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Martin Amis condemns ‘humourless’ and ‘literalist’ English journalists

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 11 March 2010 at 09:15
Tags: Journalism, National Newspapers, Newspapers

Author Martin Amis has condemned “humourless” and “literalist” English journalists over the reporting of comments he made about euthanasia and the elderly earlier this year.

The author was interviewed by the Sunday Times in January this year as he promoted his new book The Pregnant Widow and he said of the UK’s ageing population: “How is society going to support this silver tsunami?

“There’ll be a population of demented very old people, like an invasion of terrible immigrants, stinking out the restaurants and cafes and shops. I can imagine a sort of civil war between the old and the young in 10 or 15 years’ time.

And reporting that he supported “ethanasia booths” Amis was quoted as saying: “There should be a booth on every corner where you could get a martini and a medal.”

Gulf News today reports Amis telling an audience in Dubai that “everything I say gets twisted and distorted”.

He said that his quote about euthanasia was “immediately taken up by literalists and humourless everywhere”, adding that “when Sir Terry Pratchett made the same remarks, it was not taken up at all”.

According to Gulf News Amis said that he had “no problem” with the Scottish, Irish or Welsh, press but with English “metropolitan journalists”.

He said: “There’s nothing controversial in what I say.”

Facebook photo lift costs Wales on Sunday £260

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 11 March 2010 at 08:56
Tags: Law, National Newspapers, Newspapers, Photography, Regional Newspapers

Wales on Sunday has been forced to pay the British National Party £259.99 for breach of copyright after taking a picture of a BNP candidate from his Facebook page, Holdthefrontpage reeports .

According to the BNP the picture was used without permission.

While £260 won’t have broken the bank for the Welsh national, the pay-off will have involved a lot of legal hassle and serves as a cautionary tale.

The photo was used to illustrate a story about Roger Phillips, the BNP’s deputy organiser for West Wales, who was said to be selling ‘racist’ golliwog football merchandise.

FT exec says video will go behind paywall in coming months

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 9 March 2010 at 10:09
Tags: National Newspapers, New Media, Newspapers, Online

A Financial Times executive has said that the title’s video content is to go behind the paywall over the next few months.

Stephen Pinches, FT lead product developer, is quoted by Journalism.co.uk saying: “It’s not a given that video should be free. Some of the most valuable content we have is video content….

“We’re going to see a transition of video behind that paywall, but it’s going to be a gradual thing over the next few months.”

He said that the FT will soon be switching from Maven technology to Brightcove for its video content and that it is encouraging other members of the newsroom, beyond the core video team, to get involved in video production JCUK reports.

He revealed that the up to 300 videos a month which the FT produces generate around one million page views a month.

Since 2008 the FT has adopted a hybrid paywall model which allows less frequent users of the website to view a limited amount of content for free, but which charges heavier users.

It is a move which has apparently helped boost paying website subscribers to the current total of 126,000.

Those wishing to circumvent the paywall can simply Google the story they are looking for. Like other paywall pioneers, the FT has dared not cut off the Google-juice which drives mass visitor numbers by stopping browsers who come into the site via the search engine.

Peter Sands: We must not let the Regional Press Awards disappear

Posted by Peter Sands on 8 March 2010 at 11:39
Tags: Journalism, Media Business, National Newspapers, New Media, Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

The great and the good of national newspaper journalism will be applauded at a glitzy dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel later this month. It will be a celebration of a vintage year for British journalism.

But for their regional cousins there will not even be a beer and bowl of peanuts in the backroom of the Cheshire Cheese. After 22 years the Regional Press Awards have been “rested” - a decision that indicates the gulf that appears to be growing between national and regional papers.

I had been optimistic that the awards would go ahead. The early signs were good with one of the big groups, who had not entered last year, saying that things had eased up and they would be back in the fold.

But last week others said that, given the economic circumstances, their papers would not be taking part. Their absence would have made the awards a nonsense, so organisers Wilmington had no choice but to call the whole thing off.

I am sure I am not alone in being saddened by the decision. For the last four years I have been chairman of the judges in the awards. Fifty independent judges, me included, give their services for no reward other than knowing they are supporting the industry they have grown up in.

Editors support the awards too. But when you are cutting staff, how can you justify sipping over-priced champagne in a swanky London hotel? It seems the combined cost of a £35 entry fee and a £130 ticket to the event were just too prohibitive.

I know that some newspaper managements also believe the awards are a distraction, a bit of irrelevant back-slapping and that they have no tangible benefits. I don’t agree. The regional press has now become the only branch of the media not to have its own national awards.

