The Press Complaints Commission is reported to have decided against taking action over claims that a new content management system at the publishers of The Scotsman newspaper is harming editorial standards.
Says a report on media website, HoldTheFrontPage, a letter from the National Union of Journalists was sent to the press watchdog in June, expressing concerns about Johnston Press' use of the Atex editorial production system.
The move was initiated following concerns about production at Johnston Press titles in South Yorkshire. The report states: “In the minutes from a PCC meeting held in July, it says commissioners discussed the issue but decided no further action should be taken at present.
“The minutes say: 'Commissioners agreed that no further steps were appropriate at this stage, Johnston Press having affirmed its commitment to the PCC – a commitment it said was unchanged by the latest technological developments'.”
Chris Morley, the NUJ's Northern regional organiser, is quoted saying: “I think it is appropriate that they [the PCC] certainly spoke to Johnston Press about the issue, which I know they did.”
A spokesperson for Johnston Press is also quoted, claiming that 80 per cent of journalists using the new system are “very pleased” with it, adding it gives them more control over content and responsibility for their copy.
Johnston Press also owns Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News.
