This bi-week:
The press appoints a new guy to regulate them…because that’s how it works apparently…
Andrew Gilligan goes to Downing Street!
Gay Star News closes!
We talk about the ins and outs of the equality act with Tara Hewitt!
We talk about domestic abuse with veteran academic and refuge worker Diana James!
And Michelle reveals an awkward childhood crush!
References1. Lord Faulks QC is the new IPSO chair!
Voting record:
https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/member/101068&showall=yes#divisions
Press-Gazette report:
2. IPSO
Appointments panel (who is on it):
https://www.ipso.co.uk/what-we-do/people/appointments-panel/
Lloyd Embley – Editor in chief of Reach PLC: https://www.reachplc.com/home
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reach_plc
Adrian Jeakings – Chairman of press industry lobbyists:
3. IPSO Statement to us:
“1. IPSO’s Chair is a part-time role which amongst other things, heads up the Complaints Committee and Board.
2. The appointments panel is completely separate to, and has no involvement in, IPSO’s regulatory work. Their only role is to appoint IPSO’s Chairman and Board and the independent members of the Editors’ Code of Practice Committee. You can see the members of the panel here. Like our Board and Complaints Committee, they are a combination of industry and lay members. The panel is chaired by an independent chairman, Sir Hayden Phillips, who is a former senior civil servant and also the independent reviewer for the Advertising Standards Authority. Dame Laura Cox, a former high court judge not affiliated with the newspaper industry, also supported the panel on the recruitment of the Chairman, alongside editor John Witherow. As I think I said to you before, it’s really important that IPSO benefits from the skills and experience of the industry we’re regulating, alongside those that are independent of it.
3. Lord Faulks has now resigned the Tory whip and sits as an independent. I wasn’t involved in the recruitment process but I would imagine all of the various candidate’s previous work and backgrounds would have been taken into account, as in any recruitment.
4. Commenting on his appointment Lord Faulks said: “I will work for those that feel wronged by the press, holding publishers to account to the standards encompassed in the Editors’ Code”. We’ve shown a continued commitment to supporting those who have concerns about reporting in this area through our complaints process and other services, guidance, engagement and through our forthcoming research. Our role is to protect the public and we want to continue to work with the transgender community to do this. “
4. Hacked off statement to us:
“IPSO’s constitution is riddled with pro-industry biases, and it has failed the public at every turn.
“The appointment of an ex-Government politician as Chairperson of the body, who will join the network of politicians and newspaper executives already pulling the strings at the IPSO system, demonstrates IPSO’s deep, intentional and developing links to both the industry and the state.
“Its attempts to spin itself as “independent” have been exposed once and for all with this appointment, and IPSO should come clean with the public: this is an organization acting exclusively in the interests of the industry.
“Hacked Off and campaigners around the world who believe in freedom of expression take the view that politicians should be nowhere near a press complaints-handling body. We urge anyone who believes in freedom of expression to join us in challenging IPSO’s total disregard for the principles of press freedom yet again with this appointment.”
5. Government petition
Sign and share this! https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/266491
6. Gay star crowdfunder
Gay Star News closed without being able to pay their staff a final salary. Give them a hand!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-team-gsn
7. Former Gay Star journalist defends trans people amid closure!
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/gay-star-news-close-lgbt-trans-terf-media-a9032896.html
8. Actual lawyer
If you are in need of legal advice in regards to trans discrimination and the equality act, here is an actual lawyer who can help (personally recommended by Tara Hewitt!)
https://bhattmurphy.co.uk/our-people/jane-ryan
9. Enforcing the equality act report
Here is the full report: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmwomeq/1470/1470.pdf
10. Domestic Abuse Services
Galop is an LGBT anti-violence charity that can help you!
0800 999 5428
LGBT Switchboard is a general LGBT info and support service and have been trained in domestic abuse issues.
