Yixiang Zeng

New Year week

2012-01-29T17:42:00.012Z

I was back in Chongqing for only a few days, but felt like for ages. I miss my own little world where I can do things, watch good quality programmes, write whatever I prefer, read and also think.

Just before the New Year, one of my Hong Kong colleagues, B, left the company for good. He is set to join another UK publishing firm as a business development professional based in Hong Kong, and again the firm has a focus on legal publishing. Good for him!

On his last day, we (more than ten of us) had a pleasant farewell lunch together near our work place. He told us he would be in London for a week to attend the company's training programme, and then start his first day after the New Year in Hong Kong.

Good Luck, B!

When I was back with mum and dad, I was trying to do everything that I was supposed to do in the last two years - meeting people, seeing the places, trying home town food, watching the most popular TV entertainment show, and of course, shopping, I would add.

It's a colourful world, the place where I was born. I am so glad to see the changes Chongqing has encountered in the last couple of years. When I was walking in the Central Chongqing one night, I felt like I was walking around Covent Garden in London! I wasn't exaggerating. Obviously, when you left a city for long, you would be the one who quickly discovers its changes, developments and beauty.

Back home, Dad said to me my life needs to be disciplined, in many aspects. I would be happy to discuss this further in the following posts. Thank you, dad.

Even holidaying at home, I hadn't forgotten my research write-ups, though it wasn't that easy to keep my mind focus. I finished writing almost half of the Hong Kong firms' portfolio of work; read part of my editor's (IFLR1000) published work while he was a researcher for the MIP Handbook; also I had a look at my fellow researcher K's Indonesia chapter. Though their writing style is quite different, I am happy to absorb the good things of both.

While catching up with Denae's blog posts, I am amazed by one of her readers' comments on Ph.D experience. Here, I would like to share with all of you:

"A Ph.D to me means knowledge and respect."

"It's an achievement you can be proud of for the rest of your life."

"And - I'd like to think that with that experience the world is your Oyster. You can go and do anything."

For those who have earned your Ph.D, have you felt the same? Anyhow, congrats!

Asian challenge

2012-01-15T08:00:00.009Z

Today I went to Central Hong Kong to meet a friend back from the Uni. We were actually not in the same year, I got to know her through the shorthand class, which was sort of an extra lesson for me, though I loved it and till now, I am still trying to keep up with the skill.

It was so lovely to see her. It reminds me the crazy days back in England. We were laughing, talking, and we were just so excited.

She quit her job back in 2010 from the BBC after working as a broadcaster there for a year, then she moved to Yangzhou to teach English in a primary school. “There are so many differences between the Mainland China and the UK”, she says. “The toilet is not very clean, though I'm fine with it.” She then went on to say: “There aren't many white people there, so you get attention all the time, and you always hear people comment on you. You're treated like a celebrity.”

According to her, there are only around 10 foreigners (white) in Yangzhou, and they all know each other. It's like an ex-pat community in Yangzhou, and the members within the club all know each other.

We discussed many interesting topics and I believe everyone who is interested in the world would love to know more about it and would love to find out more of the answers. For her, at a young age, to dash off to China and learn about the eastern part of the world is not that easy. “I'm here to see the world. It's not for career prospects, just to learn the culture, to see different things,” she says.

We also talked about love/relationship. Due to the cultural difference, it's quite hard for her to accept the Asian boys' attitude towards girls, and for me, actually it's also quite hard to understand why sometimes the western guys behave in a certain way. After all, we're girls and wish to know more or understand better about our other half.

“In Yangzhou, girls need to get married as quick as they can, otherwise things would be difficult,” she says. “I've a (Chinese) friend, her family puts lots of pressure on her. It just makes her feel stupid, and makes her feel no confidence.”

In order to get an insight about China, she made every effort to learn Mandarin. She used to go to restaurants in Yangzhou, and asked waiters/waitresses to write down all the words, including pronunciations, and then she would study them when she got back home.

“Some English people in Hong Kong are so lazy. They never wish to go to the local places. They're always in the pubs,” she says. “I prefer Yangzhou. Because Hong Kong is like London for me, I always have my Starbucks here.”

New start

2012-01-14T06:19:00.013Z

I stopped blogging since I found my first paid-job in journalism in London last January. Paid-job? Yes, p-a-i-d-j-o-b. I know you must be laughing. What do you mean by paid-job? Well, if you have lived in London, if you have been involved in the real sense of British media industry, certainly, you know what I mean ;).

After a year working for a deadline-driven publication - International Financial Law Review 1000 (IFLR1000) back in London, I moved to the publication's Hong Kong office to fulfil my dream, if I could describe it in this way. And now, I am expecting myself to get back on track of blogging, this time I hope I will have a little bit more persistence to keep it up.

Here, from Bloomberg TV and Channel NewsAsia, I am starting to learn about the current Taiwan Election, China's fast-paced developing aviation industry, and also I get a chance to have a look at how Rupert Murdoch have conquered the world media industry. I am glad that I've got the willingness and capability to learn new things.

As a researcher/reporter for a financial law publication, we write things about financial and corporate law amendments, general legal market trends in the context of current economic situation, as well as analysing individual law firm's portfolio of work. Meanwhile, I am also researching on Managing Intellectual Property's world IP Survey (MIP Handbook), another publication within our Legal Media Group (LMG) and also a sister publication of IFLR1000.

I enjoy my job and love what I am doing is certainly a good attitude to pursue the dream, and I believe I need to keep it up!

New year, I have a good start. I would like to meet new people and make new friends, which I perhaps didn't do that well in the past years. There were many reasons I would say, circumstances changes, personal presumption and commitments..however I've decided to adjust myself and reach people out more. And of course, it does not mean that I will need to change the core value that I am measuring friendship/friends. Wish me good luck, please :).

Yesterday, I hit my first deadline of MIP Handbook New Zealand chapter. I feel happy. To tell you the truth, for a reporter, the best moment is when you are filing in your story on time.

News writing - one

2011-02-19T14:05:00.003Z

Question One

A federation in Yeltham is teaming up with local Crime Prevention Panel to tackle fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation has undertaken a survey in conjunction with the Panel, and they find out the impact of fear of crime on people's lives is as great as the crime itself.

It reveals no fewer than 62 per cent of people aged 70 said they were too frightened to go out alone after dark because of the fear of being attacked and robbed.

The Federation chairman Rob Littler said: “It is very sad they sould feel this way.

“They were not referring to night-time trips into the town centre – they were talking about going out in the dark in their own communities.”

Jeffrey Steele, chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The servey highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying comunities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.”

Other findings show under 68 per cent of respondents said they were worried about their cars being broken into, while 72 per cent said they were afraid of being burgled.

Vandalism has relatively little impact in part of town, but 57 per cent in some estates said they were worried about noisy youngsters hanging about on street corners after dark and creating problem.

Both organisations have decided to purchase 1,000 door safety chains, which will help pensioners to reduce the fear of answering door to strangers for fear of being robbed or conned.

Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “Pensioners are very fearful and there are two members of our committee who are skilled workmen and would be willing to provide their time free of charge to fit door chains.”

Chief Inspector Antony Wardell of Yeltham Police said: “Fear of crime is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's live."

(325 words)

Question Two:

A pensioner has been robbed at 8:45am at his doorstep in Beck Road, Ilworth by three men pretended as gardenders.

The 84-year-old widower has been kept talking by two men while the third entered the house by the unlocked back door.

He stole a wallet, containing £55 notes and loose change, on the kitchen table.

The two at the front door were in their 30s, rough appearnace with fair-haired and local accents.

Anyone with information contact us on 412311.

(80 words)

Question Three

A number of dead fish has been found in the smallest pond at Yeltham Park this morning.

The loss might be natural causes, could be pollution or vandalism

The remaining fish will be kept in quarantine until the reason been found.

Anyone with information contact environmental health department on 375222.

(50 words)

Question Four

(a)

The manager of the GP:

How does the axed bus service affect the GP's practice?
When did the axed bus service start to serve the local community?
What is the percentage of patients who are late for appointments?
What has the surgery done so far since the incident happened?
Do you know why the bus company made such a decision?
Which part of the day do most people arrive late?

Representative of the local residents association:

How does the axed bus service affect local resients' appointments with their GPs?
What is the local people's attitude towards the bus company's decision?
What has the residents association done towards the axed bus service?
Are there any alternative routes that people can use to get to their GPs?
How long do the residents have to wait for the No 126 bus to arrive?

No 126 bus company manager:

Why did your company decide to axe the no 126 service?
Is there any other alternative way to solve the problem?
Has your company considered the problems it might cause to local residents?
Does your company propose any new plan to tackle the problem?
How long will the axed service last?

My days at The Independent on Sunday

2011-02-03T22:37:00.009Z

I've been at The Independent on Sunday newsroom for two-week-and-three-day, and I've enjoyed my stay so far.

The paper is at the same building as the Daily Mail group, at Northcliff House. The building's just around the corner of High Street Kensington tube station.

My internship is mainly research based, and I've been researching for different stories, such as NHS healthcare reform, the UK agriculture, coalition government leaders' wealthy friends etc.

Last week, the paper's foreign news-desk editor asked me to write a piece about what the life was like when growing up in China during the one-child-policy years.

He wanted something original and personal, and can be compared to local teenages' life here.

Since the paper is a sunday paper, reporters usually work from Tuesday to Saturday, and they've got Monday off. People there are generally lovely and helpful, and it's a great team to work with.

Small business hit hard due to the credit crunch

2011-01-16T23:46:00.007Z

One of the hardest hit interior stores in Beeton is to close today due to the present economic downturn.

While Tindall Shopfitters Ltd has just been shortlisted for a national award as Retail Interiors' Store-fit Company of the Year, the firm's 22 staff are facing job cuts, according to the managing director Jameson Tindall.

Philip Platts, 57, metalworker and staff representative at the company said there were people weeping when they heard what was happening. “Some of us are of an age where we're unlikely to find new jobs, but that wasn't what we were crying about,” Said Philip.

“We were crying because this is the end of an era. Those who created the country's economic crisis have a lot to answer for,” He added.

In order to help staff find new employers, the family-run business in Gresley Street not only have held consultations with staff representatives, but also has been talking to the town's Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive officer of Beeton Chamber of Commerce Harold Livesey said: “The economic maelstrom has led to a clutch of firms in Beeton getting into difficulties and a couple have closed down.

“We know there are others on the brink of collapse so the local outlook is mostly gloomy. All our recent surveys of members continue to show a declining level of business activity.”

The credit crunch has reduced the firm's sales to almost non-existent levels but late payment by clients has been a major problem too.

Matt Adsley, the spokesman from the Association of Small Businesses which headquartered in Beeton, said: “It is very unfortunate when one of our members, such as Tindall Shopfitters, has to close its doors, especially when it is a company with such a good reputation."

The company, with a reputation of high quality shop and warehouse fittings production, has been operating for over six decades, and this year it is supposed to mark its diamond anniversary.

A charity bazaar to raise money for the British Heart Foundation

2011-01-16T23:11:00.003Z

A charity bazaar will be held to raise £500 for the British Heart Foundation.

The event, organised by St Peter's Church, is to commemorate its treasurer Arnold Higgs, who died from a fatal heart attack.

It starts at 10am this Saturday morning at the church hall in Stanley street.

Internship at The Independent on Sunday

2011-01-16T22:37:00.005Z

I was totally thrilled when I received my one-month Internship Award at The Independent on Sunday.

The award is run by the paper in conjuction with my journalism training centre – noSWeat Journalism Training. It aims to reward the best trainee journalists, in terms of their work in class, general attitude to journalism training, and to the college in particular.

Only two students, including both full/part timers from the 2009 intake, scooped the award.

From my side, I've been to different newsrooms in this country as an intern for long, and I could have even dubbed myself an internship/work experience professional.

But none of them have been an internship/work placement like this before – it's really a recognition of all the hard work and dedication that I've been throwing into my studies, which I should be really proud of!

On top of that, tutors' full support at the college also helped me a lot to grab this opportunity.

In my opinion, the process of training journalists can sometimes be rather painful and difficult.

Just the Teeline Shorthand alone could scare a dozen, never mind the more complicated tasks such as being expected to understand all the local/central government stuff, or remembering the media law aspect when court reporting.

As far as I am concerned, the pass rate of Teeline Shorthand is only 24% nationwide. And of course, it should mean passing 100 words per minute or above, which is an industry standard.

When a student qualifies as a trainee, recognised by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), he or she is expected to complete at least 18 months' on-the-job training in a local newspaper or any publication that offers a junior reporting role.

The trainee is expected to cover all sorts of stories on the job, ranging from local council meetings, residents group gatherings, fundrasing parties, road accidents, magistrates/crown court reporting, to post offices or banks' closure, and any bits and bobs that concern the local community most.

After successfully completing the 18 months, trainee reporters are then entitled to take the National Certificate Exam (NCE) in a bid to be fully-qualified as a senior reporter, which is the final stage of the whole journalist training process.

Bogus collectors steal clothes for charity

2011-01-15T19:48:00.004Z

Bogus collectors in Beeton are stealing clothes donated to a charity.

Yesterday 25 plastic charity bags were stolen from streets in Dalton.

Amanda Powney, secretary of the Beeton branch of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This is a particularly mean type of theft that has a direct impact on the money we raise to fund our specialist nurses.”

The official Macmillan van used for pickups has a side-logo printed in dark green and lime.

Anyone with information should contact 08448732199.

Century-old hide is to be restored

2011-01-15T19:45:00.002Z

A more than century-old hide is to be restored in a bid to build up an eco-friendly community in Ilworth.

The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to the Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley at the Rotary Club of Ilworth.

Andrew Nicolson, Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager, said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”

The project, which will mark the Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to Stanley.

The council says it wishes to enhance and protect the local community. “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” said Andrew.

Local schools and community groups will be involved in working with Rotarians. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School, said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.

“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”

In addition to restoring the hide, the club is planning to improve public accesss, enhancing existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.

Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club talked about the hide's dilapidated condition as he lives near the wood and has long been aware of the last remaining bird hide.

He said: “When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”

Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry, who is famous for his groundbreaking work.

Century-old heritage restored to attract locals

2011-01-14T22:53:00.005Z

A more than century-old heritage will be restored to attract locals as part of an environmental project and help build up an eco-friendly community in Ilworth.

The project, which will mark a local Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to the club's Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley.

Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager Andrew Nicolson said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”

The council wishes to enhance and protect the local community, “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” Andrew said.

The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to Stanley.

Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club said: “As I live near the wood, I have long been aware of the last remaining bird hide, which is in a very dilapidated condition.

“When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”

Despite the work of restoring the hide, the club is also planning to improve public accesss to the hide, improving existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.

Stanley said rotarians will work closely with local schools and community groups. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.

“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”

Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry.

News writing - one

2011-01-13T18:26:00.003Z

An 11-year-old girl was distraught because her donkey was stolen between 6pm last night and 6:30am today from a field on Valeham Road, Walton.

Suzie's dad Mr Adrian Bussey, of Rose Cottage said his daughter and the male donkey Bobby have nearly grown up together.

The family thought Bobby must have been taken by a van or trailer, and they have been trying their best to console Suzie.

Anyone with information please call Valeham newsdesk 234565.

II

A project to help pupils with chess lessons will be launched next Monday at Walton Lane Junior School.

It is run by the Valeham Rotary Club and junior schools, and the session will last one-hour every week during term time.

The scheme will be soon extended to other schools.

Irish Republic bail-out

2011-01-09T18:27:00.018Z

Basically, Ireland's economy has increased rapidly during the last three years, and its economic growth has mainly depended on its property market.

Since 2008, the property market began falling apart with house values dropping by 50-60%, and lots of bad debts going around the market.

So the bad debts have almost damaged the country's banks, forcing the government to bail them out which have wrecked Ireland's finance.

Despite the substantial cost of bailing out the banks, the country's finance has also been severely affected by a sharp deterioration in tax revenues and a rise in unemployment benefit claims.

On top of that, the government will need to spend huge sums of money, worth 12% of its GDP.

As a result, Ireland has agreed to accept the EU's 85bn Euro rescue package with a hope of tackling its huge finance hole.

In addition to that, the government has also drawn up an austerity programme for spending cuts and tax rises as part of the rescue package.

New project launch to protect wildlife

2011-01-09T15:21:00.012Z

The Valegam council is supporting a local Wildlife Trust's call for encouraging residents to protect the area's environment and species.

The Living Churchyards Project, which will be launched by the Valeham & District Wildlife Trust next month, is to include biological surveys and advice on how to manage churchyard and burial spaces.

David Endwright, Valeham Council's Cemeteries and Crematoria manager, said: “Our cemeteries contain much of the district's history but it is also good to have them recognised as an environmental and wildlife resource.

“One of our staff has been designated a liaison to the Wildlife Trust, with who we are only to happy to co-operate.”

Despite the support from the Council, the organisation has also received encouragment from the Church of England's diocesan office, according to the Trust's volunteering development officer Imogen Yorke.

Diocesan secretary Roger Cressy at Church House said: “Even in heavily built-up areas, churchyards can remain a haven peace for all maner of wildlife.

“A member of one of our congregations who happens to be a Wildlife Trust volunteer recently found a rare orchid growing in their churchyard. It's wonderful when discoveries of that sort are made.”

Ms Yorke said cemeteries provide a largely undisturbed home for many birds and creatures.

Much of the work, such as fundraising and nature reserve, will be carried out by volunteers. The organisation is also looking for people who have the appropriate skills, such as botanical skills.

The Running Wild Project, launched by the same Trust last year, also offers vacancies to help running the project, which aims to help young people to learn more about wildlife and the environment.

Mrs Isobel Travers, a nature reserve volunteer, of 16 Park Road, Valeham, said: “I didnt't have any experience when I volunteered, but I was given all the training that was needed.”

It's been a really wonderful experience and I now understand nature reserve management means being willing to get your hands dirty!”

Shorthand

2011-01-06T23:35:00.008Z

I'm still in it!

It seems nobody can get a way round it. How can you? Interviewing people on the phone, reporting on a council meeting, dashing to the crime scene to get a quote from the police and witnesses...everywhere you just need it, or you find yourself in the middle of the embarrassment madness - oh gosh, why can't I get it all down?!

Then you realise you really have to work your hardest to get your speed up to standard. No matter how old-fashion you think the system is, or how the thing's cracking your nerve, you're clear more than anyone else that getting 100 words per minute is just on top of your agenda.

You start even surprising yourself, you find whenever you listen to radio or watch TV, whenever you read newspapers, you're just trying to work out their outlines and just trying to get them all done in shorthand!

Company profile - Kalesná & Partners

2011-01-06T10:45:00.005Z

Fictional Writing

Kalesná & Partners has performed well since last May. Although the company's peers said that lynchpin Josef Magal's departure would dent the firm's financing service, this did not happen. Instead, clients have praised their service, with one recommending its “good commercial awareness”, particularly from partner Richard Flynn.

Flynn's performance in most of the high-profile deals has earned him praise even from rivals, with some describing him as “one of the Slovak Republic's all-time legal greats” and “a very analytical mind”.

His notable deals include teaming up with Július Paska to advise on the financing of Volkswagen Slovakia’s takeover of Matador. The deal was worth €320 million, and was closed in September, 2010. Elsewhere, the pair have been acting for ING Bank, advising its refinancing of SkyEurope’s debt.

In addition to Flynn's conquests, other staff have clinched deals too. Newly employed associates Ludmila Rázusova and Alica Moleková have joined the firm's head of banking & finance Alexej Valvoda, to advise Istrobanka on financing of GlaxoSmithKline’s purchase of Novácke Chemické Závody; and the deal was closed at €240 million in October, 2010.

The firm has advised some of the financial service industry's big names, including Istrobanka, ING Bank, Citigroup, and Lehman Brothers.

Key Contact Partners

Richard Flynn
Alexej Valvoda

Leading Lawyer

Richard Flynn

Small businesses suffer from power supply cuts

2011-01-06T09:55:00.004Z

Small businesses across China are up in arms over an energy law that makes local authorities cut power supply every month.

The local authorities' move, aims to meet the target set by the government to reduce energy use by 20 per cent in each unit of gross domestic product by the end of the 2010.

It is part of China's five-year plan starting from 2005 to boost the country's economy, according to Xinhua news agency.

A number of factories in Wen Zhou in southern China have been affected severely because of the cuts. One of the local plant managers Wu Lin, of Ouhai district, told the national newspaper China Youth: “It's really bad for our business and we're very worried.”

He said: “The local authority should have started the process long time back, and now they cut the electricity supply every 20 days a month, we really don't know how we are going to survive.”

The electricity cuts have also increased a demand for diesel fuel and candles across many parts of the country. This has led to a shortage of the fuel.

“The primary reason for the diesel shortage is that they [local authories] have cut the power supply to a lot of industries,” said KF Yan, research director at consultancy Cera in Beijing, according to the Financial Times.

The shortage of diesel fuel has in turn caused some embarressment for small businesses. In another southern city Chongqing, a local crematorium made headlines when it was discovered that corpses were stacked in fridges as there was no diesel fuel for the crematorium to operate fully.

Manager Fang Ai told the Chonging Evening Daily that the crematorium stopped operating temporarily.

he said: “Our place should be able to burn 10 corpses a day, but because of the shortage, we are now stopped working. And some of the families' funerals have also been severely affected.”

According to Xinhua, there were 15.6 per cent decline in China's energy intensity from 2005 to 2009, but it rose up again by 3.2 per cet in the first quarter of this year.

In May, Premier Wen Jiabao warned that he would use an “iron fist” to meet the five-year goal.

Officials in Beijing revealed that they intend to target the industrial sector, which have spent up to 70 per cent of the country's electricity, to achieve the goal.

However, local governments heavily depend on the industrial sector, mainly those state-owned biggest energy consumers, to get sufficient tax revenue to stay solvent.

Therefore, local officials have been searching for alternative way to save enegy by cutting power supplies to those local enterprises and small businesses.

You should never be discouraged

2011-01-02T23:20:00.009Z

At a time when David Cameron has warned Britons that 2011 will be a much tougher year, a little-known man in East London is giving out a much warmer message: don’t be discouraged.

This Sunday, the Rev Peter Stow of St Mark’s church in Forest Gate told locals that despite the difficulties in life there is still hope. He said this as part of his New Year’s Message.

Peter said that everyone carries a baggage, some might carry a bag of loneliness, some might carry unemployment, and others might carry lots of debts.

However, we should not worry about the burden, because God cares for each one of us and he is going to carry it for us. We should share our worries with God.

It is the first service to be held this year in this Anglican Church, and it gathers around a hundred people from the local parish.

Four-page application form

2010-12-29T20:53:00.014Z

Four-page application form for the Financial Times. Yup! I thought I'd finish in an hour or two.

But surprisingly, It takes me hours to fill in all the blank space and I'm still working on it while grabbing time to update this post - just wanted to set my mind free for a while.

Why does a four-page application take me so long to complete? Only four pages, aren't they? Well, starting from the second page, it asks the candidate to note down each full-time schooling since age 11.

I was trying hard to remember when I started my secondary school, what grades I obtained, what results I achieved, and what else I did at that time...

Then university degrees, professtional training, undergraduate diplomas, summer school course, and loads of stuff flooded into my application form, I found.

What's next? Employment and work experience. Okay, this will include all the work placements, training scheme, and freelance work in the UK - for my journalism's sake!

On top of that, I will have to fill in the things I did in Malta and India. I didn't forget them and I shall not. Obviously, I understand FT wants to study every each one of us – this is how the big brands choose the right candidate.

Before writing this post, I read David and Denae's latest updates, and there is no doubt that their writings are always natural, vivid and engaging. I enjoy that.

I told myself why not take a shot and write likewise?

Harrow magistrates court to be axed

2010-12-27T23:24:00.006Z

Harrow's Magistrates Court is to be axed in the new year, according to the borough's local papers.

The court, in Rosslyn Crescent, is one of 10 courts in London and 142 in England and Wales to be chopped off. The move aims to cut public spending.

It is also a mockery to the government's pledge of so-called localism.

Local politicians and residents were furious about the government's plan. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East said he was angry with the whole process and was not happy, to put it mildly.

The court's Bench chairman Nigel Orton said the decision will be very disappointing news for all in Harrow.

He told the Harrow Observer: "The bench believed justice is best served by keeping open courts, so people can see their local court in operation and have confidence in the criminal justice system."

On top of that, local councillors argued the closure will not save money after they had looked into the proposal.

But the senior presiding judge for England Goldring Djanogly backed the plan by saying: "Access to justice is not just about access to buildings. It is about the type of justice delivered, decent facilities for victims and witnesses and efficient use of the system.

"We are closing the worst courts in the estate – so we can concentrate our limited resources on the best ones."

