Last night, Scottish newspaper The National announced:
LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news wire, to all media across the UK.
In it, Mandelson uses clauses of the Editor’s Code most typically associated with grieving families or those suffering harassment from the press to urge journalists to stop scrutinising his links to the most world’s most notorious paedophile.
We believe it is strongly in the public interest to publish this memo. This is it in full:
CONFIDENTIAL – STRICTLY NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Ipso has asked us to circulate the following advisory:
Ipso has today been contacted by a representative acting on behalf of Peter Mandelson.
Mr Mandelson’s representatives state that he does not wish to speak to the media at this time. He requests that the press do not take photos or film, approach, or contact him via phone, email, or in-person. His representatives ask that any requests for his comment are directed to [REDACTED]
We are happy to make editors aware of his request. We note the terms of Clause 2 (Privacy) and 3 (Harassment) of the Editors’ Code, and in particular that Clause 3 states that journalists must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist, unless justified in the public interest.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any Code issues on [REDACTED] or out of hours on [REDACTED].
STV staff across Scotland are out on strike today (7 January), braving the cold weather and heavy snow to oppose damaging cuts planned by the company’s management.
Around 50 staff members are part of the picket line outside the Glasgow office, carrying “stop the cuts” and “save local news” placards. They have been joined in solidarity by Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, and Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader.
More than a dozen members are also picketing outside the STV North HQ in Aberdeen, where significant programming cuts are looming.
Members working at the company’s bases in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Inverness are involved in today’s action too.
Members at STV voted overwhelmingly in favour of the strike action in December over the company’s plans to make compulsory redundancies and axe the north edition of its News at 6 programme.
On 16 December Ofcom gave provisional approval to a revised watered-down version of its original plans which would see STV have a single news programme across its two North and Central licence areas, but with a guaranteed minimum amount of regional coverage. The NUJ has repeatedly criticised the plans as being bad for viewers, advertisers, and journalism.
On Monday (5 January), the NUJ wrote to STV’s CEO Rufus Radcliffe stating that the strike was not inevitable and could be avoided if the company were to stop the compulsory redundancies.
Today’s strike has gone ahead despite extreme weather and travel disruption, demonstrating the dedication and strength of feeling among NUJ members at STV.
Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ national organiser for Scotland, said: “The company knew that avoiding industrial action was within their grasp, but they have decided to sit back and fold their arms instead.
“Our members are angry at these cuts, angry at how management have handled them, and are angry at the plans to axe one of Scotland’s most successful prime time news programmes in the north of Scotland.
“All this has happened in the same week that STV has launched a new commercial radio station, which is not expected to make a profit until 2027, and the cost of which is being paid for by the jobs of hard-working journalists.”
Roz Foyer, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) general secretary, said: “These callous cuts from STV management would be a hammer blow to our media landscape and must be resisted at every turn. In an age when misinformation runs riot, it’s more important than ever to have trusted news sources which tell the stories of our communities and of our nation.
“STV management shouldn’t therefore abandon those communities and the journalists that serve them so well in their pursuit for profit.
“Management must realise the palpable anger from the workforce, unions, politicians and the public in opposition to their plans and we would urge a radical rethink; one that prioritises the staff of STV and the viewers they serve so well.”
Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and NUJ parliamentary group chair, said: “Launching a new radio station is all very well, but STV bosses are still pushing proposals which cost jobs and undermine the channel’s ability to serve audiences with dedicated regional news journalism.
“The NUJ’s cross-party Parliamentary Group in the Westminster Parliament sends our support and solidarity to NUJ members taking strike action at STV and asks STV management and Ofcom to listen to journalists and the viewing public alike and stop these cuts.”
The University and College Union (UCU) Scotlandsaid: “UCU Scotland sends solidarity to NUJ members at STV across Scotland striking to protect jobs and journalism.
“UCU knows the value of the quality journalism produced by NUJ members at STV and we see daily the incredible job done by NUJ members covering issues in universities and UCU action in defence of jobs, pensions and pay in our sector.
“NUJ members at STV are striking to protect quality journalism, and you have UCU Scotland’s full support in this dispute.”
RMT Scotlandsaid: “Solidarity and best wishes to your members forced into taking industrial action today in defence of jobs and proper journalism.”
