Next Branch Meeting: 3 February at the Lord Nelson

Next Branch meeting:
Monday, 3 February, 7.30pm
Lord Nelson (back room), Trafalgar Street BN1

Agenda

• Welcome and apologies
• New members
• Reports
• Delegates meeting motions and amendments
• Future meetings
• AOB

Page 3, freedom of speech and a great big blob of inequality

Photo by Bridget Hodgson

With the title 'Jealous flat-chested bints' and the speaker one Caroline Lucas MP, it was hardly a surprise that the Brighton and Sussex NUJ talk on Thursday 23 January at the Red Roaster was packed. Tickets sold out in a few days and people hoping to nab a return on the night were turned away disappointed.

The debate on sexism in the media, centred around the No More Page 3 campaign, was hosted by radio producer and presenter Melita Dennett. Since the campaign began in the summer of 2012 it has elicited a strong response from a wide cross-section of the population – both women and men – who think images of topless women in family newspapers should be consigned to history. In the past few days both the parenting website Mumsnet and comedian and actor Russell Brand have given their considerable support to the campaign.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, explained that the campaign is not asking for an all out ban across all media, but is instead asking for a voluntary agreement from The Sun's editor David Dinsmore to stop picturing topless women on Page 3 where children as well as adults can easily see them. But it's not just involuntary exposure that is worrying the campaigners: amongst numerous reports cited by them on the No More Page 3 website is the government-commissioned Sexualisation of Young People Review by Dr Linda Papadopoulos, published in February 2010, which reported: "Exposure to the sexualised female ideal is linked with lower self-esteem, negative moods and depression in young women and girls." It also concluded there is "a clear link between consumption of sexualised images, a tendency to view women as objects and the acceptance of aggressive attitudes and behaviour as the norm."

To those who suggested that the campaign could be accused of crushing freedom of speech, Lucas responded: "Women have the freedom not to be denigrated or abused. it's not calling for a total ban – to me it seems pretty reasonable."

Other questions centred on whether enough is being done in schools to educate children in how to behave online – no, in Lucas's opinion. Given the government's current narrow focus on traditional curriculum, she explained, other extra-curriculum subjects are being left out. "It's incredibly frustrating that this is seen as a divergence from education, as to me it is an essential part of education," said Lucas. "Education is going to be at the bottom of this. No matter how sophisticated the porn filters...they will always find a way if they are determined enough."

When asked how she would respond to accusations that there are more important issues to be debated, Lucas replied: "We will look at those too. That [accusation] is a very lazy way of dealing with a subject when people don't want to debate it. There are bigger problems, so let's get on with this one and then move on."

Tweeting Rupert Murdoch, the founder of The Sun's owner News Corp, and other publishers was discussed as being a good way to effect change. "I do get the sense that the more annoyed he [Murdoch] gets on a personal level, that he might drop it," said Lucas. Targeting advertisers and embarrassing them with their complicity was another approach that was discussed as being profitable.

Lucas was confident that the end of Page 3 will be soon. Opponents may be vocal – and on Twitter, frequently vicious – but she maintained that they have a weak argument. "There is certainly a lot of righteous anger out there that doesn't stand up to a lot of challenge." Another reason for her confidence is the younger generation: "We're at a time when young people are more politicised, and their willingness to stand up and call out sexism is so much greater. There is a real kickback happening."

The Irish Sun stopped printing pictures of topless women in August 2013 and with a specific domestic abuse law looking likely within the next few years, perhaps women can start to feel hopeful that true equality is possible. Before that happens, the House of Commons could do with a look at its own affairs – only 22.6% of UK MPs are female, a lower percentage than in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. As Dennett put it so succinctly: "A great big blob of inequality is staring us in the face." The campaigners for No More Page 3 are hopeful that they can start to shrink that blob.

Rachael Glazier

If you'd like to hear the debate then listen to Radio Reverb soon.

'Jealous flat-chested bints' - NUJ talk on media, sexism and freedom of expression with Caroline Lucas MP

Next meeting: Red Roaster, 23 January 2014 at 8pm

This meeting has now SOLD OUT! If you have a ticket but can no longer go, please release it so someone can take your place.

