04 Informed Update A fond farewell to Michelle


At the final NEC meeting of the year and the last for Michelle Stanistreet as she steps down as NUJ general secretary, in typical NEC fashion, there was a packed agenda with much to discuss. Motions to next year’s Delegate Meeting were pored over with views on international issues, journalists’ safety and artificial intelligence all shared. Following John McDonnell MP’s presentation of the work of the newly- constituted NUJ Parliamentary Group, he expressed his thanks to Michelle for her engagement over the years and the driving force she has been in ensuing parliamentarians were well-placed to raise the concerns of journalists and threats to journalism. Te Parliamentary Group sent their heartfelt best wishes to Michelle and giſts were presented from the NUJ’s Paris branch, McDonnell and on the Parliamentary Group’s behalf. Whilst much of the meeting was business as usual, at a reception organised by NEC members at NUJ HQ, Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said Michelle would be greatly missed by all and thanked her for her leadership. Gerry Curran, NEC vice president, recalled his first interactions with Michelle saying, “there was a familiarity, a friendliness, a joy,


Michelle Stanistreet at her final NEC meeting, being thanked by colleagues and John McDonnell MP


but also a solidity and a staunchness and steadfastness that I took to immediately.” He recognised her strengths as a negotiator and what this had achieved for members, whilst Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary- elect, said Michelle had been “dynamic, enthusiastic and supportive whilst doing so much for the union.” NUJ members have writen to the union passing on kind words to Michelle for her work on memorable campaigns,


Journalists’ Safety Tracker


Te NUJ’s Journalists’ Safety Tracker was met with a positive reception upon its launch on the eve of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, including by Tim Dawson, International Federation of Journalists deputy general secretary. Te online monitoring tool open to NUJ members and non-members captures


incidents of abuse targeted at journalists both online and in-person. Harassment, trolling, hate mail and


lawfare all feature as options journalists can report to ensure the NUJ tracks trends. Amid an increasingly hostile atmosphere on social media, the Tracker provides options to name the platforms where threats were wielded, allowing the union to compile data and use findings as


landmark industrial cases and personal support offered. As the NUJ’s first female general


secretary in its century-old history, Michelle referenced her happiness that she would not be the last, recognising a positive campaign had been led by both candidates vying for the position as her successor. She shared her best wishes to the NEC for the upcoming DM noting the union was in good hands with Laura’s election by members.


an evidence base for our lobbying with government. For several years, Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, has raised her concerns about the laissez-faire approaches adopted by tech giants who fail to implement mechanisms that protect journalists online. All findings will be reported on anonymously and future iterations will consider feedback provided by journalists. Visit nuj.org. uk/ journalistsafetytracker


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