06 Informed Update


NUJ supports ex-MP to contest Terrorism Act order


GL Portrait / Alamy Stock Photo


Chris Mullin, the journalist, former MP and government minister, is being supported by the NUJ to contest an order served on him by police using the Terrorism Act to seek source material relating to the Birmingham pub bombings. Te West Midlands Police have applied


for an order requiring Chris Mullin, a NUJ member for more than 50 years, to disclose material relating to his 1985-6 investigation of the Birmingham pub bombings, which took place in November 1974. His book, Error of Judgement, and a series of documentaries helped expose one of the worst miscarriages of justice in legal history, leading to the release of six men – known as the Birmingham Six - whose convictions were quashed in 1991.


Te application is contested on the grounds that to disclose the material


case brought by West Midlands Police risks compromising that core principle and undermining press freedom which is why the NUJ stands four-square behind Chris and is backing this case.” Chris Mullin said: “If West Midlands


requested would be a fundamental breach of the principle that journalists are entitled to protect their sources. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general


secretary, said: “Te principle of protecting your source and keeping your word when confidentiality is pledged is a vital one for all journalists and lies at the heart of the NUJ’s Code of Conduct. Te


Police had carried out a proper investigation aſter the bombings, instead of framing the first half-dozen people unlucky enough to fall into their hands, they might have caught the real perpetrators in the first place. It is beyond irony. Tey appear to have gone for the guy who blew the whistle.” Te hearing will take place at the Old


Bailey on Tursday and Friday 24-25 of February, at a hearing before the Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraſt, QC. Mr Mullin is being represented by Louis Charalambous of Simons Muirhead Burton and Gavin Millar QC.


Stand Up to Racism On Saturday 5 February trade unionists from across Britain, including the NUJ’s Tony Adamson, will come together at the Fighting for Anti-racist Workplaces online conference, hosted by the TUC and Stand Up To Racism, to discuss opposing the Nationality and Borders Bill, which will effectively remove the right to seek


asylum in Britain while scapegoating refugees and migrants, and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which targets Black Lives Maters activists and the Roma and Traveller communities. Members are also encouraged to take part in the UN anti-racism day marches on Saturday 19 March. More information: www.nuj.org.uk/resource/ stand-up-to-racism.html


Publishing Show Tis major event for the publishing industry on 8-9 March will discuss new industry trends and


the future of B2B and B2C publications, newspapers and content providers. Te NUJ is a partner and will be speaking at a number of panel events. Go along, get informed and discover the latest trends. Free for NUJ members – go to the NUJ website to get the discount code. htps://nuj. org.uk/learn/ems-event- calendar/the-publishing- show.


Assange case Te Wikileaks founder has won the right to ask the UK Supreme Court to block his extradition to the US. Julian Assange has spent nearly


three years in Belmarsh prison while the US seeks his prosecution on 18 charges, most arising from the Espionage Act, and relating to Wikileaks’ publication of the Iran and Afghan “war logs” in 2010. Michelle Stanistreet said:


“Welcome as this decision is, this case is damaging media freedom every day that it drags on. Te US is seeking Assange on charges that relate to the very business of news gathering. As long as this is treated as an indictable offence, reporters will be looking over their shoulders.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12