I’m Standing Up for Journalism today (even though it makes it pretty tricky to reach the keyboard). The NUJ is using today to focus attention on what it sees as the erosion of quality journalism on many fronts and across all media.

Can’t really talk about this though in my sector (new media) without getting my own 2pworth into the storm in a TCP-IP, which the union has been embroiled in over the last couple of weeks. Prof Roy Greenslade, Guardian media columnist and all round pinnacle of the profession, and Telegraph media blogger Shane Richmond, along with the Uncle Tom Cobbley and all of web2.0, have been sounding off about the NUJ, with Roy taking the monumental step of tearing up his membership card in his annoyance. I think he’s making a mistake over this (though as a former NUJ New Media sector rep, I would say that), and both he and the union will be missing out by not having his voice in internal discussions as things develop. Read the rest of this entry »

Yay! Top techno-country tunesters and trusty Tigmoo tubthumpers Alabama3 are going to be playing at the NHS Together demo tomorrow in Trafalgar Square. Apparently they’ve actually rewritten “Woke Up This Morning” to support the NHS Together Campaign, which is a tad more dedicated to the cause than just turning up and waving - tho personally, I reckon they should have done “Ain’t going to Goa” as “Ain’t going to BUPA”

I haven’t been able to see them live for years, so am *very* cheerful about this. Plus they’re one of the only groups that I reckon can actually make for a great atmosphere at a lunchtime gig, so it should make for a good fun rally too. See you there!