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NUJ backs BBC presenter accused of bias over Gaza by Israeli official


THE UNION has sprung to the defence of BBC Today presenter Mishal Husain who was accused of pro-Palestine bias by Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer. In a heated exchange during a recent interview


on Radio 4’s Today programme, Mencer, a British citizen and former director of Labour Friends of Israel, attacked Husain personally and the media generally for their coverage of the conflict in Gaza. However, NUJ general secretary Michelle


Stanistreet said Husain was right to highlight the Israeli government’s refusal to allow international journalists into Gaza. “This failure to provide access has been


condemned by media outlets and media freedom organisations around the world and the NUJ reiterates its demands to allow journalists full access to Gaza,” she said. “The hypocrisy of condemning news reports coming from


Gaza, including the latest figures of civilians killed, as speculation and baseless propaganda, whilst refusing to let the world’s media in to report, was laid bare in the interview with David Mencer. Proclaiming that it’s right to smear the BBC and making ridiculous accusations against his interviewer and other


journalists was desperate stuff. Abusing and hectoring journalists is always a bad look, particularly so when it is an official response from a government that seeks to make much of its democratic credentials. “Mishal Hussain was the consummate


professional, but government personnel should take their obligation to engage with the media and be scrutinised more seriously – not least when it is about a conflict that is causing so much devastation and instability in Gaza and in the wider region.” The NUJ leader said there was mounting evidence that media staff had been targeted in Gaza “simply for doing their jobs”. At least 132 media workers have been killed in the area, according


to the International Federation of Journalists. During the interview, Mencer said Husain warranted being made pro-Palestinian reporter of the year when she questioned him about reports of torture of Palestinian prisoners. He said when the BBC “parroted” death toll figures and information from Palestinian sources, it was making “Jews in the UK afraid to walk the streets”.


“ Unions fear for future of creative work in Wales


ARTS and culture in Wales is facing an existential crisis, according to a wide coalition of unions. Funding cuts, the cost of living crisis, the pandemic and an exodus of workers have created a ‘perfect


storm’, said the Wales Federation of Entertainment Unions (comprising Bectu, Equity, the Musicians’ Union, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and the NUJ). The unions, representing the country’s writers,


musicians, performers, creative professionals, journalists, crew, front of house staff and backstage workers, have written to the new first minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, pointing out that cultural spending as


Afghan media licences suspended


MORE than three years after the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, the government has attempted to take broadcasters off air. On July 22, the Afghan Telecom Regulatory Authority suspended 17 broadcast licences of


at least 14 media outlets in Nangarhar province in the east of the country, due to alleged non-payment of licence fees. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the attack on Afghanistan’s media and demanded that the licences be reinstated. The Afghan Ministry of Communications and


Information Technology reportedly warned the 14 organisations they would not be allowed to operate until they settled their outstanding annual licence fees, amounting to 108,000 Afghanis (around £1,200) a year. The outlets in question, however, have continued to operate despite the allegations, according to the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Union.


a proportion of the Welsh Government budget is one of the lowest in Europe. It is less than 0.15 per cent, compared to an average of 1.5 per cent.


The unions believe the government needs to draw


up a coherent, long-term investment strategy. Broadcaster S4C’s funding has been reduced from £101m in 2010 to £88.85m in 2023-24. Two of Wales’ magazines – Planet and New Welsh Review – have closed.


Abusing and hectoring journalists is always a bad look, particularly so when it is an official response


Michelle Stanistreet NUJ general secretary


National World makes


‘niche’ Mancunian move National World has rebranded its Manchester website with the tagline ‘Ordinary Mancs, extraordinary stories’ in


an attempt to increase readership. Manchester World is being relaunched ‘with a new purpose and ethos centred on the people of the city’,


according to Press Gazette. Similarweb estimates the site received 770,230 visits in July


compared to 36.5 million for the Manchester Evening News. Editor Adam Lord said it was about developing the site as a niche product.


theJournalist | 07


MAJORITY WORLD CIC / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


MARK BASSETT / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


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