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)said: “Full solidarity with NUJ members and journalists at STV who are striking in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
“Local news matters. Let’s unite to save jobs and quality journalism.”
The NUJ Reach Group Chapelsaid: “Reach NUJ members give their solidarity and support to colleagues at STV opposing damaging cuts that threaten quality journalism.
“The fact that union members have had to resort to strike action in the most demanding circumstances shows how important the issues are. We urge the company to get back round the table immediately to find a sensible way forward through negotiation.”
The NUJ Leeds & West Yorkshire Branchsaid: “We commend members at STV for the action they are taking in defence of jobs and regional programming. Proposals to cut back on regional editions and updates will mean a poorer service for audiences, who rightly share the anger of journalists whose jobs are on the line.
“The plans have also been met with opposition from all five party leaders in Scotland, who recognise the vital role played by regional programming in supporting local democracy and holding power to account.
“It is shameful the company is pushing ahead with redundancies while Ofcom is still consulting on the proposal and that its new commercial radio station has been launched at the expense of journalists’ jobs and local journalism.
“We urge STV to listen to the concerns of the public and their own staff, to suspend its redundancy programme and enter into fresh talks with the NUJ.”
Patrick Harvie, The Scottish Greens culture spokesperson, said: “In an age of viral misinformation people want good quality national and regional news sources that they can trust. These cuts are the last thing we need.
“The plans put forward by STV bosses would be a serious blow to Scotland and our media, particularly to regional news. They will also have a devastating impact on workers who have already experienced a great deal of stress and uncertainty as a result of the announcement.
“STV may have just launched an expensive new radio station, but they have clearly lost the trust of the workers who hold the organisation together.
“Our solidarity is with all of the journalists, producers and workers at STV who are enriching our media and our news environment.
“With cuts taking place at publishers and broadcasters across the country, these are difficult times for an industry that is needed more than ever.”
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, said: “It is vital that we protect Scottish journalism, which serves communities across the country.
“I’m proud to stand with journalists at STV as they take strike action over the wrongheaded decision to cut staff and programming for the north of Scotland.”
The beleaguered BBC faces a growing crisis this morning following the resignation of two senior figures.BBC Director-General Tim Davie announced his intention to leave the BBC last night and he was followed by CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness, who has also resigned.
The resignations following the revelation of another ‘mistake’ at the BBC.
This time, the Telegraph newspaper exposed editing of a Donald Trump speech for a Panorama programme had spliced two parts of a speech together, making it appear that Trump was explicitly encouraging the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.
The edit is clearly misleading but the BBC’s failure to act on the revelation quickly enough calls into question the broadcaster’s already damaged reputation for honesty, impartiality and integrity. Without trust, a Public Service Broadcaster has nothing.
BBC Chairman Samir Shah said: “This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding Director-General for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.
“He has had the full support of me and the Board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole Board respects the decision and the reasons for it.
“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.
“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.
“This is an important time for the Corporation and the Board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”
Tim Davie sent the following note to staff yesterday:
‘I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.
‘I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.
‘I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.
‘In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.
‘Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.
‘Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.
‘Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.
‘Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally.
‘Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.
You will ask why now, why this moment?
‘I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences, Director of Audio and Music, acting Director-General and Chief Executive of BBC Studios.
‘I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.
‘This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.
‘Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.
‘I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.’
Best wishes,
Tim
In a message to BBC colleagues last night, CEO of News Deborah Turness said:
Dear all,
I have never been more proud of the work that you do every day. You really are the best of the best.
I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda.
The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.
As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.
In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.
In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever, and I could not be prouder of the work that you do. Together we have bucked the global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your courageous work to deliver that.
My plea to you: please keep the courage to continue our mission. I’m only sorry that I won’t be there to lead and champion your brilliant journalism.
It has been a great privilege to work with you all.
I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least disruption possible to the important work that you do.
With very best wishes,
Deborah
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years. He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.
“The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are – the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.
“Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.
“As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come.”
Commenting on the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “The decision by Tim Davie to step down is regrettable given the huge commitment to the BBC and public service broadcasting he has demonstrated during his time at the helm, but restoring trust in the corporation must come first.
