Media Release: BBC appoints Alex Gubbay as first social media editor

While Journalism.co.uk was away conferencing, the BBC announced Alex Gubbay as its first social media editor.

Gubbay, currently interactive sports news editor for BBC sport, will take up the role in January.

He will lead ‘editorial development of user-generated content [UGC] and social media initiatives across the newsroom’, said the release, including taking over management of the BBC’s UGC hub.

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• NMA: UK government signs up for new media lessons
• National Geographic is embracing user-generated content with photo and music sharing
• Trinity Mirror overhauls senior management in Midlands
• Happy Birthday BBC News website
• Nuts launches social networking channel – MyNuts

Media Release: London Lite to publish last edition on Friday

Associated Newspapers’ freesheet, the London Lite, will publish its last edition on Friday 13 November, according to a release.

The decision follows a consultation with staff.

Full release at this link…

In August, News International, the UK newspaper division of News Corporation announced that it would close thelondonpaper, its free evening newspaper launched in 2006.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard, in which Associated still has a minority share, switched from paid-for to free last month.

Similar posts:

• London Lite could close following consultation
• MediaGuardian: Associated backs Standard move; what now for London Lite?
• Thelondonpaper – what everyone’s saying
• thelondonpaper’s closure – tell the rivals or readers first?
• Radio 4’s Today programme on Metro’s 10th birthday

BBC Trust will not ‘intervene’ in BBC’s BNP Question Time decision

BBC Trust intervention in the BBC’s decision to allow BNP leader Nick Griffin onto Question Time would be at odds with the corporation’s constitutional arrangements, the regulatory body has said.

Therefore the Trust will not hear appeals, and complaints can only be made after transmission. The release stated:

“They [ad hoc Trust committee] took the view that the Charter and Agreement establishes the director-general as editor-in-chief of the BBC – the individual responsible for the editorial content of BBC programmes.”

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• EUobserver.com: Launch of European press freedom charter
• ITN to provide archive video footage for Al Jazeera
• Prince’s Trust chief exec joins Media Trust board of trustees
• Media Release: BBC Trust approves BBC budget for 2009/10
• Who is an investigative programme for? ‘The people in it, or the man presenting it?’ asks Roger Cook

NUJ Release: Union criticises BBC for allowing BNP on Question Time

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) opposes the BBC’s decision to invite the leader of the British National Party (BNP) onto its Question Time programme, the union has said in a release.

“The union argues that the format of the show does not allow the BNP’’s dishonest propaganda to be properly challenged.”

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• BBC Trust will not ‘intervene’ in BBC’s BNP Question Time decision
• NUJ Release: Suzanne Breen given ’strong support’ by NUJ Exec Council
• #BBCQT: BBC Analysis – ‘Who’s afraid of the BNP?’
• NUJ Release – New Statesman doesn’t recognise union
• Guardian Politics: Second BNP membership leak expected

Media Release: BBC opens up editorial guidelines to public

The BBC is giving its licence fee payers a say on a new draft version of its editorial guidelines – the first review of the guidelines since the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand scandal.

The BBC’s Editorial Guidelines will be open to a public consultation, which will run until December 24.

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• Sir Michael Lyons on the BBC Trust, the licence fee and how it’s spent
• Risky business: BBC must take risks, says Lyons, but creates ‘high risk’ programme register
• BBC faces attack from both sides
• BBC Editors Blog: Younger audiences support Ross and Brand
• Media Release: BBC Trust confirms permission refusal for BBC’s local video plans

BBC release: BBC, ITV and Sky submit joint letter calling for three live televised election debates

The BBC has made the following announcement on its site:

“BBC, ITV and Sky have today written to the leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties with a joint proposal for three live televised debates during the next general election campaign.

“The individual broadcasters would be responsible for producing and broadcasting one debate each between all three party leaders.

“Each of the three debates would be transmitted live by the originating broadcaster in peak time and made available to all other British broadcasters subsequently.

