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NUJ News
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48 hours of solidarity action
We commend members' solidarity in response to Israeli forces' continued targeted killings of journalists in Gaza, with branches organising impressive vigils and protests over the last two weeks.
From 26-27 August we’re encouraging members to participate in 48 hours of further solidarity action. On Wednesday 27 August, we're inviting members across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe to come together for a virtual vigil, starting at 12:30pm and ending no later than 1:15pm, to commemorate colleagues killed in the current Gaza conflict and to highlight the vital importance of press freedom. The vigil will be a webinar held via Zoom. Register here.
We’re also suggesting various actions members can take independently or collectively - either in branches, in the workplace, or at home:
- Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund, which offers financial and medical assistance to journalists around the world - including in Gaza.
- Join with branch or chapel members to agree collective statements of solidarity in line with our demands for the NUJ website.
- Sign our open letter calling for the UK government to exert serious pressure to protect journalists in Gaza and support an independent investigation to end impunity.
- Organise workplace actions, vigils or moments of reflection. For example hold a chapel or branch meeting and agree a collective donation to the fund or a statement.
- Post on social media to highlight this attack on the truth and press freedom. Download the NUJ graphics and use the #StopKillingJournalists hashtag.
This list is not proscriptive but please ensure that your activity is appropriate and organised with collective support of members and in liaison with your employer as required. We also remind members to take special care to adhere to your employer’s social media policy. Please contact [email protected] to share your activities with us and tag us on social media at @NUJofficial.
Solidarity vigils
Members are also continuing to organise in-person vigils across the coming weeks:
- The Glasgow branch will host a vigil at Buchanan Street Steps today (22 August) at 6pm.
- The Brussels branch will join the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and other affiliated unions outside Mont des Arts at 11:30am CET on 26 August.
- Derry & North West branch is holding a vigil in Guildhall Square, Derry, at 5pm on Wednesday 27 August.
- The London Freelance Branch will hold a vigil on 27 August at 5:30pm outside Downing Street, featuring a speech from prominent Gazan journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh.
- In Dublin, there will be a vigil on 27 August at 6pm at the Spire, O'Connell Street, organised by a group of NUJ members.
- The Newcastle branch will hold a vigil on 28 August from 5:30pm at Grey’s Monument, 150 Grainger Street.
- The Welsh Executive Council are organising a vigil on 28 August at 5:30pm in Central Square by the Betty Campbell statue.
Branches summit
The NUJ branches summit is fast approaching. Held on 13 September from 2pm-5pm, the summit will feature panel discussions, guest speakers, and opportunities for different branches to ask questions and share ideas. The summit will help shape the union's new recruitment and organising strategy so please encourage your branch to register and send delegates.
Events
An updated exhibition celebrates the work of award-winning journalist and NUJ member Dom Phillips, who was murdered alongside indigenous expert Bruno Pereira while researching a book on deforestation in the Amazon. 'For Dom, Bruno & the Amazon' runs until 2 September at Halton Mill, Lancaster. More details.
The Autumn 2025 Freelance Forum will be held at the Ireland Institute in Dublin on 20 October. Organised by the Dublin Freelance branch, the one-day event will feature an address from Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, as well as discussions and advice on copyright, pitching to the press, and funding opportunities - including the Lyra McKee Bursary. Tickets are €5 for NUJ members. Book your place.
Press council of Ireland: nomination of NUJ member
The NUJ is seeking a new board member for the Press Council of Ireland (PCI) as Siobhan Holliman steps down in September after six years of dedicated service. Candidates should have experience working in the print or digital media sector, knowledge of the media landscape and a minimum of three years of full NUJ membership. Experience as a chapel or branch activist is an advantage but not essential. There is no honorarium but travel and subsistence expenses are covered by the NUJ. Apply to Séamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary, via [email protected] or by post to Spencer House, Spencer Row off Store Street, Dublin, D01 R9T8 by Thursday 11 September.
Awards
The deadline to enter the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards is midnight on 29 August. The categories include 'Best Feature' and 'Best Investigation', both of which are sponsored by the London Freelance Branch. Apply here.
