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Unions join forces to help crisis-hit journalists trapped in Afghanistan


PA IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


THE NUJ has been working with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to help bring colleagues out of Afghanistan following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. Many journalists with close links to the UK remain in hiding, fearful for their lives, with former BBC workers at particular risk. Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, has been in regular


contact with the Foreign Office and the BBC which, before the Taliban’s takeover, had 150 journalists in Kabul alone. A number were evacuated before the airport was closed but work is continuing to repatriate all journalists and their families who want to leave. The NUJ and IFJ have made urgent


representations on behalf of these journalists, yet there was a lack of clarity and frustratingly slow progress in getting assistance and visas to bring them to the UK. Michelle said: “Journalists associated with the BBC and other western media outlets are at grave risk. There are reports of Taliban commanders calling for BBC journalists to be punished, targeted and attacked as enemies of Afghanistan. The UK Government and the BBC have a particular duty of care to these journalists, and more must urgently be done to secure their safe passage to the UK. We need engaged and speedy action before lives are lost.” Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, said: “The threats


issued against former BBC journalists are credible and serious. Their lives are at risk, forcing many to go into hiding or keep


All voices of the NUJ


FREELANCE NUJ members who have recently come to the UK or who lack confidence in their English will be able to get help from


a new initiative – All the Voices of the NUJ – from London freelance branch. Under the scheme,


volunteers who speak a


moving night after night to stay safe. Urgent action to secure the evacuation and


resettlement of these journalists with a clear connection to


the UK must be a priority for the UK Government.” The union has had urgent pleas for help from journalists.


These have been passed to the Foreign Office, which is logging those in the greatest danger. The IFJ has set up a fund, within its general safety fund, to


help Afghan journalists. This has received large donations from NUJ branches including £10,000 each from BBC London and BBC World Service. If you, your chapel or branch can help, please donate at https://www.ifj.org/safety-fund.html.


variety of languages give advice in people’s mother tongue, including on how the media works in Britain. It was devised by Francesca


Marchese, who said she felt she had ‘slammed into the UK’ when she arrived from


Italy eight years ago. She set up a group of Italian- speaking journalists in London that now has more than 110 members. At the launch of All the


Voices of the NUJ, Romana Sustar, freelance journalist


and language tutor, said each country had its own rules and just speaking the language was not enough. To get involved, email LFB membership secretary Phil Sutcliffe at philsutcliffe47@ gmail.com.


Michelle Stanistreet NUJ general secretary


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There are reports of Taliban commanders calling for BBC journalists to be punished, targeted and attacked as enemies of Afghanistan


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