Ask those in film, television, magazines, national newspapers or any other creative industry if they feel their awards are an irrelevance. Apart from anything else the awards send out a message, both internally and externally, of an industry confident in itself. Their cancellation has already allowed commentators to refer to “a sad reflection of the parlous state of the sector” and to observe that the decision should “restore some gloom”.

If the regional press doesn’t celebrate the excellence that runs through its newspapers, applaud the journalists who go that extra yard every day, recognise the editors who invest in off-diary work and innovation then who will?

I am particularly uncomfortable with the suggestion that we just applaud excellence during the good times. Those who work hard to maintain standards when the going gets tough deserve to be honoured.

So what next? Maybe the answer is to scale the event down, hold it online, combine the regional and national awards (as they used to be) or something else altogether. What must not happen is for them to disappear altogether.

There will now be discussions on what can be done to ensure that the awards are resurrected next year. If you have any suggestions let me have them and I will ensure they get heard.

Peter Sands blogs here at Sands Media Services.

Stephen Glover: Guardian offering editorial influence for cash

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 8 March 2010 at 08:51
Tags: Advertising, Journalism, National Newspapers, Newspapers

Independent media commentator Stephen Glover today criticises The Guardian for inviting advertisers to pay money to influence editorial in sponsored supplements.

He has received a copy of a letter sent out by Wendy Miller, public sector manager of the Society Guardian supplement, offering sponsorships of a supplement on the future of public services at £15,000 each.

She says that the sponsors would get “significant branding space as well as input into the editorial direction and content of the project”.

The Guardian’s editorial guidelines for sponsored supplements state: “The sponsor will have input into the planning (ie synopsis) for the supplement; they will be able to suggest themes, angles and information that they would like to see highlighted; recommend experts for interview; and request certain information be included. The commissioning editor will consider all such suggestions but is not obliged to accept any.”

Glover suggests that “someone should look into the practice of public bodies buying editorial content”.

The Guardian tightened up its editorial guidelines after a row in 2007 when its own columnist, Simon Jenkins, condemned the paper over a supplement about Housing Market Renewal Partnerships. He said the paper was taking government money to portray “public relations as journalism”.

Journalists who take money for editorial not only step into an ethical mine-field, they can also fall foul of the Advertising Standards authority - which has repeatedly rapped the Express over the knuckles for this.

Tindle to launch four new papers in London

Posted by Press Gazette on 5 March 2010 at 10:00
Tags: Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

Tindle Newspapers will add to its portfolio of more than 230 local newspapers later today when it unveils four new weekly London newspapers. (HERE IS THE UPDATED VERSION)

The publisher was reluctant to reveal too many details ahead of a briefing at its North London Newspapers offices in Enfield this morning – however it did reveal a few morsels.

Each of the papers will be “hyper-local” and focus on a small section of North London already served by larger “area” papers in the Tindle stable.

The publisher is billing the launch as a unique project aimed at using spare printing capacity to produce new distinct papers to bring in extra revenue to help guide its local business out of the red.

That’s all we know so far…more when we get it. Here’s more…

Hull Daily Mail reveals porn industry links of local news website creator

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 4 March 2010 at 16:44
Tags: Journalism, New Media, Newspapers, Online, Regional Newspapers

The Hull Daily Mail today investigated the adult entertainment industry links of the creator of a local news website on its patch called HU17.

In the story headlined : Town Web Publisher’s Porn Business the Mail reveals how Paul Smith “designed thousands of hardcore pornography sites”.

The Mail sent an undercover reporter, posing as an escort girl, to see Smith and it reports that he agreed to design a website for her for between £150 and £250.

At time of writing more than 200 comments have been added to the story, most of them critical of the Hull Daily Mail and many point out that Smith’s local news website covering Beverley could be seen as a competitor for the paper.

Jon R from Beverley says: “I just cannot see the value of undermining someone who is trying their best to make a real difference in Beverley. The story comes across as though Mr Smith has some kind of Porn Empire, when it appears the reality to be here is a local man working in an industry which rightly or wrongly seems now to be part of everyday life trying to earn a living.

“I am sure the HDM makes far more money than Mr Smith from the Escort, Massage Parlour and Private Services adverts listed in most of its publications and websites.”

Meanwhile HU17 has published its own story headlined: The truth behind the shocking headlines in today’s Hull Daily Mail, which rejects many of the claims made by the Hull Daily Mail.

UPDATE: Hull Daily Mail editor John Meehan has now issued a statement in response to the row.

Michael Foot - A ‘distinguished and brave’ journalist

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 4 March 2010 at 13:16
Tags: National Newspapers, National Union of Journalists, Newspapers, People

The National Union of Journalists has paid its tribute to former Labour party leader Michael Foot who first joined the union in 1937 and has died aged 96.

