Greenslade Quits Union Over Digital Debate

Media commentator Roy Greenslade has revealed he is quitting the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) due to its approach to the digital revolution.

The former Daily Mirror editor wrote in his Guardian blog that he is opposed to the core aims of the union, including its stance on protecting jobs.

“I cannot, in conscience, go on supporting this crucial plank of NUJ policy when it is so obvious that online media outlets will require fewer staff,” stated Greenslade, who is a professor of journalism at London’s City University.

“We are surely moving towards a situation in which relatively small ‘core’ staffs will process material from freelances and/or citizen journalists, bloggers, whatever.”

He added that “the union, as with the print unions of old, cannot possibly adapt to meet the revolutionary demands of a new technology”.

Greenslade concluded: “Holding these views, which are completely divergent from the union's current policies, means that I should resign from the NUJ.

“The brave new world opened up by the internet makes protectionist organised labour on the lines of the NUJ outdated.”

However, Greenslade asserted that he is opposed to newspaper owners using enhancements in technology as an excuse to lay off staff and maintain high profit margins.

As a veteran of the profession in England, Greenslade has also held high-ranking positions at the Sunday Mirror, Sunday Times and the Sun during his 42 years as a paid-up member of the NUJ.

Reactions to Greenslade’s announcement can be found in the comments section on his blog and at journalism.co.uk .