Strong unions make it easier to speak out

It is no coincidence that the hacking scandal began at The News of the World — a paper run by News International, where journalists lacked trade union recognition. News International set up its own tame Staff Association, which it used to prevent the NUJ gaining statutory recognition. There were many rumours of hacking at the paper but, lacking effective representation, staff were afraid to speak out. As the public and commercial services union PCS commented: “Strong unions are needed to prevent another hacking scandal: It is no coincidence that it took The Guardian, a newspaper where the NUJ is well represented, to investigate and expose one where it was not.”

The NUJ is calling for a “conscience clause” for journalists, enabling them to cite the NUJ Code of Conduct as a safeguard against being forced to use unethical methods.