'Jealous flat-chested bints': media, sexism and freedom of expression - old problems, new challenges

'Jealous flat-chested bints' is how one Twitter troll chose to use their freedom of expression in the face of the highly successful No More Page Three campaign. Last year Brighton MP Caroline Lucas won national media attention when she was chastised for ‘inappropriate’ attire while wearing a campaign T-shirt in the House of Commons during a debate on media sexism.

The UK’s only Green MP is the NUJ Brighton & Sussex branch’s first speaker of 2014. She joins the branch on 23 January to discuss ways that journalists, broadcasters and public figures can challenge old fashioned sexism and discrimination in the media and the new forms of harassment experienced through social media.

Caroline is also a vocal campaigner against the ‘gagging law’, officially called the transparency of lobbying, non-party campaigning and trade union administration bill. This talk will also explore the implications of this dangerous, anti-democratic piece of legislation on freedom of expression for unions, campaigners and NGOs and ways to resist it.

There will be time for Q&A.

This event is being recorded for future broadcast on Radio Reverb.

Due to expected high demand for this event, there will be free early bird registration until 16 January for NUJ members and Sound Women members; thereafter £2. Non-members welcome at £2. Book now at Eventbrite.

Add your name to the growing list of backers for the Women’s Assembly Against Austerity.

The People’s Assembly is pleased to announce the Women’s Assembly conference date as announced in the Guardian, to take place on Saturday 22 February 2014 at Conway Hall, London.

Photo by Linda Nylind

Also coming up:

Red Roaster, 11 March 2014, at 8pm

'Undercover': how the police used infiltration and intimacy to gather information on non-violent activists - with investigative journalist Rob Evans

Investigative journalist Rob Evans, working with colleague Paul Lewis, laid bare an undercover operation so secretive that some of the UK’s most senior police officers had no idea it existed. The job of the clandestine unit was to monitor British 'subversives' – including environmental activists, anti-racist groups and animal-rights campaigners.

Due to the compelling work of these dogged journalists, and the publication of their book Undercover, we now know how the police stole the identities of dead people to create fake passports, driving licences and bank accounts. They then went deep undercover for years, inventing whole new lives so that they could live incognito among the people they were spying on.

They used sex, intimate relationships and drugs to build their credibility. They betrayed friends, deceived lovers and even fathered children.

The NUJ Brighton & Sussex branch is delighted to host Rob Evans to talk about his work and the issues raised in Undercover.

Rob will also reveal how journalists reporting on politically sensitive stories and attending protests and political meetings can find themselves on the police’s ‘domestic extremist’ database – and how to use the Data Protection Act to find out if that applies to you.

Read a review from the London Review of Books here.

Book now at Eventbrite. Due to expected high demand for this event, there will be free early bird registration for NUJ members until 4 March; thereafter £2. Non-members welcome at £2.

January union events

Here are a few Trades Council events that may be of interest to NUJ members:

Wednesday 8 January
Brighton Peoples Assembly Open Meeting on Fuel Poverty
7:30pm Community Base, Queens Road

Tuesday 14 January
Candlelit picket of workfare exploiters Grosvenor G Casino
meet at the Pier 7pm

Friday 17 January
No charges against the Sussex Five! Demonstration against disciplinary action!
1pm Library Square, Sussex Uni

Sunday 19 January
Brighton Benefits Campaign fund-raising roast
Cowley Club 1-3pm

Stand by for news of the next Branch meeting, with speaker!

Next Branch Meeting

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ Branch Meeting
Monday, 6 January, 7pm
The Lord Nelson (back room), Trafalgar Street, BN1(down the hill from the station)

AGENDA: 

• Welcome 
• New members 
• Reports 
• Delegates Meeting preliminary agenda - branch motions and amendments 
• Election of DM delegates (please email nominations to Phil) 
• Planning Caroline Lucas meeting January 23 
• Other future meetings 
• Branch committee reorganisation 
• Any other business

Brighton and Hove first in the country to oppose the gagging law

From the 38 Degrees team:

Great News! Last Thursday Brighton and Hove became the first place in the country to formally oppose the gagging law.

