By Gabriel Princewill
Cumbria Newspaper journalists have reported their own newspaper to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), for its biased reporting of strike action being held this week on Thursday 20 December.
Editorial staff at The Cumberland News are walking out on strike on Thursday over a dispute about low pay, staffing cuts and the company’s approach to journalistic quality and standards. The complaint is serious and detrimental to the image of the paper which have not responded to questions about the grievance of its staff. The grievance of staff at the paper has been brewing for a while and has failed to yield to intervention from several quarters to resolve the issue.
The newspaper reported on the strike action to be taken by its own staff , but only reflected comments from the company, and not the union or the strikers, reflecting an inherent bias contrary to the fundamental principles of objective journalism. The union received a 100 vote calling for strike action from staff at the paper, following an 85 per cent turnout in the ballot, was given no right of redress.
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The Cumbria News are accused of breaching the IPSO code of conduct with respect to the commitment to fairness. All media outlets are mandated to avoid publish inaccurate, distorted or misleading information. All press publications are expected to maintain the highest professional standards, balancing the rights of the individual with the public’s right to know. It adds that it is essential that the code be honoured not only to the letter but in the full spirit. This implies that printing a story regarding industrial action without putting both sides in the piece is irresponsible and unfair and the union is consequently appealing to IPSO.
Chris Frost, chair of the NUJ ethics council, said: “The company’s reporting of legal industrial action in this way shows the organisation’s lack of commitment to quality journalism, including fair and balanced reporting.
“Newsquest should use its media power and influence to report responsibly and fairly.
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“This is the first time that the NUJ has complained to IPSO. We are doing so on behalf of the journalists who work for The Cumberland News who are taking strike action on Thursday. Management clearly do not support the action, but they should at least put both sides in the newspaper. This is basic journalism. By not doing so Newsquest has shown its contempt for both the journalists and journalism itse
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