Here is some information about the traumatic upheaval of the British media in 1986. The News International Dispute Archive project project gives a voice to the sacked workers and their families whose lives were changed for ever:

2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the most traumatic upheaval in the history of the British media. On January 24 1986 Rupert Murdoch’s News International group, publisher of The Times and The Sun, sacked nearly 6,000 staff as it switched production overnight to a new non-union factory in Wapping, East London.

The workers fought a bitter year-long battle but failed to win back their jobs. It was a crucial dispute of the Thatcher era that threatened to break the resolve of the trade union movement, leaving workers unable to resist the commercial pressures of the giant corporations. And it marked the start of the age of Big Media companies controlling all our main media, debasing editorial standards and treating readers and audiences simply as consumers.

The News International Dispute Archive (NIDA) was set up by former strikers and supporters to create an exhibition to present the workers’ side of the story. Opening in 2011 to mark the 25th anniversary the exhibition was shown country-wide and a website was also launched.

The exhibition has been updated for the 30th anniversary. It is showing at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives in Stepney, east London, not far from the fateful Wapping site from 1st December until 11th February, Monday to Friday and the first and  third Saturday in the month. Group

There are also two great events to take note of. This Thursday, 14th January, from 6:30-7:30pm, Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives is hosting a free public event, which will include short talks by former strikers and trade union representatives. Then, on Thursday 21st, from 5-7:30pm, join the strikers and their supporters for an informal gathering to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Wapping Dispute, which will include a screening of the film ‘Banging Out: Fleet Street Remembered’ (52 mins) at 5.30pm.2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the most traumatic upheaval in the history of the British media. On January 24 1986 Rupert Murdoch’s News International group, publisher of The Times and The Sun, sacked nearly 6,000 staff as it switched production overnight to a new non-union factory in Wapping, East London.