For the new year - about writing

2010-12-26T12:59:00.010Z

I've been writing on this blog for long. I mainly update news stories and some of my course work at College.

So far, it hasn't been personal or light-hearted, it has been a blog for rigid writing - formal news writing, mainly.

Having discussed this on the phone with my dad, a trusted friend with whom I can share many things freely, I've decided to have a go at writing about new stuff.

In the coming new year, I shall read more, think more, and of course, write more. I shall write about anything that interests me, and comment on issues that affect people's day-to-day life.

I should write just like friends chatting in the pub, and apparently writing should not be limited in a rigid way.

Friends have already suggested this to me. Also, I have come across many fascinating blogs, and I realise the authors have put a lot of work into it – I would like to do the same.

I think one gets a feeling of satisfaction from great blogging.

Local business promotion story

2010-12-10T16:56:00.014Z

By Yixiang Zeng

A business forum was bringing community together through fantatic food and cheerful music yesterday afternoon on Edgware high street.

More than one hundred local residents turned out on the Station Road to celebrate the Music and Food Festival organised by the newly-formed Edgware Business Forum, which aims to promote local businesses.

The event started with a carol concert by the Edgware School children in front of the St Margaret's Church on the Station Road, and then followed by a range of musical groups in different venues along the high street with the offer of free food and drinks provided by the local restaurants.

Forum vice-chairman Peter Dresner, of Peter Adams Furniture shop, said: “The idea is trying to really weaken the awareness of what Edgware is to offer. So during event like this, we offer different things in different places on the road, people will be aware what actually is being offered here.

“People have intended to go to the major malls while they're parking there. It's disappointing we have shops within Edgware that people don't know, and we encourage people realise these shops on the high street.

“It's really great we have children and families coming and enjoy the food and the music, and bring the community together”

Among the cheering crowd enjoyed yesterday's event was Maddy Cordell, a resident from Park Grove in Edgware.

She told The HA1: “In recent times, it seemd to be more events going on like this, it was really great to bring all of these people together and it was a shame for those who didn't join in. Event like this will improve our community spirit.”

The Edgware Safer Neighbourhoods police team also helped organise the event, with Sergeant Dan Reid dressed as Father Christmas and even handed out posters prior to the event.

He said: “We are here to support our local businesses within the community and encourage people to shopping on the station road.

“The event reduces anti-social behaviours and gives youngsters opportunity to perform. It gets people working together to make this area a better place.”

Votorantim dives in for Swiss franc first

2010-12-10T16:40:00.002Z

Issue: Daily News - 10 November 2010
By Euroweek Reporter

Banco Votorantim brought its debut Swiss franc deal to market on Wednesday morning, a Sfr250m three year.

Sole bookrunner Deutsche Bank priced the deal 204bp over swaps, beating Votorantim’s dollar funding costs in the three year tenor. The issuer is the first Brazilian issuer to do a Swiss franc deal since 1995.

A syndicate banker from Deutsche said that Latin America generally, and Brazil in particular, has a great macro story.

He also highlighted Votorantim’s business model and defensive ownership — the bank is 50% owned by Banco do Brasil, a state-owned entity, and 50% owned by the Votorantim conglomerate.

The issue went almost entirely to retail investors. The bond was fully placed, but not oversubscribed, although it is already performing in the aftermarket — it has tightened around 2bp since pricing on Wednesday morning.

Because absolute yields are so low in the Swiss franc market, investors are looking further down the credit curve or at longer maturities, creating opportunities for EM issues in what some consider a conservative market.

Deutsche took Votorantim on a three day roadshow last week.

Because the deal hit Sfr250m, it is eligible for the Liquid Swiss Index, the benchmark for many asset managers in the market.

Banco Votorantim: The Votorantim Group is one of the largest privately-held industrial conglomerate groups in Latin America.

Swiss franc: The franc (German: Franken, French and Romansh: franc, Italian: franco; code: CHF) is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia.

Swaps: In finance, a swap is a derivative in which counterparties exchange certain benefits of one party's financial instrument for those of the other party's financial instrument.

The benefits in question depend on the type of financial instruments involved. For example, in the case of a swap involving two bonds, the benefits in question can be the periodic interest (or coupon) payments associated with the bonds.

Specifically, the two counterparties agree to exchange one stream of cash flows against another stream. These streams are called the legs of the swap.

The swap agreement defines the dates when the cash flows are to be paid and the way they are calculated.Usually at the time when the contract is initiated at least one of these series of cash flows is determined by a random or uncertain variable such as an interest rate, foreign exchange rate, equity price or commodity price.

The cash flows are calculated over a notional principal amount, which is usually not exchanged between counterparties. Consequently, swaps can be in cash or collateral.

Derivative: a word or thing that has been developed or produced from another word or thing.

Collateral: Property or sth valuable that you promise to gvie to sb if you cannot oay back money that you borrow.

Tenor : The length of time until the maturity date is often referred to as the term or tenor or maturity of a bond

Issuer: is the entity (company or govt.) who borrows an amount of money (issuing the bond) and pays the interest.

Syndicate： The most common process of issuing bonds is through underwriting.

In underwriting, one or more securities firms or banks, forming a syndicate, buy an entire issue of bonds from an issuer and re-sell them to investors.

Aftermarket: The period immediately after the market listing of shares issued via an Initial Public Offering (IPO), when investors can trade in the stock for the first time.

Yield: to produce or provide sth, for example, a profit, result or crop

Maturities: Maturity: (of an insurance plicy, etc.)the time when money you have invested is ready to be paid

EM: emerging market

Liquid Swiss Index: Credit Suisse is a leading global financial services company, offering clients financial advice in all aspects of private banking, investment banking and asset management.

Credit Suisse First Boston launched the Liquid Swiss Index (LSI) at the end

Benchmark: Something which can be measured and used as a standard that other things can be compared with

Asset managers: Asset management refers to the professional management of investments such as stocks and bonds, along with real estate.

Dealer: a person whose business is buying and selling a particular product

Roadshow: a travelling show arranged by a radio or television programme, or by a magazine, company or political party

Yield curve: In finance, the yield curve is the relation between the interest rate (or cost of borrowing) and the time to maturity of the debt for a given borrower in a given currency.

For example, the U.S. dollar interest rates paid on U.S. Treasury securities for various maturities are closely watched by many traders, and are commonly plotted on a graph such as the one on the right which is informally called "the yield curve." More formal mathematical descriptions of this relation are often called the term structure of interest rates.

Banca Popolare di Vicenza taps MTNs for Eu155m

2010-12-10T16:22:00.003Z

Issue: Daily News - 3 November 2010
By Euroweek Reporter

Italy’s Banca Popolare di Vicenza sold a Eu155m floating rate note on Tuesday — its largest private placed bond since 2005 and its first outing in the market since March.

The three year note, dealt through Royal Bank of Scotland and sold at par, pays a coupon of 200bp over six month Euribor for the first two years, stepping down to 40bp over for the remainder.

Banca Popolare di Vicenza sold a Eu500m two year floating rate note in the public market late in September. That paid 155bp over three month Euribor and was sold at par.

"The 200bp coupon would be a decent premium on the two year FRN issued in September,” said Dietmar Tzschentke, bank credit analyst at UniCredit in Munich.

“That steps down to plus 40bp in May 2013 — the investor is betting that Euribor will go up in two years time to compensate for the step down in spread."

Aside from the Eu500m public deal sold late in September, this is the bank’s first outing in the European bond markets since March, when it sold a Eu120m floating rate private placement due 2012, according to Dealogic. That deal paid a coupon of 80bp over three month Euribor and was issued at 99.8.

It is also the issuer’s largest private placement since September 2005, when it sold a Eu300m two year floating rate note via HSBC, according to Dealogic. That note paid a coupon of 10bp over three month Euribor and was issued at 99.951.

Italian banks are less affected by sovereign debt fears than those of other Southern European countries such as Spain and Portugal, which should help their ability to issue debt, said analysts.

"As with all the Italian banks — Banca Populare di Vicenza's ability to issue in the capital markets will be less impacted by sovereign headline risk and volatility than Irish, Portuguese or Spanish banks, for example," said Tzschentke.

Floating rate notes (FRNs): are bonds that have a variable coupon, equal to a money market reference rate, like LIBOR or federal funds rate, plus a spread. The spread is a rate that remains constant.

Almost all FRNs have quarterly coupons, i.e. they pay out interest every three months, though counter examples do exist.

At the beginning of each coupon period, the coupon is calculated by taking the fixing of the reference rate for that day and adding the spread. A typical coupon would look like 3 months USD LIBOR +0.20%.

Par: The value that a share in a company had originally Banca Popolare di Vicenza: Banca Popolare di Vicenza (BPVI) was established in 1866.

For more than 140 years the Bank has been offering retail and corporate banking services. Its headquarters are located in Vicenza, in Italy.

Premium: an extra payment added to the basic rate

UniCredit: UniCredit is a major international financial institution with strong roots in 22 European countries and an international network present in approximately 50 markets, with 9,578 branches and more than 162,000 employees.

In the CEE region, UniCredit operates the largest international banking network with around 4,000 branches and outlets.

The Group operates in the following countries: Austria Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.

History

The group's origins date back over five centuries to the establishment of Rolo Banca in 1473, when Monte di Pietà, a public institute providing secured loans, was created in Bologna.

More recently, the UniCredit is the result of the merger of nine of Italy's largest banks and the subsequent combination with the German HVB Group and the Italian Capitalia Group.

Euribor: The Euro Interbank Offered Rate ‘EURIBOR®’, which is the money market reference rate for the euro.

European Bond Market: A public market (more details see another page)

Dealogic: provides a platform for investment banking and capital markets professionals globally to help improve strategy, competitiveness, and execution.

The platform incorporates technology, data, analytics and consulting to help investment banks better understand their clients and the competitive landscape so they can allocate resources and execute deals more effectively.

History

Dealogic was established in the UK in 1983 by Simon Hessel, Peter Ogden and Philip Hulme. In 1991 the Group acquired the assets of a US capital markets communications business headed up by Tom Fleming which provided the Group with an established customer base in the US securities industry.

Through carefully managed growth Dealogic now employs over 400 people and has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney.

Due: When a sum of money is due, it must be paid immediately

Sovereign debt: A sovereign bond is a bond issued by a national government.

The term usually refers to bonds issued in foreign currencies, while bonds issued by national governments in the country's own currency are referred to as government bonds.

The total amount owed to the holders of the sovereign bonds is called sovereign debt.

Medium-term notes (MTNs): are debt securities with maturities that range from 9 months to 30 years or longer.

Tap: to choose sb to do a particular job

QNB takes $1.5bn bond from $6bn book

2010-12-04T19:52:00.007Z

I am trying to analyse some financial news articles here.

By Euroweek Reporter

Qatar National Bank sold its debut $1.5bn five year Reg S only deal on Tuesday, with lead managers Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, QNB Capital and Standard Chartered building a book of $6bn for the note.

“The book wasn’t just quantity, it was quality,” said one bookrunner on the deal. “Many orders came in with a note attached making it clear the investors wanted a full allocation.”

QNB, rated Aa3/A+/A+, is the largest bank in Qatar. At the end of March, it had total assets of Qr183bn ($50bn), about 46% of the country’s banking assets.

“The deal is the largest ever trade in Reg S-only format from the Ceemea region,” said the bookrunner. “There’s a lot of cash out there but investors want to put it to work in blue-chip names, and investors like the Qatar credit story in general.”

The Qatari government owns half of the bank through its investment arm, Qatar Investment Authority, giving the institution a high probability of support from the state. The remaining 50% is publicly traded.

The deal was priced at 99.017 with a 3.125% coupon, and was trading on Wednesday (midday) around re-offer.

Investors used the Qatari sovereign rather than other banks in the region as the comparable issuer. The deal was priced with around a 25bp premium to where the lead managers calculated a new Qatar sovereign deal would price.

“It’s spectacular for QNB to be able to raise this volume of interest with a spread this tight in this kind of market where investors are being shown so many new deals,” said the bookrunner.

Moody’s said that the bank has good earnings power, strong efficiency levels and solid capitalisation.

Although it has historically been heavily dependent on business related to government and semi-government agencies, management has in recent years addressed this issue by focusing on the development of its private sector business, added Moody’s. The bank is also expanding its operations geographically, although this is at an early stage.

Challenges for the institution include funding and credit concentrations, and the increased competition that is putting pressure on the interest rate margins of all Qatari banks.

Qatar National Bank: Qatar National Bank (QNB), established in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari-owned commercial bank, has an ownership structure split between the Qatar Investment Authority (50%) and the private sector (50%).

Reg S: Regulation S is a "safe harbor" that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore not be subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act.

The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor.

Lead manager (Reuters): The bank awarded the mandate by a borrower to arrange the raising of money via a bond, a loan or a share issue.

The lead manager negotiates with the borrower or issuer, assesses market conditions and puts together the syndicate, which lends the money or underwrites the issue.

Also called syndicate manager, managing underwriter or lead underwriter.

Underwriter (Reuter): In a general sense, an underwriter is a person or company that assumes financial risk.

In financial markets an underwriter is a financial institution closely involved in the pricing and distribution of a new issue of a security.

In exchange for a fee, the underwriter guarantees to the company issuing the securities that it will receive a set price for a set volume of securities.

If there is insufficient demand the underwriter may have to sell them at a loss or retain them.

Underwriter (FT): A financial institution that underwrites a share issue, that arranges to sell shares to investors and agrees to buy any shares that are not bought by them.

Underwrite (FT):To guarantee against financial risk by assuming that risk, as financial institutions do when they offer (underwrite) an insurance policy, or when they buy a new securities issue from the issuer for re-sale to the public.

A new securities issue is normally underwritten by a group of investment banks (called the underwriting group or syndicate).

One bank, appointed by the group as lead manager, signs the underwriting agreement that specifies all the details of the issuer-underwriter relationship (including pricing), and handles other arrangements including distribution of the issue through dealers or other investment banks (the selling group).

The fee the underwriter earns is the spread (the underwriting spread) between the price it pays the issuer for the stock, and the price at which it re-sells the stock to the public (the issue or public offering price), either directly or through dealers.

Barclays Capital: In 1986 it became the first British bank to have its shares listed on the Tokyo and New York stock exchanges.

BNP Paribas: May 2000 witnessed the birth of France's premier bank, a new European leader in financial services. The creation of the BNP Paribas Group, led by Michel Pébereau then Chairman and CEO of BNP, was at that time the largest bank merger ever implemented in France.

JPMorgan: In 1799, The Manhattan Company, the firm's earliest predecessor institution, is chartered.

QNB Capital: QNB Capital LLC is wholly owned by QNB and authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.

Standard Chartered: Standard Chartered was formed in 1969 through a merger of two banks: The Standard Bank of British South Africa, founded in 1863, and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, founded in 1853.

Both companies were keen to capitalise on the huge expansion of trade and to earn the handsome profits to be made from financing the movement of goods between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Book: record

Note: a piece of paper money.

Bookrunner: Primary issuance is arranged by bookrunners who arrange the bond issue, have the direct contact with investors and act as advisors to the bond issuer in terms of timing and price of the bond issue.

Aa3/A+/A+: In investment, the bond credit rating assesses the credit worthiness of a corporation's debt issues.

Blue-chip: According to New York Stock Exchange, a blue-chip stock is stock in a company with a national reputation for quality, reliability and the ability to operate profitably in good times and bad.
The Qatar credit story: The story of managing its credit (assets, money in bank etc).

Coupon: The coupon or coupon rate of a bond is the amount of interest paid per year expressed as a percentage of the face value of the bond. It is the interest rate that a bond issuer will pay to a bondholder.

The Qatari sovereign: focus on "autonomous"

bp: A basis point is a unit equal to 1/100th of a percentage point. Put another way: 1 bp = 0.01%

For example, if a report says there has been a "1% increase" from a 10% interest rate, this could refer to an increase either from 10% to 10.1% (relative, 1% of 10%), or from 10% to 11% (absolute, 1% plus 10%).

If, however, the report says there has been a "10 basis point increase" from a 10% interest rate, then we know that the interest rate of 10% (the "basis", if you will) has increased by 0.10% (the absolute change) to a 10.1% rate.

Premium: An extra payment added to the basic rate.

Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO) is the holding company for Moody's Investors Service, a Credit rating agency which performs international financial research and analysis on commercial and government entities.

The company also ranks the credit-worthiness of borrowers using a standardized ratings scale. The company has a 40% share in the world credit rating market, as does its main rival, Standard & Poor's.

The interest rate margins: An interest rate is the rate at which interest is paid by a borrower for the use of money that they borrow from a lender.

For example, a small company borrows capital from a bank to buy new assets for their business, and in return the lender receives interest at a predetermined interest rate for deferring the use of funds and instead lending it to the borrower.

Interests rates are fundamental to a capitalist society. Interest rates are normally expressed as a percentage rate over the period of one year.

Interest rates targets are also a vital tool of monetary policy and are taken into account when dealing with variables like investment, inflation, and unemployment.

Dealer: A person whose business is buying and selling a particular product.

Recent important news summaries

2010-11-30T00:27:00.012Z

Ofgem investigation on gas and electricity bill

Ofgem is going to investigate recent energy price rises, according to the BBC.

The watchdog said three of the "big six" suppliers have increased its profit margin per customer by 38%, which means each person has to pay £25 more on top of former £65.

Ofgem is doubting whether "the big three are playing straight with consumers" after the sharp rise in the last three months, and therefore the watchdog decided to conduct a review to exam the issue.

The three suppliers, which have increased its price, are British Gas, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power.

The review will be completed by next March, and there is nothing can be done to stop the price rising during this winter.

More details of the story, please refer to Energy firms facing gas and electricity price review

Geological report of West Cumbria story

2010-11-21T21:29:00.006Z

An initial geological study for West Cumbria to deal with radioactive waste was launched today and looked at areas such as the Copeland and Allerdale.

A local partnership is talking to government about the siting process for a deep geological disposal facility for nuclear waste in the areas.

Charles Hendry, minister of state energy, said: “We must progress implementation of geological disposal, the long-term sustainable solution for dealing with radioactive waste.

The report, according to Mr Hendry, commissioned from the British Geological Survey, is a step forward.

He said:“The geological disposal facility site selection process is based on voluntarism and partnership and these results do not present any reason why West Cumbria cannot continue to consider whether or not to participate in that process.”

The screening of the study does not show where a facility would eventually be located, but is simply intended to avoid unnecessary work in areas.

If a community chooses to proceed further, increasingly detailed geological and other criteria assessment would have to be undertaken.

It is open to all the communities across the country to find out more about the siting process.

(186 words)

A green deal story

2010-11-21T20:30:00.005Z

A new energy deal is set to boost the country's employment opportunities to 100,000 by 2015 in the insulation industry, says Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne.

The Green Deal is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property.

Mr Huhne said: “It's a massive economic and job opportunit which could help Britain's economy turn the corner.

With up to 100,000 green jobs up for grabs over the next 5 year, and even more in the long term, this is about growing our economy in a way that's good for jobs, the environment and energy security.”

He then added: “The Green Deal's about making people feel as warm as toat in their homes. I want Britain to say goodbye forever to leaky lofts and chilly draughts. At a time of increasing gas prices energy efficiency is a no-brainer.”

The work to upgrade the property will be paid back from the saving on energy bills, which means landlord will face no upfront costs when improving their properties.

By 2012, British gas plans to recruit a toal of 3,700 “green collar” jobs through a £30 million investment and help install enegy efficiency in its customers' homes at no up-front cost.

Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said: “With rising energy prices, there’s never been a better time to improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes.

“That’s why we’ve worked quickly to set up the British Gas Green Deal, a £30million investment in our customers’ homes. In total, we aim to have 3,700 green collar workers in place by 2012.”

The Green Deal, which involves a 3-step proces, is expected to be available from Autumn 2012 to shops and businesses.

The Deal is also part of the changes, which will help 15% of lowest income hoursehold at risk of fuel poverty.

(317 words)

Energy security story

2010-11-20T23:13:00.003Z

Two new energy projects are given consent today in a bid to boost the UK's energy security.

The investment for both of the projects is set to replace a quarter of the country's generating capacity, which is due to close by 2018.

Charlies Hendry, Minister for Energy commented on today's announcement, he said: “In securing this investment, energy security will be at the forefront of our mind, and a diverse supply is crucial to that. The consent is a double boost for our energy security”.

Mr Hendry gives permission to a 56MW onshore wind farm in Northumberland and a 900 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station in Lincolnshire respectively.

Commenting on the wind farm on the Ray Estate near Kirkwhelpington, he said: “Wind farms have a key role to play in boosing security and cutting carbon emissions. As long as they are well designed and appropriately sites.

“Developers at Ray expect the wind farm to provide enough green electricity to power around a quarter of Northimberland's households.”

In relation to the CCGT power station at West Marsh Road, Spalding, in Lincolnshire, Mr Hendry added: “Not only will the plant in Spalding provide a significant amount of base load electricity, the waste heat could also be used locally.

“We have made it a condition of the consent that the developers must install the necessary plant and pipework to enable the station to supply waste heat to local users if the opportunity to do so materialises.”

(250 words)

Carbon capture and storage story

2010-11-20T22:53:00.006Z

A new technological programme will open to projects on gas-fired power plants and coal-fired power plants, the UK's energy and climate change department says.

The carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration programme is set to ensure the country continues to be at the forefront of CCS development as well as lead the world's development of CCS on gas and coal.

Chris Huhne, Enegy and Climate Change Secretary, said: “We won't be able to take carbon out of all gas plants overnight, but we hope to support the porcess by investment in new technology now.

“In the long run carbon capture will help provide us with a secure and affordable energy system and we want to encourage companies with projects on both gas and coal-fired power stations to come forward.”

Mr Huhne then pointed out that this does not mean the government is imposing the same emission constraints on gas-fired power plants as on coal in the short or medium term, and he wanted to encourage companies to come forward with potential projects.

The govenrment has recently announced that up to £1 billion is to be made available for the first commercial scale CCS demonstration project, and the government is committed to funding four such projects.

The decision to include gas-fired power stations in the programme was made after analysing the net benefits approach, including an assessment of the evidence and recommendations from the Climate Change Committee's second progress report, and information collected through the market sounding exercise.

(249 words)

Black conscious music story

2010-11-07T17:05:00.006Z

By Yixiang Zeng

A talk about black conscious music encouraged young people to reach out their dreams and keep learning to discover their potential.

The talk, organised by Akoben Awards ended this year's Black History Month at Gayton Road Library in Harrow town centre last week.

Rap artist Kimba joined the discussion and talked about his newly produced educational CD 'African History: Did you know?' for the Awards.

The Akoben Awards is an organisation which aims to introduce positive and uplifting black music to the community's youngsters, rather than the stereotypical violent or sexual theme related music.

He introduced a song called Oh This Life is for You to the audience, he said: “The lyrics is about inspiring young people reach their goals.

“It is quite important for black history by encouraging young people to follow their dreams.”

He then pointed out the community's business legend Tony Wade who can act as a role model to help youngsters build up their confidence and self-esteem.

Another highlight during the event was Kimba's introduction to another song called Be a Student, he said: “It is quite important that we all want to learn.

“The more we can learn, the more we can take it better to support the black people here. If we want a better society, we all need to learn.”

Among the audience who enjoyed the talk was 10-year-old Lana Agyeman, a Year Five student from Buxlow Preparatory School in Wembley.

He said: “It is very enjoyable. It gives me more about black music and I like the singing and dance.”

Harrow children meet TV star Peppa Pig

2010-11-03T13:03:00.006Z

By Yixiang Zeng

Children in Harrow came face-to-face with TV stars Peppa Pig and George on Saturday afternoon.

The event at St Ann’s Shopping Centre attracted hundreds of youngsters who got the chance to have their photos taken with the pair.

11-year-old Jasmine was one of the fans who queued up. She said: “I like the characters, they make me laugh, they’re not serious about what they do and they just play.”

Mum Nina Salami had also brought her child along to meet Peppa and George, who have become a smash since their show first appeared on Channel Five.

Nina said: “They like Peppa Pig because it is a very successful show, very entertaining, educational and funny.”

The characters were brought to St Ann’s as part of a series of half-term activities at the shopping centre.

St Ann’s Manager Suzy Wood said: "We’re thrilled to have Peppa Pig and her brother George come to St Ann’s.

“They are much loved TV personalities and it’s great that families are able to meet them here.”

Mental Health Story - second version

2010-10-26T10:56:00.005+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

A Harrow charity has been organising a training project to get mentally ill people into work and help raise mental health awarenesses within the borough.

The project TrainAware, part of Mind in Harrow's Head for Work, has been recruiting people who suffer from mental illness to become trainers as well as helping locals understand how mental health problems can affect their work and daily life.

