1 THE IRISH JOURNALIST Newsletter of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland Summer 2021 Journalist Lyra McKee will be remembered on Thursday at a special event in the lead-up to DM weekend. Last month, Derry council buildings, including City of Derry Airport, the council offices and the Guildhall were lit in rainbow colours to celebrate Lyra's life and mark the two-year anniversary of her tragic murder. (See page 4). Online DM key to the future By Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary union’s response to the Covid crisis, featuring Future The multiple challenges facing the NUJ will be of Media Commission member Siobhan Holliman. brought into sharp focus at the union’s first ever Thursday’s public service broadcasting commission online delegate meeting on May 21st and 22nd. will hear from a diverse range of speakers, including Irish language producer and RTÉ Trade Union Group DM 2021 takes place against the backdrop of the Secretary Cearbhall Ó Síocháin. global Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a At 6.30pm on Thursday night, the NUJ will catastrophic impact on the media across all remember Lyra McKee with a special panel platforms. discussion including Lyra’s partner Sara Canning, her The financial consequences of the media crisis and friend and colleague Kathryn Johnston and ICTU the financial measures needed to secure the long- Assistant General Secretary Owen Reidy. term future of the NUJ as an independent, cross- Throughout the week there will also be training border union for journalists will dominate the opening events. While conference is confined to delegates and day of conference while the report of General nominated observers, the week-long programme of Secretary Michelle Stanistreet will focus on events is open to all members. outstanding achievements by the union at a time of The Covid pandemic, the union’s news recovery unprecedented demands for service. plan and threats to journalists and journalism will be In the run-up to the formal conference there is a among the topics discussed at the conference, wide range of seminars, meetings and events open to chaired by President Sian Jones. all union members. Among the highlights will be Monday’s talk on the Continued on page 3 A week of online events for DM 2021, pages 3-4; Journalism: Not just busin€ss, pages 6-7; Minding your digital footprint, page 15. 2 EDITOR’S NOTE Important work ahead for delegates The Delegate Meeting is an opportunity every two One of the biggest issues on the agenda for the years for activists from across the union to come future of our union will be the proposed rise in subs, together to discuss and decide issues of importance. which would be the first in seven years. There will This year, Covid restrictions means we will not be always be opportunities for people on lower salaries able to meet in person – and led to DM being to apply to avail of the reduced contribution rate, but postponed for a year – but the work to be done is as Chris Frost, Finance Committee chair, has reported important as ever. With motions from branches on the need for the union to secure this increase if it across the sectors and regions, the agenda provides is to continue to provide members with the services an important look at priorities and concerns across they deserve. There was a report from Chris in the the union. Winter 2019 issue of The Irish Journalist, in advance The fact that DM 2021 is online will also make it of what was to be the 2020 Delegate Meeting. more accessible to members, and that is to be welcomed. It wouldn’t be surprising if there are * * * delegates and observers who may have been If there are developments around your branch or interested in taking part in previous years but were chapel for The Irish Journalist, please contact us at not in a position to travel. [email protected]. And in the week leading up to DM there is a rich Carolyn Farrar programme of online events and workshops open to Editor, The Irish Journalist all members. Creativity in visual NUJ Extra is journalism discussion with Bryan O’Brien The Dublin P&PR branch is hosting a free online there for you discussion next month with award-winning Irish The union’s charity NUJ Extra is launching a third wave Times photographer and video journalist Bryan of support for NUJ members who have suffered lost O’Brien. work as a result of Covid-19 and lockdowns. Bryan, a three-time winner at the UK Picture NUJ Extra have committed to providing funding until Editor’s Guild awards, will speak about the value June 21st. Members who have lost work due to the of creativity and rethinking in visual journalism, effects of the pandemic or the response to it should and his use of Twitter and Instagram to promote contact