04 Informed Seamus Says


To win media reform we must be political


Te National Union of Journalists is not affiliated to any political party and throughout its proud history the union has guarded its independence jealously.


Party political independence does not mean we operate in a vacuum, or that there is not a strong political dimension to every aspect of our work. By definition trade unions are political, in the broadest sense, and the pursuit of our objectives is intrinsically linked to the political process. Politicians shape and direct the policies which affect our lives, so engagement with elected representatives and political parties is a necessary part of the work of the NUJ across the UK and the island of Ireland. Te cross-party NUJ Parliamentary


Group in Westminster is an example of the solid, painstaking work oſten done below the radar and seldom grabbing the headlines but effective in ensuring that the NUJ’s priorities on employment rights, press freedom, media diversity, gender discrimination, global human rights and a host of other issues relevant to our members are highlighted. Te


broadcasting and the media, to discuss our Local News Maters campaign. Less formal but effective parliamentary lobbying has long been a feature of our work in Ireland and Scotland. In Wales there was a strong parliamentary focus during Local News Maters Week. Time and time again we have proven ourselves effective at political lobbying. Recent changes in the Republic of


Ireland which secured legal rights for freelance workers are a powerful illustration of the power of persistence in political campaigning, although it must be acknowledged that access to politicians and parties in Dublin, Edinburgh and Cardiff is far easier than in Westminster, an indication of the scale of the UK parliament. Tat’s why the Labour leader’s visit


to Headland House was so significant. Jeremy Corbyn was for long the backbone of our parliamentary group


‘It was Corbyn’s passion for the local press which struck me most’


union liaises with MPs and peers to secure debates, early day motions and shape and amend legislation. For the next Parliamentary session we


have to say goodbye to Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, who chaired the group and thank her for all the work she did for the union – however, she will keep in touch with us; and I welcome Clive Lewis, NUJ member and MP for Norwich South, who has taken her place. Clive was pressed into service


straight away as he joined NUJ president Tim Dawson and delegation to meet Mat Hancock, the digital minister whose brief includes


and, as Tim Dawson notes, was an assiduous atender at our NEC meetings for many years. Te NEC is a powerful body within the NUJ, but it’s a relatively small body – compared to his Glastonbury audience – and Jeremy Corbyn could hardly be accused of either a vote-grabbing exercise or a publicity stunt. During his time with us that day, the


Read More ☞


www.nuj.org.uk/ campaigns/nuj-in- parliament


Labour leader dealt with a myriad of complex issues and discussed key NUJ concerns with members, including trade union law reform, the impact of Brexit – with a strong emphasis on the implications for Northern Ireland,


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