Te global importance of transparency has been reinforced by the worldwide acceleration of Covid-19. Resisting the moves to clamp down on journalistic access and to evade scrutiny is vital. Te NUJ and its sister unions are intrinsic to safeguarding world-wide media freedom.


We also need to recognise that quality local journalism plays a critical underpinning role reporting on public health, providing an early warning protection in public health emergencies. Te World Health Organization, through the International Health Regulations, has previously urged countries to boost their disease surveillance efforts. Included in the mix of “event-based surveillance” are local news reports and social media.


Journalism underpins democratic societies – when those structures are under strain, it is public interest news that scrutinises decision- making, bolsters public health messaging and provides accurate information as a vital counter to potentially deadly disinformation and scaremongering.


Aid packages for media are being introduced around the world, however a piecemeal approach will only go so far – the NUJ is calling for a global recalibration of the media industry and renewed commitments to press freedom, spearheaded by the IFJ and other international partners. A vibrant healthy media,


THE CRISIS IN IRELAND


Te NUJ has long campaigned for a Commission on the Future of the Media in Ireland to tackle concentration of media ownership, inadequate funding of public service broadcasting, the need for greater diversity and equality and development of the Irish language media.


It must now also address the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the media industry on the island of Ireland; no sector has been immune from the consequences of the economic collapse.


Urgent assistance is needed across all platforms and sectors. Any state assistance should consider compliance with employment law, adherence to the WRC Codes of practices and the right to representation.


We have recently witnessed the very best of Irish journalism, but also appalling opportunism by a small number of employers who have introduced redundancies rather than accepting government subsidies.


In Northern Ireland, the media continues


to play a vital role in community cohesion. A diminished media landscape would put this in peril, where special care must be taken to ensure a diversity of platforms and the protection of minority interests.


What unites all members is our commitment to the values of the NUJ, values enshrined in our Code of Conduct and predicated on the concept of journalism as a public good.


Séamus Dooley Assistant General Secretary


working full square in the public interest, is critical in the uncertain, challenging times we live in.


Press for public good – our media re-imagined Journalism is a cornerstone of our democracy. Covid-19 has


demonstrated just how important credible, trusted news and information is, and journalists will play a vital role in reflecting and shaping the recovery yet to come. We cannot allow this crisis to further undermine an already weakened industry, which has


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