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U J Branch July2021 N Following Delegate Meeting, the union has a full work programme ahead and branches can play a full role in its plan for a vigorous recruitment drive and participate in its campaigns. T he messages of racist weeks and months. Part of that work hate sent via social media will also be exerting pressure on the to three black English government to make the tech giants, footballers were beyond which make billions from the very disgusting – fortunately same platforms where these threats and many others took to the same platforms abuse are found, remove this material to pay tribute and offer solidarity to as soon as it appears, or else receive Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and punitive fines. Bukayo Saka. In this month’s NUJ Branch, former proposal can be seen only as an Many journalists can sympathise from George Viner Memorial Fund scholar ideological attack on the public service their own experience of being the target Nabil Mehdinejad explains how broadcaster. In the government’s own of abuse from people all too often hiding his bursary from the NUJ charity terms it has successfully fulfilled its under the cowardly cloak of anonymity. enabled him to take a journalism MA remit to show innovative programmes A recent survey of more than 900 at City University and go on to make and champion unheard voices. And journalists carried out in 125 counties documentary videos shortlisted for Channel 4 News’ mantelpiece is groaning by Unesco found nearly three-quarters awards. The fund was set up to broaden with awards. Leeds branch, where the of female journalists had experienced the diversity of journalists working in station has its headquarters, has already online hostility of some sort, while a the British and Irish media and has been started to contact local MPs, mayors quarter had been threatened with sexual the backbone of the NUJ’s work to put and trade councils. C4 has a base in violence and death. its collective commitment to diversity Bristol and also Glasgow, which has a Filipina journalist Maria Ressa was and representation into practice. And it thriving indie production sector. C4 as receiving 90 hate messages an hour on remains vital work a publisher/broadcaster has invested Facebook alone and Ghada Oueiss, an Latest figures from the National in hundreds of these companies and Al Jazeera Arabic presenter, was getting Council for the Training of Journalists has acted as a catalyst to the creative at least one death threat every day she show that our newsrooms comprise 92 sector – find out more about how we can was on air. The UN report, The Chilling, per cent journalists from white ethnic collectively do battle to secure its future said the intent is to “belittle, humiliate, groups. So much more needs to be done on page 5. shame, induce fear, silence and to encourage journalism students from Global press freedom was a major DM discredit” women and to chill their active a greater range of backgrounds. Nabil topic and the shocking shooting of Dutch participation in debate. The NUJ’s survey told NUJ Branch that when he started investigative journalist Peter R de Vries, of members elicited a similar response. his course he was immediately realised the reports of intimidation of journalists Patricia Devlin, who the union has how few students did not share his in India, Belarus and Afghanistan show supported following numerous online background and was even told that he just how important it is to show solidarity death threats and vile abuse, will be sounded like Ali G. But he soon proved he with sister unions in these countries. sharing her experience with a meeting of could prosper and believes he can offer This month’s issue provides a plan for the government’s National Committee a different perspective when covering branches to organise their efforts. for the Safety of Journalists this month, stories. The deadline for this year’s alongside three other journalists in a applications to the fund is Monday 19 In Solidarity session I’ll be facilitating. The NUJ’s is July, so if you know someone who would also part of a sub-committee driving benefit, make sure they apply now. forward the committee’s action plan, Branches are being encouraged to so members will be hearing more get involved in the union’s Hands Off about this important work in the coming Channel 4 campaign. The government’s Michelle Stanistreet
