New “big bang” theory for men
“Wanna’ talk about sex? No, nor do I GIVEN THAT men talking about men can sound like something straight out … Read More
“Sectioned” to compete
WARNING: You may need pain killers! IT WOULD not surprise me if, should you be so inclined as to wade … Read More
Paper tigers
Everybody supports freedom of the press. But when it comes to definitions … THE POST-LEVESON saga should be televised. In … Read More
History as a pointer
What can an international celebration teach us? UPDATED 12.51 pm (BST) HISTORY, as ever, is prone to misuse. We only … Read More
Poisoned legacy, poisoned chailce
It may be gruesome but the left needs to check Thatcher’s body for rigor mortis IT MAY be unfortunate but … Read More
WELCOME TO STORYBOARD4: MAY 2013
Updated: 22 May 2013
WELCOME TO the third year of an absolute cornucopia of new, original political writing and comment: all for free. (There may be the occasional sprinkling of gossip. It’s like fairy dust.) And we have spruced up our look …
- NEW from “We’ve met Lord Lucan”: are you mad enough to be a Tory?
- NEW Episode XXXIV from the Lounger diaries: Do you have a position or manœuvre in the bedroom?
Roland is an award-winning investigative journalist, and is our leading contributor. Don’t be shy; leave a comment. Only one word of warning: he is known to be fickle.
From May of last year (2012) only the last six months posts were available (in the left-hand sidebar). A collection of posts from 2011-2012 can be viewed from the link at Storyboard4 super archive (as a PDF) or downloaded from the left-hand sidebar.
Don’t forget contributions to the site can be made via the Storyboard4 email account (below). We had been following a draft “bloggers’ code of ethics” which was posted by Cyberjournalist.net. Their site was found by Google to contain malware/malicious software and we have removed the link. In the meantime we have been considering a short editorial code adopted by the US-based Society of Professional Journalists. You can download it here spjethicscode.pdf ✪
Regards,
Storyboard4 editorial collective. Or Twitter @Storyboard4
Storyboard4 is a progressive and radical media collective publishing original material online and in print
Storyboard4 cannot accept responsibility for the content of external websites reached via our links. We do, however, endeavour to keep appropriate links up-to-date.
Videos
Spreading the word(s)
Asides
Updated 14 May 2013
Gap in ethics
DESPITE A number of European clothing firms, including Swedish-owned H & M, signing an agreement to improve health and safety conditions in Bangladesh US-based firms have not been so forthcoming. To the surprise of many Wal-Mart have called for the closure of one factory and an examination of another following its own investigation but have not signed up to the agreement reached. Gap say they are prepared to sign “today” but only after changes to the resolution of disputes in the courts. PVH/Calvin Klein have signed up.
Reuters, Stockholm/Chicago
Press groups to drop veto
THE LARGER press groups, including Associated Press and News International, are set to abandon plans to maintain a veto on appointments to a new press regulator. It would seem that the aim is win support from the Financial Times, Guardian and the Independent.
Alleged spook to keep eye on press
PRIVY COUNCILLOR, and private secretary to the Queen, (Sir) Christopher Geidt, is to be a lynch-pin in any version of a Royal Charter. He has history. He successfully sued journalist John Pilger and Central TV when a programme broadcast in 1991 suggested Geidt had links to MI6 in relation to his activities in Cambodia. A “gagging order” was granted that suppressed material about MI6 or the SAS. The Guardian seems to be coming to its senses declaring in a 8 May leader that the involvement of a “private equerry [...] smells bad, looks bad and is bad.”
Farage fanfare
UKIP mouthpiece, Nigel Farage, has — perhaps unwittingly — revealed the object of his party’s existence. Unwittingly? It can be difficult to tell sometimes given that he is clearly in fierce competition with Health Secretary, James Hunt, to bear the most smug perma-grin going. Farage has made an analogy with the former SDP and their role in reshaping the Labour Party. The implication would seem to be that he would like to have a similar effect on Britain’s Tories. It may be sad but we may have to hope that former Labour voters who are supporting UKIP realise that Farage is a toff with a serious Thatcher addiction. His next fix could be very expensive.
Post-Leveson saga continues
THE POST-LEVESON saga is still running. Major national newspaper groups (Telegraph, Mail, Sun and Times) are set to draw up their very own version of a Royal Charter to oversee a new regulator. Clearly, the introduction of Privy Councillors and other medieval debris was not at the top of the reasons for opposing the cross-party version passed by parliament. Their major concern would seem to be how to protect industry influence and power even over the selection of “independent” members of the regulatory body; the continuing dominance of editors and former editors — and so forth.
In a guardian leader of 25 April a petulant swipe was taken by those who have pointed to existing criminal law. “Ouch!”, said Private Eye.
In short, the newspaper groups above (including, so it would seem, the Mirror) are more interested in preserving the unaccountability of proprietors. They may think that a MP calling (allegedly) a copper a pleb is good copy but they don’t really like the idea of plebs having access to inexpensive arbitration in complaints against their newspapers. Would you really trust Murdoch or Dacre with defence of freedom of the press?
