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Reps look at AI and share ideas and strategies at national summit


ARTIFICIAL intelligence and its use in journalism were among the key issues discussed at a national summit held by NUJ representatives in newspapers and agencies last month. The meeting in Birmingham also examined the possible


opportunities and threats posed by technologies. The NUJ wants strengthened regulatory frameworks to ensure AI developers are held to account for copyright breaches when training models. The union has also stressed the need for transparency by publishers regarding content generated by AI so audiences are informed and public confidence and trust in journalism do not diminish. GMB reps also spoke at the summit to give an update on the unionisation campaign at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry. NUJ successes on recognition and pay were noted. Steve Bird, chair of the NUJ chapel at the Financial Times and chair of the summit, said: “The successful union recognition campaign at PA and industrial action at Springer formed the backdrop to an inspiring and enlightening meeting of NUJ reps in Birmingham last week. “Activists from around the UK shared their knowledge of chapel building and pay campaigns and there was a really engaged discussion around how members can win a decent pay award and on the challenges, worries (and some opportunities) posed by the increased use of AI in the media industry.


“ “Speakers from Reach, Newsquest PA, the FT and The


Guardian (among other companies) joined LDRs in four sessions, including a very inspiring lunchtime meeting with rank-and-file activists from the GMB unionisation campaign at the huge Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry and two full-time officials from the GMB. “The meeting sent its solidarity and support to reps braving


the hostility at Amazon and to NUJ members at The Guardian who are balloting for action over the planned takeover of The Observer. “I left the event feeling proud of the quality and commitment of our union reps and I hope that we can increase attendance from across the UK and Ireland in future.”


Online safety tracker ready to use


THE UNION is encouraging journalists to use an online reporting tool capturing incidents of harassment, abuse and lawfare targeted at journalists.


The Journalists’ Safety Tracker enables both freelance and staff journalists in the UK and Ireland to share experiences confidentially. It was launched


against a backdrop of growing online and in-person threats against journalists. The NUJ has, through its seat on the National Committee for the


Safety of Journalists, engaged with ministers and other key stakeholders on action necessary to improve journalists’ safety. It welcomed funding contributed


by the Department for Culture Media and Sport to support the tracker’s creation.


Intimidation of reporters condemned in N Ireland


THE NORTHERN IRELAND conference of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions unanimously passed an NUJ motion condemning the intimidation of journalists. Anton McCabe, a member of the NUJ’s national executive, proposed the motion, which was seconded by Alice Lemon from Equity. He stressed that no worker should be intimidated for doing their job. He told delegates: “This is not about journalists being special – this is because there is an organised campaign against journalists that is about depriving you of the right to know. “It is part of the rise of the far right. During the summer, two of our members were attacked while covering the far right.”


04 | theJournalist


Amanda Ferguson was attacked in August, on the day the far right rampaged through South Belfast. Kevin Scott was attacked in the Woodvale when covering attacks on immigrants’ homes. He continued: “In the south, our members are also suffering and there is a particularly nasty concentration on women journalists. “There are not just physical attacks – there


is trolling that is particularly targeted at women journalists and it has a serious effect on mental health.” “Threats here are part of an international


trend, with the rise of the far right – they are creating a climate where journalists are being fingered. We have Donald Trump calling us


‘fake news’ and making so-called jokes about shooting journalists. “Journalism is important for society; it


exposes the far right and counters racist lies with facts. Skilled and well-resourced journalism is needed to do that – it is a public service.”


Steve Bird Chapel chair, Financial Times


There was a really engaged discussion around how members can win a decent pay award


KEVIN COOPER PHOTOLINE


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