“The BBC Board must now begin the long process of rebuilding the corporation’s reputation both at home and abroad, after the damage caused by what has become a seemingly constant stream of crises and missteps.
“The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday to consider the BBC Chair’s response to our letter and next steps.
“At the same time the Government should bring forward the Charter Review process so the public and Parliament can help shape the future direction of the BBC.”
The Committee wrote to BBC Chair Samir Shah on Tuesday asking what action is being taken over concerns raised by a former adviser to the corporation’s editorial standards body, Michael Prescott.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It’s right that Tim Davie and Deborah Turness have finally taken responsibility and resigned from the BBC. But let’s be honest, this has been a catalogue of serious failures that runs far deeper.
“The Prescott report exposed institutional bias that cannot be swept away with two resignations – strong action must be taken on all the issues it raised.
“The culture at the BBC has not yet changed. BBC Arabic must be brought under urgent control. The BBC’s US and Middle East coverage needs a full overhaul. And on basic matters of biology, the corporation can no longer allow its output to be shaped by a cabal of ideological activists.
“The new leadership must now deliver genuine reform of the culture of the BBC, top to bottom – because it should not expect the public to keep funding it through a compulsory licence fee unless it can finally demonstrate true impartiality.”
The Liberal Democrats tweeted: ‘A free, independent BBC is vital to a free, informed democracy. Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain’.
Josh Wheeler, Founder of Be Broadcast, commented: “From a communications perspective, this is one of the most significant media moments in years.
“It is uncomfortable to see one political figure trigger such disruption across major media institutions. That should not happen, but it shows how fragile trust in journalism has become and how quickly perception can define reality.
“Perception is now reality – so even a question mark is enough to close people’s minds.
“What stands out is the speed of the BBC’s response. This is not a corporation hiding behind bureaucracy; it is one taking decisive action to protect its reputation before the damage hardens. It is strategic crisis management.
“Do I believe Tim Davie and Deborah Turness needed to go? Probably not. But by acting early, the BBC is showing it understands how modern reputations work. The court of public opinion moves faster than any internal inquiry, and being the antidote before the venom sets in is sometimes the only way to preserve credibility.
“If the leaked memo encouraged the merging of the Trump clips, that strikes at the core of editorial integrity. Accuracy, intent, and transparency are the foundations of trust. Once those are blurred, the entire communications framework begins to crack.
“All of this is happening during a Charter Review, when every BBC decision is under a microscope. In that context, this level of accountability sends a powerful signal. It shows that the BBC still understands leadership is as much about perception as process.
“There is also a wider lesson here for those in public life. Politicians, in particular, would do well to mirror the same “buck stops with me” principle shown by Davie and Turness. Accountability is not just good ethics; it is good communication.
“What happens next will decide whether this becomes a reputational reset or a reputational scar. The BBC must now focus on transparency and openness. It needs to show how it will strengthen editorial safeguards, rebuild confidence, and reaffirm its role as a trusted, independent broadcaster.
“The BBC’s strength has always been its willingness to face uncomfortable truths. This may be one of those moments where doing so, however painful, proves exactly why it still matters.”
Communication Studies and Journalism CCTV demonstration 1975.
Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) is celebrating 50 years of delivering its pioneering journalism course, the longest-running programme of its kind in Scotland and consistently recognised as one of the leading courses in the UK.
Since launching in 1975, the course has produced leading journalists across the UK and beyond. From Lee McKenzie, renowned for her Formula 1 coverage on Channel 4 and rugby reporting for the BBC and ITV, to Nick Eardley, the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent and a trusted voice from Westminster, and Martin Frizell, former Editor of ITV’s flagship daytime programme This Morning – just a few that graduated from ENU.
The need for these trusted, credible voices in the media is more prevalent than ever, and Edinburgh Napier University is committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists with the skills, adaptability and creativity needed to thrive in a fast-changing industry.
Alongside its long-standing undergraduate course, the University also delivers a respected postgraduate programme in journalism and, last year, launched a postgraduate course in Sports Journalism – reflecting its dedication to training aspiring reporters across a range of sectors.
Students benefit from expert teaching by leading academics and experienced practitioners, combining the fundamentals of journalism with hands-on newsroom experience.
