Plans to repeal press freedom provision

Your fortnightly digest of the very best content from independent media publications up and down the UK.

Hello,

The Government last week published the Draft Media Bill, which includes the repeal of section 40. 

Section 40 repeal will be welcomed by the corrupt and the powerful, who would have feared the impact of the provision on their ability to intimidate independent publishers with expensive legal actions.

Over 200 news outlets are independently regulated and would stand to benefit from costs protection under the provision, but are now set to be deprived of this crucial protection.

IMA Chairperson Tchiyiwe Chihana has written to the Government, calling for an urgent meeting to discuss this decision.

- Reece

IMA letter to the Secretary of State

Dear Secretary of State,

We are writing on behalf of the Independent Media Association, a representative body for independent news publishers.

We were deeply concerned to read that the Draft Media Bill includes plans  to fully repeal section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013.

We would like to confirm, for the record, that we have not been consulted on this decision.

Section 40 would protect news publishers by, except in exceptional  circumstances, directing the Courts to make claimants liable for their own costs in actions brought against news publishers, regardless of the outcome of the case.

This would end the risk of wealthy litigants bringing meritless cases to chill investigative reporting, otherwise known as “SLAPPs”.  In doing so, it promised to be a powerful defence for press freedom.

The criteria which publishers must meet to benefit from this protection is membership of an independent regulator. Independent regulation is manifestly in the interests of the public and readers.

We would be grateful if you would agree to meet with us, so that we can understand your reasons for undermining press freedom in this way, and so that we can explain the very real risks of legal “chilling” which our  members face.

Yours sincerely,

Tchiyiwe Chihana

Chairperson, Independent Media Association

Independent media digest

• New Peterhead gas plant could run at same time as old, energy giant admits: A proposed new gas-fired power station at Peterhead could run at the same time as the existing one, the energy giant behind it has admitted, prompting fears it could accelerate the climate crisis. [The Ferret]

• “An operation worthy of Joe Stalin”: The full list of Labour councillors pushed aside: The Labour party has purged 19 councillors in Leicester ahead of this year’s May local elections in a bid to root out corruption. The news went national. [Great Central Gazette]

• Smashed windows and flaming barricades: Unions have continued striking against the French government’s attempts to reform state pensions. As Phoenix Media previously reported, the measures would raise the pension age from 62 to 64, and people across France aren’t having any of it. [Phoenix Media]

• Everything you need to know about ethical savings: Ethical savings can drive the transition towards a greener, more sustainable future. So how can you ensure that your savings are doing good and not inadvertently funding some of the most harmful industries around the world. [Ethical Consumer]

• Reforming the BBC – interview with Tom Mills: In this clip, Tom recognises people’s frustration with the current situation, but warns us not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, instead looking at the steps necessary to identify and address the institutional issues, so that we may reform the BBC. [Real Media]

• Playing with democracy: ‘Soft’ coup d’état against Petro: Since the day of his inauguration, 7 August 2022, there has been talk of the possibility or the intention of a sector of the old regime to overthrow Colombian President Gustavo Petro. [The Prisma]

• Oil spill shows we must “end our 120-year addiction to fossil fuels”: Around 200 barrels of reservoir fluid containing oil leaked into waters around a harbour in the south west of England at the weekend. [Nadja]

Cash and awards

• Earth Journalism Network Mediterranean Media Initiative: Five story grants up to 1,000 Euros each for independent reporting covering the state of the Mediterranean sea. They accept a wide range of stories. [Closes 7 April]

• Lyra McKee Bursary Scheme 2022: A six-month mentoring and bursary scheme for people from underprivileged backgrounds to learn investigative journalism. Open to UK and republic of Ireland residents only. [Closes 9 April]

• National Geographic Exploration Fund: Up to 30k Dollars in funding for work on environment-focused stories. [Closes 12 April]

• Sundance Institute Documentary Fund: The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund supports work from global independent filmmakers. [Closes 17 April]

• European Cross Borders Grants: Up to 200k Euros will be used to support journalists with strong ideas for cross-border investigations. [Closes 20 April]

Resources

Social media has become a vital tool for independent media to share their perspectives and reach a wider audience, says The Canary.

Enter Mastodon, an alternative to Twitter that offers greater freedom of speech and decentralization.

The Canary have set up their own Mastodon server that anyone can join, especially independent media outlets.

Upcoming events

• Alborada Films Presents: Documentaries from Latin America and Beyond #4: Alborada Films bring a double-bill of documentary films exploring the relationship between Latin America and Palestine; and culture, politics and solidarity. Both screenings will be followed by in-person Q&As with the film’s directors and guests. Q&A will be chaired by Abla Kandalaft (Mydylarama)

• Mydylarama and Steve Topple (The Canary) at this screening of Bella Ciao: Mydylarama is screening Andrea Vogt and Paul Russell's 90-minute award-winning documentary film about the roots and rise of the most popular revolutionary song in the world, in partnership with the Garden Cinema, to mark Liberation Day in Italy on 25 April. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the directors, hosted by Steve Topple (The Canary). 

• CIJ Summer Conference: The UK’s only event with an emphasis on investigative skills. We offer a mixture of talks, demos and hands-on classes which are designed to equip journalists and anyone interested in investigations with up-to-date investigative methods and tools.

Industry briefing

• Goodbye from gal-dem: “We are incredibly sad to announce that after eight years, gal-dem is closing. As a platform dedicated to centring people of colour from marginalised genders, we have collectively created and grown as a community since 2015, however gal-dem continuing to operate as a business is unfortunately no longer feasible.”

• Introducing the Great Central Gazette: After months of anticipation, Leicester-based newspaper the Great Central Gazette has officially launched its online platform.

• The Bristol Cable are hiring for two roles. People and Wellbeing (HR) and Workplace Lead (Operations).

• Meet the Members - Lacuna Voices: In a world where clickbait and sensationalism dominate the media, Lacuna Voices offers a refreshing alternative. This digital platform shares true-life stories that matter to people, told in the first person, and without the usual archaic news values that still float around Fleet Street.

• Meet the members - Clydesider Magazine: Clydesider Magazine is a unique publication that showcases the creativity and resilience of the West Dunbartonshire community in Scotland.

And that’s all from me, folks! I’ve tried slightly different formats for this newsletter over the last few weeks - so if one stood out to you and you liked it, please let me know! Feel free to email community@ima.press with your feedback.