Training coordinator Chrystelle Heldire told The HA1 after the World Mental Health Day celebration: “Since September 2008, we were able to start paying our trainers on an hour rate and employ them on a bank basis.”

She explained that trainers' payment is generated partly from the companies who send their employees to the training sessions, and partly from the charity's reserves.

These trainers were educated through a series of methods and were accredited by Middlesex University, who are then able to give training sessions to local employees and help raise their mental health awarenesses.

Chrystelle said: “These methods include brainstorming, how to work with groups and give constructive feedback, how to share plans and goals, presentation and facilitation skills.”

According to her, so far the trainers have already delivered approximately 45 training sessions to a number of local companies and organisations, such as Jobcentre Plus and Aspire, a charity that offers support to an individual who suffers from spinal injuries.

Mark Gillham, Chief executive of Mind in Harrow, said it is important for the companies and trainers to work together, he said: “From the company side, the manager will have better understanding of employees' mental health issues, such as life stress and depression, or not be able to work to their best capacity. So it helps their businesses.

“Trainers will have real work experience, and be able to use their own experience of mental health problem to explain directly what they have been through.”

Another local charity Capable Communities, which co-ordinated this year's World Mental Health Day, also said they want to work closely with companies to get people with mental problems into work.

The president of Harrow in Business Allen Pluck said his organisation has a tradition of helping marginalised individuals.

However, he has his own concerns: “at the moment, the whole of the business support infrastructure is in complete turmoil. And we are struggling to obtain funding to support the survival of any local business or individuals wishing to become self employed.”

Mental Health story - first version

2010-10-12T23:12:00.006+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

A local charity is calling on businesses to offer mentally ill people jobs.

Capable Communities, which co-ordinated this year's World Mental Health Day since Friday, wants to work closely with companies to get people who suffer with mental illnesses into work.

The four-day event offers an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and provide locals with a range of suggestions on how to reduce stress and depression in order to keep healthy.

Steve Porter, director of the charity, believes people with mental problems could get jobs in box offices, he said: “At the moment many tickets are operating on the web, but people want someone to talk to when booking their shows.

“What I am saying is to get the companies involved in paying someone with mental health difficulties to sell the tickets.”

He also suggested that the box office could operate in a shift system with different people working in a different time slot.

In addition, they could do other jobs in marketing. “They could also distribute marketing materials like flyers or posters to community centre or residential addresses relating with any events,” he added.

Another local charity Mind in Harrow also participated in the event, its chief executive Mark Gillham told The HA1: “One in six of the population in Harrow will have mental health problems today, that is estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people will have such difficulties.”

The charity has been training mentally ill people to become trainers, who are then employed by local companies to help their employees overcome different symptoms of mental illnesses.

Mr Gillham explained it is very important for both the trainers and companies to get involved: “These people have been out of work for long time, because of the mental health being very disadvantageous.

“Being qualified as trainers, they will have real work experience, and be able to use their own experience of mental health problem to explain directly what they have been through.

“From the company side, the manager will have better understanding of employees' mental health issues, such as life stress and depression, or not be able to work to their best capacity. So it helps their businesses.”

However, when speaking to Allen Pluck, the president of Harrow in Business, about to what extent local businesses can give a hand to those people with mental health problems, he expressed his concern by saying:“at the moment, the whole of the business support infrastructure is in complete turmoil.

“We are even struggling to obtain funding to support the survival of any local business or individuals wishing to become self-employed.”

Harvest Festival teaches children about plants

2010-10-05T09:39:00.003+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

Harrow children enjoyed a scarecrow hunt and a colouring competition at a local garden centre during the weekend.

The event, held at Harrow Garden Centre in Headstone Lane, was part of a Harvest Festival set up teach children more about plants and offer families tips on growing fruit and vegetables.

Children were encouraged to colour in pictures with a harvest-theme and find six scarecrows hiding inside and around the garden centre.

10-year-old Libby, was among the many children who enjoyed the activities, she said: “I thought it was quite a good idea, and I thought colouring and finding scarecrows are quite fun.”

Also taking part in the event was 6-year-old Laura, who added: “We decide what we’re going to do with the picture, like if we want to put stickers on it.”

Laura’s mum Maggie Sharrock told The HA1: “It’s important for children to understand the season, to understand how to grow plants.

“They prefer to enter the scarecrow hunt, if they win they can get a pack of seeds, like sunflower or daffodil, so they can understand how the plants grow.”

Mike Townend, manager of the garden centre, explained why it was important to organise activities for the children, saying: “It’s very important to connect our business with local community.

“Children are our customers’ future, so they are very important. It’s nice for children to have some activities while their parents are buying things.”

The 20 entries for the competition will be judged by the centre’s visitors this week and all three winners will be rewarded with arts and crafts products.

Harvest Festival story

2010-10-04T13:32:00.002+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

Harrow children enjoyed a scarecrow hunt and a colouring competition at a local garden centre during the weekend.

The event, held in Headstone Lane, was part of the centre's Harvest Festival which invited families to attend and provided them suggestions of how to grow vegetables and fruits.

Children were encouraged to colour pictures of their own choice with a harvest-theme and find out six scarecrows hiding inside and around Harrow Garden Centre.

Libby Radford, 10, of West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, was among the many children who enjoyed the activities, she said: “I thought it was quite a good idea, and I thought colouring and finding scarecrows are quite fun.”

Along with Libby taking part in the event was 6-year-old Laura Sharrock of Nelson Road in Harrow-on-the-Hill, she added: “We decide what we're going to do with the picture, like if we want to put stickers on it.”

Laura's mum Maggie Sharrock, 40, told The HA1: “It's important for children to understand the season, to understand how to grow plants.

“Competition is always good and fun. They prefer to enter scarecrow hunt, if they win they can get a pack of seed, like sunflower or daffodil, so they can understand how the plants grow.”

Mike Townend, manager of the garden centre, explained why it was important to organise activities for the children, he said: “It's very important to connect our business with local community.

“Children are our customers' future, so they are very important. It's nice for children to have some activities while their parents are buying things.”

The 20 entries for the competition will be judged by the centre's visitors this week and all three winners will be awarded “painting by numbers” arts and crafts products.

Orchestra celebrates 30th anniversary

2010-09-29T15:16:00.002+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

A music prodigy with only one hand won public acclaim on Saturday at a concert organised by Harrow’s Trinity Orchestra.

The event was a celebration to mark the Orchestra’s 30th anniversary, as well as helping to showcase some of the country’s most talented young musicians from the Royal College of Music.

21-year-old pianist Nicholas McCarthy, who plays with just his left hand, was among the many performers at the Trinity Church on Hindes Road.

He said: “It was the first time I have played this piece with an Orchestra, I was very pleased because it’s such a good Orchestra to play with. The reaction from the audience was good as well.”

Nicholas performed Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, a piece that was composed specifically for a one-hand pianist.

Another highlight was 16-year-old composer Nick White, who had been commissioned to write a piece called Bugle to mark the Orchestra’s special occasion.

The music director of the Orchestra, Michael Murray, told The HA1: “The concert is not only to celebrate the past 30 years, but also to show the talent for the next 30 years. We want to have young performers and composers who can work with us.”

A particular success on the night was a performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, which requires a large Orchestra.

Peter Farrell, 64, a piano teacher from Hertfordshire, said: It’s absolutely fantastic and wonderful, the standard is exceptional.

“I think the Planets is an extremely difficult Orchestra piece, the technique and the music. All the players are exceptional for a local Orchestra.”

Harrow Orchestra story

2010-09-26T20:11:00.009+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

A music prodigy with only one-hand won public acclaim yesterday at a concert organised by Trinity Orchestra in Harrow.

The event was a celebration of the Orchestra's 30th anniversary with the aim to showcase the country's most talented young musicians from the Royal College of Music in London.

Nicholas McCarthy, the 21-year-old pianist who only has a left-hand, is among one of many who showed their talent on Saturday night.

He said: “It was my first time to play this piece with an Orchestra, I was very pleased because it's such a good Orchestra to play with. The audience has good reaction as well.”

Nicholas performed Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, a piece composed specifically for a one-hand pianist.

Another highlight at the event was young composer Nick White, the 16-year-old from the college's junior department, who has been commissioned for the opening piece called Bugle to mark the groups' special occasion.

He said in his own note the main melody for 'Bugle' came while improvising at the piano, “I wanted to explore the more 'solo' aspect of the orchestra in this piece, so most of the melodies here are played by one instrument at a time.”

The music director of the Orchestra Michael Murray told The HA1: “The concert is not only to celebrate the past 30 years, but also to show the talent for the next 30 years. We want to have young performers and composers who can work with us.”

The best part of the concert was when the Orchestra performed Gustav Holst's The Planets, which requires a large Orchestra.

Peter Farrell, 64, a piano teacher from Hertfordshire, said: It's absolutely fantastic and wonderful, the standard is exceptional. I think the Planets is an extremely difficult Orchestra piece, the technique and the music. All the players are exceptional for the local Orchestra.”

Battle of Britain Memorial Concert story

2010-09-19T19:59:00.006+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Hundreds of visitors attended Battle of Britain Memorial Concert yesterday to raise money for St Luke's Hospice and the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust.

The concert, held in Bentley Priory in Stanmore - the headquarters of Fighter Command during the WWII, also aimed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and commemorate those who died in the battle against the Nazis.

Erica Ferguson, 43, executive consultant of the Trust, said the money raised from the concert is just a small part of the £2 million the organisation wants to raise in order to improve the educational facilities of the museum, a Grade II listed mansion house in Bentley Priory.

Pam Russell, 48, director of Fundraising of St Luke's Hospice, said: “Some of the proceeds go to the hospice, and we probably made about more than £10,000.”

Couple of bands who performed during the concert, such as The British Airways Brass Band, children's choir Voice in a Million, and Harrow Apollo Male Choirs, reminded around 500 guests about the old days.

Peter Schiavi, 70, of Pinner told The HA1 the concert let him remember “the metal of sheltering, and the soldiers”, he said:“It's an excellent concert, bringing back a lot of memories, things you know, should not be forgotten.”

The 94-year-old Blenheim gunner, Owen Burns, from the 235 squadron who served in the battle, said: “I've been here for many times, it's always lovely to be here, this was the heart of the people who ran the war and who followed Fighter Command.”

Harrow in LEAF show draws crowds

2010-08-31T13:44:00.001+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Thousands of people turned out once again over the bank holiday weekend for Harrow’s biggest horticultural festival.

The annual Harrow in LEAF competition brought together plants and vegetables grown by green-fingered residents, with prizes handed out for the best produce on display.

Georgia Weston, chairman of the charity, said: “We try to encourage people who grow stuff in the borough, who have bees, art work and photography, encourage them to show off their work by entering the competition.

“It’s open to everyone who wishes to enter. We try to bring a lot of people together, and it is nice to be recognised within your community.

The two-day event also offered games and live music for families, as well as stalls selling products from local businesses and charities.

It replaced the former Harrow Show five years ago and now attracts a large number of local volunteers who help out over the weekend as well.

Harrow in Leaf show story

2010-08-30T21:00:00.011+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

Thousands of visitors were attracted to the community's traditional horticultural festival at the bank holiday weekend.

The sixth annual competition, organised by Harrow in Leaf, aims to bring the whole community together and encourage the locals to show off their talent.

Nita Mcewan, 46, of King’s Road, South Harrow, explained how she was amazed after she had visited the two tents displaying vegetables, flowers, arts and crafts made by the community members, allotment and horticultural societies, and Harrow Beekeepers Association.

She said: “It's a very good event, and we never see something like this. They have got a fantastic site as well.

“This is amazing. We followed people who run the clubs, learned how they grow the vegetables, how they looked after them. I'm looking forward to join one of the societies.”

Georgia Weston, Chairman of Harrow in Leaf, said: “We try to encourage people who grow stuff in the borough, who have bees, art work and photography, encourage them to show off their work by entering the competition.

“It's open to everyone who wishes to enter. We try to bring a lot of people together, and it is nice to be recognised within your community and it's very good for the community."

Apart from the exhibition displayed at the Harrow Museum and Heritage Centre, the two-day event also offers games, fun and live music to the families, and helps promote local businesses by inviting them to set up stalls to sell their goods.

Ms Weston added: “It's also a chance for people in the borough to come and look around, buy some stuff, and have some coffee. We provide something nice that people can go locally.”

Speaking with the winner of this year's “The Best in the Show”, John William Harding told The HA1 he has always brought his garden plant dahlias to the shows, “I go to lots of shows like this, and I like to keep the standard up.

“I enjoy people to come to see my dahlias, and try to make them really nice. I spend a lot of time and a lot of input.”

The show, which replaced the former Harrow Show five years ago, has also attracted plenty of volunteers to help out during the event.

Silsila Rokai, 19, of The Bye Way in Harrow, said she and her sister are very excited to come and help out at the event: “I am interested to help people so I think it's a good idea to spend some time to see what everyone is doing, and find out what they are up to.

“I am very surprised that so many people want to volunteer, and I definitely think about volunteering again next year.”

Family to take on Everest challenge

2010-08-23T21:51:00.002+01:00

An Edgware family are to climb part of Mount Everest to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

Five members of the Hindocha family are to take on the mountain’s Base Camp Challenge in October as part of a bid to raise £24,000.

Neha Hindocha, 25, told The HA1 they started fundraising after their grandmother got help from the Kenton hospice in 2009.

“My grandma was very ill for the past thirty years,” she said. “They way they treated her was absolutely incredible.”

The family held a Salsa and Mexican evening last week at the VIP Lounge in Edgware to help fund their trip.

They have already raised £15,000 of their target through events including a trek across the Alps in Switzerland.

Neha’s brother Vishal, 24, said: “The money will pay for nurses and doctors. They receive very little funding from the NHS and almost purely depend on donations. We wish we could give something back to them.”

The family are hoping that their Mount Everest challenge will see them reach their fundraising target.

It is set to be their toughest physical challenge so far and will involve almost two weeks of walking.

Neha said: “We’re trying to go to Box Hill in Surrey, go to the gym, cycling, swimming and walking to increase our endurance.

“We’re climbing to the peak just above the Base Camp, which is 6000 metres over 13 days of trekking.”

You can find out more about their trip and make a donation on the family’s Just Giving page

St Luke's Hospice story

2010-08-21T09:33:00.007+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

An evening of salsa moves, Mexican food and cocktails was dedicated to raise money for St Luke's Hospice.

The event, held by the Hindocha family from Wolmer Garden, Edgware, attracted hundreds of guests dressed up as Latino dancers, who enjoyed a fabulous Wednesday night.

Neha Hindocha, 25, daughter of the family explained why they wish to help raise money for the Hospice, she said: “My grandma was very ill for the past thirty years. Last year she was at St Luke's Hospice, the way they treated her was absolutely incredible.”

Vishal, 24, Neha's brother, added: “The money will pay for nurses and doctors, they receive very little funding from the NHS, and almost purely depend on donation. We wish we could give something back to them.”

Among the guests enjoyed the party was Renu Malhotra, 48, from Camrose Avenue, Edgware, who said: “I like the dance, and it's an excellent event. I feel very organised and enjoyable.

“[They've got] great support from their friends, because everyone is at the middle of the week and I don't expect so many people turn out.”

The family is aiming to raise £25, 000 and so far has already got £15,000 under their belt through a variety of events including a yoga workshop, a charity lunch, and a trek during which Neha's mom and dad participated in across the Alps in Switzerland.

Neha told The HA1 they are now gearing up to take on the Everest Base Camp Challenge in October with the hope of raising the rest of the money.

She said: “We're trying to go to Box Hill in Surrey, go to gym, cycling, swimming, and walking, and increase our endurance.

“We're climbing to the peak just above the Base Camp, which is 6,000 metres over 13 days of trekking.”

The team, including the entire Hindocha family, are also preparing their equipment for the trip, such as tents, sleeping bags and trekking boots.

If you would like to raise money for St Luke's Hospice or know more about their adventure, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Team-N-Everest/3

Tobias Mead wows Harrow crowds

2010-08-16T17:56:00.011+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

One of the stars of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent competition wowed fans in Harrow on Sunday afternoon.

Tobias Mead performed some of his sleek dance moves at St Ann’s Shopping Centre yesterday, watched by around a hundred spectators and shoppers.

Among the fans queued up for his performance was 14-year-old Lisa from Harrow Weald, who said: “The performance is really good, amazing. I’m a big fan of his.”

15-year-old Debbie, from Wealdstone, had also headed into the town centre to watch Tobias in action. She said: “It’s really good. I just like his moves.”

22-year-old Tobias became a household name overnight after performing for Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on Britain’s Got Talent.

He told The HA1 that he was now enjoying having the chance to perform for and meet some of his fans in person.

“I’m trying to interact with the audience here,” he said. “Because when you’re on TV, you cannot see the audience, and they are all at home, but here you can see the crowds and be as close as possible to them.”

Tobias became one of the stars of this year’s ITV competition despite losing out to the eventual winners Spellbound.

He has now taken his dance routines on the road with a number of performances penciled in across the country.

Tobias said: “I will do a lot of performances. From next week I will work with Disney Camp Rock 2 and do promotion (for them) all over the places.

“I will be dancing with other dancers and make the promotion more interesting.”

Fans in Harrow also got the chance to meet the talented dancer after watching him in action.

Tobias posed for photographs and signed autographs as well as performing two shows at the shopping centre.

TV star wows Harrow Crowds

2010-08-16T17:35:00.009+01:00

By Yixiang Zeng

A Britain's Got Talent finalist wowed crowds at St Anns Shopping Centre when he showed off his creative dance yesterday noon.

Tobias Mead, 22, from Warminster, drove girls wild with his sleek moves attracting around a hundred shoppers.

Lisa, 14, from Harrow Weald, said: “The performance is really good and it's amazing. I'm a big fan of his.”

Another 15-year-old Debbie from Wealdstone, said: “It is really good. I just like his moves and very creative.”

The ITV show star told the HA1 he enjoyed his performance at the centre, he said: “I'm trying to interact with the audience here.

“Because when you're on TV, you cannot see the audience, and they are all at home, but here you can see the crowds and be as close as possible to them.”

When talking about his next move, Tobias added: “I will do a lot of performances. From next week I will work with Disney Camp Rock 2 and do promotion (for them) all over the places.

“I will be dancing with other dancers, and make the promotion more interesting.”

The audience showed its enthusiasm by queuing up patiently to ask him for photos and autographs during the meet-and-greet session.

Mrs Davinder Badhan, 43, from Heston, said she and her husband even brought the video camera to film the scenes when the star signing autograph for their son and daughter.

Bond says thank you with party

2010-08-10T23:13:00.008+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Residents from North Harrow came together at the weekend to celebrate James Bond’s local election win in May.

The event on Saturday, held by the Headstone North Councillor at St Alban’s Church Hall, was to thank voters for their support and trust following his decision to stand as an Independent.

One of the guests at the party, Sheila O’Brien, of Church Drive, explained why she had decided to support Mr Bond, rather than one of the candidates from a particular party.

She said: “James is the man with people. Everybody around him says he is always with other people and the community.”

That was backed up by Deirdre Deely, who said: “He could represent us without any other party influence.”

Two previous independent councillors, Neville Hughes and Derek Tyler, also showed their support by attending the celebrations.

Mr Hughes, a former Roxeth councillor, said: “An independent is someone who challenges council’s decision making, someone who thinks about people in the Harrow, not the particular political party.”

Councillor Bond’s victory was one of the shocks during dramatic local elections in May, in which he was elected at the expense of former Mayor Eric Silver.

Mr Bond said his priority since then has been the people of Headstone North, with regular residents’ surgeries being held so people can meet him.

He said: “These surgeries take place on Saturday mornings twice a month at two locations within the Headstone North ward.

“I shall serve the community by making myself available to all the residents who live here.”

Edited by Simon Fyles

Residents celebrated independent councillor's historic win

2010-08-02T22:10:00.013+01:00

from left: Derek Tyler, James Bond, Neville Hughes

by Yixiang Zeng

Residents from North Harrow celebrated James Bond's local election win in May as an independent on Saturday night.

The event, held by the Headstone North Councillor at St Alban's Church Hall, Norwood Drive, was to thank voters' support and trust.

When talking with one of the guests at the party, Sheila Obrien, of Church Drive, said: “James is the man with people. Everybody around him says he is always with other people and the community.”

Deirdre Deely, of Suffolk Road, said: “He could represent us without any other party's influence.”

Two previous independent councillors Neville Hughes and Derek Tyler also showed their support to their successor.

Mr Hughes, former Roxeth councillor, said: “To some extent, independent is someone who challenges council's decision making, someone thinks about people in the Harrow, not the particular political party.”

Mr Bond said as the new councillor for Headstone North, he has already started holding residents' surgeries so that people can come and meet him at regular intervals.

He said: “These surgeries take place on Saturday mornings twice a month at two locations within the Headstone North ward.

“I shall serve the community by making myself available to all the residents who live here.”

NCTJ News reporting paper answers:

2010-07-31T16:44:00.011+01:00

Question One:

A type of much safer glasses is to be trialled in pubs across Oldworth in a bid to reduce injuries and suffers.

The glasses, designed by Oldworth Glass, will be trialled starting from next week in response to Home Office’s calling for a less hazardous pint glass, as a result of an estimated 87,000 injuries are caused each year by traditional pint glasses.

Jon Fetley, marketing director of the company, said: “Our aim is to use a material that will not shard on breaking. It will reduce the number of staff in pubs and clubs who suffers cuts from broken glasses while serving, clearing or washing up.”

But he also admitted that drinkers are very attached to the traditional glass and he said “this has been a key problem to overcome”.

Jan Blomfield, of the government’s Design Against Crime Unit expressed similar concern by saying “drinkers are very attached to their pint glass and we have to deal with that fact”.

He added: “People are used to drinking from plastic or paper cups in many situations but there is widespread feeling that if you go to a pub it is traditional to drink beer from a glass.”

One beer lover from the Oldworth Brewers and Public Houses Association Richard Boatman said: “It’s absolutely true that people don’t like drinking out of plastic, which is quite awful. And if they’re safe, that’s great.

“Plastic ‘glasses’ don’t last as long as the average three-month life span of an actual glass and they’re susceptible to scratching.”

A brewery and pub historian Eric Worthington, 57, of 18 Kerkham Way, Oldworth, said he tried the new glasses and “you can hardly tell them from those being used by every pub up and down the land.

“Even the shape is pretty much the same. There’s just a very slightly different feel to the glass, but it’s hardly noticeable. If they’re safe, that’s great.”

(324 words)

Question Two:

Ainsworth Road Police evacuated the 100-yeard cordon around its station, nearby homes and businesses after a suspected explosive item had been found.

The whole action lasted one hour from 8:30am to 9:30am after the public members had handed in an item likely to be of military munitions.

The Royal Ordnance Corps identified the item, green colour with yellow writing on it, as a suspended Citroen car’s compression unit.

Superintendent Alan Smyth said: “It was better to be safe than sorry.”

(80 words)

Question Three:

An event to find Oldworth city’s favourite nursery rhyme will be launched next Monday.

Voting slips will be available at libraries and readers can vote at oldworth.gov.uk/nurseryrhyme

Results will be revealed in six week’s time for the Oldworth Children’s Library Day.

Voters will have chances to win a puppet pack.

(50 words)

Question Four:

The manager of the city’s main hospital or someone in the senior position of the hospital’s management board:

* How did the hospital come up with such a decision to bar the drunken patients from pubs and clubs in the area?
* How important for a hospital like this to make such a decision to bar drunken patients?
* How did these drunken patients affect hospital’s routine work?
* What is the estimated cost of these hospital facilities damaged by drunken patients?
* When did the incident happen regarding the drunken man punching a female doctor?
* How did the above incident happen?
* What have the hospital done so far after the incident happened apart from deciding to join the local Pubwatch scheme?
* Have other hospitals in the city got similar experiences like their doctors being punched by drunken patients? What did they do to solve the problem?
* Is there any other way to solve the problem instead of preventing them from entering the pubs and clubs in the local area?

Patients from the city’s main hospital:

* Have you heard about the incident that a drunken patient had punched a female doctor at the hospital?
* What is your attitude towards the incident?
* What is your opinion about the hospital’s decision to bar patients from pubs and clubs in the area?
* How serious do you think the drinking problem in this hospital?
* Do you agree with hospital’s decision regarding drunken patients? Why?
* Have these drunken patients every created any trouble to you? What did you do if it happened?

The director of local Pubwatch scheme:

* How effective do you think the scheme can help hospital solve the drunken patients problem?
* How effective in general does the scheme help people regarding their drinking behaviour?
* How much do the participants need to pay to join the scheme?
* How does the scheme work? For example, will any guards be staying at the entrance of the pub or local pub to check people’s identity who want to enter?
* What do pub owners’ attitudes towards the scheme? How do you work with them? Does the scheme affect their business?

