The editor of the South Yorkshire Times, Jim Oldfield, has been congratulated by the National Union of Journalists for putting the details of the job cuts faced by jobs cuts at the company on the front page of the newspaper this week.

Following publisher Johnston Press’ announcement that it was to make half of the paper’s Mexborough editorial staff redundancy, as well as the editor himself, NUJ members voted unanimously to ballot for strike action.

Said Oldfield "This is real journalism in action. The Times is currently fighting a brave and protracted battle to keep its core towns from decimation during this recession, I make no apology for acquainting our readers with the changes being proposed for their champion title.

"I am pleased that the company appear to have had an adult reaction to the story."

NUJ general secretary-elect Michelle Stanistreet said "This is a great example of our members standing up for quality journalism and we hope other editors will follow the example set by the South Yorkshire Times."
 
NUJ northern and midlands regional organiser Chris Morley said: “So often news about local job cuts and industrial action are given prominence in local and regional newspapers – except when those newspapers are the subject for these.

“It is time editors stopped self-censoring their newspapers for fear of displeasing the corporate owners who are robbing them of the editorial resources to produce their own newspaper and website. I congratulate the editor of the South Yorkshire Times for being prepared to carry out his duty to the community his newspaper serves. It is important readers know the facts about the cuts and that Johnston Press hear from the staff and communities affected by the their cuts."

18 redundancies are being sought by Johnston Press across its South Yorkshire papers.