viewpoint


A lasting legacy for Lyra McKee


Bold journalism must continue to thrive, says Michelle Stanistreet A


ttending the funeral of Lyra McKee, shot dead while covering riots in Derry on the eve of Good Friday, was the


most distressing and moving duty I’ve performed as general secretary of the NUJ. The NUJ turned out in force to pay our collective respects to Lyra, a member of Belfast & District Branch and a recent addition to the journalistic community in Derry, as did friends and colleagues who reflected the many different parts of her life and activism. Also present were political leaders of all parties, sitting together in Belfast’s St Anne’s Cathedral amid what must surely have been its most diverse crowd ever – all united in shock and horror over the senseless murder of a 29-year-old woman of huge talent and, with everything to live for. In a powerful speech that rightly


made politicians in the rows in front of us squirm, Fr Martin Magill paid tribute to their collective response to the killing, and their appearance in the Creggan in the days earlier, but said it had also left him with a question: “Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get to this point?” It drew mourners to their feet in the longest standing ovation I’ve experienced and it was easy to imagine Lyra joining in the applause. Addressing the politicians directly,


Fr Magill tore into the correlation between paramilitary attacks and social degradation. “The younger generation need jobs. They need a better health service and


education. They need a life – not a gun put in their hands,” he said. “As our politicians, we need you to be


working together to make that happen so they will feel the peace process is working for them as well.” It was an inspiring speech, one that articulated a range of emotions felt by many present – deep outrage and sorrow that a special woman whose life was driven by equality, peace and tolerance, who was bursting with talent, wit and vitality, could be laid to waste and a fervent desire that her killing marks a turning point in life in northern Ireland. Seeing the grief and love of Lyra’s


mum, siblings and partner Sara, it was heart-breaking to hear her big sister Nichola speak of the void Lyra’s death has created for their family, not least for her nieces and nephews – she doted on them and they did on her. For her NUJ family, the loss is felt throughout the union – from those who knew her personally and those, like me, who wish fervently that they had had the privilege. NUJ colleagues in Belfast & District branch and in Derry have rallied around in amazing spirit. Journalists across the union – and around the world – have also responded brilliantly, sending in messages of support, organising vigils and sharing social media #WeStandWithLyra. Many have discovered Lyra’s lasting


legacy – her writing and journalism. A fine journalist, she used personal experience to draw readers into examining broader, societal issues with great skill.


Most of her work appeared online.


She worked for several US titles, as well as ones based on this side of the


Atlantic. Recognised as a fresh voice for Northern Ireland, Lyra was an exemplar of modern, committed journalism, dedicated to engaging with her audience, speaking truth to power and using reporting as a tool to change the world for the better. Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary,


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and I worked with Lyra’s friends in the hours after being woken with news of her murder, promoting a fundraising initiative to ensure funeral costs were covered and to create an opportunity to build a lasting legacy to her life. If her death prompts us to do one thing, it should be to consider what circumstances are necessary for more like her to thrive. We need more Lyras. And we need to use this moment to remind ourselves, and our political leaders, about the global challenges facing media workers right now. Lyra’s death highlights just how vulnerable people in our trade can be. According to the International Federation of Journalists, 95 media workers lost their lives during 2018.


The greatest tribute is to encourage and promote the kind of imaginative, revelatory and brave journalism for which she will be remembered


The ability to report freely is being


challenged and curtailed around the globe. Take Turkey, where more than 300 media workers are behind bars, detained on bogus terror-related offences. Our work to create safe environments in which bold journalism can flourish is needed more than ever. What practical legacies we can


help create in Lyra’s memory will be guided by those closest to her. The greatest tribute we can pay her is to find ways to encourage and promote the kind of imaginative, revelatory and brave journalism for which she will be remembered.


theJournalist | 09


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