Branch May 2024


Last month we mourned the journalists killed in the course of doing their job and paid tribute to those who continue to work under constant threat of despotic regimes, crime cartels and paramilitary groups. Tese were occasions of sadness and celebration.


“ J


ournalists in Gaza have endured a sustained atack by the Israeli army of unprecedented ferocity – but have continued to do their jobs as witnesses to the carnage


around them,” said Nasser Abu Baker, president of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), as he received the UNESCO Guillermo Cano Prize. “Tis award shows that the world has not forgoten and salutes their sacrifice for information. It is justified that they should be honoured on World Press Freedom Day.” Te NUJ has strong links to the PJS, and Nasser is a friend. Tat’s why I was so proud that he, on behalf of his colleagues back in Gaza, was acknowledged by the prize for outstanding contribution to the defence of press freedom, especially when achieved in the face of danger. Nasser is also vice-president of the


International Federation of Journalists which has raised funds to protect those news gatherers in Gaza working not only in danger but in desperate conditions. On page six, Anna Wagstaff, secretary of Oxford and district branch, explains why her colleagues have decided upon a long-term commitment to support Gazan journalists. Meanwhile, I will be using all routes


to ensure that the targeting of every journalist which constitutes a war crime is investigated under international law. Because that death toll, now more than 100, is all the more shocking because we believe journalists are being deliberately targeted by the Israeli Defence Forces. We are expecting to see Nasser next month in London where the IFJ’s annual


general meeting is being held. We have organised briefings with MPs and peers as part of that visit. Te BBC is hosting the AGM itself and director general, Tim Davie, will be speaking to welcome union leaders from around the globe.


Aid for Gaza


Journalists in Gaza need your help to do their job in desperate circumstances. Te IFJ is supplying vital equipment and aid. Please donate to its safety fund. Branches can email jackiec@nuj.org to transfer from their


management allowances. DONATE NOW As one of the many events on


World Press Freedom Day, I was part of a panel organised by Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and the Centre for Freedom of the Media which discussed the normalisation and professionalisation of SLAPPS in the legal industry and the impact on journalists, particularly freelances. Te ploy of atempting to block stories and investigations with the threat of expensive litigation is having a chilling effect. Tat is why the NUJ is working on a new online tool where these threats can be reported and tracked. I have also been liaising with Labour MP, Wayne David, to ensure that his private members’ bill, the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill, is sufficiently amended


to provide protection for journalists from this scourge. We need to remain vigilant as the bill progresses since there will be some peers who will actively oppose the legislation. Otherwise, the level of industrial


work has been particularly high. Tere were two days of strike at STV before members accepted a revised offer from management, and now members at Springer Nature are balloting to take action to improve their pay. Te tortuous process of geting union recognition from a hostile management at PA Media grinds on and all tribute to our brilliant reps and members there for holding strong. Having a collective voice at work should not be something that scares the horses at our major media outlets. Finally, we are working with our industrial officials and legal team to explore all potential options to follow the shocking and sinister revelations during an Investigatory Powers Tribunal in London that the Police Service in Northern Ireland has been using surveillance powers to spy on journalists and lawyers, including NUJ members Barry McCaffrey, and Vincent Kearney, former BBC journalist, now northern editor of RTÉ.


Michelle Stanistreet


NUJ


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