N C H 02 BRA Dates for your calendar ificant anniversaries m Day is Use the union’s sign cs, World Press Freedo da tes to provide id eas for meeting topi on Tuesday 3 May. It is a time to and s, editors, se guest speakers think about journalist debates and to choo the issue. For 10 photographers and publishers who their respo ns es to attacked and htt ps :// are being harassed, 2021 ways to tak e ac tio n, see : ws/ killed worldwide. Ch oose a country l ho st the 26 th UN wo me n.o rg /e n/ ne is under attack The UK wil ww w.un where press freedom te Ch an ge Co nfe rence of the s/ 20 20 /1 1/ co mp ilation- eaker. Clima storie and find a relevant sp es (CO P2 6) in Gla sgow from cti on -to -he lp- en d-violence- / Parti take-a https://ww w.ifj.org ve mb er. Ma ke the topic of st- wo me n Aw areness Week 1-1 2 No again Mental Health mo nth pro mo tin g green unions Ma y. Th e NUJ’s the is from 13 to 20 mpaigning for 20 22 and branches and ca Disabled Memb ers ’ Co un cil and at the climate en’s Day is local policies to comb International Wom Health and Sa fet y Co mm ittee say st year NUJ emergency. Tuesday 8 March. La reports of me mb ers ex pe riencing Da y to En d ou t wh y the NU J International women spok e ab mental distress at wo rk are against m. Invite one Impunity for Crimes was important to the increasing. Se t up a bra nch wellbeing Tu esd ay 2 No ve mber. or ask on e of yo ur Journalists is of them alo ng session with NUJ Tr aining at s a week are cussion on why About two journalist members to lead a dis nujtrain ing @n uj. org .uk and go to bu t the re will in the media… killed doing the ir job women ne ed a vo ice rces https:// uti on htt ps :// ww w. the website for resou not be a su cce ssf ul pro sec and the wo rkp lac e. source/mental- . Link up ce/ int ernational- ww w.nuj.org.uk/re y nin e in 10 ca ses nuj.o rg. uk /re so ur tml in nearl Fe deration 1.h tm l health-week-2021.h Int ern ati on al wome n-s -da y-2 02 your town with the n and hold pyright Day Pride. Find out when rna list s’ ca mp aig W orl d Bo ok an d Co de week or of Jou ety fund: eb ration of books or city celebrates Pri dra ise r for its saf Ap ril 23 is a cel as a hook to a fun /safety-fund. on portunity weekend and use it htt ps :// ww w. ifj. org an d rea din g an d an op un ion ca mpaigns. te the life hts of writers promote LGBT+ l, or co mm em ora rec og nis e the rig arn mo re about htm say Ma lte se to a loc al au tho r NUJ charities: Le – ite of a named journalist and creators. Inv the work of NUJ Extra , the union’s ruana workshop on journalist, Daphne Ca or publisher, or run a welfare chari ty, or inv ite one of er, Galizia, or Irish report protecting copyright. the George Vin er Me mo ria l Fund mo ria l Da y is on Veronica Gueri n. Workers’ Me ers how their for th e re pe op le are scholars to tell memb Internation al Da y Thursday 28 Ap ril. Mo ringboard for nc e ag ain st wa rs. Joi n the bursary provided a sp Elimination of Vi ole killed at wo rk tha n in 25 November. fety Council and their career. Women is Thursday NUJ’s Health and Sa Email campaigns@n uj.org.uk if n pla y a vit al tin g the un ion’s Good report ing ca the TUC in pro mo g speakers or de rst an ding mp aig ns. you need help findin rea sin g un health an d saf ety ca role in inc materials. men and by g.uk/wmd of violence against wo https://ww w.tuc.or ts to account for holding governmen
PA I G N 03 C AM The right to disconnect Laura Bambrick, he ad of the Irish Congre Unions’ social policy, ss of Trade explains the new code in Ireland W designed to counter the always-on culture ork-life balance is a danger to thems has always elves and others. with their employees It was in recognition or union reps to been a priority of this that tai existing EU legislatio lor a right-to-disconn n reg ulating ect company for trade working hours and res policy to the needs of t periods was the business unions; the introduced. But these and its workforce. It eight-hour day camp decades-old pro vid es for aign was one of protections have no reviews, equality ch our earliest and most t kept pace with eck s, tra ining, far-reaching new technology and and raising