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Northern Ireland unites against threats NI STANDS TOGETHER FOR PRESS FREEDOM


Politicians, trade unions, church leaders, political parties, business groups and civic society members from all backgrounds united under the Stand Up for Journalism banner last month in one of the most diverse campaigns against violent threats ever witnessed in Northern Ireland. Promoted by threats from dissident Republican and


Loyalist groups against journalists and politicians, the campaign was co-ordinated by the NUJ and the three daily newspapers in Northern Ireland: the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter. The joint statement received international coverage


and was supported by the secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the UK Culture Secretary. The statement appeared in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter on May 20th. International organisations such as the World


Association of News Publishers, the International Federation of Journalists and the International Trade Union Confederation have also backed the NUJ calls. This unprecedented joint initiative aims to highlight and challenge the increasing number of threats of violence inflicted on the media. Under the banner ‘Stand Up for Journalism', the public statement strongly asserted the right of journalists to work without threats, intimidation or harassment. Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary,


said: "In the past the trade union movement took to the streets in protest against the threats to workers. In the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves today, we rely on newspapers to highlight the threats to journalists. “By working with the publishers and our members


affected, we have been able to secure the support of a cross-section of society in Northern Ireland. We warmly welcome the strong stand taken by political and community leaders and look forward to a renewed drive to ensure journalists can safely carry out their work on behalf of the public." Martin Breen, Sunday Life editor, said: "Enough is enough. Some 26 years after the ceasefires, terrorist organisations from both the loyalist and republican side are continuing to threaten journalists on an ongoing basis because we have been exposing their dirty deeds and criminal empires. “We all have to stand up against these vile threats as their sole aim is to silence investigative journalism and curtail the public's right to know about those gangsters operating in their communities across Northern Ireland. We hold everyone to account and will continue to expose criminality and all wrongdoing no matter where it originates." Brian Farrell, Sunday World editor, said: "The recent threats issued to our journalists only serves to


As the voice of trade unions across the world, the ITUC stands with those who suffer threats and intimidation in Northern Ireland. It is essential that those with political and policing responsibilities take immediate steps to end the targeting of media workers. Too many workers have been killed and injured


in Northern Ireland. In extending solidarity with those who have been threatened my thoughts are also with the bereaved families who have lost loved ones.


— Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation


highlight the risk and importance of exposing the criminal menace that plagues our society. We will not be silenced nor intimidated and will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice." Noel Doran, Irish News editor, said: "The increase in the number of serious threats against Belfast-based journalists is a deeply alarming development, so the significant level of support behind today's initiative is heartening. "It sends out a strong message that all the attempts


at intimidation will have no effect on our coverage, that the perpetrators need to be robustly pursued by the authorities and that civil society is firmly behind freedom of the press.” The NUJ has also launched a petition online at Megaphone.co.uk, called, Stop the rise in death threats against Northern Ireland Journalists. Members are urged to sign and give their support to this important campaign.


We need journalists to be completely free to be able to do their work. Any attempt to intimidate and terrorise journalists should be rejected by all of us in society.


The media are there to hold us to account, including church, to be truth tellers and make sure we know the truth. People of influence should be using every means possible to move them away from such attacks. If anyone has information that they should bring it


forward to the police or Crimestoppers. — Fr Martin Magill PP, Belfast


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