NUJ Policy

Sorry for the belated post. I’m sure you’ll agree that I have the perfect excuse in that I’m revising for my NCTJ News Journalism exam.

Pictures: Steve Usher

Last Monday evening, NUJ members gathered in Kings Cross to mark stand up for Journalism day. This day seeks to raise awareness about the value of quality journalism.

The previous post described the Manchester rally outside the Society of Editors’ conference. This event was slightly different – we had five speakers including former MP Tony Benn, BBC Newsnight’s Paul Mason and NUJ President Jeremy Dear (seen above with Michelle Stanistreet.

Unfortunately, I missed the start of the event. But I got to hear Tony Benn, Jeremy Dear and another speaker. Then the event was opened to the floor. There were some interesting questions (Not including the rather inappropriate question about Pakistan!). One lady asked whether the panel thought the closed shop could be reintroduced, saying it would be a great recruitment tool. Someone else called for more campaigns against exploitation of work experience students.

Then the panel had a final say. Tony Benn lamented that the closed shop was unlikely to return (and shared an extraordinary anecdote about the former Tory minister Tom King). Paul Mason said, as a BBC journalist, who had to be impartial, he welcomed belonging to an organisation that could be take a stand on his behalf. Jeremy Dear concluded the debate by saying that the 5th November 2007 was only the start of this campaign.

The event continued the union’s birthday celebrations. Here’s NUJ President Michelle Stanistreet cutting the cake with Anita Halpin. Many thanks to Steve Usher for the pictures.

Pictures: Steve Usher