WHILE Saturday’s edition of The Herald was apologising to readers for missing features – as a result of a walk-out the previous day by members of the National Union of Journalists – its editor was going on the offensive about his paper’s editorial standards.
The walk-out was staged following the proposed sacking of staff at sister title, the Evening Times.
The apology had Tim Blott, managing director of the Herald group of newspapers, which also includes the Sunday Herald, saying: “We deeply regret the decision of the NUJ to continue with its strike action even though the number of people facing compulsory redundancy has now dropped to on out of [a] total of 300 editorial staff.”
Added Herald editor, Charles McGhee: “It is erroneous to suggest that The Herald has changed its editorial direction, from a national to a provincial newspaper, under [owners] Newsquest’s ownership. The paper continues to offer its readers the same blend of Scottish, UK and international news and comment which has made it the most influential newspaper in Scotland, according to independent surveys.”
