View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Journalist suspended for refusing to use video

By Owen Amos

A journalist at Newsquest‘s Herald and Times group has been suspended after he refused to take a video camera on a job.

The Glasgow journalist was suspended last week and has not returned to work, although he has since been ill.

The National Union of Journalists said the decision was “shocking” and “a complete over-reaction”.

Paul Holleran, the union’s national organiser in Scotland, told Press Gazette: “He was approached to take a video camera on a story. He didn’t have any technical training or health and safety training.

“He refused and was immediately suspended. We don’t have a problem with using videos, so long as people are appropriately trained.

“There’s no logic attached to their decision, that’s why it’s so shocking. I just hope it’s not victimisation. It just seems a complete over-reaction.”

Journalists at the group – which includes Glasgow’s Evening Times, The Herald and Sunday Herald – now work one combined “hub” for all the titles.

In December, Newsquest announced most of its 250-strong editorial team would have to re-apply for their jobs, with 40 fewer posts in the merged newsroom.

In total, 51 applied for voluntary redundancy, but only 40 were accepted – 24 at The Herald, six at The Sunday Herald, five at the Evening Times, and five in digital – leaving 11 staying when they wanted to leave.

Holleran told MPs in the Scottish Affairs Committee this week that some journalists in Scotland “were not coping” with the cutbacks.

The group editor-in-chief, Donald Martin, had not responded to a request for comment at time of publication.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network