The NUJ has also endorsed The Write to End Violence Against Women Awards. The awards aim to recognise journalists who report on violence against women responsibly, sensitively and accurately with categories including 'Best news piece', 'Best opinion and comment', and 'Best broadcast'. Nominate an article.
The Irish News is launching a 12-month programme for aspiring visual storytellers with skills in photography, videography or graphic design. The internship, created to honour the late Irish News photographer Hugh Russell, will provide a successful candidate with structured training, mentoring and hands-on experience across various platforms. Apply before 22 September.
Journalists' Safety Tracker
The NUJ's Safety Tracker collates evidence of harassment, abuse and lawfare against journalists. Both freelance and staff journalists can make submissions using the online tool. Share it with colleagues to encourage its use and help inform our campaigns to tackle threats against journalists. Report an incident using the tracker.
Cuts to journalism course funding
The NUJ is urging all members to use our online tool to raise concerns over the UK government's cuts to journalism education. Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, has written to the education minister but we need your help amplifying our concerns over the government's withdrawal of Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses for the 2025-26 financial year. Use our template to write to your MP. Email [email protected] with queries; read more on our campaign page.
Campaigns
News Recovery Plan. A Future for News: the NUJ’s recovery plan for the news industry is the updated road map to reinvigorate the industry and sets out a bold set of measures and interventions to protect jobs and quality journalism. Its proposals address the threat of generative AI and the significant additional pressure of the cost-of-living crisis to an already beleaguered sector.
Artificial intelligence: journalism before algorithms. Stay updated on the NUJ’s AI campaign, including calls for urgent regulatory oversight to protect the integrity of journalism and journalists' rights. The union will attend the UK government's AI and copyright working group on 1 September to voice members' concerns on pay, job security, and rights infringements.
#ShowUsTheMoney: the NUJ is campaigning for increased salary transparency. Too many job adverts do not include salary details, and research shows this disadvantages women, disabled workers and Black and minority ethnic workers. Find out more on our calls.
NUJ recruitment materials can be found on the website.
Social media
Keep up with the latest breaking news, campaigns, solidarity events and more from the NUJ campaigns team on X, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook.
Petitions
Maximum working temperature: the TUC are seeking an an absolute maximum working temperature to keep people safe from the risks associated with excessive heat and sun exposure. Read more in the petition that has amassed nearly 40,000 signatures.
Pass the Employment Rights Bill in full: the UK government's Employment Rights Bill could deliver the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation. Add your signature to the TUC's calls to peers in the House of Lords urging no watering down of proposals.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) have been used to stymie reporting and prevent publication of stories in the public interest. Sign the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition's petition urging a standalone Anti-SLAPP Law that offers universal, clear and easy-to-access protections against abusive legal threats. Add your name.
Online courses, workshops & webinars
NUJ trade union training dates for 2025: all course outlines and learning outcomes have been updated to reflect the new hybrid ways of working and the challenges this presents for organising members. The NUJ reps' training programme features a monthly two-hour session, which focuses on the structure and workings of the NUJ for new reps before they embark on the core reps' training.
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NUJ Training Scotland. Courses are delivered by Zoom unless otherwise stated. Available for members outside Scotland. Go to the calendar and register for sessions on the NUJ Scotland training website. Courses include 'Defamation and libel' (26 August), 'AI Essentials for Journalists' (27 August), and many others.
NUJ Training Wales. Visit the Welsh training website for the course calendar and access a huge range of at-a-glance guides on a wide range of topics for media professionals. Previous sessions have included those on data journalism and media law and free tools to fight fake news.
The GFTU Educational Trust will run a series of online educational sessions focusing on the significant role women have played in trade union and working class history starting in September. Register here.
TUC training, events & resources
TUC Midlands is hosting an online briefing on the campaign for a four-day working week on Wednesday 17 September (10am - 11:30am). Sign up here. TUC North East, Yorkshire & Humber has created a new Young Workers Network for the region and is inviting young trade unionists to join its first meeting online on Tuesday 2 September (7pm). Register here.
