NUJ ADM Report

It was an exciting conference this year, with two main issues in the spotlight; firstly the Drog (CK) agreement which goes to the root and branch of how agreements with employers are made as well as the touch photographers/journalists divide, and secondly the possibility of the Republic of Ireland rejoining the British Commonwealth. No, really.

Admittedly the latter isn’t significant in any serious sense, but was perhaps the best in a long line of “fun” debates stemming from London Central branch’s playful side. Well aware of the NUJ’s Anglo-Irish nature when submitting Motion 35, they knew exactly what kind of debate they were kicking off. I’ll leave it to your imagination, suffice to say that the motion was well on its way to being defeated until the proposing branch shot themselves further in the foot.

Fighting the podium for attention was the internal debate between London Freelance members but the words that drifted across the hall were “the meeting this was proposed wasn’t quorate anyway.” The motion and all others from the branch were rulled out of order automatically. A reason not to have meetings in the pub?

On a more serious note, Drogheda has been a subject of debate all year since the Drogheda Independent’s chapel made and agreement that effectively allowed reporters to carry cameras. Motions were put forward against agreements made without the approval of various bodies, but these were generally seen as impractical (many only meet once every 2 months, and negotiators do not need their hands tied).

Looking at it with my New Media Industrial Council (NMIC) hat, Drogheda is seen as a moving-with-the-times issue, and I think that resistance to this kind of practice puts the Union in a difficult position, effectively ruling out potential members who work in mixed environments. Since these are commonplace in the New Media world, I think the right result was reached, though there were some stirring remarks from the Photographers. One quote that stood out was “How would you feel if a Photographer was sent on a 2-day writing course and replaced you?”

Outside the motions, Alan Johnston taking the stage with Naim Toubassi, President of the Palestinian Journalist’s Syndicate that did so much to help secure his release was perhaps the highlight of the 4-day event. Naim’s obvious enthusiasm and sombre translator made a great comic pairing, but learning how Alan owes his freedom to Palestinian journalists and kept the will to live thanks to them and the NUJ’s campaign which he heard on the BBC world service was genuinely moving. It might even have affected Jeremy Dear.

At the other end of the scale, the revue was written by some of the finest names in Journalism. Not that it showed. Still, Peep Show makes you laugh and cringe at the same time and that’s on its 4th series; you can’t argue with tradition.

Oh, and one more thing: The General Secretary’s opening speech was 40 minutes long. I know because I won the sweepstake!

Adam

From the NUJ active newsletter

Are you covering the Beijing Olympics?
Amnesty International is running a training workshop on Thursday 8 May 10am to 12.30pm designed for UK-based journalists interested in updating their knowledge on China. Experts will provide an overview of the situation in China, with workshops addressing journalists’ rights and responsibilities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will also brief on their guidance to journalists. We have 50 tickets to this free event, first come first served, contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk to secure yours.

Free freelance listing

Did you get this? I'll put it up anyway

The all-new NUJ Freelance Directory is almost ready to launch upon the world. Full entries are *free* to freelance NUJ members, including up to three sample photos and an extended text describing yourself, with design - I just pasted in a sample article, with an extra photo in it, and was surprised how nicely it came out.

It's easy to give yourself an entry in the new Freelance Directory. And it works - see below.

1) Go to the 'temporary' address www.nuj-rechord.co.uk

2) Check whether you already have an entry - click "Search the Directory" in the menu, and put your name, in quotes, in the last search field, and click "Search". * If you see yourself, then click "Help" in the menu and go to the instructions on "Updating your entry from the old directory" (If you have already updated it, thank you!) * If you don't, then click "Register as a new member" in the menu, then:

3) Fill in your basic details, and give yourself a password. It is important to get your membership number right. The directory wants the version printed on your (white) Membership Card. The one on press cards may have too many or too few zeros at the start. The new Directory does not show your email address to anyone -instead, people can send you messages by typing into a box in the Directory. So if you get (more) spam, it's nothing to do with the directory. Feel confident to use your main email address.

4) You will get an email from the Directory. Click the link in the email, which it takes you to a page where you enter your skills and specialist subjects. Then you go on to add an extended description/plug and three sample photos, if you want. The reason for this rigmarole is to make sure that you are you and that the email you typed actually works.

5) On May Day we will throw the switch so that everyone visiting www.freelancedirectory.org comes to the new Directory.

Mike Holderness PS: Those members who do not regard "geek" as an insult, in particular, may notice a few remaining odd behaviours. That's why we've given members several weeks to prod and pummel the directory before unleashing it on editors and the world.

NUJ jobs up for grabs

The NUJ is looking for a new Deputy General Secretary and an Irish Organiser.

The DGS post is subject to election/re-election by ballot of the NUJ membership every five years. To be shortlisted to stand in the election, you must be a member of the union with five years continuous membership and your contributions must be paid under Rule. A short-listed candidate must have trade union experience as a full time official and/or lay officer for a minimum of three years. Closing date for receipt of applications is 15 May 2008.


The NUJ also has a vacancy for an Irish Organiser to assist with all union activity in the island of Ireland. Completed application forms must be returned by 2 May 2000.

Further information on the posts as well as the terms and conditions of employment and application forms can be obtained from the Administration Department, NUJ, Headland House, 308 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DP; email personnel@nuj.org.uk; telephone 020 7843 3700.