Brighton and Hove councillors debated and passed a motion against the gagging law*.  38 Degrees members sent over 1600 emails to councillors asking them to back the campaign for freedom of speech - and it definitely had an effect! Councillors don’t often get involved in Westminster policies, so the fact that this motion was voted on - and passed - just shows how controversial the gagging law is.

And in the lead up to January’s massive public meeting on the gagging law, news like this is really important.

Mike Weatherley, the MP for Hove, has still not said he’s coming. And Simon Kirby, Brighton Kemptown MP, has put the date in his diary, but hasn’t 100% confirmed yet. The more the gagging law is on the local political agenda, the more pressure these MPs will be under to join in the debate.

Make sure you’ve saved the date for the public meeting in your diary! It’s on Thursday 9th January, and it looks like it’s going to be an amazing event.

If you haven’t done so already you can RSVP on facebook here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/Brighton-Public-Meeting

Or in the comments section of the blog here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/Come-to-a-meeting-in-Brighton

This could spark a movement in councils across the UK. Brighton and Hove was the first council to take a stand and publicly oppose the gagging law, but it could inspire other councils to do the same thing!

Thanks so much for all your hard work,

Megan, Becky, Rebecca & the 38 Degrees team

* This is the motion the councillors debated on. It passed with 34 votes in favour, 16 against, and 1 abstention:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/motion-to-oppose-gagging-law

Xmas Social

There will be an informal Xmas social, at The North Laine pub, Gloucester Place, Brighton, on Thursday 19th December from 6pm onwards. Free drinks for early birds. Food available. See you there?

Christmas is cancelled (maybe!)

Because of disappointing ticket sales, it is with regret that the Xmas Party at Emporium has been cancelled. We are hoping to reconvene in a smaller venue, later in the month, so watch this space.

Christmas Party!

It's nearly December and that means just one thing: the NUJ Christmas Party!

This year it will take place at 8pm on Monday 9th December at the exciting new venue Emporium on London Road, Brighton.

There will be entertainment, in the form of the Trades Union Movement's favourite rabble-rousing band Pog, free food, subsidised beer and, of course, the chance to meet other journos and their friends.

Everyone welcome - bring your friends! Tickets are £5 each and available from Eventbrite. 

See you there.

Revised motions for DM

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ
Motions for 2014 Delegates Meeting

New membership category

This DM notes that:

• The proliferation of digital media has drawn many 'non-journalists' into journalistic work
• Many people performing journalistic work are not strictly eligible for NUJ membership, not only making them vulnerable to exploitation through, for instance, unpaid work, but also putting them outside the ethical framework the NUJ can provide through the Code of Conduct

This DM instructs the NEC to explore the potential and practicalities of a new membership category that will enable the recruitment of people who do journalistic work but do not see the relevance of the NUJ to themselves or may not be eligible to join.

Membership applications

This DM notes the complicated and confusing structure of the online application process to join the NUJ that may inhibit recruitment.

This DM instructs the NEC to sort it out please.

Press regulation

This DM notes

• The ongoing debate on press regulation and the fundamental disagreements between industry representatives, politicians, and special interest groups 
• The need for journalists - not editors or owners - to express a clear and representative view on regulation 
• The changing situation since the union's submissions to the Leveson Enquiry

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Review the union's position and organise a union-wide ballot to vote for or against a system of independent press regulation underpinned by statute, thereby establishing a unified policy expressed by the whole membership.
2. Ensure the NUJ enjoys full representation on any bodies that result from this debate

Press freedom

This DM notes the erosion of free speech exemplified in the treatment of The Guardian newspaper over the Edward Snowden affair, and that journalists are increasingly being regarded as the equivalent of terrorists and legitimate targets of state security measures.

This DM instructs the NEC to highlight this issue and redouble its support for journalistic integrity and press freedom.

War on austerity

This DM welcomes a motion carried by the TUC at its conference last September calling for mass joint strikes and peaceful civil disobedience across the country to “wage war on the politics of austerity”.

This DM notes:

• 13 million living in poverty, up by a million since the British government coalition came to power.
• 1.8 million families on housing waiting lists.
• half a million people now reliant on food banks.
• one million workers languishing on zero hour contracts.
• 2.5 million unemployed and 6.8 million more looking for more work.

This DM congratulates the TUC Congress for supporting unions taking co-ordinating action, including strikes, as the most effective way to break the cycle of pay restraint and cuts in jobs and services.

