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NUJ report into multimedia highlights 'great concerns' amongst journalists

Some journalists are 'greatly concerned' about the effect newspapers introducing multimedia developments will have on their working lives, according to a report published today by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The NUJ's Shaping the Future report looked at the effects of multimedia on the working lives of reporters in the UK, their health and safety and on the quality of the work they produce.

It said that three quarters of respondents reported that integration has brought increased workloads, and in some cases rising stress and longer hours.

"Our evidence shows members are clearly greatly concerned about the effects of often ill-conceived multimedia plans on their working lives, on their health and safety and on the quality of the work they produce," the report stated.

However, the report also found that 63 per cent of respondents were not working increased hours and nearly three quarters of journalist were working the same shift patterns as before.

Of those working longer hours, under half (46 per cent) were being compensated with extra money or time off in lieu.

The NUJ gathered evidence for its report between 15 June and 30 July
2007 from 'detailed' interviews held at 15 workplaces, across UK and Ireland, and with an online questionnaire distributed to all chapels.

The questionnaire asked journalists to describe the general quality of new media output on their publication. Fifty two per cent said it was adequate, 35 per cent professional and 13 per cent poor.

It also asked if new media had a detrimental effect on the quality of the 'old media' to which 29 per cent said 'not at all', 58 per cent responded 'not seriously' and just 13 per cent claimed that new media was 'very much' detrimental.

"What is clear is that new technology isn't to blame," said Jeremy Dear, NUJ General Secretary.

"The fault line is with its appropriation by short-sighted media employers. Instead of seizing the opportunity to enhance journalistic content and build and maintain quality media, many simply seize the opportunity to reduce costs and boost profits, viewing the erosion of quality journalism as a necessary sacrifice."


Report main recommendations:

• Chapels should be supported to insist that any changes and additional demands imposed on journalists as a result of integration must be negotiated
• All positions in multi-media workplaces should be subject to the same terms, with agreements embracing all staff. Two-tier workforces, with inferior conditions for website workers, must not be tolerated.
• Staff taking on specific extra skills, or transferring to shift work that entails unsocial hour working, should be properly rewarded for doing so.
• All staff must be on the same pay scales, regardless of which media they are working in.
• Any shift changes should be negotiated with chapels and the individuals concerned, and the NUJ should fight for premiums for night working and unsocial hours.
• Each title, however small, should have an experienced web editor to oversee internet operations.
• The outsourcing of in-house departments should be carefully monitored by all chapels where it leads to a deterioration in the quality of work or of the terms and conditions under which journalists are employed
• The union should encourage the formation of a single accreditation body covering all journalism education, and campaign for employers to pay
• All reporters' copy must be subbed and checked by qualified journalists before posting onto websites
• There is a web editor and sufficient trained staff for every site: experienced journalists employed to check content

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