concern achievements. modern work s bo th inf ormally practices. and formally. In recent years, howe ver, the short The Irish Code of Pra While failure by an em working day has come ctice on the ployer to under threat Rig follow the code is no from an always-on cu ht to Disconnect was de t an offence, it is lture – a boom veloped legally admissible in in employment contr in consultation with evidence in any acts that trade unions pro an d bu sin ceedings a worker tak require workers to be ess representatives es relating to available and their working hours on demand – and ad came into effect in Ap . vances in ril thi s year. The code is not witho communication tec There are three eleme ut its critics. hnology. nts: the So me arg ue it goes too While the push from rig ht of an em ployee to not have far – that unions to rou it will stifle flexible wo around the world for tin ely pe rform work outside rki ng and a “right to the deter investment fro disconnect” from wo ir no rm al wo rking hours; the m Am erican rk-related calls, right to not to be pena multinationals. email and other electr lised for onic messages disconnecting; the du Others claim it does out of hours pre-dates ty to respect not go far the pandemic, another person’s rig en ough – that it falls sh the huge swathes of ht to disconnect ort of the workers [https://bit.ly/3xk French exemplar of suddenly thrust into dQ4S]. inc luding this remote working right in primary legisla has catapulted the iss The code allows for leg tio n. ue up the itimate Time will tell. Trade political agenda. Mu situations that may un ion s will be ch of the same oc casionally closely monitoring its technology that enab arise when it is neces op era tio n. les us to work sar y to For now, our priority from anywhere, make contact staff or work is to en su re s us reachable ou t of hours its full and proper im at any time. to meet the operatio plementation nal needs of a in bu sin ess workplaces as part of When the occasiona as set out in an emplo our pushback l intrusion on yee’s against the chipping a worker’s personal contract of employm away of work-life time becomes en t. It als o balance. the norm, it become recognises flexible wo s a health and rking is highly safety concern. An ov prized by workers. ertired worker • Sign the TUC right It requires employers to disconnect to engage petition: https://bit .ly/3hJu3vb
I G N 04 PA C AM Hands off Channel 4 sale. Channel 4 ines the make a killing on the oadcasting organiser, Paul Siegert, exam does not have a progra mme library Br flog off the station mme rights and most of its progra government’s plan to I suppliers – the s. iss ion are held by its main it co mm s who say , Bake Off, the programmes independent producer f you enjoy Googlebox It spends half of its mo ne y ou tsi de ed in hundreds hletics or the station has invest It’s a Sin, the Para At London and ha s a ne w he ad qu art ers anies and nel 4’s of production comp as a news junkie Chan generations long news in Leeds. acted as a “catalyst for award-winning, hour- The broad ca sti ng wa tch do g, u will know of entrepreneurs”. programme, then yo orted that it perform ed be celebrating Of co m, rep It seems completely the station will soon wers of Channel en there is the well and “regular vie counterintuitive, wh its 40th birthday. offeri ng as on e tha t is ssible for a 4 value its po cretary Oliver strongest evidence Or will it? Culture Se high-qua lity an d tha t de mo nstrates wh ich can connect ve Channel home-grown PSB Dowden wants to mo vit y… an d Ch an ne l4 the UK , to put it in a ow ne rsh ip. Th e creati bli c sec tor with all citizens in 4 into priva te outperformed the oth er pu be sold off to a r, set up in 19 82 , does ls in tac kli ng position where it could broadca ste ne broadcast (PSB) chan foreign owner. r a penny, it casters would not cost the taxpaye ues that other broad posal was om e fro m ad ve rti sin g iss tin g its The privatisation pro derives its inc is bo os a White Paper he d back into not.” Importantly it announced as part of pro fit is plo ug 4 an d las t ye ar and an y digital offering on Al l casting to be rti sin g on the future of broad ita l ad ve n. Some of the increased its dig published this autum revenues by 11 pe r cen t. ch as ensuring fix it? ideas make