News

One year on from the launch of a unique assistance scheme to support new starters, the Journalists’ Charity is renewing its commitment to future talent.

Since April 2021, the charity has received dozens of applications from new journalists from across the UK – approving cash assistance grants to help with housing and relocation as well as travel and adaptation costs.

I am very sad to learn of the death of Rob Gibson, former Political Editor of the Daily Express and latterly founder of Gallery News.
Rob was a gentleman, an esteemed and loyal colleague and wonderful company. A natural raconteur, he held us spellbound with Fleet Street stories and I learned a lot about the practical trade of journalism watching him negotiate stories.

Sir Ray Tindle was a man who built his local newspaper empire from nothing after the war, who never gave up and never sold up. His company motto was the Churchillian mantra Never Surrender. He responded to the 2008 economic downturn, which was cataclysmic for most local newspapers, by issuing a “finest hour” speech to staff.

Vadym Karpiak, who has seen his home destroyed in a Russian missile attack is host of ‘Freedom of Speech’ for ICTV one of the most popular current affairs programmes in Ukraine.

In a special video message sent from the TV studio where he and his colleagues are having to live in an underground bunker, Vadym told the Welsh Media audience that they are determined to keep free speech alive.

Wales OnLine & Western Mail journalist Will Hayward (PICTURED) took top honours at the annual Journalists’ Charity Wales Media Awards www.walesmediaawards.co.uk, held live last night (25 March 2022) for the first time in three years.

Dozens of Welsh publications, websites, radio stations and TV channels were vying for one of the most sought-after awards in UK journalism with over 60 reporters, photographers, camera operators and editors shortlisted in 20 categories.

Will Hayward was named Journalist of the Year 2022 as well as Feature Writer of the Year, Newspaper Journalist of the Year and Political Journalist of the Year.

Industry colleagues across all media came together at St Bride’s Church for a service of commemoration and support for journalists and photographers reporting from Ukraine. The service, called ‘Under Fire: Journalists and Ukraine’, was supported by the Journalists’ Charity and The London Press Club.

Caroline Wyatt, Charity Ambassador and former BBC defence and war correspondent and now a presenter on Radio 4’s PM programme, gave a reflection of reporting experiences in support of journalists and their teams covering the war in Ukraine. Patrick Kidd, diary editor at The Times, and Timothy Worledge, Editor Director of Fastmarkets Agriculture, gave readings.

An evolution of the charity’s lockdown initiative in 2020, the message reinforces the importance of journalism as a cornerstone of our free and fair society.

While Russian citizens have lost the last remnants of their free press, British journalists are risking their lives to report the truth about the conflict.

The charity’s AGM will be held virtually on May 18, please email enquiries@journalistscharity.org.uk should you wish to attend.
Agenda
Apologies for absence.
The Chair to ask for confirmation of the Minutes of the previous AGM and SGM and for permission to sign them.
The Chair to report on the year ended 31.12.2021 and then to move the adoption of the Report and Financial Statements for 2021.