Online:

* A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
* Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as the hospital's website, the scheme.
* Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
* Start an online reader poll and asking readers whether they agree with hospital’s decision to join in the local pubwatch scheme?
* Invite a doctor from the hospital to write up a blog of the experience which he/she may be insulted by the drunken patients or he/she saw patients are drunken.
* Create an online photo gallery to show a series of pictures of the hospital, the pub, or patients drinking beer and create troubles.

Video:

* Video interviews with key players, such as the manager of the hospital, the patient, and the local Pubwatch scheme director.
* Video a councillor or local MP commenting on the issue.
* Video patients giving sound-bite views of the hospital’s decision.
* Video reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the pubs to introduce and tell the story.
* Video the pub inside and explaining patients from the hospital are usually sitting there to drink beer.
* Video some beers on the tables, and then using figures (the figures show how many patients drinking beers across the city) together to show audience how the beer can affect patients behave oddly.

Other digital interaction:

* Use SMS text messages to break the story and guiding the recipients to your website or newspaper for more information
* Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
* Invite readers to send back in their text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
* Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online publication.
* Set up a Facebook page to invite readers to comment.
* Set up a Twitter account to update the twit and comment on the issue.

Newshire Archaeology Service question three

2010-07-30T19:27:00.006+01:00

Question Three:

Dog owners will be able to find pets if they get lost with a new service launched next week.

Beeton Council’s dog wardens will be inserting permanent microchips in the animals, which can be read by a chip scanner. The sessions will be held at Lynhope Pet Stores, Waterson Street.

(50 words)

News writing - West Newtown community association

2010-07-30T17:57:00.003+01:00

Question One:

Residents are furious about Andersons' new plan which will remove the Bridge Road greenery area, and are urged to sign a petition opposing the visual distraction.

The plan, proposed two weeks ago by the supermarket, is to move the petrol station from its present position to the junction of the site's access road and Bridge Road itself, which believed will also create traffic problems, according to Colin Robertson, chairman of the West Newtown Community Association.

He said: “That greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, and it was the general view that the changes would create an unacceptable eyesore.”

The company claimed the news plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the customers' benefit but they have now decided to add a huge automated car wash.

Mr Robertson said the vast barn-like building would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.

The association has also won local councillors' full support who agreed to oppose the supermarket's proposals.

Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.

“The church may be a relatively new building, but it won a regional architectural award for its appearance. We welcomed that structure – but not this one.”

Resident Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion.

“If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won't be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”

However, Andersons spokesman said they dispute suggestions that their proposal would create traffic hazards, “Indeed we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use.”

The association was set up in response to Andersons' previous proposals which had been objected largely because of traffic disruption.

(325 words)

Questions Two:

A drinks distribution company will be awarded Wholesaler of the Year by Karlsbrew UK in its centenary year.

Varndell's, the family-run business, is the major distributor for Karlsbtrew throughout the region.

Richard Varnell, company secretary said the award recognised their standing in a very competitive business arena and showed they fulfilled Karlsbrew's expectations as well as it was a tribute to their hard-working employees.

The ceremony will be held at Karlsbrew's national sales conference at Birmingham next month.

(80 words)

Question Three:

A woman had her handbag stolen from her trolley yesterday at about 2:30pm in Kirkham's Supermarket on Ashforth Road, Newtown.

The bag was a distinctive one in yellow leather with red stripes, and she lost it when selecting items from a shelf.

Anyone with information should contact on Newton 331322.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Manager of the local airport:

Why does your company propose to build up a second runway?
How much does it cost to build up the second runway?
What are the profits your company will make from the new proposal?
Will there any environmental damages, such as air pollution or noisy pollution occur because of the new proposal?
If there is any adverse effects, what is your plan to solve it?
Is there any a need to build up a second runway?
Will it truly allow a 35 per cent increase in landing and take-offs?
Are there any problems in landings and take-offs in recent years in the airport?

Local councillor who has a view on the the proposal:

What is your opinion about your local airport's new proposal to build up a second runway?
Will the council's planning committee permit the airport's proposal? And what are the progress has the council made in examining the proposal?
Have the council taken air and noisy pollution into consideration when decide whether should grant the airport the permission to build up the second runway?
If there is any environmental damages because of the second run way? What should council do to help reduce the damages?
Will council conduct a questionnaire or set up a residents poll to get feedback from local people? And see what are their attitudes towards the new proposal?
How does the new proposal affect the local business?
Does the local area truly need a new second runway?

Representative from the local residents association:

What is your opinion of the airport's new proposal regarding building up a second runway?
Do you think your local airport need a second runway?
Are there any environmental problems around the area? For example, air pollution or noisy pollution?
What benefits will the new proposal bring to your town?
What disadvantages does the new proposal bring to the local area?
Are you a regular traveller on the plane? Do you find any problems of the airport runway facilities?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as local airport's website, council website, residents association website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry out a full story.
Set up an online reader poll to ask readers whether they agree with the proposal or not?
Invite someone who lives near the airport to write a blog talk about his experience of being living near the site, such as does air plane affects his daily life?

Video:

Video interviews of the key players – manager of the airport, local councillor, and the rep from the residents association.
Video a local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera standing in front of the airport to tell audience about the story
Video local residents who live near the airport giving sound-bite views of the issue.
Video the second runway location, what are the areas the second runway will cover and explain the surrounding situation.
Upload a slide show of pictures of the airport facilities.

Other interaction:

Use sms text messages to break the story and direct recipients to your website or the paper for more information.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.
Invite readers to send messages back of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Set up a Facebook and Twitter page and ask local people to express their opinions freely.

News writing - Duddleston ctiy council

2010-07-30T13:24:00.004+01:00

Question 1:

St Benedict's church Rev in Duddleston supports single-sex marriage by believing there is a place for gay people.

The number of civil partnership marriage has increased by 16 per cent in Duddleston, which is one of the only two areas, including Barnsley, that reported a rise, head of registrations Mrs Julia Sutcliff at Duddleston City Council said.

Rev Andrew MacDuffie said: “On Saturday I shall perform the city's first blessing of a single-sex couple after their civil partnership ceremony. We shouldn't have had to wait this long for Duddleston's first blessing.

“What is important is the stability of a relationship, not the couple's sexuality. My personal view is that it is important to enshrine in law anything that overcomes discrimination.

However, neighbouring St Faith's Church turned down a gay couple, Sally Spencer, of Kennedy Road, said: “We would have liked a blessing afterwards at, but our vicar turned us down.

“He just didn't want anything to do with it despite the fact we often attend his services.”

Nationally, Local Government Association survey showed the number of gay weddings fell on average by 55 per cent in the past 12 months.

Adrian Martines, Chair of Duddleston Lesbian and Gay Forum, said: “There was a big pent-up at the end of 2005, which is why so many couple went for civil partnerships as soon as possible after the law changed. A tailing off has been inevitable.”

While locally, the survey reported the number was on year-on-year drops from 31 per cent to 90 per cent among the forty local authorities were surveyed.

Mrs Sutcliff said the ceremonies got off to a relatively slow start in December 2005 and in early 2006 but they believe the situation will now become better.

Mr Martines added Duddleston City Council takes a very positive view of these ceremonies and has earned a reputation of sympathetic help its staff give to same-sex couples.

(325 words)

Questions Two:

A dumped or escaped pig appeared in front of Tony Sainsford's fruit and veg stall guzzling apples
and making a grunting noise on Normanston open market today, RSPCA inspector Geoff Robertshaw said.

According to him, the animal is a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig and sometimes kept as a pet.

“Tony lassoed it, kept it tethered until we arrives and police say no reports of a missing or stolen pig.” Mr Robertshaw added.

Anyone with information should contact on 02924 367560.

(80 words)

Question Three:

Police drug raid recovered an 18-inch tall brass crucifix from a house in Ebling Street, Duddleston, initial inquiries failed to establish where it belongs.

The cross has no decoration or identifying marks, plain squared ends, mounted on a tiered oak plinth.

Anyone with information should contact on 02924 335511.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Headteahcer of the school:

Why does the school install CCTV cameras at toilet?
Have you ever worried about the consequence of the pupils' images that appear online?
Are there any other ways to solve the smoking and graffiti problems?
How serious the smoking and graffiti problems are at the school?
What is the school's plan if unfortunately the images of pupils using toilet appear online?
Is it legal to install CCTV cameras in the toilet?

The angry parent:

What is your opinion of school's CCTV cameras plan?
How do you think it will affect your children?
What is the thing that you have worried most regarding installing CCTV cameras in the toilet?
Have you talked to your local councillor, what suggestions did he provide to you? Does his granddaughter also go to the same school as your children?
Do you have any ideas of solving smoking and graffiti problems instead of installing CCTV cameras in the toilet?

The local councillor whose daughter goes to the school:

What is your opinion about the issue regarding your local school is going to install CCTV cameras in the toilet?
Are you worried about your granddaughter using school's toilet image appears online?
Did council have any plans to work with the school to help reduce smoking and graffiti? What is it?
Do you think installing CCTV cameras in the toilet in order to solve smoking and graffiti is a good way to solve the problems? Why?
Do you support parents' protest to oppose the school's CCTV cameras plan? Why?
Who should be responsible for children's smoking and making graffiti behaviour?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as the school's website, parent's protest website (if there is one), CCTV camera information website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Set up an online reader poll and ask reader whether they agree with the school's plan to install CCTV cameras in the toilet.
Invite a parent who is protesting the school's CCTV cameras plan to write up a blog discussing about the issue and updating the protest's progress.

Video:

Video the interviews of the key players – headteacher of the school, the angry parent, the local councillor, or the pupils.
Video a local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the school to introduce and tell audience the story.
Video local resident giving sound-bite views of the CCTV camera installing in school toilet issue.
Video the school's toilet, and roughly show audience where the CCTV cameras will be installed.

Other interaction:

Use sms text messages to break the story and direct the recipient to your website or newspaper for more information.
Send an e-mail alert to your reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Invite reader to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.
Set up an Facebook and Twitter page and let readers to say their opinions freely.

News writing - Newshire archaeology service

2010-07-30T01:00:00.006+01:00

Question One:

The site of Beeton Battle has been finally found by Newshire Metal Detecting Group (NMDG), chief archaeologist Simon Ducane at Newshire County Council confirmed.

The 1645 war's battlefield is a mile outside the present city's built-up area, the capital city of Newshire County.

Mr Ducane said: “We are indebted to the group for their five-year search to find the site under the archaeology service's guidance.

“Their work has now borne fruit and members of the metal detecting group have given up many weekends to this search.”

Nationally, archaeologists are worried about the attempts of discovering battles' truth are being jeopardised by amateur treasure hunters' invasion.

The reason is that there is no co-ordinated strategy for trying to ensure that battlefield finds are fully reported and recorded.

Bernard Austerberry, 54, Chairman of the Newshire Metal Detecting Group, said that his group has been in the forefront of advocating a responsible approach to metal detecting, “we are absolutely over the moon to think we have been instrumental in identifying such an important site as this.

“It's taken five years of weekends spent committed to a gradually extending search and we've worked closely with the archaeological service all the way along the line.”

Lain Laidler, 34, a history teacher at Kettledown High School, Beeton, said: “I let out a huge yell of delight when I found the first cannonball at High Meadow.

The group has obviously followed archaeologists' advices, “They removed nothing, carefully returning each item to the ground and marking the spot with a stake”, said Mr Ducane. “When they realised that the number of finds meant there had been a significant battle at the spot, they informed us immediately.”

Laidler added: “After that we found about 20 more cannonballs and some musket balls before we decided to stop and notify the archaeology service.”

The Beeton battle was a key battle fought when the Civil War was moving towards its climax.

(323 words)

Questions Two

Vandals endangered visitors at Beeton Castle on Sunday night when they ripped off fencing panels and handrails between scheduled security patrols of the ruins, according to the council.

There will be a short-term health and safety precaution to prevent access, after replacing the missing items it will reopen again.

The castle is now working English Heritage to see how they can resolve the problems.

The council appeals residents to report suspicious or criminal behaviour to the police.

(80 words)

Questions Three:

Dog warden service at the council is arranging sessions for dog owners to get their dogs microchipped at £10 next week at the Lynhope Pet Stores on Water Street, Beeton.

Each dog will be implanted with a radio-frequency identification micropchip.

The event runs from 10am to 4:30pm everyday.

(50 words)

Questions Four:

Mid-Newshire Hospitals NHS Trust manager:

Why does the old name not reflect the work of a modern hospital?
What confusion has the old name created to the hospital with other ones in the district?
Do you truly believe that changing the name will solve these problems?
What do you think about the survey findings carried out by Health watchdog Beeton Link?
What is the attitude of the hospital itself towards Trust's plan?
What is the meaning of the hospital's old name?

Director of Health watchdog Beeton Link:

What is the outcome of the survey?
How does it reflect local residents' attitude regarding changing the hospital's name?
What is the campaign all about?
Can the campaign solve the problem at the end? Do you think your campaign will save the old name?
What do you think Trust's argument that the old name does not reflect the work of a mordern hospital and creates confusions with other hospitals in the district.

Representative of local residents association, (preferably who is also answered the survey's questions):

What is your opinion about Trust's plan to change the hospital's name?
How important do you think the name for a local hospital?
Have you ever found your local hospital's name a problem?
What do you think Health watchdog Beeton Link's campaign? Do you support them?
Do you know anyone who has got problems with your local hospital's name? Maybe is confused by the location of the hospital, as it does not clearly state as Beeton Hospital, so people do not know where the hospital is?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information, such as the Trust' website, Health watchdog Beeton Link's website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which carry a full story.
Set up an online reader poll to ask readers whether they are agree with Trust's plan to change the hospital's name.
Invite a representative from Health watchdog Beeton Link to write a blog, and update their everyday campaign.

Video:

Video the interviews with key players: Mid-Newshire Hospitals NHS Trust manager, director of Health watchdog Beeton Link as well as residents representative;
Video councillor or/an local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the hospital and introducing the story.
Video local people giving sound-bite views of the issue.
Video the campaign about the organisation opposing Turst's plan to change the hospital's name.

Other digital interaction:

Use text message to break the story and direct recipients to your website and newspaper for more information.
Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Invite readers to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his online and print editorial.
Set up an Facbook and Twitter page for readers and let them discuss the issue.

News writing - Yeltham neighbourhood watch federation

2010-07-29T19:35:00.003+01:00

Question One:

A survey shows that residents in Yeltham severally worried about the increasing crimes in the area, which prompted police to conduct further analysis of the findings.

The survey, conducted by Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation (YNWF) and Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel (YCPP), discussed several issues such as burglary, vandalism and robbery that residents are concerned about, according to Rob Litter, Chairman of YNWF.

Mr Litter said: “Some of the findings are not a great surprise in view of the widespread perception that crimes is on the increase.”

Chief Inspector Antony Wardell, of Yeltham Police, said: “We shall be studying the results of the survey with considerable interest. We conduct our own analysis of reported crime as this allows us to target our resources where they are most needed.

“Fear of crime, as distinct from crime itself, is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's lives. It is important to allay unnecessary fears.”

According to Mr Litter, under 68 per cent of respondents said they were worried about their cars being broken into, while 72 per cent said they were afraid of being burgled.

While Vandalism is of great concern, 57 per cent of the residents were worried about noisy youngsters hanging about on street after dark, residents over 70-year-old also said they were frightened to go out alone because of the fear of being attacked and robbed.

Jeffrey Steele, Chairman of YCPP, said the YNWF had their full support for this survey, “It highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying communities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.

“I hope very much that local businesses will back us with financial support.”

Regarding old pensioners' fear of answering the door to strangers, Gerald Parkins, Chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said two members of his committee are skilled in providing service to fit the door chains free of charge.

Questions Two:

A widower was burgled at her doorstep in Beck Road, Iiworth today at about 8:45am.

While two men kept telling the 84-year-old the apple tree need some work, the third man entered the kitchen and stole a wallet containing $55 in notes and change.

Two at the front door were in their 30s, fair-haired, rough appearance with local accents, One had a eagle tattoo on his left arm.

Anyone with information should contact Yeltham police on 412311.

(80 words)

Questions Three

A number of dead fish were found in the smallest of the three ponds at Yeltham Park. Findings suggest the death may be natural causes, pollution or a deliberate vandalism act.

Live fish will be kept in quarantine.

Anyone with information should call Yeltham Council's environmental health department on 375222.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Manager of a GPs' surgery

How does the service cuts affect your patient?
How many patients can roughly arrive on time now for appointment after the service cuts?
How many patients can roughly arrive on time for appointment before the service cuts?
Have you talked to your local GP association or local councillor about the issue? What suggestions did they provide?
Why doe the No 126's bus service cuts severally affect your patients?

Director of the bus company

Why do your company cut the service?
How much does your company save after cutting the service?
What did you think about the complaints from the GPs and the patients?
How are you going to resolve it?
Is there any other way the company can do instead of cutting service?

Patient:

How does the service affect you to go to your GP?
Does the bus service's cuts bring any impact on your life?
How long does it take you to your GP before the bus service's change?
Do you truly believe that the bus service's cuts have severally affect your life?
Are there any other routes you can choose to go to your GP (instead of using the current one)?
How long does it take you to your GP after the bus service's change?
Do you think the bus company should be responsible for the result of what they have been doing?

Online:

Write a comprehensive summary of the story, updated it when more information becomes available.
Embedded links guide reader to appropriate sources of information, such as the bus company's website, GP' s surgery website, or the patients' association website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Invite reader to comment on the issue online, and see what can be done to resolve problem brought by the bus service cuts.
Create a slide show of pictures of bus No 126, show the different stops before the service cuts as well as after the service cuts, as well as show the crowds try to get on the bus.

Other digital interaction:

Using text messages to break the story and direct the recipients to your website or newspaper for more information.
Set up an e-mail alert to tell your reader subscribers about the story link of your website.
Invite a patient to write up a blog talking about the inconvenience of the bus service cuts which affect his attendance to his GP.
Set up a facebook or Twitter page and invite readers to discuss the issue.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.

Video

Video the key players of their interviews: manager of a Gps' surgery, director of the bus company, patient.
Video a local councillor or a local MP to comment on the issue.
Video the reporter standing in front of the camera talking about the story, like doing a piece of camera of him/her introduce the story.
Video the patient standing at the bus stop and waiting for the bus. (but need to be carefully of not identifying him/her)
Video residents giving sound-bite views of the issue.

News writing - Sidston trading standards department

2010-07-29T11:39:00.007+01:00

Question One:

A campaign to crack down bogus organic food is to be launched in Sidston, according to senior Trading Standards Officer Kenneth Pindar.

The inquiry, which will begin this week, is to look at sale of ordinary meat labelled as more costly organic products.

He said: “It is a crime which may appear to carry little risk because most shoppers have no way of telling if they have been duped, and the incentives to cheat are considerable.”

According to Mr Pindar, an ordinary chicken can sell for £10-£11 when labelled as organic while beefsteak can make more than £29 per kg.

In order to change the situation, a new test has been brought in with success by Food Standards Agency to measure the quantity of antibiotics in meat and see if it is a genuine organic product.

Mr Pindar said: “A local market trader was fined for re-labelling ordinary beef as organic, in a neighbouring area a producer was found to be selling allegedly organic sausages at a farmers' market.”

Figures show organic food sales are rising by 12 per cent a year nationally and currently are worth £1.2 billion annually, with sales of organic meat reaching about £200million a year.

Lawrence Platt, an organic beef farmer at Westfield, a village five miles from Sidston, said he fully support this campaign, “there are some of us who can point the finger at traders we believe might be trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes.

“They deserve whatever they get. It's a scam that must be stopped.”

Meanwhile, spot checks will be continued and suspected traders will face fines of up to £5,000 for each offence if they fraud.

A spokesman for Soil Association said: “We would ask people to report dubious traders, either to us or Trading Standards.

Shoppers should be able to have confidence in all the genuine traders in organic produce, whether it is vegetables, fruit, bread or meat.”

(324 words)

Question Two

Mr Arthur Staten was devastated to lose his twelve pigeons and newly-hatched chicks during a fire incident yesterday around 7:15pm.

The 70-year-old widower, living at 16 Wakeman Road, Sidston, called the fire service when he saw the fire in a series of wooden outbuildings at a bungalow.

Two fire crews spent more than two hours extinguishing the blaze and neighbouring roads were closed due to smoke.

The incident started when rubbish was being burned in the garden.

(80 words)

Questions Three

Sidston Merry Choristers is recruiting new members to join their choir.

They practise every Wednesday evening at Sidston Girl's High School between 7pm and 9pm.

There is a fee for practice nights except to offer newcomers the first two sessions free.

Anyone interested should contact Janie Timbers on Sidston 376568.

(50 words)

Questions Four:

Head Teacher of the school:

Why is there a need to add Chinese to the school's curriculum?
Do other school's curriculum in your borough also include Chinese? And what makes the school to do so?
How does the school reach its decision?
What do the the parents' opinion on the issue?
How important is it to learn Chinese?
Does the school's curriculum also include French, Germany or other foreign languages?

Representative of the parents:

What do you think the school's decision regarding including Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Do you want your children to learn another language? Why?
Why do you think the school make such a decision?
Do you think it is right to include Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Do you see the change just as to learn a foreign language, (no matter Chinese, Germany, French and at end of the day it is just a language) or you see it indicate another meaning - it is believed that China will become the next economic power, so learning Chinese might create more opportunities for the children themselves? What is your opinion about this?

Pupils:

What do you think to learn Chinese if your school include Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Are you learning other languages at the moment? Do you like learning languages?
Do you agree with school's new curriculum? Why?
What is the most difficult thing you can imagine now to learn a new language?
What is the best way to learn a language you think? For example, maybe go to a foreign country and stay there for a while, so you may learn quicker than learning a foreign language actually in your own country? What do you think?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated when information becomes available.
Web links guiding reader to appropriate sources of information such as the school's website, the BBC Learning Chinese website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Invite reader to comment about the story and ask their views about the news curriculum planned by the school.
Create an online slide show to show the Chinese character samples as well as the Chinese culture.

Video:

Video key players of their interviews: head teacher from the school, parents representative, and the pupils.
Video pupils are learning Chinese.
Video local people's sound-bite views of the new curriculum.
Video local councillor or local MP commenting on the new curriculum.
Use the video of how the Chinese characters like as some background information in the news story.

Interaction:

Using text messages to break down the story and guide the recipients to your website or the newspaper about the story.
Set an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with the link to your web story.
Set up facebook and twitter page and invite locals to join and discuss their opinion on the new Chinese curriculum.
Invite reader to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his online and print editorial.

News writing - Eddingham Cathedral

2010-07-28T19:56:00.004+01:00

Question 1:

A new initiative is to launch at Wilberforce Centre to help youngster discover their potential and provide a safe environment for their personal development.

The scheme is part of the improvement of Eddingham Cathedral, Eddingham, and its authorities have submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £100,000 to start a major revamp.

David Cressy, Provost at Cathedral, said about youngsters: “We shall establish their needs and aspirations and set up projects that will empower them to shape their own future.”

According to him, the Cathedral is frequently under attack by disenchanted or alienated youngsters and the latest incident will cost them more than £2,000 to put things right.

He said youngsters such as these need the right encouragement to become good citizens.

The Rev Nigel Bankes, director of the Wilberforce Centre, said: “We have already made various attempts to establish worthwhile contacts with some of the young people who gather in the cathedral precinct but a more concerted effort is required, backed up by improved facilities at the centre.

We hope these will come with the Lottery Fund project.”

If the project is successful, as Mr Cressy said, there will be a possible £4million refurbishment which will be directed at the Grade One listed building and the services it offers to the community.

Regarding people's thoughts to improve the Cathedral, among ideas already mooted are under-floor heating and new seats, other essential basics are a complete clean and re-wiring, as well as the fabric of the building.

Mrs Olive Marchant, who is a cabinet member for education at Eddingham Council, said: “the cathedral authorities will have our full support in developing and extending their outreach projects.”

Colonel Michael Foxworth, chairman of the Friends of Cathedral, said: “The bid for a lottery grant if it is successful, will only be the beginning.

“We will still face a huge challenge to find the necessary money for all the work that will be required.”

(325 words)

Question two:

A new community website, free of charge, has been launched by the council to help groups and organisations throughout the district get their message across.

The site will be at eddcom.org, any local group can join providing accept the terms and conditions.

so far thirty groups have expressed interest and all these will be on line the moment the website goes live next Monday.

Free training is available, and more information should contact on Eddingham 303031 or asking at libraries.