sense; su y Action So, if it isn’t bro ke wh minence on nis ter of UK PSBs are given pro ing da le, mi d smart TV John Whitt online platforms an da ta, cla im s state for me dia an d make the tech guides, and plans to • mo de l of ow ne rsh ip is duties of a new platforms take on the ed so Ch an ne l 4 ca n rs in terms need likes traditional broadcaste Send your MP the NUJ C4 briefing and mp ete ag ain st the ali ty and not co ne y+. But of accuracy, imparti ask them to lobby to save the station of Ne tfli x an d Dis off en ce. But that the causing harm and from privatisation: https://www.nuj.org. the wh ole po int is an ne l 4 makes no to. Its privatisation of Ch uk/resource/nuj-briefing-on-proposed- station doesn’t have sense at all. sort of UK privatisation-of-channel-4-1.html job is to provide the Get your branch org anised to • US-owned programming that a lobby your loc al MP or mayor or get be he mo th ha s broadcasting r to back the cing. Its job your local newspape Ask your MP to sign the C4 early day no interest in produ own TV campaign. motion 165: is to nurture home-gr d on potential y, UK -ba sed Consultation launche https://edm.parliament.uk/ stars, commiss ion qu irk of Channel 4: d sp ort s. change of ownership early-day-motion/58608 series, niche int ere sts an UuLj https://bit.ly/2Uv ’t going to The government isn
I T Y 05 DIV ERS George Viner Memorial Fund at The Savoy and in a number of How the bursaries fo Michelin-star restau rants. He took a r black and minority N students can make dr ethnic part-time job with the Royal Mail so eams come true he could complete his undergraduate degree at University abil Mehdinejad mixe of London’s s Guardian and books Birkbeck college, but a mean cocktail. His on civil rights it was the final and race. year module on ‘journa tequila-based Blood lism and Nabil said: “He said lot conflict’ that intereste on the Leaves, with its s of d him most. encouraging things It hasn’t been ideal tak secret beetroot powd to me when I got ing his ingredient, has won er chatting with him aft journalism masters him kudos among er he signed his during the exotic drink aficiona book for me. I then go pandemic, but he ha dos. t talking to BBC s had plenty But now he is being no journalist, Saadeya Sh of work experience, sh minated for amsuddin, who ifts with awards in another ind answered my question Sky News and ITN am ustry. s about the ong others, His video, The currenc George Viner schem and had “heaps” of int y of e and encouraged erviews. His culture, put him on the me to apply.” ambition now is to be shortlist a producer in at the Royal Televisio Saadeya was a Georg the newsroom, mayb n Society’s e Viner e on the foreign awards last month an sch olar in 2008 and has desk, and to uncover d he is up for been a great injustices. Student Journalist of supporter of the chari the Year at the ty which was Independent Radio Ne set up to broaden the ws awards, diversity of winners will be anno jou rnalists working in the unced on 15 July. British and In 2019, his film Legit Irish media. Action imising Inequity took first place at the Nabil never imagine London Student d he would Film Festival. ha ve ever been a journa list. He • It was thanks to the NU said: “I thought you ha J’s George d to be Viner Memorial Foun from Cambridge or Ox dation charity for d that he was able to sta universities. I’m also rt his career dyslexic and have oth Invite a George Viner scholar to your in journalism. It provid er branch meeting. ed a bursary learning difficulties towards his Broadcas but Contact GeorgeViner@nuj.org.uk ting Journalism MA which he studie I was always intereste • d at London’s d City University. in storytelling and ev en It came about after he as a young teen I would attended the be in the school librar Make a regular donation to the charity: NUJ’s event, An Even y ing with Gary rea din g the papers and https://bit.ly/3hJaIsH • Younge, then with Th e Guardian. Gary, now an NUJ Me cu rre nt affairs publications mber of Honour and professor of soc like The Economist.” iology at the University of Manche After leaving school Nabil Encourage young black and ster, was a hero of Nabil’s for his we nt int o the hospitality minority ethnic would-be writing in The industry, working for two years journalists to apply to the scheme.
