The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

NUJ UK Government

NUJ says Leveson inquiry offers chance to create 'serious regulatory body' for the media

Author

By The Drum Team, Editorial

July 21, 2011 | 3 min read

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has hailed the Leveson inquiry into the behaviour of the press as the opportunity to create ‘a serious regulatory body’ for the media which would uphold ethical standards and protect journalists who abide by the NUJ code of conduct.

Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary for the NUJ has said that once established, the self-regulated body should provide “serious penalties” for media organisations which break the code, while also offering “a reliable mechanism” which will deal with public complaints.

“Central to the development of an ethical environment for modern journalism must be a guarantee that journalists who uphold professional standards will be protected against management pressure to chase circulation by behaving unethically,” said Stanistreet. “No journalist should be threatened with the sack for standing up for quality journalism.

“The Murdoch scandal has created circumstances in which the media, journalists, and society as a whole can now move forward and design a new model of self-regulation which serves the interests of the public and the media industry in an honourable way.

“The Leveson inquiry must also address the issue of media ownership across the entire newspaper, broadcasting and new media industry. The NUJ has drawn attention to the harm being done by media giants who have swallowed up and asset-stripped so many of our local and regional newspapers. The damage done to the quality of local journalism, as jobs are axed and content compromised, is a threat to democracy as well as a disservice to loyal local readers.”

Yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron revealed that Lord Justice Leveson would be backed by a panel of six individuals from varying relevant backgrounds, who would investigate the relationship of the press and the Police, while also examining the relations of the media, including broadcast and social media.

NUJ UK Government

More from NUJ

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +