Received from: NUJ
Congress notes recent Reuters Institute research which found that people who trust in news most of the time in the UK now stands at 35 per cent, down from 51 per cent in 2015.
Congress notes this trend has been compounded by the failure of news organisations to invest in quality news, exacerbated by tech companies hoovering up advertising revenue and pivoting away from news on their platforms.
Congress believes this has boosted the dissemination of disinformation, misinformation, racist and partisan agendas on social media, largely unchecked by the big tech companies.
Democracies need trusted news sources and journalists who can hold power to account. All citizens should have access to easily-understood reporting of important decisions taken on our behalf – about defence, health, education and social care services, as well as the administration of justice, provision of transport, and economic planning.
Congress instructs the General Council to support the NUJ’s News Recovery Plan which calls for:
i. a windfall tax of six per cent on the tech giants to provide sustainable future funding
ii. Jobs for Journalists tax credits and interest free loans to bolster frontline newsgathering roles
iii. reforming media ownership rules with a strengthened public interest test
iv. the establishment of a journalism foundation to champion public interest news and foster a diverse media
v. investment in measures to ensure journalists can work safely
vi. legislation to protect the rights of creators and regulate AI
vii. legislation to outlaw SLAPPs and other forms of ‘lawfare’ aimed at thwarting journalistic reporting
viii. safeguarding journalists against surveillance.
National Union of Journalists