HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR JOURNALISTS

That this House notes that journalists provide news and information as part of their job, which is essential for a functioning democracy and an informed public; further notes that their work can place some journalists at considerable risk from time to time; believes that a major cause of risk to journalists based in the UK is stress and that excessive job-related stress levels have been taken for granted by many in the industry and that at present stress levels are increasingly exacerbated by policies introduced by media employers; further notes that, on the international league table of occupational stress, journalists share third place with prison officers and airline pilots; considers that stress is associated with higher workloads caused by cuts, low wages, excessive overtime and the introduction of new working methods by employers such as Newsquest and Johnston Press, and that these factors have all contributed towards unhealthy working environments; and further believes that these problems have a knock-on effect which can damage quality journalism.