Sun publisher suffers significant defeat in litigation brought by Prince Harry
Your source for independent media news and insights
In this newsletter
Industry news and trends
Latest content from independent media
Funding opportunities
Media jobs and opportunities
Updates on media policy and legislation
Diversity reading list
Practical tips and techniques
If you have a story to share, we encourage you to reach out to us via email at community@ima.press. We're excited to hear from you!
Industry news and trends
IMA begins voting on new policies ahead of AGM. If you haven’t received your voting link yet, please contact us, so we can resend it to you. The results will be announced at the AGM on 10 August. Details are in your emails. Email us
News copyright theft ‘through the roof’ as 700,000 articles taken down in six months. Content farmers appear to be “getting a bit more brazen”, according to Press Gazette. Read more
How do we ensure independent publishers get what they deserve from Big Tech legislation? As the Public Bill Committee prepares its report on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, PINF Campaigns Manager Hani Barghouthi shares some updates on their advocacy. Read more
PINF Local News Map. Another one from PINF. They’ve recently launched their Local News Map, which is the most comprehensive mapping project of both corporate and independent local news outlets across the UK to date. Read more
£6m fund launched to support smaller charities and social enterprises. Co-operative and Community Finance (CCF) has joined a group of organisations to run a new £6m fund partnership, the Thrive Together Fund. Read more
Latest content from independent media
Free Human rights workshops launch in Leicester. The Great Central Gazette is holding a series of free, practical human rights workshops to raise awareness and address rights-related issues in Leicester. Read more
How much has Labour's transgender policies shifted this week? QueerAF reports The Labour Party has dramatically rolled back its promises to reform the Gender Recognition Act. Read more
Labour movement figures call for new party after Starmer benefit cap betrayal: #TransformPolitics. With ‘Labour’ refusing to oppose Tory two-child benefit cap, labour movement and campaigning activists have issued call for new party of the left under ‘Transform’ banner to offer real choice. Read more
Claiming Care as Capacity: A Topical Memoir. From Onyx Magazine, “I was born into a family where the experiences colonialism has conditioned us to refer to as disabilities were regarded as characteristics that were simply in need of being accommodated.” Read more
Open letter to Jonathan Ashworth MP. Another one from the Great Central Gazette in collaboration with PINF. The community deserves local news that is inclusive and relevant to their needs. Read more
Funding opportunities
Submissions for the 2023 WEVAW Awards are open. The Write to End Violence Against Women Awards recognise and reward journalists, writers, and content creators across the UK who raise awareness of gender inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls. Read more
Global Forum for Media Development’s National Journalism Fund. Not something you can apply for per se, but they’ve opened comments on a discussion paper about NJFs. Read more
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism. Are you a journalist with a great idea for a high-impact story that “Follows the Money,” but few resources to get it done? Read more
Media jobs and opportunities
The Bristol Cable is recruiting for a Social Media Producer. They’re particularly interested in applications from people of colour, working class people and LGBTQ+ people. It’s a 4-day position at a pro rata salary of £26,084. Read more
They’ve also reopened applications for People and Wellbeing Lead. In this role, you would help the Bristol Cable maintain a professional co-operative with a culture of care. Read more
Updates on media policy and legislation
Sun publisher suffers significant defeat in litigation brought by Prince Harry
Prince Harry’s lawsuit against News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun, will be allowed to proceed to a full trial in the High Court.
It comes after Prince Harry accused the newspaper group of unlawfully obtaining his private information – between the mid 1990’s and 2016 – through a variety of means that included phone-hacking, blagging (obtaining private information by deception), and the instruction of Private Investigators to carry out illegal inquiries.
While the High Court Judge ruled that Prince Harry was too late to include allegations of voicemail interception (“phone-hacking”), he rejected NGN’s attempts to prevent the rest of the claim proceeding. He has therefore allowed litigation to proceed on Prince Harry’s claims about unlawful intrusions – such as the alleged use of private investigators and the illegal stealing of personal data – by the News of the World and The Sun.
The news is a major defeat and strategic setback for one of the largest newspaper publishers in the country.
Diversity reading list
Black Ballad’s Pride is Joy series
“The Black LGBTQ+ community will always be celebrated at Black Ballad – this space is for us all, whether you ascribe to labels or not. But for Pride Month, let’s turn up the volume and be unapologetically vocal and clear about carving out room for Black queer people to express love, share experiences and, most importantly, feel joy.
“We have, and will continue to, explore queer representation, history, safe spaces, arts & culture, identity, activism and more.
“So, this Pride Month and beyond, celebrate Black queerness in all its forms with Black Ballad across our website and socials.”
Practical tips and techniques
Ghost.org resources. A library of resources to help you share content, grow your audience, and build an independent subscription business. Read more
How to Succeed on Substack. Substack’s Resource Center has inside tips and expert advice for writers. Read more
The Membership Guide. Journalism needs solutions to its trust and revenue problems. Membership is one of them. Explore experiments around the world and learn how to apply their lessons in your newsroom today. IMA members featured! Read more
Share your wins and successes
We want to hear about your achievements and successes in the independent media landscape. Share your stories with us at community@ima.press and inspire others with your journey.
Be Featured in the Newsletter
If you're working on an exciting project in the independent media industry and would like to be interviewed for our newsletter, get in touch with us at community@ima.press. We look forward to showcasing your work!