02 -0000

Well Grey, you got the reponse you wanted I guess - comments on your post. Mostly comments from some very frustrated NUJ reps and officials who have actually been doing something to paddle against the wave of shit that's been heaped on our industry in the last year to 18 months - all in the name of belt-tightening that we know is a fraud from the news that TM execs are still pocketing their share options.

For any real people out there who might be fooled into thinking that this unwarranted, anti-union potshot even vaguely reflects the extent of the NUJ's response to this carnage, have a look at this from June http://www.nuj.org.uk/inner...

Re: Save the Observer: Pressure mounts with public meeting

RichSimcox — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:41:33 -0000

“We are not talking about just, say, cutting a newspaper’s business section. We are talking about a decision that has much greater impact and that effects the diversity and plurality of the press and has wide-ranging implications for journalism as a whole."

Brilliant quote. Sums it up perfectly. In recent years, GMG has been chipping away at the group’s founding public service ethos that is a vital part of a diverse and free press.

We've seen this in Manchester where readers and journalists have been left wondering how "a sense of duty to the reader and the community" is best served by closing local offices and cutting jobs. Now this at the Obs.

This initiative by PG and the NUJ is very important and deserves to be supported by all journalists.

Re: Prosecution dropped against undercover reporter - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:24:03 -0000

The obvious necessity of this kind of work is shown by the Scottish parliament's subsequent investigation.

While there should never have been any threat of prosecution, Arifa and her BBC and NUJ colleagues deserve our praise for their resolute defence of quality journalism.

Re: NUJ call off Trinity Mirror strike in Coventry - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:20:33 -0000

Congratulations to the Coventry chapel who, like their Birmingham colleagues, have shown once again what can be achieved by intelligent negotiating backed up by a clear willingness to take collective action.

Re: NUJ calls off strike at Trinity Mirror Birmingham titles - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:55:49 -0000

Congratulations to the NUJ chapel members who mounted a solid, united resistance to these proposals, voting massively in favour of a strike.

These members will take strength from this and it will hopefully give confidence to other Trinity Mirror chapels in Newcastle and Middlesbrough currently balloting for industrial action.

Re: Trinity Mirror Regionals head hits out at planned Midlands strike - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:51:13 -0000

More than anything, Georgina Harvey's statement smacks of desperation. They're not indignant, they're frightened.

They know that a walk-out by 150 of their journalists next Thursday will further expose the weaknesses in the current management of the organisation - that her own employees have stated they have lost confidence in - and win massive support from other journalists, the public and local businesses.

Just witness the huge backing that that strikes at the Yorkshire Post/Evening Post got earlier this year. That's what this statement is all about.

It's interesting to note that more NUJ members voted in their chapel meetings to hold a strike than voted for action in the ballot. No ballot ever yields 100% turnout for loads of reasons. It tells us nothing about the intentions of those who didn't vote.

The important thing is what happens next Thursday. Good luck to the Trinity journalists. The rest of the union is right with you.

Re: Trinity Mirror Midlands journalists vote for strike - Press Gazette

RichSimcox — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:15:01 -0000

That 45% claim is as predictable and dull as it is meaningless. Other than North Korea, where does any ballot or election yield 100% turnout?

Or is there something TM hasn't told us - has it carried out its own ballot of NUJ members to ascertain the intentions of those who didn't vote in the official ballot? (Interesting). Because that surely would be the only way to find out how they would have voted. Perhaps the NUJ should tot up the uncast votes for itself and claim an even higher percentage 'yes' vote than the massive one it already got.

The other piece of predictability - though this time it's not meaningless - is the use of the phrase "their members", which is obviously calculated to distance their employees from the decision.

The fact is the NUJ is manifested here in Trinity Mirror employees, they are the same thing. Trinity Mirror employees have voted massively for a strike because they have lost faith in the ability of their managers to manage. And the bosses would be better advised to take note and get round the table to talk...and listen.

If they don't there will be a strike and if there is, it will be well supported. Not only in the midlands, but by every NUJ member across the country.

Re: UK investigative journalism bureau wins Â£2m grant

RichSimcox — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:12:09 -0000

Some welcome news, hopefully they'll be able to keep it going. There's no substitute for good-old legwork of the kind practised recently by Heather Brooke and Nick Davies among others. This is journalism at its best - working for the public good. The cuts being meted out across the media industry, of course, represent the polar opposite, and as journalists we have to be clear we don't accept them as inevitable.