Foot was editor of the Evening Standard at the age of 28, from 1942-44, and is a former editor of Tribune and columnist for the Daily Herald.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “The union has always been very proud that Michael Foot was a member of ours, having joined the NUJ in 1937. We were particularly glad that his eminent career was recognised by membership of honour of his union in 1984.

“His career as a journalist was a distinguished and brave one, and his integrity and commitment to a diverse and free press was an inspiration to many.”

The Guardian obituary today has more on Foot’s career as a journalist, noting that he was first given a try-out at the New Statesman but that then editor, Kingsley Martin, decided not to give him a job.

He instead was one of the founder members of staff on Tribune, the leftwing weekly started by Stafford Cripps in 1937. He then joined the Evening Standard as a feature writer, having impressed its proprietor Lord Beaverbrook, and was on the paper’s payroll when war broke out.

After distinguishing himself with defiantly anti-Nazi leaders, Foot was made editor of the Standard in 1942 at the age of 28 leaving after the war to write a column for the Herald. He was ineligible for military service because of his asthma.

He was Tribune editor again from 1948-52 and from 1955-60, The Guardian reports.

Kevin Maguire, writing in the Mirror, today cites 10 things you didn’t know about Michael Foot, including the fact that he hated the Daily Mail, calling it the “Forgers Gazette”, and that libel damages from the Sunday Times helped pay for a new kitchen, as well as providing £10,000 to help keep Tribune going.

Foot fought and won a libel battle against the Sunday Times over the 1995 story headlined: “KGB: Michael Foot was our agent”.

The Telegraph, in its detailed obituary, reports that Foot’s twice weekly political column was dropped by The Herald after 20 years when the paper was relaunched as The Sun in 1965. Lord Beaverbrook came to his rescue, the Telegraph reports, appointing him as the Evening Standard’s chief book reviewer.

Geoffrey Goodman, writing in Tribune, notes that Foot returned to journalism and writing after standing down as an MP before the 1992 election.

“He wrote essays for Tribune, book reviews for his old paper, the Evening Standard, and yet more outstanding books. The hand was never still, the mind never wholly at rest, even when he could scarcely walk or see out of his remaining, partly functioning eye.”

Carmarthen Journal celebrates 200th birthday

Posted by Press Gazette on 4 March 2010 at 10:43
Tags: Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

The weekly Carmarthen Journal, which was launched during the Napoleonic Wars, yesterday celebrated it 200th birthday.

Cathryn Ings, Journal editor, told Holdthefrontpage: “Times have changed and we face different challenges now than our people faced 200 years ago.

“But one thing hasn’t changed; the Journal is still bringing its readers, all the latest news on the things which matter most to them.”

The paper celebrated with the publication of a commemorative 40-page supplement looking back at some of the momentous events the paper has covered.

Lord Davies: Digital Economy Bill does not not grant Ofcom any powers to regulate newspaper websites

Posted by Press Gazette on 3 March 2010 at 12:41
Tags: National Newspapers, New Media, Newspapers, Online, Regional Newspapers, press freedom

The report stage of the Digital Economy Bill in the Lords threw up a little nugget on Monday night that might go some way to allaying concerns in the press that Ofcom might end up regulating some audio/video content on newspaper websites.

Lord Davies of Oldham, the minister in charge, said the Bill did “not grant Ofcom any powers to regulate newspaper websites, including audiovisual content” after PCC chairman Baroness Peta Buscombe raised concerns about possible Ofcom regulation of newspaper websites.

It’s an issue the PCC has been keen to stress as its own voluntary code covers these titles and statutory regulation is unwelcome in any corner of the press.

(It’s the debate around Amendment 9 if you’re looking for it amongst the reams of material on Hansard – worth a quick read as it also covers the trickier problem of mixed public service and newspaper audio/visual material)

Camden New Journal’s protest march draws ‘thousands’

Posted by Press Gazette on 3 March 2010 at 10:17
Tags: Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

If you ever needed a example of the importance of good local newspaper campaigning, then here it is:

A campaign by the Camden New Journal and Islington Tribune to save the Accident and Emergency department at their local Whittington Hospital culminated in a protest march on Saturday. (more…)

Telegraph.co.uk to stream live coverage of the World Indoor Athletics Championships

Posted by Press Gazette on 3 March 2010 at 09:25
Tags: Media Business, Mobile, National Newspapers, New Media, Newspapers, Online

The fever with which eight national newspapers dived in to stream England’s World Cup football qualifier in Ukraine following the collapse of the broadcaster Setanta last year has yet to be replicated on such a scale. (Let’s not dwell here on the technical troubles that blighted much of that match).

Despite this national newspaper websites are growing increasingly accustomed to showing sports packages on their websites.

The Guardian is just one which shows highlights of Premiership rugby and other sports.