(80 words)

Question Three:

Firefighters extinguished the fire, lasted 30 minutes, on a single-decker bus parked at the city centre bus station at 10:45pm yesterday, and no passengers on board and there was no damage other than the vehicle.

The driver realised the engine compartment was in flames and called the 999.

(49 words)

Questions four:

Police:

How did it happen?
What did you and your team do after being contacted by the supermarket car park?
What is the case's situation now?
What is development of the case since being told where the three medals are?
Do you think will there be a trial?
Is there any possibility for identity parade?

Spokesman at the local regiment

What do these medals mean to the regiment?
Who owned these three medals before?
How important are they to the regiment?
When did your regiment realise that these three medals had been lost?
How did the incident happen?

Manager of the supermarket car park:

What happened when discovering these three medals at your car park?
Who found out them at the beginning?
What did your car park do afterwards (after discovering the medals)?
Have you seen anyone suspicious these couple of days around the car park?
Could you describe the situation in details when discovering the medals at your car park?

Online:

Write the summary of the story online, as well as updating the story when new information becomes available.
Using embedded links to guide readers to appropriate information, such as the the police website, the local regiment's website, as well as the supermarket's website
Cross refer to the newspaper where the full story is going to be pusblished.
Creating an online slide show, using different images to show the story, such as the supermarket car park, the medals, the scene where discovering the medals.
Start an online campaign to discuss about the safety issue, as well as ask the police to join and help tackle the issue.
Video:

Video the key players, such as the police, the spokesman of the local regiment, and the manager of the supermarket car park.
Video the reporter who is doing his/her piece of camera and taking about the incident.
Video the demonstration which was kicked off by the incident to appeal a safe community and a safe environment.
Using mobile phone video contributed by the local residents, filming what was happening during the scene when discovering the three medals.
Video the local resident about their sound-bite view of the incident.

Other digital interaction:

Set up a facebook page or twitter page to discuss about the issue and update new development.
Set up an e-mail alert to tell subscribers about the three medal story is online now.
Ask residents to send text message back with their views about the incident and publish them online.
Invite editor to write a comment on his/her print publication or online publication.
Invite a person from the local regiment to write a blog talking about the three medals and the incident.

Cricket projects to include young women (second version)

2010-07-27T23:23:00.002+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Young women in Harrow are to be encouraged to join cricket schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce crime.

Chief Inspector Nick Davies gave the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group (HPCCG) a presentation on Monday night on how the sport is being used to bring different religious groups together.

The meeting at the Civic Centre also included updates on issues including police performance and ‘stop and search’ powers.

Speaking about the police’s coaching projects, Chief Inspector Davies said: “We want to involve different groups in the cricket scheme and it is hard to reach young people.

“Crimes target young people, so by involving them into the scheme, it can improve their self-esteem.”

The Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, also updated the HPCCG meeting on how his force was performing.

He said motor vehicle crime and the theft of motor vehicles had declined by 18 per cent compared the same period last year, which meets their target.

Other offences, such as residential burglary and robbery, had also steadily declined but were not currently meeting targets that had been set.

Mr Babu also said he wanted to make sure people were offered more support when involved in crimes. He also stressed the need for police and local authorities to work more efficiently when handling offenders.

He said: “What we need to be looking at is how we support victims, and make sure they get support while they go to prosecution.

“We also make sure the information on offenders is shared.”

Mr Babu also answered questions about cuts in police funding, but said he would have to wait for full details to be released by the Government to see what effect the changes would have on Harrow,

Concerns were raised about the police’s use of ‘stop and search’ powers, with one Queensbury councilor calling for better education on which extremist or radical groups had been banned.

Councillor Zarina Khalid said residents were sometimes handed leaflets from groups without knowing who they were.

She said they faced long delays when stopped by officers, but without knowing the material they had been given would get them into trouble.

Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group story (first version)

2010-07-27T23:15:00.005+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Young women will be encouraged to take part in the borough's cricket scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce crime.

The event, held by Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group (HPCCG), discussed a string of issues such as Independent Custody Visitors, police performance on handling crimes, and “stop and search”.

Chief Inspector Nick Davies gave a talk about the force's cricket coaching, he said: “We want to involve different groups in cricket scheme, and it is hard to reach young people.

“Young men and young women, not only men, but also to involve young women in the cricket sport and most of them are very engaging.”

In relation to borough's crime issue, Mr Davies added: “Crimes target young people, so involving them into the scheme, it can improve their self-esteem.”

The meeting also kept the public informed of recent police performance on handling crimes, Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Dal Babu said: “What we need to be looking at is how we support victims, and make sure support while they go to prosecution.”

Regarding offenders, he said: “We also make sure the information of offenders [are shared].”

According to Mr Babu at yesterday evening's meeting at Harrow Civic Centre, Motor Vehicle Crime, theft of motor vehicle, has declined rapidly by 18 per cent compared the same period last year, which meets the target.

Other offences such as residential burglary and robbery have steadily declined but do not meet the targets.

When discussing “stop and search”, Councillor Zarina Khalid from Queensbury ward raised a concern by saying “people should be educated of which group's information being banned”.

She explained that sometimes people do not know the information they received is banned by the police, such as views on extremism.

If police find these materials during “stop and search”, it will be a big disturbance for their daily routine.

Media Law: Court Reporting – 9 July 2009 (part two)

2010-07-26T00:22:00.004+01:00

8. Two men are jailed after pleading not guilty to fraud charges. Defence counsel tell the crown Court, after the sentencing that the men will eventually appeal against conviction. In the light of the lawyers' statement. When can a newspaper safely publish a background article which had been prepared for when the trial was over? The answer must illustrate how conclusions are based on the Contempt of Court Act 1981. (15 marks)

Answer:

It is safe to publish the background article after the sentencing because at that point the case ceases to be “active” under the Act.

The case would become “active”again when the appeal is lodged, so nothing should then be published which creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice.

However such an appeal would be heard by the Court of Appeal and the judges there are unlikely to be influenced by pre-appeal media coverage, so there is no risk of it breaching the rule in that respect.

But if a new jury trial is ordered to take place, at that point care must be exercised in what is published to avoid committing contempt/creating a substantial risk of serious prejudice as regards the retrial.

9. A man pleads guilty in a magistrates' court to charge of theft from his employer. There is no departure from the usual court procedure, but at the end of the case, after the man has been fined, his solicitor asks the magistrates to consider asking an order permanently prohibiting the man's identification in newspaper reports of the case. The solicitor says that such publicity would harm his client's chances of finding a alternative employment

Can the magistrates validly make such an order at the end of the case under the Contempt of Court Act? The answer must indicate how conclusions are reached. (10 marks)

Answer:

Under Section 11 order of Contempt Court Act, it states the order is an order whereby the court can extend a courtroom ban on the use of someone's name or other details to prevent publication of that information by the media. Only to be granted:

(1) where necessary; (2) to avoid frustrating or rendering impractical; (3) the administration of justice; (4) not for the comfort and convenience of the defendant; (5) cannot be used unless name and/or address has already been withheld from the public in the case.

Typically the order is used to protect blackmailed victims; protect national security, state secrets by not revealing alleged betrayal's identity; as well as forbidding reports of the case publishing the data or process details.

Therefore, the magistrates cannot validly make such an order at the end of the case.

10. What circumstances could publishing a photograph of a defendant be regarded as being in contempt of court because of a statute? What is the relevant statute?
Name the Act which bans the taking of photographs, or making of sketches, of people involved in court cases when they are inside a courtroom. Does this law apply beyond the actual courtroom? Explain the law's scope, and how court artists comply with it while producing sketches for the media. (25 marks)

&&&&&&&&&&&&

11. A woman pleads guilty in a magistrates' court to stealing good worth £30 from a supermarket. She tells the court that she stole to fed her two hungry children children that day, after her benefit money ran out. She is put on probation for two years.
One local newspaper, in its first available issue, reports this court case fairly and accurately, except that is names the wrong supermarket.
Another weekly paper caries, on the same day, a report of the case which is fair and accurate and gives the same quote and detail but for the fact that it states the value of the stolen goods to have been £300.
Explain the position in defamation law of both newspapers, as regards these particular court reports.
Can either or both be sued successfully for libel?
In your answer, set out what the law requires of reports of court cases, if a media organisation is to enjoy protection from libel actions when publishing such reports. (20 marks)

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

13. Sam Nemot, a Member of Parliament, is found guilty at the Crown Court of rape and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. The next day The Daily Oracle publishes a news story reporting the verdict and sentence, and an editorial in which it expresses opinions which include, “Parliament is well rid of this man”.
Mr Nemot's conviction is later quashed by the Court of Appeal and the newspaper reports the next day that court's decision. He then sues that the newspaper over the original news story and the editorial comment.
What is the newspaper's liability, if any, for defamation?

Answer:

The newspaper's original news story is covered by absolute privilege, provided all the defence's requirements are met.

Under the Defamation Act 1996 Absolute Privilege for court copy in all UK courts, inquests, military courts, etc. It gives immunity from libel providing the article is: (1) fair (balanced); (2) accurate (especially charge, names, plea and case continuing) (minor inaccuracies will not defeat the privilege); (3) published contemporaneously (first available edition); and (4) the report is of judicial proceedings (not outbursts or interruptions [if people making them are not involved in the case] or reports not read out in court – so do not publish defamatory outbursts – they ar enot protected. Non-defamatory parts of outbursts may be published); (5) held in public in the UK (or in European Courts of Justice and Human Rights).

Non-contemporaneous court reports get Qualified Privilege.

The editorial comment is covered by fair comment. It applies to comments/opinions only. The defendant must proves: (1) the comment is recognisable as comment; (2) it is based on provably true facts or privileged matter; (3) sufficiently referred/alluded to, indicated or stated in what is published with the comment – usually set out in the article unless already well-known; (4) it is an honestly held opinion (I.e. what the writer genuinely believed); and (5) it was on a matter of public interest (including TV, film or restaurant reviews).

Therefore, as long as comment met the above requirements, it should be safely published.

Irish News used fair comment as the protection to successfully appealed its restaurant review case. The previous award was quashed on appeal.

Media Law: Court Reporting – 9 July 2009 (part one)

2010-07-25T16:31:00.007+01:00

1. Match up the following terms and descriptions. If, for example, there was a term numbered 10 and a matching description marked F, the answer should be presented as 10 – F. (10 marks)

Answer:

Burglary: entering a building as a trespasser and stealing or attempting to steal.

Theft: dishonest appropriation or property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

Robbery: stealing by force or threat of force.

Blackmail: making an unwarranted demand with menaces.

Handling: dishonestly receiving goods, knowing or believing them to be stolen.

2. Reports of some court proceedings are restricted by the Magistrates' Court 2980. Do any such restrictions apply when the magistrates: (a) Commit a defendant for sentence at crown court?
Remand a defendant for a week to a await committal proceedings? Hear prosecution evidence begin as they try a defendant summarily on a burglary charge? State your reasons (20 marks)

Answer:

(a) No, report restriction does not apply.

As the Magistrates Court has committed the defendant for sentence at Crown Court, that means summary proceedings has already been held.

However, Magistrates Court Act 1980 does not cover cases being dealt with summarily – trial in Magistrates Court.

(b) Yes, report restriction applies.

As regards a committal hearing, under the section 8 restrictions the media can report: any decision of the magistrates to commit any defendant to Crown court for trial, unless defendant requests restrictions are to be lifted.

(c)No, report restriction does not apply.

Because restrictions do not apply once magistrates have decided to try a triable either-way offences case summarily (trial in Magistrates Court).

3. Should anything be amended in the following court report to comply with:
(a) the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980; or
(b) the Sexual Offences Act?

Explain your conclusions.

A 19-year-old woman has been accused of making a false claim of rape. Wilhelma Wigan, of St Non's Avenue, Downton, is charged with perjury by falsely signing a statement telling police she was raped. Bernard Brussells, prosecuting, told Downton Magistrates that Wigan claimed in the statement that Harry Hemnall raped her at knifepoint after following her from a nightclub. Mr. Hemnall, of Theydon Grove, Bassettford, was arrested and held by police for 17 hours. Two days later Wigan admitted the allegation was false, Mr. Brussells added. The magistrates bailed Wigan and sent her case to Crown Court for trial. (10 marks)

Answer:

The Magistrates' Court Act 1980 Section 8 ten points applies, unless decision is made to try case summarily (trial in Magistrates Court), or the defendant requests report restrictions are to be lifted.

In this case, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 does not apply, because Wigan was not raped by Harry Hemnall, so there is no need to worry revealing Wigan's identity, and she is not entitled to lifelong anonymity.

However, “Mr. Hemnall, of Theydon Grove, Bassettford, was arrested and held by police for 17 hours. Two days later Wigan admitted the allegation was false, Mr. Brussells added.” should be removed, as these details explanation of the case development was not covered by the report restriction.

Other description can be published as covered by report restriction.

4. What power does an adult criminal court have to prevent the media from identifying children or young persons involved in its proceedings? Explain the scope of this power. What is the media's legal position as regards identifying such individuals if this power is not invoked? (15 marks)

Answer:

When children or young persons appears in adult criminal court, their names can be named unless the court impose section 39 order under Children and Young Persons Act 1993, if made reporters cannot publish: (1) name; (2) address; (3) school; (4) photo; or (5) anything else likely to lead to the identification of a child or young person (under 18) involved ion the proceedings (defendant, victim, witness).

If this power is not invoked, then the media can identify these individuals.

5. Under what circumstances may the ban on identifying a child or young person appearing at youth court be lifted? (20 marks)

Answer:

Under these following circumstances the ban Section 49 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 at youth court will be lifted:

(1) by the Magistrates or the Home Secretary, to avoid injustice to the juvenile;

(2) by the youth court by the Director of Public Prosecutions (e.g. by a Crown Prosecution Service lawyer) applying for the lifting under the criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in order to trace a juvenile at large after appearing in the Youth Court charged with a violent or sexual offence or any offence for which an adult could be jailed for 14 years or more; or

(3) under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, the Magistrates may lift the restriction on identifying a convicted juvenile after conviction where they believe it is in the public interest to do so (usually upon application by the media), but before doing so they must allow the prosecution the defence and often the media to make representations.

(4) The restrictions cease to apply once the child or young person turns 18.

(5) Section 49 does not apply to reports of the subsequent Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) proceedings if ASBO is imposed; Section 49 still applies to reports of the hearing while the application is part-heard and adjourned or if no ASBO is imposed.

6. What is the law on identifying the alleged victim of a sexual assault?
Give two examples of circumstances in which restrictions on identity are not applicable in case of sexual assault. (15 marks)

Answer:

The Sexual Offences 2003 sates: (1) apply automatically to grant anonymity for life to a person who complains they are a victim of a sexual offence listed in the Act – even if they subsequently withdraw their complaint.

(2) From the point of complaint cannot publish anything if it is likely to lead to the identification of the complainant as a victim of such an offence, for example, name, address, photo or identity of school/college/workplace. Jigsaw effect is needed to be aware.

(3) Cannot identify the victim as a victim in any publication in any circumstances (it does not just apply to reports of sex offence proceedings).

(4) Cannot identify the victim in reports of civil proceedings (e.g. a damages claim by rape victim or in reports of Employment Tribunal proceedings.

(5) A “complaint” can be made by someone acting on the person's behalf, and to the police, a rape centre or even to a journalist for example.

Two examples of circumstances in which restrictions on identity are not applicable:

(1) The court is satisfied they impose a substantial and unreasonable restriction on the reporting of the trial and it is in the public interest to lift them;

(2) The accused satisfies the court that it is necessary to lift them to induce witnesses to come forward, and the defence would be substantially prejudiced if they are not lifted or the defendant would suffer substantial injustice;

7. Generally, common law provides for criminal proceedings to be held in public Name two exceptions whereby the press might be excluded from these proceedings involving adult defendants. (10 marks)

Media Law: Court reporting - 8 August 2009 (part two)

2010-07-25T00:08:00.003+01:00

7.At an inquest into the death of a woman who had taken an overdoes of pills, her husband says she had been depressed for many years and the reasons was that, as a child, she had been sexually abused by her brother, Edward, who lives in the United States. The coroner makes no order restricting reporting of the inquest. Can the media when reporting the inquest
(a) Safely name woman as a victim of a sexual offence?
(b) Safely report the defamatory allegations against her brother, Edward? (15 marks)

Answer:

(a) According to The Sexual Offences Act 2003, the restriction can be lifted when the complaint dies, so the women can be safely names as a sexual offence.

(b) Under the defamation Act 1996 Absolute Privilege, it gives immunity from libel for court copy in all UK courts, inquests, military courts etc, provided all the defence's requirements were met:

(1)fair (balanced); (2) accurate (especially charge, name, plea and case continuing and minor inaccuracies will not defeat the privilege); (3) published contemporaneously (first available edition); and (4) the report is of judicial proceedings (not outbursts and interruptions [if people making them are not involved in the case] or reports not read out in court – defamatory outbursts are not protected. Non-defamatory outbursts may be published); (5) held in public in the UK (or in European Courts of Justice and Human Rights). Non-contemporaneous court reports get Qualified Privilege.

Therefore the defamatory allegations can be safely reported.

8. A councillor is fined by magistrates for using a television set without having a television licence. A weekly newspaper's headline to a fair and accurate report of the case, published two days after the hearing, reads: “Councillor fined for TV licence dodging”.
(a) What legal danger is there in this headline? Explain the relevant law.
(b) Write a headline that would be safe. (15 marks)

Answer:

(a) The legal danger is “fined for TV licence dodging” implies dishonesty, but there might be other reasons rather than intending to using the TV set without a licence, if so then the headline is not accurate and would be sued for libel.

(b) The safe headline would be: “Councillor fined without a TV licence”.

9 Two men appear at a magistrates' court, accused of sexually assaulting boys. The court clerk begins the hearing by checking the defendants' names and addresses with them, and she reads the charges to them. After the court grants both men bail, their solicitors ask the magistrates to make an order under section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to prohibit publication of the defendants' home addresses because otherwise. The solicitors argue, the defendants will suffer hostility from the local community. In support of this application, the solicitors quote article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Assume that you are a reporter at this hearing, and that you draft a note to the magistrates to object to such an order being made. In the note, what would you state about:

(a) the circumstance in which a section 11 order can be imposed, and
(b) the European Convention on Human Rights? (20 marks)

Answer:

(a). Section 11 order is an order whereby the court can extend a courtroom ban on the use of someone's name or other details to prevent publication of that information by the media. Only to be granted:

(1) where necessary; (2) to avoid frustrating or rendering impractical; (3) the administration of justice; (4) not for the comfort and convenience of the defendant;
(5) cannot be used unless name and/or address has already been withheld from the public in the case.

Typically the order is used to protect blackmailed victims; protect national security, state secrets by not revealing alleged betrayal's identity; as well as forbidding reports of the case publishing the data or process details.

(b). According Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life, it includes two items, though the first one states: everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.

The second item then emphasizes that certain conditions are exceptions, such as “the interest of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, prevention of disorder or crime,protection of health or morals, and the rights and freedoms of others”.

10. (1) Give one example of circumstances in which a court might exercise its power under Section 4 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to postpone media reports of all or part of a particular case.

Answer:

For example, a judge could order that no report of the first trial should be published until the second trial is concluded:

If a defendant, or several defendants, are to be dealt with in more than one rial, media reports of the first trial in the series – for example, concerning alleged smuggling of heroin – could arguably if published contemporaneously, and especially if any defendant is convicted, influence people who read such reports and who are then selected as jurors for the next trial in the series, which could concern different allegations of drug-smuggling against the same defendant(s).

The jury in the second trial, because of the principle of the presumption of innocence for defendants, may well be told nothing in the second trial about the earlier trial.

Yet if a juror in this trial remembers media reports of the first, he/she may be more likely to find defendant guilty, in that it will be clear that the defendant has featured in more than one drugs case.

In addition, in order to subject to such an order, other requirements should be met: (1) fair;(2)accurate; and (3) contemporaneous report of court proceedings held in public; (4)in good faith (meaning of good faith yet to be tested).

If in a particular case no such postponement order is made, but a media organisation is later accused of being in contempt because it published a report of the case, Section 4 provides a defence to such a charge of contempt.

Detail the requirement of this defence, as regards what the media can safely publish.

Answer:

Section 4 of the Contempt Court Act states: (1) fair;(2)accurate; and (3) contemporaneous report of court proceedings held in public; (4)in good faith (meaning of good faith yet to be tested). As long as the above requirements are met, the media can safely publish the report.

During a Crown Court trial involving several defendants, the jury is sent out of the courtroom because judge needs to hear barristers argues a legal point about what evidence should be admissible. Reporters and the public are allowed to stay in the courtroom. The judge makes no postponement order under Section 4.

Can the media publish, before the jury's verdicts are announced, a report of these legal arguments? Explain your conclusions. (30 marks)

Answer:

If the media covering the case were then to publish, before the verdict stage is complete, a report of that discussion, this could lead to the trial being aborted – if the jury thereby gets to know of that matter.

Yet the judge may not make a section 4(2) postponement order in respect of matter discussed in court in the jury's absence, because he/she expects the media to realise that it should not be published prematurely.

11. A newspaper reports that a man released from prison only last month, admits three charges of burglary and asks for three further offences to be taken into consideration when he appears before magistrates. The chairman announces that because of the man's record, they have decided to commit him in custody to Crown Court for sentence.

Do reporting restrictions under the Magistrates' Court Act 1980 apply to this story? State your reasons.(10 marks)

Answer:

As the Magistrates Court has committed him in custody to Crown Court for sentence, that means summary proceedings has already been held.

However, Magistrates Court Act 1980 does not cover cases being dealt with summarily – trial in Magistrates Court).

12. The first two sentences of a court story read: -
A window cleaner went to jail for two years yesterday when he admitted theft.
At downtown Crown Court, John Smith, (45) of Nicholson Grove. Callender, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
What is inconsistent in this story? Explain your conclusion.

Answer:

(b) A man facing three charges of burglary is jailed for six months, twelve months and eight months, the sentences to run concurrently. How long does he actually serve?

Answer:

The man should serve for 12 months in total.

(c): Community order
Absolute discharge
Conditional discharge

Answer:

Community order: To carry out the requirements of the court including unpaid work for community under direction of a probation officer or a youth offending team (could include curfews or drug or alcohol treatment).

Absolute discharge: no punishment other than the fact of the conviction is necessary.

Conditional discharge: not immediately imposed or specified any punishment, but if defendant commits any further offence within the period laid down by the court, he is liable to be punished for first offence as well as the subsequent conviction.

13. How does the law restrict photography or sketching in and around a court and publication of such a photograph or sketch?

Answer:

Under Section 41 Criminal Justice Act 1925, it is illegal: (1) to take or attempt to take any photograph of ; (2) or make or attempt to make – with a view to publishing it – any portrait or sketch; (3) any person in any court, its building, or its precincts; (4) or of any person while they are 'entering or leaving' a court building or its precincts; (4) the publication of any such photo (or film), portrait, or sketch is also prohibited, as an offence in itself; (5) The Act does not define what 'precincts' are, and this has caused practical difficulties of interpretation.

The 1925 Act has been extended to cover television in court.

Photos, particularly where identity is in issue, could also be contempt.

News writing - NW37

2010-07-24T23:13:00.000+01:00

Group Exercise. Coming soon..

News writing - West Blackwood Residents' Association

2010-07-23T10:48:00.003+01:00

Question One:

Residents of West Blackwood were furious that bypass signally failed to persuade motorists not to use the town's main street as a short cut.

The news system, cost £4.75 million, were meant to deter through traffic, but some drivers seem to be encouraged to vie for a place on a racing circuit.

George Livesey, of 16 High Street, West Blackwood, said: “We all held out so much hope when the bypass opened, but we have been bitterly disappointed.

“These mad drivers make it so hazardous, especially for young mums pushing prams and loaded with shopping.”

The reason of the system's failure is because the town's main road is still the shortest route for drivers travelling between the western suburbs of Kirkbrook and the industrial estate and mainline railway station to the north.

Residents are now hoping the Kirkbrook Council and the police will allow them to use 'Access Only' signs at each end of the village and will offer frequent police checks to catch those ignoring the restrictions.

Councillor Herbert Prescot, member for West Blackwood on Kirkbrook Council, said: “I share the residents' worries. My 12-year-old granddaughter was narrowly missed by someone careering down the High Street in a Porsche.

I've already talked to the highways department but they are not optimistic that 'Access only' sighs will have much effect, especially on local drivers.”

However, bypass was a big success in East Blackwood which even lead a headline in last week's News: “Bypass bring peace to East Blackwood.”

Richard Gough, Chairman of East Blackwood Community Association, said: “The bypass project has been an undoubted success for our community, less so for West Blackwood.

Personally I am prepared to support their campaign and I feel sure many of our members would do the same. I wouldn't like your readers to think we are gloating.”

