The Irish Journalist
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1 THE IRISH JOURNALIST Newsletter of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland Winter 2019 Bee Army CEO Abdulaziz Almoayyad addresses the recent vigil for Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian Embassy, Dublin. The Bee Army is an online media agency whose first supporter was Jamal Khashoggi. See page 5 for full report. Photo: Derek Spiers BDC 2019: Defending journalism Delegates at the Biennial Delegate be marked by a formal presentation of books of Conference in Dublin on November 16th will condolences held by the union since her funeral. reflect on two years of significant In the introduction to his report Séamus challenges for the union in Ireland. Dooley, Irish Secretary, sets the tone for Jointly chaired by Gerry Carson and Bernie conference. Mullen, the conference will debate a range of “The theme of BDC 2019, ‘Defending motions on employment rights, terms and Journalism in Times of Crisis’, reflects the conditions of employment, and media freedom. current state of the media in Ireland. The While industrial and organisational issues are undermining of employment rights, threats to to the fore, sinister threats to media freedom public service broadcasting, the devaluing of and human rights will cast a shadow over freelance workers, lack of editorial investment proceedings. and the failure of government to tackle Owen Reidy, Assistant General Secretary, Irish precarious employment practices have Congress of Trade Unions will join in paying combined with technological innovations and tribute to Lyra McKee as delegates reflect on dramatic changes in consumer preferences to her murder and her legacy. BDC 2019 will be the exacerbate the sense of crisis within the Irish first national gathering since her death and will media." See pages 7-11 for conference preview. Pay claims in the pipeline, page 3; Members brought to book, pages 18-22; Media awards shortlist, pages 30,31; 2 EDITOR’S NOTE Planning the future, celebrating the past In a few days from now, delegates and union in the years ahead. other members from across the island will We are all encouraged to play a part in our gather in Dublin for the NUJ’s Biennial union, by working with our chapels and Delegate Conference, to highlight union branches on the ground, by bringing motions to actions for the coming two years. BDC and DM, and by following up to ensure More than that, the union that weekend will adopted motions are acted on. It’s our union. More than that, we are the union. also honour and celebrate its newest Life Members, recognising 30 members for 40 years *** of active union membership. The Irish Journalist is your publication. We These celebrations bring out the best of what encourage you to get in touch with local events we are, with a focus on issues of importance to and actions, new books by members, and other our members, and a well-deserved recognition matters of interest. Help us get your work and of those women and men who have kept the the work of your branches and chapels out to NUJ flag flying throughout their careers. members. Send any correspondence to If you haven’t yet had a chance to look [email protected]. through this year’s motions, you will find them in And, finally, thanks yet again to Brendan this issue. They represent not just words but Carroll for his unstinting work on the production actions, and those motions that BDC adopts this of The Irish Journalist. month will form part of the workload for the Carolyn Farrar, editor Holliman for Press Council From left, Trevor Birney, Gerry Carson, President Siobhan Holliman Michael D Higgins, Sabina Higgins, and Barry McCaffrey at Áras an Uachtaráin. Siobhan Holliman, deputy editor of The Tuam Herald, is the new NUJ ‘No Stone Unturned’ journalists representative to the Press Council of Ireland. attend president’s reception Siobhan succeeds Deaglán de Bréadún as the NUJ representative on the council. Journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey Siobhan has been a member of the IEC were the guests of President Michael D since 2013, when she job shared as a Higgins and his wife, Sabina, at Áras an provincial newspaper representative. She held Uachtaráin in June. the position of leas cathaoirleach of the IEC They were joined at the Áras by Gerry during the 2017-2019 term and has Carson, joint cathaoirleach of the IEC, who represented the IEC on several occasions. presented President Higgins with a piece of Siobhan has been with The Tuam Herald for Waterford crystal to recognise his support for the past 16 years. Prior to that she worked in journalists in the North. broadcasting for several years, including Mid- Trevor and Barry produced the powerful West Radio and Galway Bay fm. documentary, ‘No Stone Unturned’ about the Siobhan is an active member of the West of Loughinisland massacre. Ireland branch. 