Professor Sue Rigby, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “At Edinburgh Napier, we are proud to have delivered our journalism course for the past 50 years. While the industry has changed beyond recognition, the need for trusted, credible reporting has never been greater.
“The continued appetite to study journalism shows that the next generation is ready to step up. Our role is to give them the tools, integrity and confidence to thrive, ensuring that the stories that matter are told with accuracy and impact for decades to come.
“This anniversary is not only about reflecting on the past 50 years but also about looking ahead to the future of journalism.”
Edinburgh Napier University is ranked Scotland’s number one modern university in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and continues to uphold its reputation for industry-focused, world-class teaching.
For more information on journalism at Edinburgh Napier please visit:
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has written to STV’s Chief Executive Rufus Radcliffe expressing concerns over the company’s cost saving plans and the impact these would have for its Aberdeen newsroom.
In the letter, Mr Robertson said STV is an important part of Scottish identity and culture and has a key role to play in Scottish broadcasting.
Angus Roberson said: “I recognise that STV is facing challenging financial circumstances and working to adapt to a changing environment, however I am deeply concerned that these moves will see significant reductions in news provision and public service broadcasting in Scotland.
“The sustainability of quality news from reliable sources is crucial in the fight against false or misleading information. It is alarming to see decisions to reduce services and resources of news provision across the country, particularly given STV’s public service commitments to invest in news and help tackle misinformation.
“It is also a worrying step backwards when we are seeing these trends throughout the sector in response to advertising downturns and financial challenges.
“While the STV’s internal organisation is a matter for the STV and its Board, the Scottish Government is concerned by proposals that put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of STV services at risk.
“I will continue to champion stronger journalism and a Scottish broadcasting sector and urge STV against any decisions that would result in further reduction in news reporting in Scotland, redundancies of Scottish-based staff and erosion of trust in STV’s operations and output in Scotland.”
Angus Robertson’s letter to Rufus Radcliffe on STV’s cost saving plans:
Dear Rufus,
I would like to thank you for taking the time to write to me and set out this important update on cost saving plans following STV’s interim financial results.
As a Scottish-based public service broadcaster, STV is an important part of Scottish identity and culture and it has a key role to play in Scottish broadcasting.
I recognise that STV is facing challenging financial circumstances and working to adapt to a changing environment, however I am deeply concerned that these moves will see significant reductions in news provision and public service broadcasting in Scotland.
The sustainability of quality news from reliable sources is crucial in the fight against false or misleading information. It is alarming to see decisions to reduce services and resources of news provision across the country, particularly given STV’s public service commitments to invest in news and help tackle misinformation.
It is also a worrying step backwards when we are seeing these trends throughout the sector in response to advertising downturns and financial challenges.
While the STV’s internal organisation is a matter for the STV and its Board, the Scottish Government is concerned by proposals that put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of STV services at risk.
I will continue to champion stronger journalism and a Scottish broadcasting sector and urge STV against any decisions that would result in further reduction in news reporting in Scotland, redundancies of Scottish-based staff and erosion of trust in STV’s operations and output in Scotland.
I welcome the opportunity of a meeting to discuss these important points and to hear more about how STV plans to deliver better for Scotland.
Yours sincerely,
Angus Robertson
NUJ condemns large-scale job cuts at STV
The NUJ has condemned plans announced by STV to make 60 redundancies and significant changes to coverage following a disappointing financial statement to the City.
STV are the current licence holders for the two Channel 3 licences not owned by ITV, which cover central and north of Scotland. They currently employ around 650 staff, including 90 journalists working from their Glasgow headquarters, as well as Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee.
In a meeting with management today (Thursday), staff at the Scottish broadcaster were told that there will be significant job cuts, with a single 6pm news programme across the two STV licences. At the moment STV Central broadcasts from Glasgow, and STV North broadcasts from Aberdeen.
Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ national organiser for Scotland, said: ““These are devastating cuts – not just affecting hard working local journalists, but for STV viewers generally, particularly those in the north of Scotland who will face seeing much loved local coverage axed.
“While there is no doubt that STV faces financial pressures and a decline of studio productions, none of that can be blamed on the hard-working journalists at STV News, whose work online and on the news bulletins, including the flagship News at 6, regularly outperforms their competitors.