N C H 06 BRA Selling the union ribes the work of the union’s members, some have just joined, and s and branch John Millington desc ch others are active rep mmunications Bran officers. The branch provides advice Public Relations & Co T and we have g a tough wh o we re havin for workplace issues co lle ag ue s who, day jobs he NUJ is the union for e of Covid-19. We trained caseworkers tim e be ca us y members to press officers, public with allowing, accompan ha ve pu t on a series of events. gement. relations officers, tics and meetings with mana sp ea ke rs talking about analy ible for the communications ting The branch is respons infl ue nc ing in the PR and marke ics for PR and specialists, in-house . union’s code of eth wo rld , among other topics wo rke rs. The journal editors and ed itorial communications t a set of rul es, but professionals in a wid e range of guidelines are no pri nc ipl es of good related roles. an outline of the & s. Th ey pro mo te the Prior to the pandem ic, the PR public relation sio na l an d eth ica l established highest profes Comms branch had ort those a core committee, iss ued reg ular standards and supp mo nth ly As pa rt of try ing to be pro fes sio nal PR and having working in newsletters and was rel ev an t to ou r es if they are significant professionally communications rol quorate meetings – a ha ve a sta nd ing oices [https:// vious years. Our members, we faced with difficult ch improvement on pre ag en da de dic ate d to /code-of- d is now meets item on the nujprcbranch.co.uk website was rebuilt an wo rkp lac e iss ue s. nal standards discussing ethics/]. modern and professio n I go to media awards nch speaker and publishes blog po sti ng s fro m W he na l events Our most recent bra ies or pro fes sio gth about ers [https:// ceremon Ella Minty spoke at len officers and lay memb NU J, I alw ay s ass ume an d how we nujprcbranch.co.uk /] for the t nothing trust in our industry colleag ue s kn ow alm os me ca ses, regain it Since the pandemic even the ll as maintain and, in so abou t the un ion . As we Th is fee ds directly of us have had in our workplaces. most technophobic ini ng the list of be nefits of ipl e in ou r code ce Zoom expla into the third pri nc no choice but to embra ers hip , I alw ay s ask: “Would tha t we sh ould g services to me mb of ethics which is and other video-callin dri ve a ca r wit ho ut insurance?” se or mi sle ading d social ev en ts. yo u not dissemina te fal conduct meetings an er, “N o of th a practical and s concerned Rhetorically I answ information. It is bo As branch chair, I wa us e yo u mi gh t would present course not, beca ethical guide. that Zoom meetings ac cid en t.” I finish by asking: g and, most another barrier to pa rticipati on , ha ve an wo rk Organising, recruitin yo u go to n is the name of in attendance “So why would importantly, retentio yet it led to an upsurge nc e wh en yo u e in the union times without insura the game for everyon – with numbers some cip lin ed or fac e lace issues mbers could be dis and identifying workp doubling and new me ed will be key ed. the sack?” that can be collectivis becoming more involv e is at diff ere nt sta ges hip fig ures and agreed Everyon to upping members The branch recently rel ati on sh ip wit h the NUJ. union’s in their participation. to donate £500 to the people are prospect ive J Ex tra , to he lp So me welfare charity, NU
N I N G 07 A I TR Reporting trauma Former BBC journalis t, Jo Healy, explains course can help jour how her nalists when intervie facts; inaccuracy wil l cause distress. vulnerable people wing A Take time. Even if yo ur deadline is pressing, don’t look as if you can’t wait to rush off. cross three decades it all go badly wrong. Melody is a survivor of covering people’s I approached of child people who had chos sex ual abuse. She waive sensitive stories for en to share their d her right painful experiences to anonymity when newspapers, radio with reporters. her stepfather I asked them to tell me was jailed for 18 years and TV, I have delve what was . Via my into the homes and d he lpful, unhelpful, comf Trauma Reporting tra lives of hundreds orting ining, she of people whose em or damaging when wo shared her experienc otions were rking with es of working shredded – ordinary jou rnalists. Their respo with reporters. She people to whom nses were told me: “As a something extraord an eye-opener. Gene child victim, I had no inarily bad or rously, many power. Being difficult had happen we nt on film to share constru int erviewed, I felt I was ed. ctive back as a As reporters, we wo insights. vulnerable child havin rk closely with g to relive victims, survivors an They were able to he it again. Through yo d interviewees lp me put ur training who are emotionally tog eth er a Continuing Professio pro gramme, I can share vulnerable: nal with grieving