In a statement NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet and Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley confirmed they would be available to meet representatives of the Ulster Political Research Group, who have responded to the NUJ condemnation of a death threat issued against a Belfast journalist over the weekend.

 

"We take the death threat against our member very seriously. The fact that he was named in graffiti along with his mobile phone number on strategically placed locations is a clear indication of the intention - the intimidation of an investigative journalist. The very direct threat to his life cannot be ignored. In so far as the UDA statement we are giving it a guarded welcome," Michelle Stanistreet said. 

 

Séamus Dooley said journalists were shocked by the threat to the NUJ member and were innundated with messages of support.

 

"We are availabe to meet with the Ulster Poltical Research Group to discuss our concerns. We welcome the high level of support from all sections of the community in Northern Ireland. Threat to workers, whatever role they perform, have no place in a democratic society. Media workers must be allowed to carry out their functions and to ask difficult, probing questions without fear of death threats. If the UPRG can assist us in our aim of making Northern Ireland a safer place for journalists we are happy to meet with them. 

 

"This development is also a reminder to employers that they need to be aware of their duty of care to journalists - reporters and photogrpahers. We need to be ever mindful of the risks faced by journalists engaged in frontline duties."

 

   

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