He and his members played a leading part in a campaign to convince the authorities a bypass was long overdue.

(325 words)

Question Two:

Occupants aged over 70 in a Hewitt Drive house, Kirkbrook, were burgled while they were sleeping.

Burglars made off with a series of items, including a handbag containing about £85 notes, a mobile phone, about 20 CDs and a similar number of DVDs.

The incident, which is the third similar theft in Kirkbrook, happened between about 11pm on Monday and 7:30am today.

They seem to be mainly happened in elderly residents' homes. Anyone with information should call us on 321321.

(80 words)

Questions Three:

Mrs Jean Forrest, the lollipop lady who will retire in three months' time, will be missed by parents and children.

Jean, 68, only took one time off during her duty as crossing patrol officer at Brook Hall Junior and Infants School on Roger Road, Walton when she broke her arm.

(50 words)

Question four:

Manager of one of my town's largest stores:

When did the latest shoplifting happen?
Who found out first? How did he or she find out? What did he or she say? What did you do afterwards?
Have you been in touch with the police?
How about the store's security facilities?
Why did shoplifting so serious in the area?
What have your store done so far to help reduce shoplifting in the area? What about other stores?
How did shoplifting affect your business?

Police:

How did the shoplifting happen?
When did the latest shoplifting in the area happen?
What have you and your team done so far to find out the suspects?
What is the situation now?
Will you charge the suspects?
Is there any possibility to hold an identity parade?
What is the development of the case?
Who should be responsible for the shoplifting?

Councillor who has got an view about the town's shoplifting:

Why are there so many shoplifting in the area?
What have the council done so far to help local stores reduce shoplifting?
What is the council's new plan to reduce shoplifting? Have council got a new plan for tackling the issue?
Who should be responsible for the shoplifting?
How did the shoplifting affect local businesses?
When did shoplifting become serious in the town? Are there any historical reasons?

Online:

Write a summary of the story online and update it when information becomes available.
Cross refer to the newspaper about the story.
Put embedded links on the website beside the story, such as the store's website, the council website, local business association's website.
Start an online campaign to help resolve the shoplifting problem.
Set up an online opinion poll and ask readers to upload their views.
Create an online slide show to upload pictures about the stores' different condition, before shoplifting, after shoplifting etc.

Video:

Make a video of the key players – the police officer, the local councillor or the senior council officer, and the store manager.
Make a video of the reporter in front of the store and make his/her piece of camera talking about the shoplifting incident.
Make a video of the store manager's interview, film what the store is like before encountering shoplifting or after encountering shoplifting.
Upload residents' mobile phone videos that they took when they went to the stores, or they took while they saw the shopifting.
Make a video about the online campaign, and film the campaign.
Make a video about the residents' interview and film their sound-bite about the issue.

Other digital interaction:

Set up a Facebook page and Twitter page and ask people to follow and post their opinions.
Ask someone from the local business association to set up a blog and write about the issue.
Invite readers to send back text messages with their views about the issue and publish their views on the newspaper's website.
Ask the editor to comment on his print and online publication.
Using e-mail alert to tell subscribers about the story link.
Using text message to break down the story and ask them to check online or print publication.

Small businesses set to benefit from Olympics

2010-07-20T20:38:00.001+01:00

by Yixiang Zeng

Small businesses across the UK are expected to have an estimated 3,400 contracts to deliver 2012 Olympic game related services and goods, says chief executive Mike Mulvey from London Business Network.

The event, organised on Tuesday in Stratford, is one of the hundreds of events held by the organisation across London to introduce small enterprises to upcoming opportunities such as catering, football goal post manufacturing and brochure and website design.

Mike said: “6,600 contracts have already been placed to small businesses around the country and 35 per cent of these companies are based in London.”

According to him, the value of these new sub-contracts available now forms part of over £1.7billion, which includes bigger suppliers directly working with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Catering2Order, a firm with 20 employees based in Southwark, won their catering contract on the Olympic construction site two years ago.

John Charles, managing director of the company, said: “We are expecting one million turnover for this financial year. Winning the contract in such a difficult financial period is fantastic.”

“As a small company we work with bigger supplier, and we are also constantly getting more contracts because of our quality and service delivery and our track record.”

When asked how hard it is to get the contract, John said: “We got the contract through CompeteFor.

“The whole process is extremely competitive, I know lots of companies achieved 100% score on the questionnaire [designed by the buying companies], but they still can’t get the contract.

“You have got to offer your uniqueness and something beyond what they require.”

CompeteFor portal is a platform that links buyers and suppliers.

Companies who wish to become part of the Olympic supply chain need to register through the website and bid for the contract with other competitors.

Another previous contract winner is translate plus, a 35-staff firm that provides Welsh translation service to London 2012’s education website Get Set.

Director Per Severinsen said: “The contract is very profitable. And obviously, it is a very good reference for the potential clients to use our services.

“When they know that we are working with the biggest sporting organisation in the UK, they just think it is quite impressive.”

When asked whether London-based companies have any priority compared with the ones from other regions, Nick Winch, Olympic co-ordinator from the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “London companies will get the contract if they are the best to deliver the contract.

“They won the contract not because they are local or small. What we do is to make sure London companies are aware about the opportunities and best prepared to bid for the opportunities.”

The challenges small businesses are facing, according to Nick, is some of the contracts might be too big for them to put things together.

“We and other organisations right from the beginning have spoken to the ODA and LOCOG that we wanted the chances to be as small-business friendly as possible.”

Media Law: Court reporting - 8 August 2009 (part one)

2010-07-19T23:52:00.005+01:00

1. In what circumstances may an advocate be allowed to treat a person as a hostile witness? What is the effect of being declared a hostile witness? (10 marks)

Answer:

The circumstances is if a witness appears to be refusing to testify or go back on a witness statement given previously.

The effect is the witness may be asked leading questions by the side who called him.

Example of a leading questions.

2. List what restrictions on identification are applicable if a child or young person:

(a) appeals to Crown Court against a youth court's findings of guilt; appeals to Queens' Bench Divisional Court;
(b) appears on indictment at Crown Court;
(c ) appears at an adult magistrates' court jointly charged with an adult? (15 marks)

Answer:

(a) When a child or young person appeals to Crown Court against a youth court's finding of guilt, Section 49 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 applies.

When appeals to Queen's Bench Divisional Court, as it is part of High Court, section 49 applies.

So anonymity automatically applies that forbids reporting: (I)(1) the name; (2) address; (3) school; (4) photograph, or (5) any particulars likely to lead to the identification. (II) of any child or young person (under 18). (III) involved in the case (whether as defendant, victim or witness).

In addition, jigsaw effect need to be aware.

(b) When a child or young person appears on indictment at Crown Court (adult court), the child can be named unless the court makes a Section 39 Order under Child and Young Persons Act 1933.

If made, you cannot publish: (I)(1) name; (2) address; (3) school; (4) photo; or (5) anything else likely to lead to the identification. (II) of a child or young person (under 18); (III) involved in the proceedings (defendant, victim, witness).

(c ) When a child or young person appears at an adult magistrates' court jointly charged with an adult. Section 39 Order still applies, reporting restriction is the same as (b) answer.

3. A youth court convicts a girl aged 16 of stealing from local shops. The prosecution lawyer then asks the court to impose an anti-social behaviour order on the girl because she is a persistent shoplifter. This lawyer argues that the order should ban her from entering any local shop for a year.

(a) Do any restrictions prevent the media from identifying the girl in a report of the theft case? Explain the law.
(b) Can the media identify the girl in a report of the hearing on whether an ASBO should be imposed on her? Explain the law. (30 marks)

Answer:

(a) As a youth court convicts a girl of stealing goods. Under Section 49 Children and Young Persons Act 1933, anonymity automatically applies that forbids reporting: (I)(1) the name; (2) address; (3) school; (4) photograph, or (5) any particulars likely to lead to the identification. (II) of any child or young person (under 18). (III) involved in the case (whether as defendant, victim or witness).

In addition, jigsaw effect need to be aware.

(b) When the ASBO hearing is made in the Youth Court, it is Bolt-On ASBOs. Section 49 Children and Young Persons 1933 still applies to report of the ASBO hearing, so anonymity automatically applies and the media can identify her. All the restriction see (a) answer.

Reporter cannot report details taken from the criminal trail, nor can he report that the juvenile was convicted of the criminal offence. He can merely report that ASBO was made, its terms and against whom.

However, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 – S49 does not apply to reports of the subsequent ASBO proceedings if ASBO is imposed.

4. If a defendant is found guilty at Crown Court but sentence is postponed what is a newspaper's position in the law of contempt should it wish to publish a background article in connection with the case before sentence is passed? (10 marks)

Answer:

As the sentence is postponed, the proceedings are still active. In this case, newspaper is highly likely to publish a background article which creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice. Such as:

(1)stating that the person arrested is the same person who committed the crime;
(2)Publishing photo, photo-fit or detailed description if identification is in issue and there is going to be an ID parade, or if identification may be an issue at trial – a witness is expected to testify at the trial on such visual identification;
(3)using the word - “murder” it may be manslaughter or an accident;
(4)using detailed witness statements – the witness may feel obliged to stick to the published version of events in court, even if he later realises it was wrong;
(5)previous convictions;
(6)background material/lifesyle; or
(7)anticipating or influencing the verdict.

5. What are the rights to attend the youth court of: -
(a) the public;
(b) the press?
Name the relevant Act of Parliament. (10 marks)

Answer:

Under Children & Young Persons Act 1993 the public cannot generally attend Youth Court.

However, journalists are entitled to attend and report cases there, because section 47 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 states that “bona fide representatives of news gathering or reporting organisation can.”

(6) List details in the following court report which should be deleted to conform to laws in the U.K. The answer must clearly indicate how conclusions are reached.

George William Roberts (42), a plasterer of Ashby Road, Luggtown, has bee remanded on bail by the town's magistrates, charged with voyeurism. The charge says he hid a camera in the bathroom of a 32-year-old ballet teacher.
Bail was conditional on his reporting daily to police and not going to Lake View Road.
Reporting restrictions were not lifted. (15 marks)

Answer:

Because reporting restriction were not lifted, so section 8 Magistrates Court Act ten points applies:

(1) Name, age, occupations, address of the defendant, which the report has given details, are covered by the Court Act; (2) arrangement to bail on adjournment and bail condition, as the reports states, is also covered by the Act; (3) the offences with which the defendant is charged, or a summary of the charge can be reported and the report has given these details.

According to The Sexual Offences Act 2003, (1) from the point of complaint, the newspaper cannot publish anything likely to lead to the identification of the complainant as a victim of such an offence. So anything leads her identification such as name, address, photo or identity of school/college/workplace have to be prohibited.

“The charge says he hid a camera in the bathroom of a 32-year-old ballet teacher” and “not going to Lake View Road” should be deleted because of possibility of revealing her identification.

(2) Restriction applies automatically to grant anonymity for life to a person who complains they are a victim of a sexual offence. So the women enjoys lifelong anonymity.

News writing - NW36 (first version)

2010-07-17T19:55:00.008+01:00

Question One:

A shortlisted award-winning retailer has been hit hard by the credit crunch and announced to close today.

Hedley Tindall, the firm with 21 employees running over six decades business, is facing closing on its diamond anniversary year while has just been short-listed for a national award.

Philip Platts, 57, metalworker and staff representative at Tindall Shopfitters, said: “We were crying because this is the end of an era. Those who created the country’s economic crisis have a lot to answer for.

“Some of us are of an age where we’re unlikely to find new jobs, but that wasn’t what we were crying about.

“Everyone has always been treated fairly.”

The family-run business in Gresley Street premises has built up a reputation for the production of high quality shop and warehouse fittings.

Its young apprentice Angelina Edwards received the National Association of Shopfillters’ annual Apprentices’ Design Award last year.

Matt Adsley, the spokesman of the Association of Small Businesses, said: “Small firms act as the canary in the coalmine. If they are finding it more difficult it’s good indicator of the underlying health of the business community.

“It is very unfortunate when one of our members, such as Tindall Shopfitters, has to close its doors, especially when it is a company with such a good reputation.”

The company’s sales have been reduced to non-existence level by economic downturn but the late payment resides as the main obstacle to cause its closing.

Harold Livesey, chief executive officer of Beeton Chamber of Commerce, said: “The economic maelstrom has led to a clutch of firms in Beeton getting into difficulties and, as already reported in the press, a couple have closed down.

“We know there are others on the rink of collapse so the local outlook is mostly gloomy.

“All our recent surveys of members continue to show a declining level of business activity, although there are one or two brighter spots.”

(322 words)

Question two:

A move driving mean theft off the streets is to launch by a charity in order to fund specialist nurses.

Bogus clothing collectors stole 25 plastic bags yesterday from Macmillan Cancer Support's Beeton branch on the streets of Dalton area.

The charity use only vans with the official Macmillan logo in dark green and lime on the side of the vehicle, says its secretary Amanda Powney.

Anyone sees donated bags been put into an unmarked van contacts 0844 873 2199.

(80 words)

Question Three:

Well-known figure Arnold Higgs is attending a charity bazaar at the church hall in Stanley Street this Saturday.

The event aims to raise £500 for the British Heart Foundation following the fatal heart attack on Arnold.

Toys and crafts can be bought between 10am and 12.30pm, admission is free.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Spokesman of hospital:

* Why is there a breach of hygiene code that is designed to ensure cleanliness and infection control?
* Why are the cleaning services not available 24 hours a day? How will the hospital solve it?
* Why are there a number of lapses in the decontamination of equipment?
* How do these problems happen?
* What have your hospital done so far to change the situation after the report?
* Who should be responsible for these problems?

Patient at the hospital:

* Could you talk to me about the hospital's cleaning services?
* How do the services affect your recovery?
* Have you ever complained anything regarding the hospital’s environment is not clean or the food is not healthy?
* Did you notice that the cleaning services sometimes is not available? If just happened that you need it, what would you do?
* Have you heard anything about the hospital hygiene problem before?
Who should be responsible for these problems?

Local councillor who has a view on the local hospital:

* What has the council done so far to help the hospital change its current situation regarding breaching hygiene code.
* Who should be responsible for these problems?
* Does the hospital have any hygiene problem before? If so, what reaction did the council take?
* How does the council help the hospital improve its cleaning services?
* What impact did the Commission’s report bring to the hospital? How did it affect the hospital?

Online:

* Write a comprehensive summary of the story online and then update s it when more information become available.
* Put embedded links to guide reader for further information such as the hospital website or the council’s website and the commission's online report version.
* Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry out the full story.
* Start an online campaign to protest against the hospital’s mismanagement.
Upload a picture slide show to show the different scenes of the hospital cleaning facilities.
* Invite comments and suggestions of what can be done to make the hospital do something about the situation.
Set up Facebook or Twitter Page asks reader to join and discuss issues.

Video:

* Video of the main scenes of the hospital, such as toilet, canteen, patient’s rooms.
* Video of the spokesperson from the hospital when he/she gives an interview
* Video of the patient giving sound-bite views of the hospital's hygiene problems.
* Video of the local councillor or the senior council officer when commenting on the issue.
* Video of the online campaign which protests against the hospital’s mismanagement.
* Mobile phone video from the patients who have suffered from the problems caused by the hospital's breaching of the hygiene code.
Make a video of the reporter standing in front of the hospital, like making a piece of camera of the reporter reporting the thing.

Other Interaction platform:

* Use the text message to break the story and guide your reader to the full story in the newspaper or the web.
* Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers and let them know a new story on the website.
* Ask the editor to comment on his/her print and web publication.
* Invite a person from the campaign group to write about a blog to discuss his/her opinion or invite a patient to write about his/her experience when been cared in the hospital
* Set up Facebook or Twitter Page asks reader to join and discuss issues.
Invite readers to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
* Set up an online reader poll asking readers whether they think the hospital should make more effort to rectify the problems.

News writing - NW (first version)

2010-07-10T19:56:00.003+01:00

Question One:

Recyclable chewing gum bins will be installed at the White Rose Shopping Centre next month in a bid to help clean our environment.

Gummy Bins offer a convenient way for people to dispose of their gum and encourage locals to throw their gums thoughtfully.

Richard Gerrard, Environment Health Director of Radston City Council, said: “We are to fund 25 of the Gummy Bins at the entrances to the White Rose shopping centre.

“We hope that their user-friendly design, combined with messages about the environmental benefits they provide, will encourage gum chewers of all ages to use them.”

Figures obtained from local councils show that Gummy Bins can have a dramatic effect on people’s gum dropping behaviour.

For example, a typical 50 bin installation in a pedestrian town centre can attract approximately 25, 000 pieces of discarded gum per year.

Shopper Arnold Carragher, 72, of Hambleton Way, Radston, said: “Spitting chewing gum on to the floor is a disgusting habit.

“I sincerely hope these new bins will encourage people to stop dropping their gum but I’m not holding my breath.”

Richard added: “This is a pilot project which we will monitor closely over the first 12 months. It costs the Radston council tax payer £250,000 a year to clean up discarded chewing gum.

“If the project is successful we will look to save up to 20 per cent of that sum. We will then look at rolling out the bins in other areas of the city.”

The government estimated it spent £150 million to clean up chewing gun in 2008, while independent analysts believe the true cost is higher.

Sonia Grey, activist of Radston Green Group, said: “I suppose it is a step in the right direction but why do people chew gum in the first place?

“If it is such an environmental hazard the government should do more to stop people buying gum.

“Put a tax on it like they do everything else.”

(323 words)

Question Two:

An anti-social behaviour scheme was launched today to help party-goers to get back home safely and quickly.

The Taxi Marshal Scheme, providing marshals in high visible jackets, will direct people to taxi ranks at late nights, including Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Ivan Kearney, community initiatives co-ordinator at Radston local policing unit, said: “

There have been positive results from similar schemes in other city centres around the country, and we are hoping for similar success here in Radston.

(78 words)

Question Three:

The council is seeking public’s views on local dentists’ services and its future.

The questionnaires, delivered to the local library, health centre and doctors’ surgeries, will form part of the final report of findings and recommendations after the transformation of the county’s NHS dentistry.

Further information contact Radston 442 1971.

(50 words)

Question Four:

A representative of the farming community:

* When did the incident happen?
* How did it happen?
* It seems this is the first case? So what is the impact on the farm? How does it affect the farming community as a whole?
* What is the estimated loss of the dead horses?
* Have the community done something regarding security facilities after the incident?
* Who is the owner or who are the owners of the dead horses?

A local resident:

* Have you heard anything regarding the horses being stabbed to death in the farming community? What is your opinion about it? How did you find it?
* Did you notice anything suspicious recently?
* How is the environment here in general, is it safe?
* Do people’s incomes here all depend on farming? Or maybe mostly depend on it?
* If it happens to you, what will you do?
* Who should be responsible for the incident?

Police:

* When did it happen?
* How did it happen?
* What is the situation now?
* Have you found anyone suspicious?
* What have you and your team done so far to develop the case?
* Is there any possible Identity Parade?
* How is the safety issue here in general?

Online:

* A summary of the story, and will update when gaining more information.
* A picture slides show which is put on the web, and will show different scenes of the case.
* Embedded link refer to other resources for further information, for example, the website of the farming community, the local police website, the residents’ group’s website.
* Set up an online forum and let people upload videos or picture and let them discuss related issues, such as safety and environment.
* Set up an online campaign to condemn the cruelty of killing animals,
* Interviewing local councillors or council’s senior officers and put their comments online.

Video:

* Make video on the key players, such as the police, the residents’ association representative, the representative of farming community, and the local councillor or senior council officers.
* Make video on the scene of the stabbed horses
* Make a stand up shot of the reporter at the scene, like making a piece of camera of the reporter reporting the case.
* Make a video of the online campaign page demonstrating what is going on from the local residents.
* Make a video of the police making their statement.
* Make a video of the online forum discussing about the case.

Other digital offering interaction:

* Send sms text messages to readers and tell them the story is online now, and let them know there is a new story here.
* Send e-mail alerts to readers with the web link of the story.
* Set up a Facebook page and/or twit on your newspaper twitter page and discuss what is going on about the case.
* Ask the editor to write comment of the story on the website or on the newspaper.
* Ask readers to send sms text messages or e-mails back to the newspaper, and publish their views online.
* Invite someone from the campaign group and online forum to write a blog and blogging the group’s main opinions or agenda.

News writing sample two

2010-07-09T01:01:00.005+01:00

A sample article from the Harrow Times by Jack Royston

What is the story?

BRENT pupils found out £80m of funding for their schools was axed the day they gave a presentation on how it should be spent.

Teenagers from four schools in the borough, including Copland Community School, in Wembley, pitched ideas to council bosses at Wembley Plaza Hotel, in Empire Way, on Monday.

But as they did so, education secretary Michael Gove announced in the House of Commons that money allocated for the rebuilding projects had been scrapped.

Quotes

Brent Council leader Ann John, who was at the event, said: “They were sitting there, they knew that it was a pretty awful decision that was made by the Government – they could tell by the reaction of their teachers.”

Develop the story

The four projects, funded through a scheme called Building Schools for the Future (BSF), were intended to increase the number of places in the borough by 2,068.

Brent's population is growing rapidly, putting pressure on class sizes, and the Government's decision has sparked fears of a crisis if money is not found to push ahead with the plans.

The council has already spent close to £600,000 on the projects and is now back to square one, battling to attract Government funding through a spending review for the years 2011-12 and 2014-15.

More quotes

Cllr John said: “If we don't manage to expand schools and manage to rebuild some schools then crisis is not too strong a word to use.

“We are very short of places and we have a statutory duty to provide those school places.”

Councillor Mary Arnold, responsible for children and families, said the decision could mean children are taught in corridors.

Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, described the situation as “absolutely desperate”.

His questioning of Mr Gove in the House of Commons following the announcement was so fierce the speaker said it offended his sensibilities.

Mr Gove told the commons: “Even before we formed this coalition Government and had the opportunity to look properly at the scandalous mess we inherited, we knew Labour ministers had no proper respect for public money.

“The whole process by which the then Government procured new school buildings was a case in point.

“The Building Schools for the Future scheme has been responsible for about one third of all this department's capital spending, but throughout its life it has been characterised by massive overspends, tragic delays, botched construction projects and needless bureaucracy.”

The other three schools affected are Alperton Community School, Queens Park Community School and Cardinal Hinsley Mathematics and Technology College.

News writing sample

2010-07-09T00:32:00.008+01:00

A sample from the Harrow Times by Tristan Kirk

What is the story?

MORE than 25,000 have watched a music video created by a Scarborough school to raise money for a Harrow charity.

Scalby School pupils and teachers have recorded a version of Somewhere over the Rainbow/Wonderful World in memory of 14-year-old pupil Ellie Othick-Bowmaker who died on Valentine Day this year.

The song has been released on Amazon to raise money for Ali's Dream, a Harrow-based charity which is dedicated to furthering childhood brain tumour research.

Quotes

Jonathan Morgan, the school’s head of performing arts who produced the song and the video, said: “I have just been blown away by the response to the song. It is receiving views from right across the globe. We think it stands a great chance of getting into the charts.

“The main reason behind recording the song though was to raise funds and awareness of brain tumour charities.”

Ellie’s mother, Heather, said: “Every time I hear the song, it sends shivers down my spine. The fact that the school wanted to do it to raise brain tumour awareness has left me lost for words.

“It is the most underfunded of all the cancer charities and hopefully this will change that.”

Added information

For more information on the charity, you can click here

News writing - NW (first version)

2010-07-08T23:58:00.001+01:00

Question 1:

Middle-aged men will be helped improve their driving skills during a campaign to reduce bike crashes and improve road safety.

RideSafely campaign, organised together with the local police, is launched by Sidston Bikers' Action Group and will offer on-the-road training and advice.

A spokesman for the road safety charity, Brake, said: “We believe that riders would be required to take a refresher course every ten years and the regrettable accidents in the Sidston area are evidence to reinforce that view.

“The Bikers' Action Group is, however, to be congratulated on the action it has taken.”

In Sidston last year, five riders in their late 40s died in road accidents and three months ago a biker in his 50s was killed in wet weather on the country road.

The number of riders aged 40 to 49 who has been killed or badly injured has increased from an annual figure of 709 to 1,382 nationwide in the past decade.

Inspector Tom Staddon, of Sidston Police, said: “Recent European Legislation will require motorcyclists to take an additional test before being allowed to ride a bike of more than 500cc but this may not come into force fully in the UK until 2013.

“That will be too late for some bikers so we are pleased to make officers available to work with Bikers' Action Group.”

These incidents were all tragic examples of the fashion among middle-aged men for buying powerful bikes which they are incapable of riding them.