parents, orp Development-accre journalists the need haned children, dit ed co urs e on to giv e people survivors of rape, ab Trauma Reporting wh like me choice, contr use and torture, ich I rec en tly ol people violated and held for NUJ Training and connection.” attacked, people Wales. I who’ve lost homes an address what we as d livelihoods. journalists More recently we ha actually do when a tra ve had to report gic story Info on people affected by breaks and apply tra the pandemic uma and the stories of tho awareness and good se involved in practice the #MeToo and #B at each step of the way. lackLivesMatter The • movements. expectation is journa lists We aren’t there to ho leave with a much cle ld people to arer account, but to hear ide a of how to go about their stories and Jo’s website: represent what they covering these tough say in the best https://traumareporting.com/ • way possible. emotional stories an d A few years back, I too ho w they can cope k a good hard themselves after look at what we do da ily, not only at Six-point guide for reporting domestic how vulnerable our he aring witnesses’ violence https://ethicaljournalismnetwork. contributors are but also how unprotec harrowing and org/ejn-launches-six-point-guide-for- ted we and, up sett ing ac journalists-reporting-domestic-violence • indeed, our employe co unts. rs, were should Always check the Reporting on sexual violence in conflict: https://www.coveringcrsv.org/
The National Union of Journalists N S Is the voice of journalism in the UK and Ireland SO for all media, communications and PR workers. A It represents staff and freelances working in RE JOIN newspapers, news agencies, broadcasting, magazines, online, book publishing, social media, TO copy writing and as photographers and illustrators. The NUJ supports members throughout their professional careers, provides a collective voice for industrial issues and freelance rights and defends press freedom. ☞ Pay Ending the Gender Pay Gap 9 Million It pays to be in the NUJ. In the past year – in deals that exclude A Press Gazette analysis showed that + collective pay awards – the NUJ 91 per cent of UK media companies secured more than £9million for paid men more than women and 85 its members; that’s £25,000 every per cent of men got better bonuses single day. The union negotiates and it’s a similar picture in Ireland. One on pay, freelance rates, pension magazine group’s gap was almost 37 = terms, salary structures and paid per cent. Opaque, unfair pay structures holidays. It pursues companies and unlawful sex discrimination are over copyright infringements contributing factors. The NUJ negotiates and non-payment of wages and on transparent pay structures, fees. It wins equal pay cases progressive work-life balance policies, and backdated salary, pension better maternity and paternity deals and contributions, and pay-rises. fair recruitment procedures. Press Freedom Ethical Journalism The NUJ lobbies for journalists’ The NUJ’s code of conduct sets the rights so you can protect benchmark for the profession’s TRUTH your sources, have editorial standards. The NUJ stands for independence and do your job safely responsible reporting and ethical and freely, without censorship behaviour across the media and FAKE fact from the state. As a member of public relations. It argues for the International Federation press plurality, journalists’ rights of Journalists we are part of a and supports public interest and 600,000-strong community investigative journalism. Democracy, LIES working to ensure the safety of whether at a local or international media workers across the globe, level, depends on a media that is fighting for freedom of information, trusted and properly resourced – and open government and plurality of a union which fights for it. the media. Be Part of a Respect at Work Collective Voice The NUJ challenges work cultures As a member of the NUJ you which lead to bullying and are part of a united force harassment. It will represent you championing the rights of media if you experience this behaviour. It workers and defending attacks uses its collective voice industry- on press freedom. Successful wide to argue that media workers workplaces are those where the are treated with respect. We management and workers share promote workplaces where workers the same aims and talk to each and managers are constructive other. Being a member of the with their criticism during the NUJ means giving yourself and creative process, and the union colleagues a real voice at work. publishes codes of conduct and dignity at work policies. Are you keeping good company? You can contact the NUJ at: Join the NUJ today at nuj.org.uk/join info@nuj.org.uk or for membership queries at: membership@nuj.org.uk Tel: 020 7843 3700 Follow: @nujofficial on Twitter www.nuj.org.uk
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