Telegraph Media Group has now proved that it is hungry to add regular live action to the sporting reflection that has been more traditional newspaper fare through live streaming sports which don’t have such a big impact when broadcast on TV. (more…)

Steve Dyson gets misty-eyed reading a proper evening newspaper - the Evening Standard

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 3 March 2010 at 08:44
Tags: National Newspapers, Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

Former Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson gets quite misty-eyed today reviewing the free Evening Standard on his round-Britain blog of regional newspaper reviews over on Holdthefrontpage.

Its devotion to proper, on-the-day, breaking news sees Dyson “greedily devouring the Standard from back to front” and saying “despite its switch in ownership, the Evening Standard is currently still a great paper, an important part of London’s heritage and one the nation needs to shout much louder about wanting to keep at this level”.

There are 600,000-plus copies a night of the Standard currently flying off the distribution racks (without the need, sadly, for many of its network of vendors who seem to have largely disappeared).

It must represent an awesome vehicle for advertisers, targeting - as it does - the most affluent and influential newspaper reading audience in the UK.

If owner Alexander Lebedev can hold his nerve, and keep up the editorial quality of the Standard, I’d put money on it turning a healthy profit well within his three-year game-plan.

It is a far superior product to the two free newspapers - London Lite and thelondonpaper - which it has seen off against all odds. And Steve’s right, we should rejoice in it.

IFJ: Time has come for PCC to demonstrate the value of journalism

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 2 March 2010 at 08:20
Tags: Law, National Newspapers, Newspapers

The International Federation of Journalists has issued its own report into the Press Complaints Commission and new allegations about phone-hacking at the News of the World made by The Guardian.

The report by someone called Jean-Paul Marthoz, appears to be little more than a rounding-up for the story so far with some commentary and criticism thrown in.

The Belgian journalist and writer concludes: “The time has come for partisans of self-regulation to demonstrate the value of journalism as a public good…media’s real commitment to the highest ethical standards in a profession that is a key pillar of a vibrant and principled democracy.”

Lebedev will pay £1 for the Independent, claims report

Posted by Press Gazette on 1 March 2010 at 11:32
Tags: Media Business, National Newspapers, Newspapers, People

Alexander Lebedev will pay a token £1 later this week to take control of the Independent, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

The price is the same as a newsstand copy of the Independent – and also the same price he paid for the London Evening Standard last year. (more…)

Photographer dies after covering football match

Posted by Press Gazette on 1 March 2010 at 08:52
Tags: Newspapers, People, Photography, Regional Newspapers

Rochdale Observer photographer Steve Bostock died suddenly after covering a football match last week.

Bostock suffered a suspected heart attack outside Spotland Stadium just minutes after the end of last week’s Rochdale and Bradford City match.

Colleagues paid tribute to Bostock, who was married with two children and four step-children.

Observer sports editor Richard Partington told his paper that Bostock’s photography reflected his great enthusiasm for his work. (more…)

INM refers planned sale of Independent to the OFT

Posted by Press Gazette on 25 February 2010 at 17:07
Tags: Media Business, National Newspapers, Newspapers

The likely sale of the Independent and the Independent on Sunday to Alexander Lebedev seemed to move a step further this afternoon with confirmation that a submission has been lodged with the Office of Fair Trading over the proposed deal. (more…)

Local newspaper’s role in exposing Staffordshire NHS scandal

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 25 February 2010 at 09:17
Tags: Newspapers, Regional Newspapers

The Iliffe-owned Staffordshire Newsletter played a crucial role in exposing the scandalous lapses in standards at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.

It was a letter to the paid-for weekly by campaigner June Bailey two years ago which started her Cure the NHS campaign. Her mother died at the hospital in November 2007, and her letter prompted 40 responses from others with complaints about treatment.

A Government report yesterday said that 1,200 more people died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would have been expected to.

MPs report: Reaction to phone-hack claims from Government, NI, The Guardian, PCC, and more…

Posted by Press Gazette on 24 February 2010 at 09:55
Tags: National Newspapers, Newspapers

Leading figures from the Labour Government last night waded into the phone hacking affair by issuing their reactions to the media select committee report (full report here) which claimed there was ‘collective amnesia’ at the News of The World.

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw issued a statement, saying:

“This report contains extremely serious questions for News International. It says law breaking was condoned and that the company sought to conceal the truth. We welcome the report and are considering what further action may be needed to be taken.” (more…)

Press Complaints Commission full statement on MPs report

Posted by Press Gazette on 24 February 2010 at 09:30
Tags: Newspapers

Full statement from the PCC in reaction to the select committee report on press standards, libel and privacy.

The PCC welcomes the level of scrutiny which the Committee has applied to its practices and looks forward to considering its recommendations at the next meeting of the Commission. (more…)

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