New Year, New News

As an influential media advocacy organisation, 2024 marks a significant milestone for the Society of Editors as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Dedicated to safeguarding media freedom, the Society continues to be at the forefront of championing the vital role of journalism and press freedom in society and supporting our members and colleagues. Here, Executive Director, Dawn Alford, shares her insights on the challenges, key events, and positive transformations that are likely to shape the news industry in the coming year.

Political pivots

As we begin a year which will be marked by a multitude of global elections, including the anticipated UK general election and the US presidential election in November, the challenge of combating misinformation will also likely take centre stage.

As more than 40 countries worldwide head to the polls in 2024 including India, Taiwan, Russia, and the European Parliament, journalists will have a critical role to play in helping the public separate fact from fiction.  All political parties, in the UK and beyond, have a duty to be open and transparent with their audiences and the role of accredited media as a source of accurate news and information should be promoted rather than attacked. The Society of Editors remains committed to monitoring election periods closely while continuing to advocate for the news media as a trusted source of news.

Reviving Media Trust

New Year resolutions for many often feature a hope to rebuild strained relationships. For the police and media there is every reason for optimism for the future of this important partnership.

Following the review of Lancashire Police’s handling of the Nicola Bulley investigation at the end of 2023,  the body responsible for setting policing standards recognised that there was an urgent need to rebuild trust between the police and the media.

The Society of Editors has recently engaged in positive discussions with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing (COP) about how we can improve relationships through more trusted dialogue, communication, and cooperation.

We will continue these conversations and will share recommendations and updates with our members and colleagues. 

Upholding journalistic valour in conflict zones

With the war in Ukraine continuing as well as the atrocities in Israel and Gaza and fighting in Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, as well as other countries, the safety and bravery of journalists who continue to put their lives at risk to report on behalf of the public has never been more acute. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented at least 68 deaths of reporters in Israel and Gaza alone since the beginning of October 2023 and journalists around the world continue to be threatened and harassed daily for carrying out their vital role. British national and media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment in Hong Kong and the ongoing detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia all underscore the global threats to journalistic freedom. It is imperative that journalists worldwide remain free and safe to fulfil their roles as the eyes and ears of the public.

Here in the UK the Society continues to advocate on behalf of our colleagues worldwide.

AI – an enhancing tool or a looming threat?

Starting as a quiet digital presence in early 2023,  Chat GPT has morphed into a silent infiltrator, subtly permeating most nooks and crannies of the media industry. Conversations around the use of AI are widespread, influencing discussions and interactions.

Across news organisations in the UK, the future of AI in newsrooms continues to receive considerable attention. Some are actively integrating AI, carefully labelling generated content, while others opt to prohibit its use altogether.

Crucially, as we navigate a future entwined with AI, discussions must transcend mere considerations of pure revenue or cost savings and should extend to encompass ethical implications and the crucial task of safeguarding the jobs and professional integrity of journalists.

Reforms

In terms of legislative spheres, the prospect of change on many fronts hinges on the willingness of the government of the day to pass legislation to promote and protect the press and secure a sustainable future for the news industry.

Now at the start of 2024, the  long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords. The Society will continue to fight to ensure the long-sought after legislation levels the playing field between platforms and publishers by compelling platforms to negotiate in good faith for the use of news publisher content. Significant progress has also been made on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) with the first statutory protections for journalists included within the passage of the Economic Crime Act 2023. The Society is proud to be involved in an anti-SLAPPs taskforce and alongside continuing to push for primary legislation, we are also committed to exploring how legislation can work hand-in-hand with regulatory change and awareness-raising in this area.

2024 will also hopefully see the long sought-after repeal of Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act which could have seen news organisations liable for the legal costs of both sides in any action taken against them – even if the news organisations won their case. For more than a decade this threat had been wielded over publishers in a bid to force them to join a government-backed press regulator.

Open justice will continue to improve in the coming year and, following the expansion of cameras in court and the reporting pilot in the Family Court, we hope to see further advances – not least in addressing the practical difficulties and variations in the accessibility and quality of information that is made available during court proceedings.

End of year diversity report – must do better

While strides have been made in enhancing diversity within newsrooms, the pace of progress remains slower than optimal. It is crucial to persist in our efforts to ensure that newsrooms authentically reflect the diversity of our audiences, encompassing factors such as race, age demographics, and economic groups.

While improvements are notable, the challenge lies in fostering diversity at all organisational levels. It is not merely about recruitment but about creating an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds are not only brought in but also retained and supported throughout their career trajectories.

In 2024, a continued commitment is imperative.  The goal is not just to have a diverse newsroom but to cultivate an atmosphere that values and amplifies diverse perspectives, ensuring a richer and more comprehensive portrayal of the world in our news coverage.

Safety, Security, and Inclusivity

Conversations around mental health in the newsroom must persist. Journalists face not only the threat of vicarious trauma but also the impacts of job cuts, trust in the media, and online abuse. Government, law enforcement, technology platforms, and employers must prioritise journalists’ safety, supported by resources like the NUJ and Society of Editors’ Safety Toolkit and organisations like the Headlines Network.

Happy New Year

The year ahead may demand extra vigilance and collective efforts to fortify the pillars of journalism. Collaboration, trust, and communication, alongside legislative reforms, will define our industry’s trajectory in 2024, hopefully shaping a future where journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy.