Why should we care who edits The Journalist?

[paulmc]

It's a bit blunt - but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Why should the average journalist be interested in who edits The Journalist? Why should I vote?

I've read a fair bit of coverage on various sites, received email manifestos and all that.

But what does it actually mean to the majority of NUJ members who don't visit sites like this, don't attend meetings etc?

Why should it be an elected position?

P

[Richard Simcox]

But what does it actually mean to the majority of NUJ members who don't visit sites like this, don't attend meetings etc?

Why should it be an elected position?

We elect officials to give all NUJ members - not just a panel of three or four - the opportunity to find the right person for the job. And to hold them to account if they don't come up to scratch. I think more officials should be elected rather than appointed.

[TimArnold]

I think democracy is good thing. It would be interesting for every post to be elected.

I can only speculate on why we have the current situation. No doubt it's for historical reasons.

But you should always vote. We get the democracy we deserve.

And, since the Journalist is, for many, the only connection that they have with the union, it's important that we get the service right.

That's not happening at the moment. The website is awful. That would be my first priority as Journalist editor. I would put regular, high-quality webcasts on the site. I am the only candidate with the right skills set to do this... and be able to produce sectoral publications, emailed to each member. All for little or no increase in resources, since the next editor of the Journalist will have to do more with less.

It's also important to note that the membership has told the union it wants regular web updates. Why hasn't this happened yet?

I suggest it might because the present editor doesn't have the right skill-set to produce his own webcasts, single handed.

Let's learn from history... and not make the same mistake again. Only one person has all the production skills needed for the job. That person is me

That's why it's impportant that every member votes.

[SteveUsher1]

The editor of the Journalist should perform like a football referee. He is having a good game if he is invisible. The mag counts - the editor only counts in that he is responsible for the content. No-one should care who the editor is so long as they are getting a quality, value-for-money magazine for their subscription i.e subs. A quality magazine is my priority.

[Mark Watts]

As you may have seen from my e-mail circular, I believe that it is vital for the editor of the Journalist to be an independent journalist: not a highly politicised activist; not someone accountable to a political faction; not someone beholden to the “leadership”; but a journalist chosen by, and accountable to, the NUJ membership.

My e-mail circular was a wake-up call. The union’s future will be in real jeopardy if the magazine falls under the control of a political faction.

This is an absolutely crucial election for the future of the union and for its relevance in the evolving media landscape. This is the chance for the NUJ membership to choose the kind of magazine they want from their union. There is real choice on offer (and, let’s face it, you will not have that at the next General Election).

And it is much better, in my view, if the membership makes the choice, rather than a clique (such as an appointment by the national executive council). And it would be best if as high a proportion of the membership as possible have their say.

This could help ensure the Journalist is relevant to the professional lives of NUJ members, and in turn would help the NUJ become more relevant to them.

Turnout in NUJ elections is traditionally really poor. I am afraid that you will be making a choice if you fail to vote. But is it the choice you really want to make? So, if you care about the NUJ at all, and if you care about the future of journalism, I believe that you must vote in this election. Do not delay, do it today.

[John Thompson]

Turnout in NUJ elections is traditionally really poor.

I have been wondering about that. Do you, or anyone else, have any facts and figures on exactly how poor?

[Richard Simcox]

I have been wondering about that. Do you, or anyone else, have any facts and figures on exactly how poor?

In last year's election for deputy general secretary, the turnout was 17.5%

[John Thompson]

According to the Trades Union Congress website, the National Union of Journalists has 32,409 members of which 19,379 are male and 13,030 are female.

If that figure is correct, then 5,672 members voted in last year's election for deputy general secretary.

[Mark Watts]

John, the turnout for the DGS election last year was 4,833, which represents 17.6% of the then 27,505 eligible voters. That was a pretty high turnout by normal standards of NUJ elections. My recollection is that the turnout for the elections to the NEC in September was much lower, but I cannot lay my hands on those figures straight away.

[Richard Simcox]

The national executive council election turnout ranged from 14 per cent in London - the biggest constituency - to about 30 per cent among disabled members - the smallest constituency.

Those figures haven't been reported anywhere, which is why I say the Journalist should give bettter coverage to the NUJ's internal democracy:

http://richsimcox.co.uk/news/dont-let-our-democracy-die/

The Journalist job is elected because it is independent of the union leadership. As I said in my election address, this is important but must be used responsibly:

http://richsimcox.co.uk/election-statement/

A union journal that snipes for the sake of it will do nothing to help NUJ members fighting for jobs and standards - like those in Liverpool:

http://richsimcox.co.uk/news/echo-of-cuts-could-trigger-action/

That's why I promise that a Journalist I edit will campaign unashamedly for our side to win. That's what we all pay our subs for.

Don't forget - you can vote until 16 November.

Thanks for asking the question Paul.

Best wishes

Rich