“The broadcasters have formed a joint team to discuss detailed plans with the political parties.

“Each of the broadcasters will seek to make suitable arrangements for ensuring due impartiality across the UK.”

Similar posts:

• Online Journalism Scandinavia: Should public broadcaster seek competitive advantage online by offering users content for free?
• WSJ.com: Joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4 could be agreed within weeks
• Malcolm Coles: Carter Ruck’s new attempt to gag Parliament
• Sky News ‘Leaders’ Debate’ campaign gathers pace – and criticism
• Live coverage of the National Union of Journalists ADM

European Federation of Journalists says Berlusconi ‘putting press freedom to the sword with legal vendetta against media’

Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi ‘has stepped over a line by trying to stifle embarrassing but legitimate journalism at both home and abroad,’ the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has said in a statement:

“On 28 August, Mr. Berlusconi sued the daily La Repubblica simply for having publicly asked him ten questions. At the same time, the daily Il Giornale owned by the Berlusconi family is attacking the catholic paper Avvenire. Moreover, Mr. Berlusconi is suing French weekly Le Nouvel Observateur, and reports say his lawyers are looking into the possibility to sue British papers – including the ones owned by his former ‘friend’ Rupert Murdoch.”

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• BBC News: Italian media group suing Berlusconi for defamation
• Murdoch’s media musings: the Fox News video
• Followthemedia.com: Rupert needs to think about his mortality after News Corp shares fall
• Journalism Daily: Amish media, James Murdoch’s speech and the Bastiat online shortlist
• LAObserved: Open plea to Rupert Murdoch from senior editor at Fox 11

NUJ Release: NUJ condemns more job cuts at Trinity Mirror regionals

Further to Trinity Mirror’s announcement that the Birmingham Post could become a weekly and the Birmingham Mail could be produced overnight, the National Union of Journalists has issued a statement condemning more job cuts at the Midlands titles.

Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary, said:

“Trinity Mirror managers have been shown to be irresponsible with regard to the truth and their attitude to their newspapers and the communities they serve.

“The union will fight to defend the jobs of journalists and the future of the Post.”

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• NUJ Release: Trinity Mirror to axe eight Birmingham weekly titles
• NUJ Release: Strike action halted at Trinity Mirror Birmingham titles
• NUJ Release: Johnston Press strikers go south
• NUJ Release: Guardian must consult NUJ over pay freeze
• NUJ Release: Ballot for action at Trinity Mirror Newcastle titles

Media Release: Bauer Radio signs syndication deal with Independent.co.uk

Independent.co.uk will now stream radio broadcasts from Bauer in a syndication deal.

A widget on the site will launch a radio player streaming KISS 100 and MAGIC 105.4.

Full release at this link…

Earlier this month the BBC announced a free video-sharing deal with several UK national newspaper websites.

Similar posts:

• Media Release: BBC to partner with commercial radio for new projects
• Opposition to BBC’s newspaper video-sharing plans grow (the links)
• Media Release: London Lite to publish last edition on Friday
• Journalism Daily: 3am.co.uk launch, MSNBC and EveryBlock, Bauer Radio’s new deal
• Press Gazette: Bauer Radio MD slams BBC video plans

Media Release: Hannah Walker joins PCC Editor’s Code committee

Hannah Walker, editor-in-chief of the South London Press, will join the Press Complaints Commission’s (PCC) Editor’s Code committee.

Walker replaces former Scotsman editor Mike Gilson, who has resigned.

Full release at this link…

Similar posts:

• MediaGuardian: Alan Rusbridger resigns from PCC code committee
• Commons committee hearing tomorrow: It’s Andy Coulson’s turn…
• PCC calls for submissions to governance review
• Los Angeles Times appoints Eddy W. Hartenstein as publisher
• BBC Trust will not ‘intervene’ in BBC’s BNP Question Time decision