NUJ calls raised in Westminster debate on UK media green paper
NUJ parliamentary group chair Rebecca Long-Bailey put forward the union’s calls to protect public service broadcasting and independent journalism.
In August the union responded to the government’s consultation on plans to stop the spread of misinformation on social media and reshape TV distribution and regulation.
Following an initial debate in July, MPs gathered again in Westminster Hall on 8 September. After strongly welcoming the government's "intention to tackle misinformation" in her opening remarks, Long-Bailey said "a crucial question that follows is who will decide what is ‘trustworthy’ - it cannot be ministers, and it certainly cannot be the tech giants." The NUJ parliamentary group chair noted that consideration should be given to an independent accreditation scheme chaired and represented by journalists, the industry and civil society - similar to that of the Press Council of Ireland.
Long-Bailey said:
“To be clear, 'trustworthy' news has to mean more than public service broadcasting. That is a central pillar, of course, but it must include other outlets, independent publications and freelance journalists who meet recognised standards. The government should support prominence for trustworthy news online, but that prominence must not become de-ranking by another name for journalists who challenge those in power.”
Long-Bailey also called on Ian Murray, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) minister, to introduce “stronger obligations on those technology companies that are amplifying harmful and misleading content,” adding that Ofcom’s standards should apply to online content. Alongside regulation, Long-Bailey noted the critical importance of education and asked Murray to commit to a nationwide media literacy programme and the restoration of strategic grants funding for journalism education, as advocated by both the NUJ and the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
The wide-ranging green paper proposes a transition from digital terrestrial television to internet-based television by 2034 or 2044. The NUJ argues that a premature switch would exclude older people, disabled people, low-income families, and those in rural areas with subpar broadband infrastructure. Long-Bailey urged Murray to “reject any freeview switch-off timetable until free-to-air public service broadcasting is universally accessible and free at the point of distribution.”
The Salford MP ended her contribution by taking the opportunity to raise NUJ members' concerns over devastating cuts at public service broadcasters. In the context of social media “dangerously fragmenting our information environment”, Long-Bailey asked: “how can we honestly claim to be strengthening our information environment while we are allowing the capacity to produce trusted journalism to be cut away?”
Putting forward a series of questions, Long-Bailey asked:
“Will the government use the Charter Renewal process to secure sustainable funding for the BBC? Will [the Minister] intervene to protect the jobs and programmes now under threat?
“If the government believe, as I do, that over-75s should receive free TV licences, will they fund those licences directly, rather than making the BBC pay?
“Crucially, at a time when disinformation crosses borders in seconds, will the government restore full funding to the BBC World Service?
“We must also address media ownership. Will the government strengthen ownership rules and invest in local public service journalism, as proposed in the NUJ’s News Recovery Plan?”
Murray responded by saying: "My honourable friend Rebecca Long-Bailey raised a number of issues about the BBC. We will have a permanent charter."
The NUJ has written to the Culture Secretary and looks forward to engaging further with DCMS to address issues raised in the green paper and other pressing concerns facing union members.