Loking to the future


Student members and the NUJ benefit each other, says Anttoni James Numminen


H


arry Williamson joined the NUJ in his first year of journalism studies after the local branch’s membership officer spoke at a student newspaper meeting. Now a graduate of the University of Stirling,


Williamson says that joining the NUJ has already benefited his career and given him invaluable resources for covering tough subjects while he was a student journalist. “In my four years at Brig, Stirling’s student paper, I had to


cover some difficult stories, including reports on deaths, trauma and suicide. NUJ resources were invaluable in ensuring not only did we report these the right way but also that, as young journalists, we were coping with the situation.” Williamson, who was editor of Brig, highlights the usefulness


of having the NUJ in case of potential problems, such as the paper being being deprived of funds. In addition, as he was able to identify himself as a journalist, he avoided repercussions when covering the likes of student occupations and protests. “Probably the most invaluable resource was the student press card issued to me by the NUJ,” he says. “I have reported on a lot of protests and demonstrations,


including anti-Trump demonstrations, independence marches and the Stirling vigil for Sarah Everard. Being able to identify myself as a journalist prevented any conflict with the police while at these events and in some cases, they even avoided us and left our teams alone to do our job. “For any student journalist, one of the best things you can do is join the NUJ – the advice, network and resources are invaluable.” However, student participation is low in many branches.


This has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with meetings coinciding with online lectures, and stretched finances may have made students cautious about signing up, especially if they are not aware of what membership offers. In Edinburgh, student members account for “more than one in 10” freelance branch members, according to branch secretary Mark Fisher. Covid-19 has hit student involvement in branch activities,


he says: “During the pandemic, it’s been hard for students to 14| theJournalist


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Students covering demonstrations have been challenged by the police – the NUJ has been able to step in


be involved, not least because our meetings have clashed with teaching time at Edinburgh Napier University where we have a lot of student members. “When Covid-19 hit, the first meeting we had to cancel had been set up by students. We’d asked four journalism students to talk about their dissertations. The idea was to give students a voice in the branch and to let non-student members hear what the next generation of journalists is interested in.” So what steps can branches take to better involve students? Fisher says that student-focused events have been successful and can encourage students to get more involved. Visits to universities and staying in touch with student newspapers is also helpful. “For a few years, we have appointed a student rep who acts as a conduit between students and non-students. My feeling is students are keen to be involved but need to feel welcomed,” he says. “They’re more likely to come to a student-themed meeting where they know they’ll be among friends than a regular meeting, for example. The branch has to make a bit of an effort – and, because of the nature of academic courses, it’s work that has to be done every year.” The Manchester and Salford NUJ branch prides itself in being particularly active when it comes to engaging student journalists, with students sitting on the branch committee and taking part in organising campaigns and meetings. The branch has also been active in promoting student


recruitment across the UK. At this year’s delegate meeting it put forward a motion, supported by the national executive committee (NEC), calling for the NUJ to develop a national student recruitment strategy. Branch secretary Kath Grant says: “We believe student


recruitment is critical for the long-term health of the union and our branch encourages student members to participate as much as possible.” She adds that while “all branches have to deal with a certain


amount of routine business”, it is important to make time for and listen to student journalists. Recruitment of student members benefit all. As Grant puts it: “We have had examples of students covering


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