“These proposed cuts threaten the high quality of local and national journalism produced by STV News staff across Scotland, and we will be meeting both with our members and with STV management to discuss next steps in opposing these cuts and protecting jobs and quality journalism.”
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
It was a triumphant night for The Scottish Sun at the 46th Scottish Press Awards, named as Scottish Newsbrand of the Year at a ceremony celebrating Scotland’s best journalism.
The Scottish Sun also picked up the Journalism Team of the Year for their reporting on the death of Alex Salmond, and their reporter Graham Mann took home the Scoop of the Year for his tenacity in recording every twist and turn of Stuart Hogg’s fall from rugby legend to domestic abuser.
Held at Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Thursday (22 May 2025), the highly coveted Journalist of the Year was picked up by Bryan Rutherford of The Press and Journal who continued his successful evening after being awarded Regional Journalist of the Year and Specialist Journalist of the Year earlier.
The team from The Press and Journal also celebrated winning Front Page of the Year – one that caused a nasty spat between the then First Minister and the opposition leader with the shockwaves being felt 400 miles away as Labour Party leaders were accused of turning their backs on the North East of Scotland – of being The Traitors, no less.
The notable Lifetime Achievement Award which this year went to Melanie Reid, columnist and journalist at The Times Scotland. Melanie has been widely recognised for her inspirational contribution to journalism, disability rights and awareness and her weekly ‘Spinal Column’ will be much missed.
As Magnus Linklater, who presented the award, said: “She is an inspiration to journalists and readers everywhere.”
Martin Williams of The Herald was awarded Reporter of the Year and The Sunday Post celebrated winning Campaign of the Year with their campaign, ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’ which resulted in the Scottish Government agreeing funding for pre-eclampsia tests.
The team at East Lothian Courier were awarded Weekly Newsbrand of the Year.
A total of 27 awards crediting the vital work of print and digital journalism were announced in celebration of the finest journalism in Scotland.
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
Chair of Judges, Richard Neville, former Head of News Brands at DC Thomson and current Director of Neville Robertson Communications, said: “These awards celebrate talent from across the whole of Scotland and represent thriving journalism in every community from our big cities to our smallest villages.
“Maintaining that quality and consistency of coverage in every community is difficult these days but tonight’s winners show that our industry has the talent, skills and dedication needed to do the job.”
Richard Neville was joined by 35 independent judges from across the Scottish media, communications and public affairs industries. Former BBC Scotland newsreader Jackie Bird hosted the event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
The final awards of the evening were as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Melanie Reid – The Times Scotland
Weekly Newsbrand of the Year
East Lothian Courier
Scoop of the Year
Graham Mann – The Scottish Sun
Front Page of the Year
The Press and Journal
Journalism Team of the Year
The Scottish Sun – The death of Alex Salmond
Campaign of the Year
The Sunday Post – ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’
Reporter of the Year
Martin Williams – The Herald
Journalist of the Year
Bryan Rutherford – The Press and Journal
Scottish Newsbrand of the Year
The Scottish Sun
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
The full list of Scottish Press Awards winners can be found here.
The 46th Scottish Press Awards were sponsored by Diageo, Edrington, VisitScotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Openreach, The Glenmorangie Company Ltd, The Law Society of Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Muckle Media, Weber Shandwick, Women in Journalism Scotland, Media House International, Event Consultants Scotland and Newsbrands Scotland.
NUJ members at the Scotsman have passed a motion of “anger and dismay” and are seeking an urgent meeting with their editor to discuss the latest round of cuts in which one out of four in the newsroom has been placed at risk of redundancy.
The cuts, which were announced on Wednesday, are across specialist reporters, business and features, with a proposal to cut five roles. They follow the axing of two football writers in January, leaving just one dedicated football reporter.
At the same time, their Glasgow-based rival has been recruiting football writers and last year launched two new football websites covering Edinburgh teams Hibs and Hearts.
The NUJ chapel at the National World flagship title has called upon editor Neil McIntosh to hold a meeting with staff to explain why such severe cuts were needed only three weeks after he told journalists they had achieved year-on-year growth and congratulated them for their performance, effort and hard work.
The decision on the cuts was made by National World’s senior executives based in England following what has been described as a failure to hit targets for subscriptions. The page view target for scotsman.com was to double traffic by the end of 2024, and the first half of the year had been described as a “good start” by the editor in an email to staff.
