02 Informed


Séamus Says


Larkin was an enthusiastic supporter of the Soviet Union and had an abiding love for the Russian people. I thought of Larkin recently as I


surveyed 1,000 people gathered in solidarity outside the Russian Embassy on the aptly, but coincidentally named, Orwell Road in the leafy Dublin suburb of Rathgar. Larkin knew the value of solidarity. He also knew that working people cannot be blamed for the actions of tyrannical leaders. At the recent NEC meeting, the union


Te founder of Irish trade unionist Jim Larkin oſten reminded his followers that that an injury to one is a concern of all.


clearly stood with the people of Ukraine, united by a belief in the obscenity of all wars. The overwhelming solidarity shown by NUJ members is reflected in the generous response to the IFJ’S Ukraine fund in response to urgent appeal at the outset of the illegal Russian war.


Just as the NUJ blazed a trail in the


Afghanistan appeal, members and branches across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe continue to support the Ukraine appeal, acting in the true spirit of international trade unionism. Branches who have not already donated are encouraged to do so. As a union of journalists, we stand in solidarity with media workers in Ukraine and Russia. The targeting of journalists and the clampdown on press freedom is consistent with Putin’s war on journalism.


Putin is not of course the only political leader who has sought to undermine media freedom but there can be no equivocation when it comes to condemning his contempt for human rights. We stand with Ukraine united by our common humanity. The war on Ukraine has presented enormous challenges for journalists and media organisations. NUJ members have been to the fore in reporting from the front and from the neighbouring countries where women and children flee for sanctuary. As the Ukraine horror unfolds, we are also challenged to tell the stories of those who seek shelter in the UK and Ireland. Responsible,


conscientious reporters and photographers will do so with sensitivity. The media can play a powerful role in building social cohesion. There is no hierarchy of compassion and the urgent emphasis on Ukraine must not blind us to the horrors across the globe.


“Te NUJ’s fingerprints can be found on a succession of legal challenges in defence of press freedom.”


At that Dublin event NUJ member Bláthnaid Ni Chofaigh read Seamus Heaney’s poem From the Republic of Conscience, reminding us that that global citizenship brings with it responsibilities beyond narrow self- interest. Ambassadors of conscience, Heaney reminds us, are never relieved. The value of authoritative, public


interest journalism is brought into sharp focus at a time when the UK government seems hell bent on dismantling the structures which undermine public service broadcasting. I was watching Channel 4’s Alex Thomson’s harrowing report from Kharkiv when news came through of Nadine Dorries ideological driven, boneheaded move to privatise the broadcaster.


Dorries appears obsessed with pushing public service broadcasters into a commercial war with the likes of Amazon and Netflix, with no regard for the consequences for public interest journalism. One has to wonder about the motivation of a government intent on pitting an efficent, innovative broadcaster with a strong public service ethos against global corporations whose sole motivation is shareholder profit. In the coming weeks and months, we must mobilise to defend not just Channel 4 but the very principles of public service broadcasting. We cannot allow the


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