Informed 03


The Ethics Council has already committed to reviewing and updating the union’s LGBT+ reporting guidelines, which already clearly vindicate the right of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to fair, accurate and inclusive reporting of their life stories and concerns.


The NUJ is equally clear that media outlets have a leading role in creating a climate of open public discourse that is free of toxicity. It is important that chapels, branches, and members engage in the Ethics Council consultation process. It is clear that members are committed to striking the right balance on issues of public importance in the context of the Code of Conduct. The proposed review will afford an opportunity for a more nuanced debate than was possible within the constrains of a time limited DM debate. DM’s decision to accept an increase in membership subscriptions secured the future of the union at a time when there is an increasing demand for our services.


Financial security, strong corporate


governance and procedural rules and regulations provide a framework for any union’s activities but it is the commitment of our members which drives the movement. The recent strike at BBC Northern


Ireland was a shining example of how committed, hardworking chapels can achieve results. It can be argued that the spark was


lit by our chapel at BBC Radio Foyle, motived by the attack on local based services in the Northwest of Ireland but it was the united action of our three BBC chapels in Belfast and Derry which effectively closed down services on count day, following Northern Ireland’s local elections. Journalists love elections and it was painful for members to deny viewers access to election results but the response showed a clear understanding of the motivation for the strike. The strike followed a major public campaign and negotiations on a range


of issues central to the working lives of BBC employees in Northern Ireland. Real progress has already been delivered. No employees are now at risk of


redundancy in BBC Radio Foyle through negotiated redeployment. A clear structure has been put in place


to resolve outstanding issues. Having suspended planned work to rule the NUJ chapel officers met with senior management, accompanied by officials, and this work continues apace. There is still much to be done and the work to rule mandate remains if needed. The values which informed the strike in Northern Ireland are at the heart of our dispute on local radio in England. Digital First is a mantra which ignores


many of the core principles of public service broadcasting. Accessible, universal independent public service broadcasting must remain a priority, an obsession with platforms at the expense of editorial excellence has no place in public service broadcasting.


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