National World boasted in their half-yearly results that their websites and apps had increased by 8 per cent since year end, and The Scotsman, Yorkshire Post, News Letter, Express and Star and Shropshire Star had grown their subscriber base by 17 per cent since December 2023.
The Scotsman, like many newspaper groups, has been unable to capitalise on switching revenues from print to digital at a time when the traditional newspaper model is in decline.
The latest ABC figures available show The Scotsman sold 7,710 daily copies on average for the last half of 2023, around a tenth of what it sold 25 years ago.
It has recently ranked poorly and below rivals in Google News’s organic search for Scottish news stories.
Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ national organiser for Scotland, said: “Our members at The Scotsman shouldn’t have to pay the price for the muddled mess of a business strategy from National World. They have achieved what they have been asked to do, and their editor has congratulated them for it.
“National World management claim they are trying to turn the company into a ‘premium content business’, but these job cuts fall on those same talented, award-winning journalists who consistently produce excellent Scottish journalism.
“National World CEO David Montgomery needs to be supporting the editor of The Scotsman and its journalists so they can continue to produce quality, informed journalism. You don’t attract more subscribers by offering them less content.”
The BBC’s annual report shows ‘a year of creative excellence and transformation against financial pressures and a challenging media market’
The report shows that the BBC is at the heart of national life and is the go-to media brand in the UK, with 95% of UK adults using our services on average per month, says the BBC’s Media Office.
We continue to deliver for audiences across the UK, and abroad, but we know we must accelerate the pace of change to increase relevance and value in a time of limitless choice and interactivity.
In March, we set out a long-term ambitious plan to prioritise, and focus our resources on, three essential roles: to pursue truth with no agenda; to back the best homegrown storytelling; and to bring people together.
Samir Shah, BBC Chair, said: “The BBC matters deeply to the UK, and continues to play an important role on the global stage.
“With the Board, I look forward to overseeing progress with the solid plans in place to preserve the benefits of public service broadcasting for all, and to ensure the BBC can deliver for audiences well into the future.”
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “This year’s Annual Report shows how we are transforming at pace to deliver for all audiences in the digital age.
“We remain firmly focussed on prioritising our resources into building a BBC for the future that can deliver crucial benefits for the UK at a critical time – and help support a healthy democracy, a thriving creative economy, and a strong society.”
Content
More people, by far, get their news from the BBC than from any other source and – across all our services – 35 million UK adults came to the BBC per day across 2023/24.
We are now the only UK provider to appear in the top five most-used media brands for young people and it was another record-breaking year for BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer, with both seeing a significant increase in the number of weekly active accounts.
The BBC was the place to go for unmissable moments. We brought people together for the Coronation of King Charles III, watched by an average audience of 14.6 million, and the Eurovision Grand Final in Liverpool, watched by an average audience of 10 million on the night.
We saw huge audiences for homegrown storytelling across all genres, from Doctor Who and Planet Earth III to Ghosts and The Traitors. It was an incredible year for distinctly British drama from across the UK, including Blue Lights, Shetland, Steeltown Murders, Sherwood and The Responder.
BBC Radio continues to be the market leader in the audio space, with over 30 million adults listening on average per week – more than any other broadcast radio company or on-demand player. Radio 2 is the UK’s number one station overall, Radio 4 the number one speech station and 6 Music the biggest digital-only service.
Across the UK
Our Across the UK plan remains mission critical and has now entered its second phase. It is currently on track to exceed its £700 million spend target outside of London. To date, the programme has seen the BBC deliver more than £200 million of cumulative investment across its programming and services, including more than 350 roles being relocated outside of London. Over 54% of our workforce are now based outside of London.
In 2023/24, the BBC achieved its target to spend 60% of the Network TV budget outside of London and we are on track to sustain this permanently by 2026. While 44% of total radio and music production spend was outside of London, and we are well on the way to achieving the 50% target by the end of the current Charter.
Transparency and impartiality
We’re building trust with our audiences with a laser-sharp focus on transparency, spearheaded by the launch of BBC Verify. The team fact-check, counter disinformation, analyse data and explain complex stories in the pursuit of truth. This year we’ll be taking BBC Verify to audiences worldwide.