3 New pay claims are in the pipeline The NUJ Irish Office, working with chapels at “The Irish Office and our members have been The Irish News, Belfast Telegraph/Sunday Life flexible in their approach and where companies and JPI Media plans to bring further pay claims couldn’t afford a stand-alone percentage or for staff at those titles for 2020. lump sum pay increase, we fought for – and The NUJ is already engaging with frequently won – increased terms and management in Galway Bay FM, seeking a new conditions instead of a pay raise. pay agreement, and has already secured a 2 per “For example, we can negotiate an increase to cent increase, backdated to July, at JPI Media sick pay, more annual leave, better paternity or for 2019-2020. JPI owns the Newsletter, Morton maternity payments, or any other issue that our regional titles, and the Derry Journal. members ask us to fight for an improvement on. Ian McGuinness, Irish Organiser, said: “Every “So chapel reps should contact the Irish Office chapel in the country should be lodging a pay and ask for assistance in fighting for more pay, claim for 2020 but it must come from the or better terms and conditions, or both, for them chapel. Inflation impacts every worker, be they in 2020.” staff or freelance, or whether they work in local Officers or members from any NUJ chapel or national media. If you don’t ask for an who want assistance with lodging a pay claim increase your boss is unlikely to give you one can contact Ian at the Irish Office in Dublin on 01 out of the goodness of their heart. 8170340 or by email on [email protected]. Storm over Achill meeting camera ban The decision of a Fianna Fáil councillor to “Mr McNamara’s action are deeply disturbing. demand the ejection of a TG4 camera No public representative should seek to limit operator from a public meeting on proposals media access to a public meeting in this fashion. for a direct provision centre in Achill has “The issue of direct provision is of national been strongly criticised by the NUJ. importance and we cannot tolerate a situation whereby local public representatives decide Fergal Sweeney had been assigned to cover what journalists are allowed or not allowed to the meeting last month. On arrival in the venue cover meetings of this type. he was asked by Fianna Fáil councillor Paul “There can be circumstances where individual McNamara to leave, although print journalists speakers may wish not to speak in front of a were allowed to stay. camera or not wish to be identified, for Some of those present shouted “out, out, out” legitimate interests. as Mr Sweeney was denied the right to cover “Journalists are well used to dealing with the public meeting. sensitive situations. There does not seem to Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, NUJ, said: have been any reason Mr Sweeney was “This was a disturbing incident. Fergal Sweeney excluded, other than a desire to manage the was assigned to cover a public meeting in Achill, nature of media coverage. the meeting had been widely publicised and was “The presence of print and broadcast in no way a private event. I understand that Mr journalists at similar public meetings elsewhere Sweeney was asked to leave by Cllr McNamara. has been extremely useful in helping to He was also the subject of jeers and taunts of understand the context of local opinion and in at ‘out, out, out’ from some of those in attendance. least one case, highlighted attempts from Mr McNamara, as a public representative, had external forces to influence local opinion.” no right to challenge Mr Sweeney’s right to Branch members intend to formally raise this attend a meeting which was of enormous public issue at the next West of Ireland branch interest. meeting. 4 A guide to success and profit at the autumn freelance forum By Therese Caherty This autumn’s Freelance Forum (October 21st), “A guide to success and profit”, diverged from others that have come before. This seven-hour workshop had a single topic: instructing freelances on journalism and its business side. And it was very interactive – seating arrangements conspired to ensure this. Course tutor SA (Steven) Mathiesen provided a relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere, plenty of time for questions to share relevant personal experience, and sufficient role play to keep wandering minds on track. The forum also lent itself to catching up with old colleagues and networking with new ones. Ideal learning conditions. His refrain was the need for utmost clarity and organisation – calculate a daily rate on the cash you need to survive and thrive and the number of days you want to work per year. Confirm the bona fides of any potential employer.