Jempson: "Public have a right to know."

Age

60

Education
A BA (hons) in English. I started out in teaching, youth and community development work. I’ve got 35 years’ experience in most aspects of print and broadcast media having worked at local newspapers, in public relations, investigative journalism and documentary making. I’ve also done parliamentary lobbying, worked for trades unions and large and small NGOs (Amnesty International to the Matthew Trust).

So, what do you actually do?
As director of the MediaWise Trust (formerly PressWise), I represent the organisation in debates about journalism ethics. I also advise members of the public and social groups who have complaints about aspects of print and broadcast coverage. I devise and deliver “ethical” training for NGOs and journalists in the UK and internationally, and develop research projects and fundraising.

What's so ethical about your job?
Our guiding principle is: “Press freedom is a RESPONSIBILITY exercised BY journalists ON BEHALF OF the public”. We try to sustain the social purpose of journalism - to inform the public accurately and fairly about what is happening around them - and defend the right of journalists to operate responsibly without fear of favour.

We appreciate the difficulties that journalists face, but believe the public has a right to know when inaccurate information has been published, and defend every citizen’s right to a private life unless their behaviour is criminal or designed to deceive or misinform
the public.

What does your typical day involve?
Some days I’m woken by a call from a radio station and asked to comment on a breaking story that has raised ethical issues. The post, phone or email may bring a complainant whose concerns are taken up as quickly as possible.

In the office I may find requests to give lectures to students or to supply training programmes for journalists overseas who are wrestling with problematic issues. For example, reporting of the sexual abuse of children, suicide and mental health of minorities. Occasionally I will get calls from individual journalists and programme-makers for advice.

With help from a colleague we may put together some analysis about coverage of a current event, and issue an “editorial” commenting on a topical media issue. This goes to about 2,000 contacts in the UK and internationally and may result in follow up calls or interviews.

These days I do a lot of training and consultancy work outside the UK (to earn revenue for MediaWise). In the first seven months of 2007 I had assignments in Bosnia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

What skills and experience do you need in this area of work?
A knowledge and belief in the value of good journalism; an understanding of media processes, human rights and the law; an ability to listen, empathise and analyse; and a willingness to learn, argue and take risks in defense of human rights.

Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work?
I would prefer to think that one day there will be less need for an organisation like MediaWise, but the all-encroaching role of (commercially-driven) media makes that unlikely. It would be better if people really learned the ropes of journalism and its function in an open democratic society; listened to their consciences, were willing to admit to mistakes, and prepared always to consider the potential consequences of their actions.

MediaWise Trust

www.mediawise.org.uk