In May, we demonstrated our continued commitment to impartiality by publishing our second independent thematic review, on BBC coverage of migration, and announced the next review into our output on authentic and accurate portrayal and representation.
Finance and commercial
BBC Studios achieved a solid year of performance, despite a backdrop of challenging trading conditions, with sales of £1.9 billion (2022/23: £2.1 billion). An increase to our borrowing limits has kickstarted further investment and the recent acquisition of streaming service BritBox International demonstrates our sustainable future growth plans.
We aim to double our commercial business by 2027/28, generating additional content and funding for the BBC.
While licences in force declined by 2% year-on-year, the vast majority of our audiences remained committed to paying the licence fee and 95% of public service spend was directed to content and its delivery.
In real terms, the licence fee generated 30% more income in 2010/11 than it does today – a difference of more than £1 billion a year. We have been clear that the significant funding pressure we are under means we need to make further savings, on top of the major savings and reinvestment we have already made, to deliver the most value for audiences.
Transformation
We are becoming a leaner, more agile organisation, and we are accelerating our digital-first approach to reach audiences where they are. Public service roles continue to reduce this year, with headcount down 10% in the last five years; a reduction of almost 2,000 roles.
Over the course of the next two years, we will look to further move the money we have into the priority areas that provide real value for audiences. This means, in public service, we will close and transfer roles in some areas, and create roles in growth areas. By the end of March 2026, we expect to see a total reduction of around 500 public service roles.
Workforce diversity
We’ve made progress towards our overall 50:20:12:25 Diversity and Inclusion targets for the year, but there is much to do to ensure we remain representative of our audiences as we get smaller as an organisation. Disability and ethnicity are behind our expected ambition and both will be a focus of our refreshed D&I strategy which will be released in the coming year.
The report demonstrates delivery on all three of our key pillars.
We pursue the truth with no agenda ;
75% of UK adults use BBC News on average per week – well ahead of the next nearest provider
1.3m 12-15 year olds in the UK follow the news with the BBC – higher than any other organisation
We carry the UK’s voice, values, and influence to a weekly audience of 450 million people worldwide
We are the world’s most trusted international news provider
We back the best homegrown storytelling;
We contributed almost £5 billion to the UK economy last year and for every £1 of the BBC’s direct economic activity, £2.63 is generated in the UK economy
Half of our economic impact is outside London – versus 20% for the wider industry
99% of our original content is made in the UK – we are the largest single investor in UK-made programming.
We won 14 BAFTA TV awards in 2024 – more than any other broadcaster or streamer
We bring people together;
BBC coverage reached 25.2m people in the UK on the day of the Coronation of HM The King and HM The Queen Consort
There were a record 8.1bn streaming requests on BBC iPlayer – up 10% on the year before
Of the UK’s top 10 most viewed programmes in 2023, seven were on the BBC, highlighting our ongoing importance and relevance for today’s audiences
People spent 5hrs 44m watching BBC TV/iPlayer on average per week – more than all the big SVOD streamers combined
TODAY (1st July), Sally Gray, TV presenter, media trainer, business leader and charity worker, was awarded an honorary degree by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Sally, a QMU graduate who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the UK media and runs a highly successful media training business, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa in recognition of her significant contribution to culture and the creative arts.
Sally celebrated her success with Dame Prue Leith CBE, Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, and hundreds of new graduates and their families at the first of the QMU’s graduation ceremonies to be held in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall this year.
Sally studied communications and media studies at Queen Margaret College in the 1980s, and it was her dissertation work about children’s television that led her into the BBC’s Blue Peter offices.
She landed her first ‘proper’ job as a BBC secretary, which brought her into contact with many highly experienced broadcasters, such as David Dimbleby, who was on the first programme she worked on, and she played a part in bringing the TV politics programme ‘Question Time’ to Scotland for the first time.
Sally’s presenting career kicked off on a BBC Scotland children’s education programme ‘Go45,’ which she co-hosted with Grant Stott.
This programme was a fresh take on educational broadcasting and attracted an average audience of up to five million people per episode. Her TV credits range from fronting lifestyle shows such as ITV’s ‘Moving Day’ and ‘Our House’, BBC’s ‘Real Rooms’ and the ‘Really Useful Show’ to ‘live’ roving reporting on GMTV.