NUJ Extra using their online form if possible, and display photography and video. though a paper version is available. The branch organises two or more seminars Members who have claimed before and members each year; this is its first for 2021. who have not yet claimed are urged to apply. If you The event is at 6.30pm, Wednesday, June 9th. claim now for the first time and NUJ Extra can see that The event is free, but registration is required at you would have benefited from previous support, they https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/nuj-ppr-branch- will backdate the payment to you. creativity-and-visual-journalism-with-bryan- NUJ Extra trustees urge all NUJ members to seek obrien-tickets-152252757095?ref=estw out those colleagues who need our help and Spaces are limited, so people are urged to book encourage them to get in touch. early. To apply you need to show that you have paid full NUJ membership subscriptions for at least one year; details or examples of work lost or the impact on your NUJ condolences livelihood; and that you have claimed all benefits to Sympathy is extended to Irish Secretary Séamus which you are entitled and accessed any government Dooley on the death of his partner of 19 years, support available. Brian Cooke. To all other members, NUJ Extra says this: Please do Brian, who died suddenly and peacefully at home what you can to fundraise for NUJ Extra. There has recently, will be familiar to many members of the never been a more important time to donate. union through his attendance at NUJ events and You can reach NUJ Extra at [email protected]. functions over the years. 3 NOT JUST FOR THE CRISIS YEARS: DM 2021 Gear up for DM with a week of special events A week of online events, taster training sessions, Bazalgette, ITV chair; Owen Evans, S4C chief trade union workshops, and a Friday social, will lead executive; and Patrick Barwise, author, The War into the union’s first online DM. Against the BBC. On Thursday, May 20th, at 6.30pm, there will also Lunchtime skills sessions be a special event, Remembering Lyra McKee, with a Monday, May 17th, 12.30-2.30pm, News writing with panel including Lyra’s partner Sara Canning, her friend David McKay, NUJ Training Scotland; Tuesday, May and colleague Kathryn Johnston and ICTU Assistant 18th, 12.30-1.30pm, Podcasting with Dan Mason; General Secretary Owen Reidy. Wednesday, May 19th, 12.30-1.30pm, Social media Details and booking information for all events are at campaigning with Dan Mason; Thursday, May 20th, the NUJ website, www.nuj.org.uk introduction to scriptwriting with James Doherty, NUJ Talk-ins Training Scotland; Thursday, May 20th, 3-4pm, Fast Monday May 17th, 5pm: Following the Road Map: and free online tools for journalists with Dan Mason. NUJ's News Recovery Plan. (See story, page 4) Trade union workshops Tuesday, May 18th, 5pm: The Right to Know, with NUJ Tuesday, May 18th, 12 noon to 1pm, Equality in action, President Sian Jones; Rob Evans, The Guardian; with Natasha Hirst, Equality Council chair; Caroline Jenna Corderoy, openDemocracy; investigative Holmes, NUJ reps training; Frederica Cocco, FT rep; journalist Paul Lashmar; and Tim Dawson, NEC. and Raj Ford, BBC rep; Wednesday, May 19th, 12 noon Wednesday, May 19th, 5pm: International solidarity, to 1pm, Organising and recruitment in a hybrid/remote with Jeremy Dear, deputy general secretary, IFJ, and workplace with Caroline Holmes, NUJ reps training panel. co-ordinator. Thursday, May 20th, 5pm: Defending public service Friday night social broadcasting, with Rebecca Keating, Radio 4; Cearbhall Ó Síocháin, RTÉ Trade Union Group Friday, May 21st, 7.30pm, with comedian Mark secretary and Irish language producer; Jo Stevens, Thomas; comedian Shazia Mirza; and musical satirists Labour media and digital shadow secretary; Sir Peter Johnny & the Baptists. Online Delegate Meeting is the key to the future Continued from page 1 Grade 2020 (as now) 2021 2022 Inevitably it is the issue of the union’s finances Grade one: £180pa £192pa £204pa which has generated most debate in the run-up to (€216) (€228) (€240) DM. Grade two: £216pa £240pa £252pa The Irish Executive Council and a number of Irish (€276) (€300) (€312) branches have already indicated support for a motion by the union’s National Executive Council for an Grade three: £300pa £336pa £348pa increase in subscriptions rates which Chris Frost, (€372) (€408) (€420) chair, Finance Committee, has warned is an essential pre-requisite to the union’s survival. Despite significant efforts union membership has In an unprecedented move the NUJ’s staff unions in declined overall and paying membership has fallen by Ireland, SIPTU and the officials’ chapel, are writing to 21.8% over the past 10 years, from 28,170 to 22,027.