Inspector Tom said: “Loss of control is the biggest crashes cause for bikes of 500cc or more. It's a tragedy when a man dies because he's out for a thrill on a bike that he doesn't know how to handle properly.

Charles Joy, 48, of 17 Chubb Street, Sidston, said: “It's the acceleration that gives you the buzz. I love it and I don't think I'm a danger on the road but I've seen some who are.”

Question 4:

Head Teacher from the School:

When did the accident happen?
How did it happen?
Who were there when the accident happened?
What are the safety facilities has the school placed so far?
How is the boy at the school?
Who is one to blame for this accident?
How does the school work with the council to protect students' safety?
Where is the boy now? Is he in hospital? How is his condition?

Local Councillor:

What happened to the lollipop lady? Why does the council not replace another one?
Why does the council not act proficiently after receiving complaints?
How does the council normally handle the complaints? What's the procedure? Is there too much bureaucracy? What's the problem here?
What has the council done so far after the incident happened?
What is the council's plan now to improve safety outside/around the school area?
Who should be responsible for the accident?

Police:

When did the accident happen?
How did it happen?
Who were there when the accident happened?
What is the situation now?
What is the development so far about the accident?
Who should be responsible for the accident?
Will there be a trial for the case?
Have you got any ideas of the suspects? Can you name them for me? Will there be any identity parade?
What does the Safer Neighbour team do to help school improve safety in the surrounding area?

News writing - NW30 (second version)

2010-07-08T23:48:00.009+01:00

Section One

Motorists have complained to the Foxbooke council about the hundred potholes on the roads which will endanger their safety.

No fewer than 92 potholes in Buckland estate were counted by volunteers from a local residents group, a survey shows.

Harry Lashmore, chairman of Buckland Estate Residents' Association, said: “We've made various complaints to Foxbrooke Council about the awful condition of the roads on our estate.

“We had loads of parents and drivers volunteering to help us with the survey, which looks as if it might have done its job.”

The survey followed an accident where a 20-year-old motorcyclist was pitched over his bike handlebars when hitting the hole.

Meanwhile a website called potholes.co.uk has been launched by Foxbrooke Action Against Potholes to provide motorists advice about how to make a claim and outline the evidence needed.

Geoffrey Manswith, of Foxbrooke, said in a blog on the website: “I was tavelling with my family in our car along Bridgethrope Road, Foxbrooke, when all of a sudden the car thumped into these two potholes, immediately rendering the vehicle undriveable.

“It's a miracle we didn't crash. If we'd crashed, my wife and two young children could have ended up in hospital, all because of the slack attitude of the council's highways department. I'm definitely putting in both a complaint and a claim.”

The latest statistics shows 12 per cent or 120,000 of all the UK’s one million potholes are not being filled by local councils, which means motorists’ repair bills are now soaring every year.

Simon Beckwith, senior engineer at Foxbrooke Council highways department, said: “The council carries out regular inspection of all the roads under its jurisdiction and we fulfil our obligations under Section 58 of the Highways Act.

“Despite this we recognise that in some situations, especially where heavy traffic is involved, holes can develop very quickly so we are grateful for being told when problems arise.”

(323 words)

Section Four

Club manager:

When did the robbery happen?
How important is the first minute book from 1868 and the trophy for the club?
What items were stolen?
How does the case affect local cricket fans?
Did anyone else at the cricket club know that the book was to be (removed from the
safe) taken out of the club on that day?
How much is the book and trophy valued at?
Where was the trophy snatched/taken from?
What security is in place at the club?
Have you had break-ins recently?

Police:

When did the robbery happen?
Who do you suspect is behind this?
What is the situation now?
What developments have occurred so far?

Local Councillor:

What do you think of the reported theft of the book and trophy from the cricket club?
How does the council help improve safety in the local area?
How does the case affect local cricket fans?
why is this case important for residents or cricket fans?

Club fans:

What does this book and tropy mean to club fans like yourself?
What do you think of the robbery?
Do you have anything that you want to say to the club?
What do you feel now?

The local residents:

Do you know anything about the local cricket club's robbery case?
What did you think about it?
What do you think about the safety around the area?
Do you have anything that you want to say to the club?
How does it affect local people's cricket activities?

News writing - NW30 (first version)

2010-07-07T13:36:00.003+01:00

Section One

No fewer than 92 potholes regarded as a danger to motorists in Buckland estate were counted by local residents association volunteers, a survey shows.

Numerous motorists living on the estate have already complained to Foxbooke Council, without receiving a satisfactory response.

Harry Lashmore, chairman of Buckland Estate Residents' Association, said: “We've made various complaints to Foxbrooke Council about the awful condition of the roads on our estate.

“We had loads of parents and drivers volunteering to help us with the survey, which looks as if might have done its job.”

The survey followed an accident that a 20-year-old motorcyclist was pitched over his bike handlebars when hitting the hole, it then measured the width and depth of the worst that no less than a cavernous 12cms deep.

A website, www.potholes.co.uk, providing advice about how to make a claim and outlining the evidence needed, is launched by Foxbrooke Action Against Potholes.

The site warned road users to take immediate action of photographing these potholes as they could be repaired before the motorist's claim is settled.

Geoffrey Manswith, of Foxbrooke, said in a blog on the website: “I was tavelling with my family in our car along Bridgethrope Road, Foxbrooke, when all of a sudden the car thumped into these two potholes, immediately rendering the vehicle undriveable.

“It's a miracle we didn't crash. If we'd crashed, my wife and two young children could have ended up in hospital, all because of the slack attitude of the council's highways department. I'm definitely putting in both a complaint and a claim.”

Simon Beckwith, senior engineer at Foxbrooke Council highways department, said: “The council carries out regular inspection of all the roads under its jurisdiction and we fulfil our obligations under Section 58 of the Highways Act.

“Despite this we recognise that in some situations, especially where heavy traffic is involved, holes can develop very quickly so we are grateful for being told when problems arise.”

(323 words)

Section Two

Two officers will receive Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medals on today's ceremony at country headquarters in Woodward Street.

The awards are for their 22 years' exemplary service.

The recipients are Insp Francis Howerd, of the Foxbrooke Traffic section, and Sgt Samuel Johnston, QPM, who is due to retire next year.

In 1998, police constable Johnston was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for his gallantry in disarming a man during a raid on the Elwell village post office.

(79 words)

Section Three

A car parked on Deanwood Drive had been broken on Monday night.

A suitcase containing a thousand Donald McGill saucy seaside postcards had been stolen. A hundred cards have gone.

Altogether they were worth £300.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact police on 02924 799799.

(47 words)

Defamation defence part III (draft)

2010-07-06T09:29:00.001+01:00

4. What are the defamation dangers in publication of the following story about a TV soap opera in a TV critic's column? (The critic usually features Sailing Down the River Ox at least once a week in his column and has never had a positive thing to say about the award winning soap).

“Frank Wood, not usually known as a gifted actor at the best of times, gave an exceptionally unconvincing performance playing David Roberts in last night's dramatic episode of Sailing when an argument turned into a fight, resulting in David's arrest and Jim Jamieson being admitted to St. Mary's Hospital, Oxdown, with knife wounds. Perhaps Frank was reminded of the nine months he spend in Oxdown Prison twelve years ago, after being convicted of an assault following a similar pub brawl.”

Your answer should explain how your conclusions are reached.

Answer:

According to the defamation defence fair comment, the defence must prove:

The comment is recognisable as comment;
it is based on provably true facts or privileged matter;
sufficiently referred/alluded to, indicated or stated in what is published with the comment – usually set out in the article unless already well-known;
it is an honestly held opinion (ie. What the writer genuinely believe); and
it was on a matter of public interest (including TV, film or restaurant reviews).

The defence can succeed no matter how prejudiced the writer is nor how exaggerated the way in which he expresses his opinion.

The defamation dangers are the following two issues:

Firstly, in the review, the TV critic writes: perhaps Frank was reminded of the nine months he spend in Oxdown Prison twelve years ago, after being convicted of an assault following a similar pub brawl.

The above sentence will confuse readers if this is the true facts or just mocking comment. It is not recognisable as comment.

Secondly, the case indicates that the TV soap is an award-winning programme, which obviously is a good soap that audience enjoy it.

However, the TV critic has never written anything good about it, in this case, the review is not based on provably true facts.

6. After a man is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his step-daughter, the local authority sets up, under an Act of Parliament, a public inquiry into the handling of the case by its social services department. Its report is severely critical of some social workers.

Discuss he local newspaper's legal position when:

(a) reporting the evidence of the inquiry;
(b) reporting the inquiry's findings
(c ) commenting on the case after publication of the report

The answer must indicate how conclusions are reached in the light of the defamation.

Answer:

(a) reporting the evidence of the inquiry:

According to The Defamation Act 1996, under Qualified Privilege Defence Schedule I Part II, proceedings of public inquiry, local inquiry or tribunal set up under statutory powers and held in public are covered by the qualified privilege defence.

Reporting the evidence of the inquiry is part of reporting the proceeding, therefore, if provided all the defence's requirements were met – fair; accurate; published without malice; and on a matter of public concern or benefit. Then the local newspaper is safe to publish the story.

(b) reporting the inquiry's findings:

According to the same Act and under Qualified Privilege Defence Schedule I Part II, the inquiry's findings are not covered by it, it is the proceedings to be covered.

Therefore, even if provided all the defence's requirements were met – fair; accurate; published without malice; and on a matter of public concern or benefit, the paper is not safe to publish the findings.

(c) commenting on the case after publication of the report:

The comment can be defended by the fair comment defence, which applies to comments/opinions only. The defendant must prove:

(I)the comment is recognisable as comment;
(II)it is based on provably true facts or privileged matter;
(III)sufficiently referred/alluded to, indicated or stated in what is published with the comment – usually set out in the article unless already well-known;
(IV)it is an honestly held opinion (ie. What the writer genuinely believe); and
(V)it was on a matter of public interest (including TV, film or restaurant reviews).

The defence can succeed no matter how prejudiced the writer is nor how exaggerated the way in which he expresses his opinion.

Therefore, as long as the comment meets above requirements, then it will be published safely.

It is the fair comment defence which protects the expression of opinion contained in reviews of, among other things, performances, books, holidays, and restaurants.

In the Irish News restaurant review case, the defence was dealt a blow when a libel jury in Northern Ireland awarded £25,000 damages to the owner of a restaurant called Goodfellas over an unfavourable review in the Irish News. But the award was quashed on appeal in 2008, with the Northern Ireland Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, saying:

Only if the jury has a clear understanding of what is capable of constituting comment, can it address the thorny issue of whether the facts on which comment is based are capable of justifying the comment made.

He said that the jury had been misdirected, but that the court's task had been made more difficult by the confusion generated by the Irish News in portraying statements of comment in the article as facts.

Defamation defence part II (draft)

2010-07-05T22:03:00.004+01:00

3. A local council's health department investigating an outbreak of food poisoning traces the source to turkeys sold at a supermarket. A press statement issued by the department warns anyone who has bought a turkey from the store not to eat it.

Through a clerical error, the statement gives the name of another supermarket which has nothing to do with the matter. Explain whether the press are liable to this store for defamation.

Answer:

The press are liable to this store for defamation.

According to the Defamation Act 1996, under qualified privilege defence, reports of numerous occasions receive Statutory Qualified Privilege, providing they are:

(a) fair; (b) accurate; (c) published without malice; (d) on a matter of public concern or benefit, and (e) subjected to publication if requested of a reasonable letter or statement by way of explanation or contradiction. Ethically, under the PCC Code, paper should correct significant inaccuracy anyway, even if not to blame.

From the case said above, the press statement issued by the department, it is covered by the qualified privilege defence Schedule 1 Part 2 paragraph 9:

Notice, reports or statements from government departments and bodies performing governmental functions (e.g. local authorities and the police)

However, the statement itself is inaccurate, therefore it is not subject to the requirement of fair and accurate copy and the press are liable to this store of defamation.

5. An MP has fought (both inside and outside parliament) for compensation in cases where former employees at steelworks have contracted cancer since the works closed. The MP issues a brief press statement following an inquest into the death of one of the former steelworkers. In the statement the MP criticises the coroner and says: “The inquest was just a whitewash”.

Is it safe to use the above extract from the statement? Give your reasons in the light of defamation.

Answer:

No, it is not safe to use the above extract from the statement.

According to The Defamation Act 1996 Qualified Privilege Defence Schedule I Part II, public meetings are protected by the part II: bona fide meetings lawfully held for a lawful purpose for the furtherance of discussion of matters of public concern whether admission to the meeting was general or restricted.

If “public meeting” comes within this definition, press conferences are covered, including handouts not read out.

However, press statements are not press conferences, so not covered by qualified privilege, unless the press statements are issued by government department and bodies performing governmental functions. e.g. local authorities and the police.

In this case, the MP is not qualified to issue the press statement according to the requirement, even though what the MP said might be fair, accurate, and without malice.

Therefore, it is not safe to the extract from the statement.

In the case of McCartan Turkington Breen v Times Newspaper Ltd, 2001. The Times had been sued over its report of a press conference called by a group of people (the Clegg Committee) campaigning for the release of a soldier Lee Clegg convicted of murdering a joyrider.

Then during the press conference, defamatory statements were made concerning the solicitors' defence of Private Clegg. On the next day, The Times reported those statements. This led to the libel proceeding by the solicitors of Private Clegg against The Times.

A jury awarded £145,000 damages. But on the appeal, Lord Bingham said that press representatives could be regarded either as member of the public themselves or as 'the eyes and ears of the public to whom they report.'

The court also ruled that a written press release, handed out at the meeting but not read aloud, and reported by the paper, was in effect part of the press conference proceeding.

Defamation defence part I (draft)

2010-07-04T23:08:00.002+01:00

1. A daily newspaper reporter is attending a trial. By his deadline time, only the prosecution case has been heard. In the law of libel, can his newspaper publish a report at this stage? Give your reasons.

Answer:

The newspaper cannot publish the report at this stage.

The daily newspaper reporter is attending a trial, that means the reporter is reporting court cases. So automatically the journalist enjoys absolute privilege.

For Absolute privilege to apply, according to the Defamation Act 1996, a court case report must be “fair and accurate”. This does not mean that the proceedings must be reported verbatim; a report will still be “fair and accurate” if:

(I)it presents a summary of both side
(ii)it contains no substantial inaccuracies;
(iii) it avoids giving disproportionate weight to one side or the other

Provided it complies other requirement of absolute privilege defence:

(I)accurate (especially charge, names, plea and case continuing)
(II) published contemporaneously (first available edition); and
(III) the report is of judicial proceedings (do not publish defamatory outbursts – they are not protected. Non – defamatory parts of outbursts may be published);
(IV) held in public in the UK (or in European Courts of Justice and Human Rights).

As by the reporter's deadline, only the prosecution case has been heard, he/she is unable to write a balanced copy.

In a case in 2006, (Bennett v Newsquest, see Media Lawyer newsletter, No 64), Mr Justice Eady pointed out that a newspaper story which reported a criminal case and which reported a criminal case and which was the subject of a libel action. He said:

“The report must be fair overall and not give a misleading impression. Inaccuracies in themselves will not defeat privilege. Omissions will deprive a report of privilege if they create a false impression of what took place or if they result in the suppression of the case of part of the case of one side, while giving the other.”

If the report is held to be unfair or inaccurate in any important respect, the media organisation publishing it loses the protection of privilege.

(b). When a defendant charged with a summary offence in a magistrates court takes his place in the dock a man in the public gallery shouts: “He is innocent. The policeman beat him up”. Discuss whether this comment can be used safely in the light of the laws of defamation.

Answer:

The answer's safety depends on the content itself is defamatory or not.

The comment is made during the court proceedings, according to the Defamation Act 1996, it states for absolute privilege to apply, the report is:

of judicial proceedings (not outbursts or interruptions [if people making them are not involved in the case] or reports not read out in court – so do not publish defamatory outbursts – they are not protected. Non – defamatory parts of outbursts may be published);

In general, absolute privilege extends only to the actual report of proceedings held in open court.

It does not protect, for example, defamatory matter shouted out in the court, e.g. from the public gallery by someone who is not part of the proceedings. However, if shouted comment is not defamatory, it can in libel law be reported safely whoever made it.
So in this case, if the shouted content is not defamatory, the paper can publish it safely; but if the content is defamatory, then the paper cannot publish it safely.

2. A reader threatens to sue a newspaper for defamation. The reporter who wrote the feature which contained the alleged defamation says to the Editor. “We've noting to fear. I showed the full feature to the reader before publication because it was a complicated story, he agreed with it and had the chance to reply to the allegations in it about him”.

In the law of defamation, is the reporter correct? The answer must indicate how conclusions are reached.

Answer:

The reporter is incorrect.

The defence in his case is justification. It states:

Justification means truth and applies to statements of fact. To establish this the defendant must prove, on the balance of probabilities, the truth of the words both in substance and in fact, in their natural and ordinary meaning and of every innuendo, inference and imputation that can be reasonably drawn from the words.

The danger of justification defence in this case is though the reporter said he showed the reader before publication (plus the reporter himself/herself even admit it was a complicated story), and it seems the reader agreed with it and had the chance to reply to the allegations in it about him.

However, there is no indication to say the reporter persuaded the witness to sign a written statement at the time and date it. Or such testimony could be an audio-recording of any witness willing to testify against the claimant.

Apart from the danger relevant with the case said above, other dangers of justification defence are (which might apply if the paper is sued on a later stage):

(I)credibility/reliability/availability of witnesses e.g. where there is a time gap.
(II)If stick to defence all the way to trial - greater damages likely to be awarded for aggravation and substantial costs.
(III)Difficult to prove, especially where meaning created by inference or innuendo.
(IV)Sometime may be best financially to settle out of court because of large awards of damages and substantial costs in going to trial.
(V)Uncertainty of outcome – what meaning will the jury find?

Media law - contempt part II (draft)

2010-07-01T11:13:00.001+01:00

4. A minibus carrying pupils of a school is involved in a crash in Oxshire. Ten of the pupils die. Two others, and the teacher who was driving the vehicle, are taken to hospital with serious injuries. When the inquest is formally opened, a police inspector tells the coroner that there is a possibility of criminal proceedings against the teacher.

A national newspaper has prepared, before the crash happened, a feature alleging an unsatisfactory standard of maintenance of many school minibuses, inadequate safety arrangements for pupils travelling in them, and poor driving skills of many of the teachers who drive them.

Can the newspaper safely proceed to publish this feature? The answer must indicate how you reach your conclusions.

Answer:

The newspaper cannot safely proceed to publish this feature.

As the police says there is a possibility of criminal proceedings against the teacher, therefore, the pre-trial publication should be taken into consideration by the court:

(I)The likelihood of the publication coming to the attention of a potential juror;
(II)the likely impact on an ordinary reader;
(III)and, crucially, the residual impact on a notional juror at the time of trial;

The materials published in the newspaper will potentially create a substantial risk of serious prejudice, and it might have adverse effect on jury's judgement.

5. After a woman's body is found in woodland, a local newspaper prepares news feature about her “murder”, having learned who she is. It discovers her husband has previous convictions for violence against her. Neighbours give interviews to reporters about seeing and hearing violent confrontations between the couple in recent months.

People who live near the woodland describe to reporters a man allegedly seen there late at night, just before the body was discovered.

All this material is included in the draft feature.

Just before the newspaper's deadline, police announce that the husband is now under arrest in their inquiries into the woman's death.

Explain, in light of contempt laws, what material must be altered in or deleted from the feature, and why.

Explain what material can safely be published. (ignore defamation issues).

Answer:

As just before the newspaper's deadline, police announce that the husband is now under arrest in their inquiries into the woman's death, therefore, the criminal case becomes active.

Strict liability contempt – contempt of court act 1981 states that if proceedings become active, then media organisation cannot publish anything that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice, such as:

(I)stating that the person arrested is the same person who committed the crime;
(II)publishing photo, photo-fit or detailed description if identification is in issue and there is going to be an ID parade, or if identification may be an issue at trial;
(III)using the word “murder” - it may be manslaughter or an accident;
(IV)using detailed witness statements – the witness may feel obliged to stick to the published version of events in court, even if he later realises it was wrong;
(V)previous conviction;
(VI)background material/lifestyle; or
(VII)anticipating or influencing the verdict.

The newspaper cannot use the word “murder”, as it maybe find out he is not guilty at the end of the trial; the newspaper must delete her husband's previous convictions for violence against her, as it might have adverse effect on the jury's judgement; the newspaper also need to alter the neighbour's interviews saying that they saw and heard violent confrontations between the couple in recent months, as these background materials/lifestyle will have impact on jury as well.

What the newspaper can publish is that a man allegedly seen there late at night, just before the body was discovered, according to those who live near the woodland.

Media law - contempt part I (draft)

2010-07-01T00:01:00.004+01:00

1. newspaper has prepared a background article on how a major bank raid was planned. At Crown Court all four men deny the charges, but are found guilty and jailed. Defence counsel says in court that an appeal will be lodged in the next few days on behalf of the four. Can the newspaper publish the background article immediately after the sentencing? The answer must illustrate how conclusions are reached in the light of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

Hint – also explain what the position would be if appeal had been lodged.

Answer:

The newspaper can publish the background article immediately after the sentencing.

There is a “free-for-all” period when proceedings are not active between sentence and the appeal proceedings becoming active on:

(I)the lodging of a notice of appeal;or
(II)leave to appeal is sought.

Appeal proceedings cease to be active when:
1.the appeal has been dealt with

If an appeal lodged against a conviction in a Crown Court, the media still have considerable freedom concerning contempt law in what can be published, even though it has thus become active again.

It is unlikely to publish anything that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to an appeal as appeals are always heard by professional judge(s) without a jury.

However, if a retrial is ordered, proceeding immediately become active again (Jury involved), and will remain so until that retrial is concluded.

The media must thereafter be very wary of publishing anything which creates such risk to the retrial, because witnesses and potential jurors will be seen as susceptible to publicity about the case before and during the retrial.

2. Give one example of circumstances in which a court might exercise its power under Section 4 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to postpone reports of its proceedings. Under the Act, can a journalist be in contempt for publishing anything not covered by such an order?

Answer:

Section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 gives a court power to order postponement of the publication reports of a hearing. It states:

(I)postpones publication;
(II)of a report of all; or
(III)part of proceedings;
(IV)for as long as the court considers necessary;
(V)to avoid a substantial risk of prejudice;
(VI)to the administration of justice;
(VII)in those proceedings; or
(VIII)in any other proceedings pending or imminent.

For example, a judge could order that no report of the first trial should be published until the second trial is concluded:

If a defendant, or several defendants, are to be dealt with in more than one trial, media reports of the first trial in the series – for example, concerning alleged smuggling of heroin – could arguably if published contemporaneously, and especially if any defendant is convicted, influence people who read such reports and who are then selected as jurors for the next trial in the series, which could concern different allegations of drug-smuggling against the same defendant(s).

The jury in the second trial, because of the principle of the presumption of innocence for defendants, may well be told nothing in the second trial about the earlier trial. Yet if a juror in this second trial remembers media reports of the first, he/she may be more likely to find defendant guilty, in that it will be clear that the defendant has featured in more than one drugs case.

In addition, it should be noted that for a court to make a section 4(2) order the substantial risk need only be of any prejudice, not necessarily of 'serious' prejudice.

Therefore, under such an Act, the journalist will be in contempt for publishing anything not covered by such an order.

3. Magistrates have issued warrants for the arrest of two men after a bombing in which a number of people died. The Oxdown Gazette carries an official police statement which gives the names of the two men, says they wanted for murder and gives their descriptions. The headline which is accurately based on the police statement is: “Two sought for car bomb attack. It was murder say police”.

What is the newspaper's liability for (a) contempt; (b) defamation? The answer must show clearly how conclusions are reached.

Answer:

According to strict liability contempt – contempt of court act 1981, the risky areas in crime reports which would create substantial risk of serious prejudice are:

If proceeding become active, then you cannot publish anything that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice, such as:

(I)stating that the person arrested is the same person who committed the crime;
(II)publishing photo, photo-fit or detailed description if identification is in issue and there is going to be an ID parade, or if identification maybe an issue at trial;
(III)using the word “murder” - it may be manslaughter or an accident;
(IV)using detailed witness statements – the witness may feel obliged to stick to the published version of events in court, even if he later realises it was wrong;
(V)previous convictions;
(VI)background material/lifestyle; or
(VII)anticipating or influencing the verdict.

The newspaper stating the arrested man is murder before carrying out the trial. It also published the arrested men's descriptions, but there might be an ID parade later on, or identification maybe an issue at trial at a later stage. Therefore the newspaper will have liability for contempt.

