Edited highlights of “In or Out” speeches June 30, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in London Magazine Branch, NUJ, global issues, journalism, meeting, politicisation.add a comment
As promised, we now have edited versions of the “Politics: In or Out of the union” speeches from May’s meeting.
The original 77-minute director’s cut is still available at NUJ Policy Podcasts. But now there are also shorter podcasts of the speeches by branch member Martin Cloake (standing) and NEC member Nick Serpell (left). Both are approximately 10 minutes long.
Nick Serpell’s speech argued that we should keep politics out of the union. Martin Cloake, argued in favour of the union’s involvement in wider political issues. For more information on this debate view the post on the meeting.
For Martin’s speech, click here.
For Nick’s speech, click here.
I hope to put edited highlights in a separate podcast in the near future.
Monday’s debate: summary May 16, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in NUJ, meeting, politicisation.7 comments
Click here for a podcast of the meeting.
On Monday night we had a debate on whether the union should be political. We arranged this in the aftermath of the ADM’s decision to pass a motion in favour of boycotting Israel, which was criticised by some in the union.
Kicking us off was Martin Cloake, a branch member and formerly on the union’s NEC. Martin pointed out that causes we supported like Shot at Dawn, the national campaign to stop violence against women, and against the death penalty were all political, yet they did not stop us reporting the issues fully.
“It seems pretty clear to me that most of the objections aren’t to the NUJ being political, they are objections to the decision that’s been made,” said Martin. “No one is expecting everyone to always agree – it’s healthy when this doesn’t happen. But we are a democratic organisation and we do take decisions.”
Politics: In or out? May 14, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in NUJ, meeting, politicisation.1 comment so far
Here’s a pic from last night’s debate on union policy.
In the foreground is NEC member Nick Serpell speaking on why we should keep politics out of the union. Martin Cloake, the opposing speaker, is pictured in the background.
Click here for a podcast of the meeting. It’s well over an hour long so you’ll need some time to listen to it. But I’ll also be putting on a summary of the speeches and the debate for those who don’t have that time to spare. There’ll also be more pix.
Politics: In or Out of the Union? May 10, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in Israel boycott, global issues, meeting, politicisation.add a comment
For Monday’s meeting of the London Magazine Branch, we will be debating whether the union should play a part in wider political issues.
Magazines National Executive member Martin Cloake and Nick Serpell from BBC TV News will put the arguments for and against. Pete McCready and Niall Hunt will chair.
Here is an extract from the Maglight Newsletter:
“In the wake of the Annual Delegates Meeting, which passed a motion calling for a boycott of Israeli goods, the last (inquorant) branch meeting thought it was time we had a proper discussion about this particular hot potato.
Media Workers Against the War editorial May 9, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in Israel boycott, politicisation.1 comment so far
Well, it took them a while to get round to it, but Media Workers Against the War have now got a piece on their blog about the row over the Israel boycott. Worth having a look with London Magazine Branch’s debate on politicisation of the union coming up next week.
The main plank of the article is that the argument that journalists should be impartial does not stand up, when you consider that many of us work for publications with a political agenda.
By the way, this blog has now reached a landmark – we’ve broken the 100 visits mark. Woo hoo!
ADM in the news April 16, 2007
Posted by rosieniven in ADM, Israel boycott, politicisation, press coverage.1 comment so far
The union has been causing quite a stir in the press. Most of the coverage has centred round one particular motion on boycotting Israel, which was narrowly passed by the union. Here’s the Guardian’s coverage of the debate. They also have a blog covering the ADM.
Some people in the union believe that the union should concentrate on bread and butter workplace issues rather than wider politics. Journalist Craig McGinty shares this view. The NUJ’s own ADM blog contains a post by someone about this emerging debate.
But others argue that members benefit from the union taking a stance on important issues. There is also a precedent already set, with the union opposing aparthied in South Africa during the 1980s. Some argue that these boycotts helped to bring democracy to South Africa in the early 1990s. Muslim Public Affairs UK notes that boycotts are effective tools and that a number of unions already boycott Israel.
Please feel free to add any relevant links you find in the comment section.
