Society of Editors

Plans for a new law granting police firearms officers facing criminal proceedings a presumption of anonymity have been slammed as an affront to the principles of open justice. The Society, alongside a coalition of media businesses, journalists, advocacy and human rights organisations has written to Shabana Mahmood asking the Home Secretary to abandon the "harmful and retrograde measure." "If brought into force, the measure would ride roughshod over the principles of open justice which underpin public confidence in our policing and judicial system," the coalition said. "The ability of media to report on criminal proceedings involving firearms officers would be severely impeded, leaving a vacuum which would be filled by misinformation and rumour. We stress the importance of public interest journalism in underpinning transparency which is essential to public understanding and accountability." https://lnkd.in/gFVHrTRD

Plans for a new law granting police firearms officers facing criminal proceedings a presumption of anonymity have been slammed as an affront to the principles of open justice. The Society, alongside a coalition of media businesses, journalists, advocacy and human rights organisations has written to Shabana Mahmood asking the Home Secretary to abandon the "harmful and retrograde measure." "If brought into force, the measure would ride roughshod over the principles of open justice which underpin public confidence in our policing and judicial system," the coalition said. "The ability of media to report on criminal proceedings involving firearms officers would be severely impeded, leaving a vacuum which would be filled by misinformation and rumour. We stress the importance of public interest journalism in underpinning transparency which is essential to public understanding and accountability." https://lnkd.in/gFVHrTRD

Plans to scrap laws requiring alcohol licensing notices to be published in printed local newspapers is ‘devastating’ for both the local news sector and the public’s right to know, the Society of Editors has warned. The plans, launched as part of a consultation on licensing reform, includes a proposal to remove the statutory requirement for alcohol licensing notices to be advertised in print local papers with the Society today joining industry leaders in warning that the plans would disenfranchise local communities.  Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society said: “The government’s plan to scrap the requirement for printed statutory notices for licensing applications is devastating and fails to recognise the essential role such notices play in keeping communities informed. “Not only will the plans disenfranchise communities, but they will remove a vital revenue stream from the local and regional news industry at a time when the value of accurate and verifiable news and information has never been more important. “The Prime Minister has said that the local news industry is the “lifeblood of our democracy” but this decision threatens not only the ability of the public to engage with the democratic process but the sustainability of the local news industry when it is needed more than ever.” https://lnkd.in/eiaW-fnf

The Society of Editors has welcomed new rules which have come into effect this week strengthening media access in criminal courts. From Monday 6 October 2025, changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules now state explicitly that parties who apply for discretionary reporting restrictions in criminal cases should notify the media of applications. This formal recognition of the media as interested parties aims to improve transparency and prevent unjustified limits on Crown and magistrates’ Court reporting. Responding to the changes Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society said: “The Society welcomes the updating of Criminal Procedure Rules which now ensure that journalists are given clear and timely opportunity to respond to applications for reporting restrictions. Such changes improve transparency in the justice system and enable journalists to fulfil their vital role reporting on behalf of the public.” https://lnkd.in/eFqNe38R

The Society of Editors has hailed the appointment of journalist safety liaison officers (JSLO) across all police forces in England and Wales as “a vital step” in ending impunity for crimes and harassment against journalists. The appointments, established as part of the UK National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists, means that every police force across the UK will now have a dedicated officer who can provide practical support to journalists facing abuse and threats. Welcoming the appointments, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society said: “The right of journalists to carry out their role, without fear of harassment, intimidation or violence is essential to our democracy but the reality is that across the UK, journalists face the daily threat of attacks and abuse simply for doing their job. “Improving communication and collaboration between the police and journalists is a vital step in ending impunity for crimes against journalists and the appointment of journalist safety officers across all UK forces sends a strong message to the perpetrators of this abuse. “Robust, independent journalism strengthens democracy and the safety and ability of journalists to report, without fear or favour, should be of paramount importance to anyone who values a free press and its ability to hold power to account.” The Society holds a list of the JSLOs across UK forces and anyone wishing to get in touch with their local officer can contact the Society at [email protected] https://lnkd.in/esdViA2F

The shortlist has today been announced for the Society of Editors’ Media Freedom Awards 2025. Setting the benchmark for a celebration of UK public interest and campaigning journalism, the awards recognise excellence across all sectors of the UK news industry and will culminate with a high-profile ceremony at the iconic Underglobe in London on the evening of Wednesday 12 November 2025. Sponsored by Allwyn, Vodafone and Ecotricity, the awards will be presented by renowned ITV News Journalist and Presenter Lucrezia Millarini. Announcing the shortlist, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors and co-chair of the judges said: “At a time when media freedom and journalists’ safety are under attack in many areas across the globe, the Media Freedom Awards provide an opportunity to stand up and celebrate the truly extraordinary journalism that comes out of newsrooms across the UK. Once again the standard of entries this year has been exceptional and our judges have worked diligently and given up their time to review hundreds of submissions. Well done to all those shortlisted and we look forward to welcoming you, alongside your colleagues, for an important celebration of journalistic excellence on 12 November.” Full shortlist and how to book at https://lnkd.in/envSg6bx

The Society of Editors has welcomed a pledge by the Culture Secretary to legislate to ensure public service media content is given more prominence on YouTube and other video sharing platforms. Speaking at the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge Convention 2025 yesterday (Wednesday 17 September 2025), Lisa Nandy MP said that public service media was under threat and that in an increasingly competitive market, it was fighting to be seen and heard. As video viewing moves away from broadcasters’ own services and towards third party platforms, Nandy said that the government supported OFCOM’s recommendation that Public Service Media content should be prominent on major video sharing platforms and that, if necessary, the government would legislate to ensure this took place. https://lnkd.in/eDBDfcJt

The Society of Editors has said that it is ‘deeply alarmed’ by an admission by MI5 that it ‘illegally obtained’ communications data from the mobile phone of former BBC Northern Ireland home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney. The admission was made in documents that the security service submitted to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal which conceded that it has obtained data from Mr Kearney’s phone in 2006 and 2009. The data related to his work on both a 2011 Spotlight documentary about the independence of the Police Ombudsman’s office and an investigation into the murder of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll who was gunned down by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon in 2009. Responding to the documents, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors said: “The admission by MI5 that it unlawfully obtained communications data from a former BBC journalist is deeply alarming and of immense concern to anyone that values press freedom and the rights of journalists to protect their sources. “Journalism is not a crime and those that seek to abuse their powers and ride roughshod over journalistic protections must be held accountable.” https://lnkd.in/etAW_gqU

The Society of Editors has today (Tuesday 16 September 2025) joined UK creators in calling on the Prime Minister to recognise the human rights of creators and to protect copyright. In an open letter to Keir Starmer, published to coincide with President Trump’s state visit, the Society joined over 70 of the UK’s leading creators and creative organisations in calling on the government to explain its failure to protect the rights of UK copyright holders by upholding international human rights standards. The letter, signed by creative organisations including UK Music, Pan MacMillan and Getty Images, calls on the Prime Minister to justify the Government’s “active ignoring” of UK copyright holders’ rights. It makes clear that the Government’s current position – refusing to take steps to make existing law enforceable – risks ceding control over the UK’s creative economy and the rights of its citizens to overseas interests. https://lnkd.in/edGhePMy

Some of the front pages and headlines on Tuesday 9 September 2025: Four in give NHS hospitals failing; Labour left plots revenge on Starmer; Macron hit by loss of premier and Johnson traded PM contacts for business deals #frontpages