This DM agrees that an anti-austerity campaign should include mass industrial action, including a general strike, to oppose the cuts and the wrecking of the welfare state as well as a nationwide march against poverty in 2014.

This DM believes the money spent on waging war should be spent on food banks, putting people back to work, improving education and providing dignity for our elderly, not debt and despair.

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Campaign among the membership to support co-ordinated strikes with other unions against austerity cuts, pay and job losses in the media.
2. Campaign within the TUC for unions to name the day for co-ordinated strikes as soon as possible.

Agenda for next meeting and Motions for DM

Tuesday, 19 November, 7.30pm sharp
Red Roaster Cafe, St James Street, Brighton
Non-members welcome from 8.15pm

The next meeting will also consider motions for the NUJ Delegates Meeting.

Full agenda

1. Election of new members
2. Reports
3. Motions for DM (see below)
4. Any other branch business
5. Speaker: Dave Boyle
6. Questions and discussion

Will members please ensure they are at the Red Roaster by 7.30pm prompt.

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ

Motions received for 2014 Delegates Meeting

Comments please to philmellows@btinternet.com

New membership category
This DM notes that:

• The proliferation of digital media has drawn many 'non-journalists' into journalistic work
• Many people performing journalistic work are not strictly eligible for NUJ membership, not only making them vulnerable to exploitation through, for instance, unpaid work, but also putting them outside the ethical framework the NUJ can provide through the Code of Conduct

This DM instructs the NEC to explore the potential and practicalities of a new membership category that will enable the recruitment of people who do journalistic work but do not see the relevance of the NUJ to themselves or may not be eligible to join.

Membership applications
This DM notes the complicated and confusing structure of the online application process to join the NUJ that may inhibit recruitment.

This DM instructs the NEC to sort it out please.

Press regulation
This DM notes

• The ongoing debate on press regulation and the fundamental disagreements between industry representatives, politicians, and special interest groups 
• The need for journalists - not editors or owners - to express a clear and representative view on regulation 
• The changing situation since the union's submissions to the Leveson Enquiry

This DM instructs the NEC to review the union's position and organise a union-wide ballot to vote for or against a system of independent press regulation underpinned by statute, thereby establishing a unified policy expressed by the whole membership.

War on austerity
This DM welcomes a motion carried by the TUC at its conference last September calling for mass joint strikes and peaceful civil disobedience across the country to “wage war on the politics of austerity”.

This DM notes:

• 13 million living in poverty, up by a million since the British government coalition came to power.
• 1.8 million families on housing waiting lists.
• half a million people now reliant on food banks.
• one million workers languishing on zero hour contracts.
• 2.5 million unemployed and 6.8 million more looking for more work.

This DM congratulates the TUC Congress for supporting unions taking co-ordinating action, including strikes, as the most effective way to break the cycle of pay restraint and cuts in jobs and services.

This DM agrees that an anti-austerity campaign should include mass industrial action, including a general strike, to oppose the cuts and the wrecking of the welfare state as well as a nationwide march against poverty in 2014.

This DM believes instead of proposing spending millions on war on Syria the money should be spent on waging war on food banks, putting people back to work, improving education and providing dignity for our elderly, not debt and despair.

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Campaign among the membership to support co-ordinated strikes with other unions against austerity cuts, pay and job losses in the media.
2. Campaign within the TUC for unions to name the day for co-ordinated strikes as soon as possible.

The Branch is also seeking nominations for the following posts

• NEC
• Ethics Council
• Photographers Council
• Industrial Councils - Broadcasting, Freelance, Magazine & Book, New Media, Newspapers & Agencies, PR & Information.

Next meeting: 19 November - Dave Boyle on 'Making the news'

Making the news: How local press can survive and thrive 
Speaker: Dave Boyle

Tuesday, 19 November, 7.30pm sharp
Red Roaster Cafe, St James Street, Brighton
Non-members welcome from 8.15pm

Following the success of our meeting featuring investigative journalist Nick Davies, which attracted an audience of 80 people from inside and outside the NUJ, the next in our series of open talks will debate the future of local news.

