End casualisation to remedy ethical crisis says NUJ
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NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear has called for an end to casualisation in the media industry in the wake of revelations of serious breaches in standards at the BBC and other broadcasters. He said: “It is time to end the endemic casualisation which puts enormous pressure on individuals to deliver results rather than maintaining ethical standards. “Staff shortages right across the industry are largely to blame: if you cut staff you are inevitably going to end up cutting corners. Broadcasters must move away from short-term contracts and recruit staff who are secure, properly trained and given the time and confidence to make programmes to the highest standards.” The BBC has revealed that serious editorial breaches were found in six of the Corporation’s shows. In response, Director General Mark Thompson announced a “zero tolerance” approach in the future and unveiled a mandatory training scheme called Safeguarding Trust. A report by media regulator Ofcom said there had been a “systemic failure” in the way TV channels had run premium rate phone services. An inquiry found that broadcasters were “in denial” about their responsibilities to viewers and saw phone-ins as a way to generate revenue. |