Just my suggestion for a campaign which I feel is needed to rescue Scotland's beleaguered media, and particularly the ongoing shenanigans deployed by Newsquest who own the Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times.
I am sure I am not the only one to recognise the downgrading of standards at these newspapers. This is not a criticism of the journalists employed at these titles, but a direct shot at the management. The disgraceful decision to terminate all staff contracts and then issue them with new (worse) terms and conditions, has resulted in experienced staff looking for the exit doors, with the result being that a voluntary trawl ended with so many wanting to leave, Newsquest are now in a panic. At one time working for the Herald was a badge of honour, now journalists do not have that feeling.
It is also my understanding that staff who are offered redundancy are being asked to effectively sign a clause stating that they will not pursue a tribunal against the management.
To use antediluvian anti worker legislation does Newsquest no credit.
Newsquest is not a company facing difficult times. Their profits are soaring. The parent company Gannet publicly state that they see reader contributor stories as the way ahead. Readers do not expect this at the longest established English language newspaper in the world. The Evening Times is fast becoming an extended edition of the in-house Glasgow City Council magazine.
Perhaps it is time to seriously consider the Irish Times model, which is owned by a Trust as the way forward for these titles.
All of us as readers need to voice our concerns at the outrageous employment practices deployed by Newsquest, and the dumbing down of our media, particularly at what was once the best titles in the Country.
03 February 2009
02 February 2009
A BUDGET VERDICT
So I have decided to blog again to keep my avid readers occupied. A very busy January for me in both work, and campaigning around North Pollok, and and in the Greater Pollok area. I am pleased to say that the voters of Glasgow South West continue to give positive feedback to the SNP.
On Wednesday I was scheduled to go to a meeting in the Scottish Parliament which was cancelled at the last meeting thanks to the Budget being voted down. This did surprise me somewhat as I did not think that some of the following was controversial enough to vote down;
- Extra funds for the NHS
- Real investment in delivering free personal care for the elderly
- A Second successive Council Tax freeze (in other words freezing a regressive piece of taxation)
- Investment in the Construction Industry creating 5,000 jobs.
However it seems that the people of Scotland have delivered their verdict to the Budget, and the behaviour of New Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens. In a poll for the Sunday Times published today, it shows that If an election for the Scottish Parliament was called now, the SNP would have a 6% lead in both Constituency and Regional voting, higher than in 2007.
Sensationally, despite the fact that the key economic powers lie with Westminster at present, Alex Salmond is level with Gordon Brown in terms of handling the economy. A Westminster poll has shown the SNP vote shooting up by 10%.
This poll reflects many of the comments from voters, work and trade union colleagues who are all agreed that the opposition parties who voted the Budget down, got that decision badly wrong, and that the Scottish Government are right to press ahead and try for the sake of the nation to proceed with pushing a budget that will help the people of Scotland through one of the worst economic periods ever.
SNP - Still on your side!
On Wednesday I was scheduled to go to a meeting in the Scottish Parliament which was cancelled at the last meeting thanks to the Budget being voted down. This did surprise me somewhat as I did not think that some of the following was controversial enough to vote down;
- Extra funds for the NHS
- Real investment in delivering free personal care for the elderly
- A Second successive Council Tax freeze (in other words freezing a regressive piece of taxation)
- Investment in the Construction Industry creating 5,000 jobs.
However it seems that the people of Scotland have delivered their verdict to the Budget, and the behaviour of New Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens. In a poll for the Sunday Times published today, it shows that If an election for the Scottish Parliament was called now, the SNP would have a 6% lead in both Constituency and Regional voting, higher than in 2007.
Sensationally, despite the fact that the key economic powers lie with Westminster at present, Alex Salmond is level with Gordon Brown in terms of handling the economy. A Westminster poll has shown the SNP vote shooting up by 10%.
This poll reflects many of the comments from voters, work and trade union colleagues who are all agreed that the opposition parties who voted the Budget down, got that decision badly wrong, and that the Scottish Government are right to press ahead and try for the sake of the nation to proceed with pushing a budget that will help the people of Scotland through one of the worst economic periods ever.
SNP - Still on your side!
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