She has also hosted fun CBBC entertainment shows, as well as presenting ‘Record Breakers’, ‘50/50’ and numerous other children’s programmes.
Nowadays, she focuses her energy on nurturing talent, with a particular interest in helping young people build their confidence and find opportunities in the media. She worked with the London Academy of Film and TV as their Head of Production, training young people up as TV presenters and mentoring new talent.
She then set up her own media training company, Presenters Inc, where she has helped people with a story – including Olympic champions, Strictly Come Dancing professionals and human rights lawyers – to find their voice and engage with audiences.
In 2003, Sally received an MBE for services to young people through her work as an ambassador for the Millennium Volunteers. This was a youth volunteering award scheme, now re-badged in Scotland as the Saltire Awards.
Similarly, through her role as an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, she has supported young people facing disadvantage and adversity to create a better future.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, said: “Sally has created an incredibly successful, exciting and varied media career.
“She has travelled the world in search of the kookiest inventions, chased after wild alligators, flown a fighter plane, gone head-to-head with Hollywood heavyweights, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pierce Brosnan, and sung a duet with actor and comedian Sir Norman Wisdom.
“But, Sally has not only entertained us – she has used her wealth of expertise to give voice to others, helping many fulfil their potential. In that, she personifies Queen Margaret University’s values of making the world a better place and allowing individuals to thrive.”
Sir Paul concluded: “Sally Gray is a true inspiration to our creative industry students and the whole of the QMU community, and we are delighted to recognise her impressive achievements with an honorary degree.”
Over 100 entries have been shortlisted for the 45th Scottish Press Awards, it has been announced. The awards recognise excellence in national, regional, and digital journalism from across the country.
With 26 categories featuring a mix of several long-standing award titles complemented by a range of new-look categories, the judges have received a flood of entries, representing the finest talent from across the industry.
The finalists will be hoping to scoop an award from a range of categories including politics, business, sport, and the arts.
This full list of categories for 2024 includes:
Arts and Entertainment Journalist of the Year
Best Coverage of a Live Event
Campaign of the Year
Columnist of the Year
Feature Writer of the Year
Financial/Business Journalist of the Year
Food and Drink Writer of the Year
Front Page of the Year
Journalism Team of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award (not applicable for entry, chosen by the editors’ committee)
Scottish Newsbrand of the Year
News Photographer of the Year
Nicola Barry Award
Podcast of the Year
Political Journalist of the Year
Regional Journalist of the Year
Reporter of the Year
Specialist Reporter of the Year
Sports Columnist of the Year
Sports Feature Writer of the Year
Sports News Writer of the Year
Sports Photographer of the Year
Weekly Journalist of the Year
Weekly Newsbrand of the Year
Young Journalist of the Year
Journalist of the Year (not applicable for entry, chosen by the judges)
Shortlists for the sought-after Scottish Newsbrand of the Year, Journalist of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award have not been revealed as winners will be announced on the night of the ceremony. The shortlist for Weekly Newsbrand of the Year will be revealed in May.
This year’s judging panel was led by Richard Neville, former Head of News Brands at DC Thomson, and current Director of Neville Robertson Communications.
Richard Neville, chair of the Scottish Press Awards judges, said:“It has been fantastic to see the quality of entries to this year’s awards. The talent in this industry stretches right across the spectrum of digital and print publishing and across every region of the country.
“The need for incisive, challenging journalism grows every year and Scotland’s journalists have risen to the task in the past 12 months.
“Telling good stories will always be at the heart of what the industry does but holding the rich, powerful, and opportunistic chancers to account is of equal importance. It is clear from this year’s shortlist that Scotland is not a place to come to avoid scrutiny.”
The 45th Scottish Press Awards are sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, Diageo, VisitScotland, Edrington, Openreach, Glenmorangie, The Law Society of Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Registers of Scotland, Muckle Media, Amazon, Women in Journalism Scotland, BIG Partnership, Weber Shandwick, Event Consultants Scotland and Newsbrands Scotland.
Overseen by Newsbrands Scotland (formerly the Scottish Newspaper Society), the awards ceremony and dinner will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central on 29 May 2024.
For more information and to view the shortlist, visit:
