Oi, what do you want?

Hi,

I'm currently compiling the Jan newsletter so if anyone has anything they'd like included, please let me know before 5 Jan.

I'd also like to have your views on what would make meetings more appealing. If we were to get some speakers to come along and, well, speak, what sort of person would you find interesting? A journalist/political person/author/local celebrity (Jordan anyone?!)? Any suggestions would be great.

We were thinking of holding a debate at some point in the next year, so are there any topics that would grab you? Would you be willing to join in?

We need ideas on what you want us to do, otherwise we will just keep on guessing and possibly getting it horribly wrong, so any input would be fabulous.

On a more mundane note, are Tuesday or Wednesday evenings better for meetings? And what time would suit?

All replies welcomed, even if it's to tell us what we are doing wrong.

Thanks,

Rachael

Fancy a drink?

Okay, so it's short notice, but there are drinks tonight (Weds 20 Dec) at the Black Horse pub from 8pm. It's organised by Matt Weston of Brighton Cluster, www.businessbricks.co.uk, with Brighton Farm, www.brightonfarm.com.

While it is aimed at freelancers, small business owners and inventors, anyone reading this is welcome to come along for a Christmas beverage or three. Please RVSP to Matt, matt@businessbricks.co.uk.

The Black Horse is on Church St, just down the hill from the Mash Tun and Wagon & Horses, or use this map if you don't know where that is http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=BN1+1UD.

We're going to be in the back room: go into pub and the door at the other end of the room is the door to the back room.

With directions like that there's no excuse for not turning up.

NO2ID

The National Union of Journalists has voted overwhelmingly to affiliate to NO2ID, the UK-wide campaign opposing the government's planned ID card and National Identity Register. Members wishing to take part in the campaign can visit http://www.no2id/index.php

Christmas party

This is upstairs at the Western Front pub next to Churchill Square in Brighton on Wednesday December 13.

We will be there from 7.30pm. We have a budget of about £300 for the night!

Searchlight

Copy of December's Searchlight mag available, detailing latest activities of world's right-wingers and analysing the aftermath of the Nick Griffin trial. Email us nujbrighton@gmail.com and we can chuck it in the post.

ADM delegates

We have broken the 250 membership barrier and that means we can send three people to next year's Annual Delegate Meeting in Birmingham. In the past we've sent two people every year.

If you are interested in being one of those delegates then you need to be nominated and accepted at next month's meeting. In effect it comes down to voting on the night, though of course if there are only three nominations, they all go and there is no vote. So step forward if you fancy the job. The ADM is in mid-April.

Only restriction is that you can't be more than three calendar months in arrears with your subs. I will check but it may be that temporary members are ineligible to serve as delegates.

Journalism Matters

With the new state opening of Parliament the NUJ has re-launched the Journalism Matters campaign. 44 MPs representing all political parties have already signed up to support the campaign. Click here to read the Early Day Motion: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/284/. If your MP has not signed up then write to them and ask for their support. To email your MP visit http://www.writetothem.com and encourage them to sign EDM 284. Journalism Matters MP postcards, leaflets, mousemats and pens are still available, email campaigns@nuj.org.uk

NUJ training Jan-March timetable

NUJ's courses for January to March are online now. Topics range from podcasting to subediting to pitch and deal workshops.

Find out more at http://www.nujtraining.org.uk/show_courses.phtml?category=calendar. NUJ members are entitled to reduced fees.

If you wish to book on any of these courses, email Tracy Trickett at training@nuj.org.uk or telephone 020 7843 3717.

All courses take place at the NUJ head office, Headland House, 308-312 Grays Inn Road, London. Bookings are treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get yourself trained

Ever fancied getting more involved in your union? For those who are new lay reps or have ever thought about becoming one, the NUJ's trade union training programme includes three essential introductory courses as well as sessions on bullying and harassment, health and safety, organising for recruitment and public speaking for trade unionists.

These fully accredited courses are free and have been designed to meet the specific needs of NUJ members. All reasonable travel and accommodation costs are met by the union.

To see the course outlines and calendar visit www.nujtraining.org.uk and look under trade union training in the courses section or email deirdreh@nuj.org.uk telephone 020 7843 3730.

As well as our trade union training courses the union runs a full programme of professional training. See www.nujtraining.org.uk

Urgent Action: Help save the life of brave journalist

Colombian journalist Fredy Munoz Alatamiranda has been arrested by Colombia's notorious secret police after participating in a workshop organised by one of the BBC's US correspondents.

Friends believe his arrest on the grounds of “rebellion” is a result of his recent TV reports on forced displacement in Colombia and links between the government, army and paramilitaries.
This detention follows a pattern of persecution against independent journalists exercising their right to freedom of expression. Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a journalist. Few are brave enough to speak out - Fredy Munoz was.

Now he needs us to speak out for him. For further background information and a direct appeal from Fredy Munoz see www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1541

Please write letters/emails to the Colombian Ambassador requesting the Colombian government to:
Respect the life and physical and psychological integrity of Fredy Munoz Altamiranda
Respect due process and the right to defence.
Respect the right to freedom of expression.
Send protests to: mail@colombianembassy.co.uk and please copy letters to: info@justiceforcolombia.org

For further information see www.justiceforcolombia.org

Women In Media events

Women In Media - Breakfast Networking and Workshop
Date: Tuesday 28 November 2006
Time: 8.30am - 10am
Place: Walkers Bar, 48 Robertson St, Hastings. Tel: 01424 200230
Cost: £3.50 breakfast only.

At this workshop experienced trainer Hilary Kelsh will be discussing the art of negotiation and how it arises in many areas of our personal and working lives. Be it winning business or planning projects, salary, hours and workload, the ever present politics of promotion, hiring, firing or encouraging teamwork, negotiation is everywhere!

Women In Media Training - Pitching for Digital Media Business
Date: Tuesday 28 November 2006
Time: 10am- 1pm
Place: Hastings Creative Media Centre
Cost: £12.50, including lunch Register

A tough market and increasingly demanding clients can make winning new business a difficult and time consuming process. This half day business training seminar is designed to help local firms, freelancers and sole traders improve their chances of impressing decision makers, avoid common pitching pitfalls and promote their business services more effectively.

Special Deal - Attend both these events AND get lunch and breakfast for only £14!

For more information visit www.womeninmedia.co.uk/events/0611/training.asp, or call 01273 692 888 or email women@wiredsussex.com.

BBC No To Ads campaign

BBC union members are campaigning against plans to place adverts on the BBC News website. The plan to begin placing ads on the international-facing section of the website will lead to the increasing commercialisation of the website, renowned around the world for its independence from commercial concerns. Staff at the website, including many prominent correspondents have presented BBC managers with a petition and lobbied the Director General. The Board of Governors is to take a final decision on the issue shortly. Help back the campaign against creeping commercialisation.
Contact your MP and urge them to sign EDM 226 calling for the axing of plans to place advertisements on the BBC News website. Visit http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/Search.aspx to read the full text of the EDM. Use the link below to send an email to your MP http://www.writetothem.com/
For a full briefing on all the issues see http://www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1534

NUJ staffing changes announced

It's all change at the NUJ as some staff leave, others are promoted and another new post is created. Congratulations to all those who have been appointed to their new posts.
If you work in magazines, books or PR in England or Wales your new National Organiser is Sue Harris - who can be contacted on 020 7843 3714.
In the coming weeks Jenny Lennox is to take up the new role of Assistant Organiser (North of England) - she can be contacted in the Manchester Office on 0161 237 5020 or at nujmanchester@nuj.org.uk and Lawrence Shaw is to take up the role of Assistant Organiser (New Media and Wales)
There are currently 3 vacancies to work for the NUJ. Details are below:
Regional Organiser (North England)
Assistant Organiser (Broadcasting)
Assistant Organiser (Magazines, Books and PR) Fixed term 9 month contract
For information on these roles visit http://www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1540
Alternatively email info@nuj.org.uk for an application pack.

Latin America 2006

Conference in London organised by Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Justice for Colombia, T&G Latin American Workers Association and Venezuela Information Centre, on Saturday December 2.

Speakers include playwright Harold Pinter, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Frances O'Grady, deputy gen sec of TUC, Tariq Ali and Wayne Smith, former head of US interests section in Havana.

Register by credit card on 0207 263 6452 for a tenner. Event is at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1.

Last chance for ADM motions

Wednesday's meeting at the Nelson in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, is the last chance for the branch to put forward motions for consideration at next year's annual delegate meeting in Birmingham.

So if you have a burning issue that you want to see debated make sure you make the meeting.