4 SOUTHPORT POSTCARD


Sun, sea and standing orders: Observations of a first-time delegate


By Emma Ní Riain


The NUJ’s 2018 Delegate Meeting was my first time to be fully immersed in the mechanics of union business — how decisions are made and what sets the agenda for the following two years. I have been a member of the NUJ for less than a year, but have already been faced with some turbulent times and I am all too aware of the importance of having the NUJ’s backing and one of its officials in my corner. Despite encouraging words from my branch


chair, standing up in front of a room full of delegates in Southport to speak on a motion was frankly terrifying. I admit that getting a cheer after telling the conference that it was my first DM, and having my motion on pension changes in Ireland passed, helped, but it was still a pretty daunting experience. My highlights? Having the chance to get to


know branch members and other journalists both on a professional and personal level, seeing a motion on increasing subscriptions fail — I find it tough enough to recruit new members without having to explain an increase in their monthly payment — and getting a better understanding of the big issues journalists across Ireland and the UK face every day. I was also delighted to support a call for


better information for new members from a fellow NUJ newbie. I had no idea of the supports, training and advice on offer when I first got my green and white card in the post. I knew the union was there for me when it came to problems in my workplace but the courses and training available? I hadn’t a clue. The lows? I was added to the Irish Executive Council in the last few months and was immediately confronted with the fact that I was one of the youngest members. I am also one of a few females on the IEC and that is a trend that was reinforced at DM. It is disappointing that female and young journalists are in the minority at conference, a meeting that is supposed to reflect and make decisions around the concerns of all members, whether they are men or women, young or old.


Emma Ní Riain: daunting experience Photo: Paul Hermann


The DM offers a huge opportunity to reflect the make-up of newsrooms and to bring about change, and for conference not to have a diverse mix of journalists is frankly disappointing. The issue was raised at conference, and I know it is not something that is idly being ignored. To that end I hope this is an issue that will undergo a positive change by DM 2020.


Emma Ní Riain is a reporter with FM104/Q102, co vice-chair of the Dublin Broadcasting branch and a member of the IEC.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25