Some 25% of UK local authorities have no independent local paper, and that figure is set to increase. Pessimists say we’re seeing the end of the local press in a meaningful sense, yet at the same time assert that the sector is essential. Why is something so important on life support, and how can the patient be revived?

Among the many magic bullets suggested, one much neglected is the idea of making news owned and operated as a service, not a product, by the people who will care most if it’s not there.

Dave Boyle is a writer and co-operative business consultant, and former chief executive of campaign group Supporters Direct. His pamphlet Good News looked at the opportunities for community-owned media.

In 2013, he collaborated with the Carnegie Trust and Co-operatives UK on ‘Make Your Local News Work’, a highly popular nationwide series of events to explore co-operative and community ownership, and is now working with six pilot projects that resulted from the scheme.

His talk on the challenges, opportunities and future for local press - and the impact on journalists - is a must for anyone involved or interested in media.

This meeting will also consider motions for the NUJ Delegates Meeting.

Full agenda

• Election of new members
• Reports
• Motions (please submit motions to the branch secretary by November 11) 
• Any other branch business
• Speaker: Dave Boyle
• Questions and discussion

This event is free, but to make sure of your seat and help us plan, please register your attendance with Eventbrite.

NUJ Branch banner at the NHS rally

The Branch banner was in evidence again at the No to NHS Privatisation at Brighton Hospitals rally called by the GMB and Defend the NHS Sussex on Saturday 2 November. The NUJ's was the only non health union banner on the march of about 500-600 people. The photo above shows Branch Chair Adam Powley and the one below (taken by Nick Hider) shows Branch Secretary Phil Mellows.

Next meeting: 'Inside Stories' with Nick Davies, 21 October 2013

Nick Davies

The next Branch meeting will be at the Red Roaster, bottom of St James's Street, Brighton on 21 October 2013 at 8pm. Nick Davies of the Guardian will be giving a talk entitled 'Inside Stories' and it will largely take the form of a question and answer session - about the phone-hacking saga, Wikileaks, Flat Earth News, the NSA leaks, reporting technique, anything at all… If you have any questions, send them in.

As this will be a very popular meeting, we encourage members and friends to book tickets on Eventbrite. Tickets will be £3 (£5 after the 15th), which includes a drink - a choice of cask beers from the North Laine Brewery, a glass of wine, a bottle of lager or a soft drink - to help cover the cost of the venue.



Nick Davies is a freelance journalist, working regularly as special correspondent for the Guardian. In the last few years, he was centrally involved in the publication of secret US logs and cables obtained by Wikileaks and in exposing the phone-hacking scandal in Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper empire.

He is now working on a book about Murdoch and the hacking affair, due to be published in the UK, US, Canada, China and Western Europe when related criminal trials are finished, probably during 2014. More info on his website.

NUT strike, NHS rally and other forthcoming events

Thursday 17 October
NUT/NASUWT Strike
March and Rally meet 10:30am Pavilion Gardens

The rolling regional strike action by the NUT and NASUWT teaching unions hits the South East this Thursday 17 October. Please show you support by attending the strike day march and rally which will form up in The Pavilion Gardens at 10:30am. If you are a parent please also send a message of support to union reps at your child’s school – It makes a real difference.

Thursday 24 October

Zero Hours & Workfare - Our Employment Rights Under Attack

Public meeting co-sponsored by Brighton Benefits Campaign and Brighton & Hove Trades Union Council.

7.30 at Friends Meeting House
Speakers include:
Caroline Lucas MP
Pip Tindall Brighton Benefits Campaign
Glenn Kelly UNISON
Kevin Dale PCS

Saturday 2 November
No to NHS Privatisation at Brighton Hospitals
Called By GMB and Defend the NHS Sussex
10:30am outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital

Other events coming up:

Tuesday 5 November
Brighton Fights Back Against Austerity
A Brighton Peoples Assembly event
Meet at midday at the Clock Tower

Thursday 10 November
Small Revolutions
Night of music in support of the Brighton Peoples Assembly
Lord Nelson 6pm

Saturday 30 November
Demonstration of Solidarity with Russian LGBTQ People
“To Russia with Love”
Speakers include Russian LGBTQ activists and Peter Tatchell
https://www.facebook.com/russiawithlovebrighton