Live from Belfast

Just a reminder that Sue and I are here at the ADM representing the branch, so if there's anything you want to say about any of the motions after about No 30 you're too late for that) then let us know (email, text) and we'll pass it on to a roomful of keen-eyed journalist delegates. We're both checking our mail etc. and not in any way nervous about talking to such a large audience. Oh no. ;)

The Journalist online: download your copy

The NUJ magazine Journalist has gone online with its April 2008 issue, downloadable in pdf or html formats, as the whole magazine or as separate articles. As a one-off experiment, this issue is not being printed or mailed to members. The idea is to save on the cost of printing and posting, and to see how members would like to receive their journal.
The main feature is an interview with union member Nick Davies - "the man who rocked the boat" - whose book Flat Earth News makes the claim that what we do now is really "churnalism". All that most journalists can do with the work pressures on them is to continually recycle unchecked stories, he says. It's a betrayal of real journalism - and the NUJ agrees. There's an audio clip of Nick Davies talking to Journalist editor Tim Gopsill about why he wrote the book.
Click on the title to view the Journalist.
The union is asking for feedback on this experiment. Email your views to journalist@nuj.org.uk

Meeting Minutes - Brighton NUJ 26th March 2008

Brighton NUJ Meeting Minutes – 26th March 2008

For those of you who didn’t brave the rain for the meeting, and stayed in to watch the England Match, this is what you missed:

1. A vote was passed to pass membership applications for Nicola Kim Davies and John Senior, and welcome them into the NUJ.
2. Meeting venues were discussed, and the Cornerstone near Palmeira Square was considered as a possible venue, as was the Nelson pub. Any ideas are welcome.
3. Possible subjects to bring up at the ADM were discussed, and it was agreed that a potential agreement of ‘NUJ photographers not writing, and NUJ writers not photographing’ would be raised if possible.
4. Pay issues at the Argus were discussed, with regards to the recent 3% pay offer. Argus rep Tim feels the offer should be inline with inflation at 4.1%, but isn’t sure how effective it would be for the NUJ to push for a higher offer in this instance.
5. Maria Macarthy, non-fiction writer, was discussed as a possible speaker for a future meeting, and it was agreed she should be contacted.

New mental health reporting guidelines

The NUJ has welcomed the launch of a new handbook which aims to help journalists report on mental health issues. Download a copy here.

NUJ Black Members Conference

Is there a glass ceiling for Black journalists? is the title for this year's Black Members conference being held on 8 March at NUJ HQ, Headland House, 308 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DP. Registration is at 10.30am and lunch and refreshments will be provided. This is an opportunity to meet other NUJ Black members and to influence the work of the NUJ Black Members Council. For more information contact lenac@nuj.org.uk

NUJ publishes Annual Report

The NUJ 2007 Annual Report is now available. It includes reports from all sections of the union on their activities in 2007/8 as well as breakdowns of the unions finances. Go to nuj.org.uk to find this and the new rule book from the rule-changing ADM in 2007. The results of recent elections to the National Executive for 2008 to 2009 are also available.

Journalist Network & meet up

Nicci Talbot has organised what she hopes is a regular event for freelance journalists and writers located in Hastings.

The first meet is 6pm Thursday March 6th at Walkers - the bar next door to the Creative Media Centre - in Robertson Street.

Walkers have a special offer on cocktails between 5pm and 7pm - 2 for 1 - so you will have to introduce yourself to at least one person to get the discount!

Contact Nicci via her website http://www.niccitalbot.com

One for your diary, ladies

International Women's Day celebrations.

Wednesday 12 March

Winter Gardens, Eastbourne

The TUC Women's Committee are holding a rally to highlight the campaign for women's equal rights at work, home and in civil society. For more information contact lenac@nuj.org.uk

And another for those "in town"

Announcing a new meeting for The London Reporters and Journalists Meetup Group!

What: The London Reporters and Journalists' MeetUp

When: Tuesday, February 26, 7:15 PM

Where: Click the link below to find out!

Meeting Description: Meet journalists, editors, freelancers and writers from London and South East to network, get advice, and make new friends. This is a friendly group with a wide variety of members offering great networking opportunities, as its regular attendees will know!

NB. Many thanks to everyone who came along to the January meeting and making me feel welcome - being a newbie myself. It was really nice to meet such an interesting collection of people, long may it continue! - Anya

Learn more here:
http://journo.meetup.com/63/calendar/7235463/

In London next week?

Women in Publishing Event - Working in Magazine Publishing
Wednesday, 13 February 2008

What could be more glamorous than working in magazines?

Probably quite a lot of things, as you'll find out at our February meeting,
where two speakers will give us the lowdown on a world that is light years
away from Ugly Betty but in its own way quite addictive.

First, Rachel Roberts, popular culture journalist and broadcaster, will talk
to us about her experience on publications ranging from Grazia, First and
Closer to Now and Spirit & Destiny.

Sophie Wybrew-Bond, our second speaker, is the Projects Director across
women's media for Emap and acting MD of Heat magazine. She has worked on
consumer magazines for the past 10 years, initially as head of marketing for
men's lifestyle and music titles in the Emap stable. She worked on the
relaunch of Heat (which changed from a men's to a women's title in 2000) and
was launch publisher of Close, remaining in that role for five years. She
recently launched First magazine.

Meeting details

Time: 6.30 for 7 p.m
Venue: University Women's Club,
2 Audley Square, London W1
Nearest Tube: Green Park, Marble Arch
Admission: members free, guests £4.50 (no booking required)

Your dough

Hot news here from the banks of the Dnipro in coldest Kyiv where the branch bank statements are still turning up thanks to my mum.

Anyway, the branch has 2,911 quid plus 46 pence in the account. Same as last month actually, so it's not really hot news.

But bear in mind that you probably drank 300 pounds of this at the Christmas do.