Under qualified privilege (a qualified defence) as a defence to defamation, reports of numerous occasions receive statutory qualified privilege, providing they are: (a) fair; (b) accurate; (c) published without malice; (d) on a matter of public concern or benefit; and (e) subject to publication if requested of a reasonable letter or statement by way of explanation or contradiction.

Main protected occasions covered by Schedule 1 Part 2 include (iii) notices, reports or statements from government departments and bodies performing governmental functions (e.g. local authorities and the police), therefore, as the newspaper carries an official police statement, it will not have liability for defamation.

Small enterprise story (the second version)

2010-06-24T23:29:00.007+01:00

Small businesses across the UK are expected to have an estimated 3,400 contracts to deliver 2012 Olympic game related services and goods, says chief executive Mike Mulvey from London Business Network.

The event, organised on Tuesday in Stratford, is one of the hundreds of events held by the organisation across London to introduce small enterprises to upcoming opportunities such as catering, football goal post manufacturing and brochure and website design.

Mike said: “6,600 contracts have already been placed to small businesses around the country and 35 per cent of these companies are based in London.”

According to him, the value of these new sub-contracts available now forms part of over £1.7billion, which includes bigger suppliers directly working with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Catering2Order, a firm with 20 employees based in Southwark, won their catering contract on the Olympic construction site two years ago.

John Charles, managing director of the company, said: “We are expecting one million turnover for this financial year. Winning the contract in such a difficult financial period is fantastic.”

“As a small company we work with bigger supplier, and we are also constantly getting more contracts because of our quality and service delivery and our track record.”

When asked how hard it is to get the contract, John said: “We got the contract through CompeteFor.

"The whole process is extremely competitive, I know lots of companies achieved 100% score on the questionnaire [designed by the buying companies], but they still can't get the contract.

"You have got to offer your uniqueness and something beyond what they require.”

CompeteFor portal is a platform that links buyers and suppliers.

Companies who wish to become part of the Olympic supply chain need to register through the website and bid for the contract with other competitors.

Another previous contract winner is translate plus, a 35-staff firm that provides Welsh translation service to London 2012's education website Get Set.

Director Per Severinsen said: “The contract is very profitable. And obviously, it is a very good reference for the potential clients to use our services.

“When they know that we are working with the biggest sporting organisation in the UK, they just think it is quite impressive.”

When asked whether London-based companies have any priority compared with the ones from other regions, Nick Winch, Olympic co-ordinator from the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “London companies will get the contract if they are the best to deliver the contract.

“They won the contract not because they are local or small. What we do is to make sure London companies are aware about the opportunities and best prepared to bid for the opportunities.”

The challenges small businesses are facing, according to Nick, is some of the contracts might be too big for them to put things together.

“We and other organisations right from the beginning have spoken to the ODA and LOCOG that we wanted the chances to be as small-business friendly as possible.”

Small enterprise story (the first version)

2010-06-24T22:49:00.010+01:00

Small businesses across the UK are expected to have an estimated 3,400 contracts up for grab to deliver 2012 Olympic Game related services and goods, says chief executive Mike Mulvey from London Business Network.

The event, organised at Tuesday night at Stratford, is one of the hundreds events held by the organisation across London to introduce small enterprises upcoming opportunities such as catering, florist, football goal post manufacture, and brochure and website design.

Mike said: “6,600 contracts have already been placed to small businesses around the country and 35 per cent of these companies are based in London.”

According to him, the value of these new sub-contracts available now forms part of over £1.7 billion which includes bigger suppliers directly working with the Olympic Delivery Authority and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Catering2Order, a social firm with 20 employees based in Southwark, won their catering contract on the Olympic construction site two years ago.

John Charles, owner of the company, said: “We are expecting one million turnover for this financial year. To won the contract, in such a difficult financial period, is fantastic.”

“As a small company we work with bigger suppliers, and we are also constantly getting more contracts because of our quality and service delivery and our track record.”

When asked how hard it is in getting the contract, John said: “We got the contract through CompeteFor. The whole process is extremely competitive, I know lots of companies achieved 100% score on the questionnaire [provided by the buying companies], but they still can't get the contract. You have got to offer your uniqueness and something beyond what they require.”

According to Mike, CompeteFor portal provides a platform to link buyers and suppliers.

Companies who wish to become part of the Olympic supply chain need to register through the website and bid for the contract with other competitors.

Translate plus, a 35-staff firm provides Welsh language translation service to the London 2012's education website for schools and colleges.

Director Per Severinsen said: “The contract is very profitable. And obviously, it is a very good reference for the potential clients to use our services.

“When they know that we are working with the biggest sporting organisation in the UK, they just thought it is quite impressive.”

When asked whether London based companies have any priority compared with the ones from other regions, Nick Winch, Olympic coordinator from Federation of Small Businesses, said: “London companies will get the contract if they are the best to deliver the contract.

“They won the contract not because they are local or small. What we do is to make sure London companies are aware about the opportunities and best prepared to bid for the opportunities.”
The challenges small businesses are facing, according to Nick, is some of the contracts might be too big for them to put things together.

“We and other organisations right from the beginning have spoken to Olympic Delivery Authority and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games that we wanted the chances are as small-business friendly as possible.”

The Beat story (the third version)

2010-06-19T23:35:00.003+01:00

A magazine for pre-teens has been launched by the Metropolitan Police to help them explore the issues that concern them most.

The Beat will handle topics such as bullying, terrorism, the role of Safer Neighbourhoods mixed with articles about celebrities, role models and leisure activities.

Jordan, a Year Six pupil at Selwyn Primary School in Waltham Forest, said: "You will find people try to bully you, the magazine is good as it tells where to ask for help and the police are helpful."

But Debbie, aged 11, in the same year as Jordan expressed her concern by saying: "When you call the police, they don't always come very quickly."

Celebrity experiences

Celine, a fellow pupil also aged 11, said: "When you read Rihanna's story in the magazine, you realise you are not the only one to be bullied, and even a famous person has the same experiences as you.

"Then you feel you are not scared, and you know other people also have such an experience."

Apart from raising students' awareness of how to keep safe, the magazine also suggests a range of activities such as power-boating, abseiling, or scaling that pupils can take part in.

Jordan added: "These activities are quite good, I wouldn't mind doing any of them."

Dez Gray, a father of four from Bethnal Green, said: "Children should be encouraged to take part in different activities and get rid of their extra energy.

Empowering kids

"But, these activities The Beat has featured are good, but the costly uniform, required by some of the activities, will turn off the children and parents, and will stop children doing these things."

Assistant Head Morag McHardy, from Selwyn Primary School, said: "I think it is a really good magazine. It raises issues children may not have talked about before and stimulated lots of discussions between them.

"Young people should be empowered with confidence and knowledge to deal with risky situations.

"As parents or teachers are not always around, and they should be empowered to be responsible for themselves."

Alaric Bonthron, Detective Superintendent from the Met Police, said: "We hope The Beat will be a fun, but useful guide for 11 year-olds as they near the end of the time at primary school.

"With summer holidays coming up, more and more young people will be out and about. We hope The Beat gives them some practical advice and tips on how to keep safe."

The Beat story (the second version)

2010-06-19T23:34:00.002+01:00

London children enjoy reading their own youth magazine on safety issues and find the police are helpful.

The Beat, a magazine designed for 10 and 11 year-olds, has been launched by the Met Police and aims to help pupils explore different issues that they are concerned about.

It discusses topics such as how to handle bullying, how to react when suspecting a terrorist threat taking place, and the role of Safer Neighbourhoods Team; meanwhile, it also features stunning celebrities, role models and adventurous activities.

Jordan Stansbury, a Year six pupil from Selwyn Primary School in Waltham Forest, said: “You will find people try to bully you, the magazine is good as it tells where to ask for help and the police are helpful.”

Though Debbie Exall, aged 11, from the same Year as Jordan expressed her concern by saying: “When you call police, they don't always come up very quickly.”

Celine Ngonge, a Year six schoolmate of both Jordan and Debbie, also aged 11, said: “When you read Rihanna's story in the magazine, you realise you are not the only one to be bullied, and even the famous person has the same experience as you.

“Then you feel you are not scared, and you know other people also have such an experience.”

Apart from raising students' awareness of how to keep safe, the magazine also suggests a range of activities such as power-boating, abseiling, or scaling that pupils can take part in.

Jordan, the 11-year-old said: “These activities are quite good, I wouldn't mind to join any of them.”

Dez Gray, a dad of four children from Bethnal Green, said: “Children should be encouraged to take part in different activities and get rid of their extra energy.”

However, he also added: “These activities The Beat has featured are good, but the costly uniform required by some of the activities will turn off the children and parents, and will stop children doing these things.”

When talking about celebrities and role models, they all agreed young people want to be famous.

Canel Hassan, a Year six student aged 11 from the same school as others, said about the front page celebrity: “Young children admire him, because he is famous and then you find out he is also very good at school.”

Debbie said of the magazine overall: “The pages are very colourful and the layout is nice. When you see it, you just find it very attractive.”

Assistant Head Teacher Morag McHardy, from Selwyn Primary School, said: “I think it is really a good magazine. It raises issues children may not talk about before and stimulated lots of discussions between them.

“Young people should be empowered with confidence and knowledge to deal with risky situations.

“As parents or teachers are not always around, and they should be empowered to be responsible for themselves.”

Alaric Bonthron, Detective Superintendent from the Met Police, said: “We hope The Beat will be a fun, but useful guide for 11 year-olds as they near the end of the time at primary school.

“With summer holidays coming up, more and more young people will be out and about. We hope The Beat gives them some practical advice and tips on how to keep safe.”

The Beat story (the first version)

2010-06-19T23:19:00.003+01:00

London kids enjoy reading their own youth magazine on safety issues and find the police are helpful.

The Beat, a magazine designed for 10 and 11 year-olds, has been launched by the Met Police and aims to help pupils explore different issues that they are concerned about.

It discusses topics such as how to handle bullying, how to react when suspecting a terrorist threat taking place, and the role of Safer Neighbourhoods Team; meanwhile, it also features stunning celebrities, role models and adventurous activities.

Jordan Stansbury, a year six pupil from Selwyn Primary School in Waltham Forest, said: “You will find people try to bully you, the magazine is good as it tells where to ask for help and the police are helpful.”

Though Debbie Exall, aged 11, from the same year as Jordan expressed her concern by saying: “When you call police, they don't always come up very quickly.”

Celine Ngonge, a year six schoolmate of both Jordan and Debbie, also aged 11, said: “When you read Rihanna's story in the magazine, you realise you are not the only one to be bullied, and even the famous person has the same experience as you.

“Then you feel you are not scared, and you know other people also have such an experience.”

Apart from raising students' awareness of how to keep safe, the magazine also suggests a range of activities such as power-boating, abseiling, or scaling that pupils can take part in.

Jordan, the 11-year-old said: “These activities are quite good, I wouldn't mind to join any of them.”

Dez Gray, a dad of four children from Bethnal Green, said: “Children should be encouraged to take part in different activities and get rid of their extra energy.”

However, he also added: “These activities The Beat has featured are good, but the costly uniform, required by some of the activities, will turn off the children and parents, and will stop children doing these things.”

Assistant Head Teacher Morag McHardy, from Selwyn Primary School, said: “I think it is really a good magazine. It raises issues children may not talk about before and stimulated lots of discussions between them.

“Young people should be empowered with confidence and knowledge to deal with risky situations.

“As parents or teachers are not always around, and they should be empowered to be responsible for themselves.”

Alaric Bonthron, Detective Superintendent from the Met Police, said: “We hope The Beat will be a fun, but useful guide for 11 year-olds as they near the end of the time at primary school.

“With summer holidays coming up, more and more young people will be out and about. We hope The Beat gives them some practical advice and tips on how to keep safe.”

Issues related with central government - Stock Exchange (part two)

2010-06-19T23:06:00.004+01:00

(b) Explain the role of the stock exchange and the factors which determine the price of shares.

The Stock Exchange provide a market platform for buying shares.

The Stock Exchange acts on two levels, as a primary market, the Stock Exchange will liaise with investment banks and businesses that are looking to raise capital by selling shares. This process involves the business being 'listed' on the Stock Exchange or 'floating'.

However, much of the Stock Exchange's work is as a secondary market. People buying shares may wish to do so for a variety of reasons - to secure dividends or to see the price of the shares rise, for example.

To facilitate this process the market has two main 'players' - stock brokers and market makers.

Stockbrokers act on behalf of clients, buy and sell shares on their behalf and generally belong to firms who are members of the Stock Exchange.

Market makers simply buy and sell shares on their own account but make their money on the difference between the price they pay for buying shares and what they sell them for. This difference is called the 'spread'.

The London Stock Exchange is one of the oldest exchanges in the world, and also one of the most prestigious, supplying high-quality prices, news and other information to the financial community, not just in the UK but across the world.

Many factors determine the price of shares, for example, news, positive news about a company can increase buying interest in the market while a negative press release can ruin the prospect of a stock.

Demand and supply concept, when more people are buying a certain stock, the price of that stock increases and when more people are selling he stock, the price of that particular stock falls.

Earning Per Share - It is mandatory for every public company to publish the quarterly report that states the earning per share of the company on the last quarter. This is perhaps the most important factor for deciding the health of any company and they influence the buying tendency.

For example, since April 20, BP's share price has fallen over 34% because of the oil spill, including a huge 13% fall early this week.

BP is a major component of the FTSE 100 index - it currently comprise 6.1% of the value of basket of shares that make up the index.

Issues related with central government - Stock Exchange (part one)

2010-06-19T22:54:00.005+01:00

You are covering a story concerning a local company about which there have been rumours relating to a possible hostile take-over bid. On a day when the FT 100 Share Index fell 250 points, the value of the company's ordinary shares increased significantly.

There have been reports that the Office of Fair Trading might refer any take-over to the Competition Commission.

(a)Explain what is meant by the terms:

FT 100 Share Index (stating also why it is important): the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Share Index (to use its full title) is the most famous of a number of 'indices', or lists, of major companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

It lists the hundred highest valued companies at any one time, in order of their share value.

Ordinary shares: They are known as equity shares and they are the most common form of share in the UK.

An ordinary share gives the right to its owner to share in the profits of the company (dividends) and to vote at general meetings of the company.

Ordinary shares are the riskiest form of investment in a company since there may be no dividends paid and the market value of shares might fall after they have been bought.

The Ryanair share price fell so dramatically in mid-January 2004 because the company announced that its profits for the current financial year would probably be worse than they had previously expected.

Competition Commission: formerly the 'Monopolies and Mergers Commission' (MMC), this regulatory quango vets prospective company mergers and takeovers to ensure that they are not likely to have the effect of compromising free market competition.

Office of Fair Trading: a national regulatory quango established to ensure that free and fair competition operates in a given market for the benefit of the consumer on a day-to-day basis.

The OFT investigates complaints about restrictive practices, cartels, and other anti-competitive behaviour.

Plc: Plc stands for Public limited company, these companies have at least two shareholders and may offer shares to the public. Their owners will 'float' them and they will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

They must have issued shares to the value of £50,000 before being allowed to trade. Larger plcs are often referred to as blue chip companies, and include household names such as BP and Marks and Spencer.

Hostile takeover: When a company takes over another company against its will, it is a hostile takeover.

A hostile takeover is an acquisition in which the company being purchased doesn't want to be purchased, or doesn't want to be purchased by the particular buyer that is making a bid. It is just like how can someone buy something that is not for sale?

Hostile takeovers only work with publicly traded companies. That is, they have issued stock that can be bought and sold on public stock markets.

The two primary methods of conducting a hostile takeover are the tender offer and the proxy fight.

A tender offer is a public bid for a large chunk of the target's stock at a fixed price, usually higher than the current market value of the stock.

In a proxy fight, the buyer need to convince the shareholders to vote out current management or the current board of directors in favour of a team that will approve the takeover.

While companies fight tooth and nail to prevent hostile takeovers, it isn't always clear why they're fighting. Because the acquiring company pays for stocks at a premium price, shareholders usually see an immediate benefit when their company is the target of an acquisition.

Some analysts feel that hostile takeovers have an overall harmful effect on the economy, in part because they often fail.

Issues related with central government - Finance (part five)

2010-06-19T22:51:00.002+01:00

(b) Explain direct taxes; indirect taxes; Public Sector Net Cash Requirement (PSNCR);GDP.

Indirect Taxes:often referred to as “hidden” or “stealth” taxes, these are embedded in the cost of items bough by individuals or companies. Value-Added Tax (VAT) and exercise duties on tobacco and alcohol are examples of indirect taxes. Because they are charged at a flat rate on relevant items, they are seen as regressive – i.e. they do not take account of an individual or company’s ability to pay.

Public sector net cash requirement (PSNCR): formerly the “public sector borrowing requirement” (PSBR), this is the sum of money that the British government will need to borrow through commercial loans or from the public in a given financial year to meet its public spending commitments – that is, it is the difference between the total taxation that the Exchequer expects to raise in a year and its actual outgoings.

Direct Taxes: an umbrella term for taxes, such as Income Tax and Corporation Tax, that are taken directly from the individual or company on whom they are levied, normally at a progressive rate determined by their income levels in a given financial year.

Gross Domestic Product(GDP): the total profit from all goods and services generated in Britain in a given financial year, irrespective of which state benefits from team.

Issues related with central government - Finance (part four)

2010-06-19T21:33:00.001+01:00

There is press speculation over what the Chancellor of the Exchequer intends to do in the forthcoming budget to plug a £10bn hole in revenue predicted in the previous budget, due to lower than expected growth and a consequent fall in tax revenue.

The options are: to increase taxation; to increase borrowing; or to announce spending cuts.

You are preparing a feature article to inform your readers of the nature of the problem and its possible solution.

(a) Explain the purpose of the budget and how it is presented and debated in Parliament.

The budget is set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a formal House of Commons Statement.

The purpose of the budget is to set out Government's taxation proposals for the next but one financial year and its spending proposals for the next three years. It also sets out the government's borrowing targets.

Budget proposals have to be approved by Parliament passing the Finance Bill but some tax changes can be implemented immediately (ie within a couple of hours) under delegated legislation.

The Finance Bill undergoes by a committee of the whole House and an ordinary standing committee.

As a money bill, the Finance cannot be delayed by the House of Lords. The fine details of the Budget is set out in the so-called red book, which is pored by accountants and tax advisors looking for loopholes.

Issues related with central government - Finance (part three)

2010-06-19T21:32:00.003+01:00

2. Explain the following economic terms:

Recession: a term describing a rapid economic slowdown. Technically speaking, a recession is signaled by a period of two successive economic quarters during which the economy “shrinks” – that is, during which less money is being borrowed and spent by consumers, leading to lower sales and profits for businesses, the scaling back of production, and redundancies.

Public sector net cash requirement (PSNCR): formerly the “public sector borrowing requirement” (PSBR), this is the sum of money that the British government will need to borrow through commercial loans or from the public in a given financial year to meet its public spending commitments – that is, it is the difference between the total taxation that the Exchequer expects to raise in a year and its actual outgoings.

Consumer Prices Index (CPI): a few years ago, the Chancellor announced the Government now favoured a different way of reckoning inflation, the CPI, which does not include the costs of mortgages, and measures so-called “underlying inflation”. The CPI is the “official” measure of inflation.

Mortgages are not such a big factor in continental Europe where home-ownership is so prevalent as in the UK and Ireland, and far more people rent their homes. Purely coincidentally, this change was made just at a time when UK mortgage costs began to rise for the first time in many years.

Balance of Trade: the difference in value between imports to and exports from the UK in a given financial year, excluding financial transfers and debt payments to foreigners.

If Britain is importing consumer goods and services worth more than those it is exporting, it is in a “balance of trade deficit”; if the reverse is true, it is in a “balance of trade surplus”.

The UK is a net importer, that is, we import more goods than we export, which creates a balance of trade deficit. This deficit is, however, covered by the value of invisible exports, the services the UK sells abroad, such as banking and insurance.

The UK always shows a surplus on invisible exports, and it is frequently said that the country has shifted from being a manufacturing nation to relying on the service economy.

Indirect Taxes: often referred to as “hidden” or “stealth” taxes, these are embedded in the cost of items bough by individuals or companies.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) and exercise duties on tobacco and alcohol are examples of indirect taxes. Because they are charged at a flat rate on relevant items, they are seen as regressive – i.e. they do not take account of an individual or company’s ability to pay.

Progressive Taxes: broadly a tax based on the ability to pay, such as income tax. So the richer you are, the more you pay.

Issues related with central government - Finance (part two)

2010-06-19T21:31:00.003+01:00

You have been asked to help write a short feature on the Budget and to compile a glossary of economic terms.

For the purpose of this exercise you are not required to write the article but to prepare the material.

1. Describe the purpose of the Budget and outline what the Chancellor will usually cover in his speech.

The Treasury's big day in each parliamentary session it the budget, in which the Chancellor sets out in a formal House of commons statement.

The purpose of the budget is to set out Government's taxation proposals for the next but one financial year and its spending proposals for the next three years. It also sets out the government's borrowing targets.

The budget speech is in the spring (on Aril 22 this year), but there is a pre-Budget report in the autumn, in effect a progress report on the UK's economic position and the Government's finances.

In the autumn statement, the Chancellor outlines the approach he is likely to take in the Budget.

Issues related with central government - Finance (part one)

2010-06-19T21:30:00.006+01:00

You are helping on a Budget special and have been asked to prepare a brief for the editor explaining key terms for the readers and then to obtain quotes from local contacts to get reactions to the Budget.

Direct Taxes: an umbrella term for taxes, such as Income Tax and Corporation Tax, that are taken directly from the individual or company on whom they are levied, normally at a progressive rate determined by their income levels in a given financial year.

Inflation: This is general increase in the prices of goods and services, or to look at it another way, a fall in the purchasing power of the pound, caused by too much money chasing too few goods and services.

Inflation is calculated using either the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or Retail Prices Index (RPI), which monitor fluctuations in the values of a notional “basket” of goods containing items regularly bought by a typical British household.

Although the CPI is the “official measure of inflation, the RPI figure is also published.

Recession: a term describing a rapid economic slowdown. Technically speaking, a recession is signaled by a period of two successive economic quarters during which the economy “shrinks” – that is, during which less money is being borrowed and spent by consumers, leading to lower sales and profits for businesses, the scaling back of production, and redundancies.

Gross Domestic Product(GDP): the total profit from all goods and services generated in Britain in a given financial year, irrespective of which state benefits from team.

Balance of Payments: the difference in value between imports to and exports from the UK in a given financial year, including all types of payment.

It encompasses both “visible” items (such as cars and refrigerators) and “invisible” ones (such as legal and financial services), as well as the value of financial transfers and debt payments to foreigners.

If the value of imports exceeds that of exports, Britain is in a “balance of payments deficit”; if the reverse if true, it is in a “balance of payment surplus”.

Public sector net cash requirement(PSNCR): formerly the “public sector borrowing requirement” (PSBR), this is the sum of money that the British government will need to borrow through commercial loans or from the public in a given financial year to meet its public spending commitments – that is, it is the difference between the total taxation that the Exchequer expects to raise in a year and its actual outgoings.

Chancellor of the Exchequer: the secretary of state in charge of the Treasury is known as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, an ancient title.

Interest rates: an instrument of monetary policy used to promote saving and investment, and reduce consumer spending.

Since the 1980s, raising interest rates has been the preferred method of controlling inflation. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets monthly to decide whether or not to raise or lower interest rates.

Issues related with central government - Her Majesty's Government (HMG) - part four

2010-06-10T00:25:00.001+01:00

(c) Explain who appoints government ministers.

The queen appoints the government ministers on the recommendation of the prime minister.

This is derived from the Royal Prerogative power, which means, in this case, sovereign power is exercised 'on the advice of ministers' – it is ministers and in most cases, the prime minister to make the necessary decisions.

Ministers, including prime minister, are Ministers of the Crown.

Issues related with central government - Her Majesty's Government (HMG) - part three

2010-06-10T00:22:00.003+01:00

(b) How and why will the MP's freedom to criticise government policy be affected by the appointment and what conventions will now affect him/her?

The way that MP's freedom to criticise government policy will be affected by its appointment is explained as below.

Government ministers, particularly Cabinet ministers are expected to endorse and support publicly the actions of the government of which they are a part, even if they do not agree with them in private.

It has long been a custom for ministers to bite their tongues rather than speak out the opposed opinion.

The convention will now affect him/herself is collective responsibility.

It take that all Cabinet members take full responsibility for decisions made by the Cabinet even if a particular case an individual disagrees with, and even voted against, a decision.

No Cabinet members should publicly voice any dissent or doubt once a decision has been reached, no matter how fierce opposition was in the debate around the cabinet table.

Any Cabinet member who wants to distance him/herself from a decision is honour-bound to resign from his/her ministerial job, as Robin Cook did over the war in Iraq.