Publishers seek computer use for journalists

Press, 30 August 1985, Page 3

Publishers seek computer use for journalists

PA Wellington The Newspaper Publishers’ Association has presented the national executive of the Printing Trades Union with a proposal aimed at introducing computerised editorial composition systems into newspapers. The proposal was made public after a meeting of sub-committees of the association and union.

It would allow journalists direct access to data systems through the use of terminals during the production of a newspaper. At present, printers have sole rights to use the computerised production systems. “The pace of technological development during the last decade has forced the industry to carry out a comprehensive reappraisal

of its methods of operation. Present work practices have led to a considerable duplication of human effort, much of which has left sophisticated equipment under-used,” said the executive director of the association. Mr P. K. Greene, yesterday. “Unless available technology is now used to greater effect there are daily newspapers being published in New Zealand that will not survive, because of huge increases in the cost of production and increased competition from television, radio, and other forms of electronic media. There is ample precedent overseas to support this statement,” said Mr Greene.

He said not all newspapers would wish immediately to adopt computerised editorial composition systems when the terms of its implementation were finally negotiated. The terms of the proposal guaranteed printers continued employment, said Mr

Greene. Considerable emphasis would be given to retraining.

A monetary package was available for employees who might wish to apply to leave the industry, he said.

The president of the Printing and Related Trades Union, Mr Alan Ryan, said as far as the union could see. the proposal was “all bad news." Most of his union's representatives had still to see a copy of the proposal. Those who had read it were "generally speaking, extremely disappointed." One point of concern was the terms under which the guarantee of continued employment had been made.

Mr Ryan said the first real opportunity the union would get to discuss the proposal would be at its three-day national council meeting in Palmerston North in a fortnight. “It is hoped that by that stage they will have recovered from the shock,” he said.