Dan Wootton and the growth of privacy | Diversity ‘still not priority’ for news industry
And we have GB News editorial director Mick Booker's rallying email to staff after Ofcom upheld five rulings against channel
Welcome to your daily newsletter from Press Gazette on Tuesday, 19 March.
Two years ago the UK Supreme Court stopped the media from reporting on criminal investigations against named individuals before charges have been levelled – contrasting with much of how things had always been done.
The latest example of this case having an impact has been former GB News presenter Dan Wootton forcing apologies and payouts from The Guardian and the Mirror – both publishers that have been happy to take legal fights to the courts in the past.
Dominic Ponsford examines and explains this new precedent and why the publishers likely settled.
Also today we took a look at a new report indicating what impression staff in our industry have of diversity and inclusion initiatives going on (or not) in their news organisations.
There’s a telling difference between the outlook of junior and senior staff and, although things have evolved in the past few years, D&I still isn’t that much of a priority even after the conversations brought on by the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.
And finally, yesterday’s newsletter came just after the revelation that Ofcom found GB News in breach of its due impartiality rules for five programmes presented by politicians.
Today we have highlights from GB News editorial director Michael Booker’s rallying cry to staff sent just after the ruling – we should start a Bible analogy bingo card for this one. But in all seriousness it indicates how they are aware they need to make their output more “watertight” to get through this next period and achieve their ambitious goals for growth.
New from Press Gazette
Dan Wootton and the growing UK right to privacy
Ultimately the Wootton case may lie in a grey area on privacy but it will be a risky and expensive point to prove for any publisher brave enough to take him to court. Byline Times has made no indication so far that it is prepared to settle.
‘Diversity still not a priority in practice’ in news industry, survey finds
Only 18% of respondents at large news organisations said building a diverse workplace was among their company’s top three priorities.
GB News editorial chief says channel in biblical fight with TV ‘Goliaths’
“By sticking to the GB News mission and doubling down on making sure we stay within the rules, we will get there.”
News in brief
Getty Images has added an editor's note to an image of the late Queen shared by Kensington Palace in April and ostensibly taken by the Princess of Wales, saying that the picture "has been digitally enhanced at source". (Sky News)
The BBC has signed a deal with Amazon Music to distribute its podcasts internationally on its streaming service and on Audible. More than 50 podcasts, including Americast and BBC Global News Podcast, will be ad-free for Prime and Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers. The rest of the catalogue will run with ads.
Separately, the BBC is proposing to introduce adverts to its audio content when streamed through third-party apps like Apple and Spotify. News and current affairs programming will be excluded while all content will continue without ads on BBC Sounds. (The Times)
And the BBC has apologised for describing Richard Tice's Reform UK party as "far-right". It said this "fell short" of its usual editorial standards. "While the original wording was based on news agency copy, we take full responsibility and apologise for the error." (BBC)
The owner of Sports Illustrated has chosen The Players' Tribune publisher Minute Media to license the brand, getting the magazine going again after a dispute with the previous licensee resulted in most staff being laid off. Some will now be rehired. (The New York Times)
Annita McVeigh returned as a BBC News presenter yesterday after months off-air in limbo. She was named one of the new chief presenters, along with Geeta Guru-Murthy and Ben Brown, for the BBC News Channel last month.
Netflix has released the first full-length trailer for Scoop, its drama based on the making of Newsnight's infamous Prince Andrew interview. (Netflix on X/Twitter)
Al Jazeera says one of its journalists in Gaza, Ismail al-Ghoul, was "severely beaten" by Israeli soldiers and arrested alongside other journalists while covering an attack on Al-Shifa Hospital on Monday. Following a twelve-hour detention al-Ghoul was released yesterday evening. (Al Jazeera)
Donald Trump has filed a defamation suit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos for reporting the former president was found liable for raping writer E Jean Carroll. In a civil case last year Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll, but not rape. (The New York Times)
US satellite television provider DirecTV is to allow customers to opt out of receiving local TV station feeds for a $12 monthly reduction on their subscription bills. (Variety)
Latest podcast
Podcast 67: Magazine ABCs winners and losers with Nada Arnot of The Economist
Press Gazette editor-in-chief Dominic Ponsford discusses the latest UK magazine industry circulation figures with reporter Bron Maher.
They pick out the winners and losers from the latest crop of results and also hear from Economist executive vice president Nada Arnot about how the title’s cut-price daily edition Expresso achieved lift-off in 2023. She also explained why she is bullish about The Economist’s headline (print and digital) circulation figures returning to growth in this election year.
Also on Press Gazette
Good Housekeeping MD Liz Moseley’s ambitious growth plan for 102-year-old brand
Making sense of the chaos and building trust: How ITV’s The Crossing was produced
Emma Barnett named as Martha Kearney’s Today programme successor
‘Not a podcast app’: New York Times Audio exceeds one million downloads
Guardian to defend Noel Clarke reporting as true and in public interest
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