2 EDITOR’S NOTE Solidarity has never been more important


At this difficult time, our thoughts go first to our members and their families and loved ones who have been tragically affected by this terrible virus. We offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wish a full recovery to anyone who has fallen ill. We also stand with our colleagues who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, and those who are left to pick up the slack in newsrooms with suddenly reduced resources. The coronavirus pandemic has amplified inequities


and weaknesses across our society, and the state of the media industry has been no exception. Years before the pandemic changed so much in our daily and working lives, the NUJ had already called on government to establish a Commission on the Future of Media in Ireland. Back in 2018, to mark World Press Freedom Day, Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley wrote to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and opposition leaders to renew an earlier call by the union to set up such a commission. At that time, two years ago, Séamus said developments in print and broadcast had already lent the proposal “a sense of urgency”. How much more urgent that proposal is now, as the media industry finds itself struggling to survive under the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.


Remembering Lyra McKee


#WeStandWithLyra trended on Twitter last month as NUJ members, joined by allies across Ireland and farther, marked the first anniversary of the killing of journalist and NUJ member Lyra McKee. At 11am on Saturday, April 18th, the NUJ led an online celebration of Lyra’s life and legacy to mark the anniversary, asking people to use social media to highlight the values Lyra embraced under the banner #WeStandWithLyra. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:


"Lyra was a journalist who represented the best of Northern Ireland with a future ahead that reflected her optimism, her confidence, her ambition and her strong sense of social justice and commitment to equality. "As we remember Lyra today, and think of her partner and family, we also think of journalists elsewhere who put their lives on the line when they get up and go to work each day. "The greatest tribute we can pay Lyra is to find ways to encourage and promote the kind of


The NUJ has reiterated and updated that call,


submitting a comprehensive recovery plan for media and calling on all parties involved in government- formation talks to make the future of the media a key priority in the next programme for government. That plan is discussed in detail in the Irish Journalist on pages 1, 4 and 5.


Solidarity and union representation have never been more important, and our branch activists and officials continue to work tirelessly with members across this island. We also hear in this issue from a sampling of


branches on how they are staying in touch with members during the crisis, and from a West of Ireland reporter on work during the pandemic lockdown. We urge any members with workplace issues or concerns who have not contacted their branch to do so. We would also urge members to encourage their colleagues who are not NUJ members to join, whether staff or freelance. We are always stronger together, and perhaps even more so now, when we must be apart.


Carolyn Farrar Editor, Irish Journalist irishjournalist@nuj.ie


imaginative, insightful and brave journalism for which she will be remembered." Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said: "Lyra had an unrivalled zest for life and for living. That is what makes


her senseless killing so cruel. In her journalism she combined her passion for journalism with a deep commitment to social change. "In her writings, in her approach to issues of


poverty, equality and exclusion Lyra was not afraid to ask the difficult questions, to challenge the conventional and accepted wisdoms and to look for new and imaginative solutions to problems. That’s her legacy.” He said: "Like Martin O’Hagan, Lyra did not ask for


the crown of martyrdom. On her first anniversary it is important that we celebrate the legacy of a woman of imagination, humour and enormous talent. "My thoughts are with Lyra’s partner, family and colleagues for whom her spirit remains an abiding presence.” Séamus also welcomed the PSNI’s renewed call to


anyone with information about the killing to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12