6 IRISH BIENNIAL DELEGATE CONFERENCE 2019 Defending Journalism


in Times of Crisis Biennial Delegate Conference 2019


www.nuj.org.uk


Defending journalism means fighting enemies of freedom


NUJ members must protest the right to freedom of expression by fighting the enemies of free speech, the Irish Secretary told delegates to the


Biennial Delegate Conference. Moving his report, Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, said the theme of the conference, Defending Journalism in Times of Crisis, was multifaceted and reflected the important role played by journalists in protecting democracy.


He told delegates: “Defending journalism is our mission. It is the reason why we exist. We are the National Union of Journalists and in defending journalists we serve not just the interest of our members – though I make no apologies for doing so – but also the public interest.


“It is our function to speak truth to power, to challenge those in authority and to protect the most vulnerable. “Journalism is under attack in the UK and in the United States. I am proud of the way in which day in,


day out, our union has stood up against those who seek to thwart journalists as we go about our daily business.


“Under the enormous shadow cast by Johnson and


Trump, and with the rise of right-wing groups across Europe, it is vital that we continue to fight for freedom of expression, for freedom of information, for access to government records, for an end to secrecy in public administration, for the right to do our job without harassment, fear or intimidation. “We in Ireland cannot be complacent. The minority voices who target migrants and sully the name of asylum seekers have a vision which is not the vision of the National Union of Journalists. “Those who advocate an Ireland for the Irish, a closing of minds and borders, are adept at using social media to attack the most vulnerable and to promote their reactionary agenda. As journalists we have a duty to report accurately and comprehensively the activities of these groups.”


Michael Foley, vice chair, Ethics Council, warns of the need to verify claims on social media. Photo: Derek Speirs


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