James Ball’s media musings
Well, since I’ve had such a long absence it seemed sensible to have a rejig before returning. This is a work in progress - hoping to be back soon.
The row over “Flat Earth News”, Nick Davies’ polemic on the state of journalism rumbles on, and it’s been noted that I’ve been suspiciously quiet on the issue. The reason’s not all that sinister – it’s simply that I haven’t spent the last twenty years working in a newsroom, or the last year talking to people who have. As such, I didn’t have much to add, so kept schtum. Clearly, I’m a little new to this blogging business….
Roy Greenslade has posted his thoughts on the exploititative nature of journalistic work experience. He’s absolutely right, but work experience is just one of numerous barriers discouraging all but those form middle-class families into the profession.
Journalism now requires more training for lower wages and a more uncertain future than virtually any competing profession…
Well, since I’ve had such a long absence it seemed sensible to have a rejig before returning. This is a work in progress - hoping to be back soon.
Earlier today a long-overdue FOI response from Strathclyde police landed in my inbox - a mere 33 days past the legal time limit for response. This was, I’m told, “due to the way the relevant information is recorded on our [Strathclyde’s] various systems”.
Excellent - when I hand over my tax return late, I’m sure the authorities will be more than happy to hear I missed the legal deadline due to my shoddy “big pile of stuff” filing system.
Anyway, moving on to the results, Strathclyde are Scotland’s largest police force, and their spending reflect this. The force has spent just under £4m on PR in the last three years, spending £1,399,760 in 2007.
Their spending per 100,000 people, at £60,351, was the second highest in Scotland and 12th highest in the UK. Unlike many big spenders, their PR spend has increased significantly above inflation since 2005.
Spending on PR in 2007 was 15.9 per cent higher than 2005 - the second highest increase in Scotland.
The force employs a whopping 46 press and PR staff (only the met employ more), and 5 FOI officers.