Every two years the TUC surveys health and safety reps to understand the changing experiences of workplace safety and inform its campaigning priorities. The survey will take ten minute to complete and respondents will enter a prize draw. Complete the survey.
The TUC wants to hear your views on the Employment Rights Bill. Please complete this seven-minute survey to share your experiences of work so that MPs understand the importance of strengthening workers' rights.
TUC Education is the one-stop-shop for training and resources for reps and activists. All the TUC's resources, research, training and content on sexual harassment are available in one section on the TUC website.
You can also find:
- the recording from the TUC webinar for reps on the Equality Act 2010
- the generative AI policy toolkit
- a free toolkit on greener workplaces for a Just Transition
Research
Rosie Black, a Master's student based in Bristol, is seeking to interview trade unionists about the Employment Rights Bill. Interviews would be conducted via Microsoft Teams, telephone, or face-to-face if possible, and would last between 30 and 60 minutes. Question topics would be shared in advance. If you are available between 11 August and 5 September, please contact [email protected].
Iqra Iqbal, a media academic from Pakistan, is appealing to female members of the NUJ for help with her research on the impacts of harassment and violence on women journalists. Iqra is studying the experiences of female journalists in the UK, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey. She aims to document the occurrence of harassment and assault, and also understand the psychological impact on female journalists. If you can help, please email her at [email protected].
A report by Amnesty International reveals the scale and severity of threats, intimidation, and violence against journalists in Northern Ireland. Read the report in full.
NUJ Rulebook 2025-2027
The updated rulebook is now available on the website. The rules define the union's work, membership, and democratic structure and includes amendments from the Delegate Meeting held in Blackpool in April.
IFJ international press card
As well as issuing UK and Irish press cards, the NUJ can also supply members with international press cards, which are essential for working safely and with international support. These cards are issued to full members working in foreign countries by the International Federation of Journalists via the NUJ. Please note that there is an additional £100 fee for issuing international press cards. Log in to the website to apply.
Appeals
The Belarusian Association of Journalists reports that 40 media professionals are currently imprisoned in the country. Under president Alexander Lukashenka’s rule, journalists face restrictions on media freedom and independent media outlets struggle to survive. Watch this video (caution: contains some flashing images) and please donate to the Belarusian Association of Journalists. Please contact Ray Tostevin, SW England NUJ chair if you have any problems with the donation link.
Freelance
NUJ AI licensing survey - there's still time to complete the survey open to all freelance members on artificial intelligence licensing. Let us know if you are being approached to consent to your work being licensed by publishers and media agencies for AI use. Complete the survey.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists’ Journalism Skills Academy is offering freelance NUJ journalists a 15% discount on its professional training courses. Visit their website for more details and use the discount code FL15 to book a course. You must be a freelance.
The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) offers a huge range of online training courses and webinars to help creative freelances with their career and the business side of being self-employed. Visit the FEU's training page to register.
The industry body ScreenSkills provides masterclasses, online courses and resources for creative and media freelances plus information on mentoring, bursaries and funding. Visit their website to find out more.
Discounts
UK Dell Business Partnerships Program. Make the most of your membership with exclusive benefits and pricing. You have access to stackable discounts on desktops, laptops, servers, accessories, and monitors.
Access your discounts: Dell | Exclusive offers and find out more.
Trusted tech advisors. Your dedicated tech advisor will get to know your business needs and goals; delivering customised tech solutions. Contact the team at [email protected]
Book offer
Orwell Prize for Journalism winner Gary Younge’s book Dispatches from the Diaspora: From Nelson Mandela to Black Lives Matter is a powerful collection of journalism on race, racism and black life and death from one of the nation’s leading political voices. Go to the Faber website and quote the discount code Newsletter30 for 30 per cent off for NUJ members.
Scam warning
The NUJ communicates with members about direct debits only by writing, so beware of scammers who call by phone.
NUJ subs
Many of us are feeling the squeeze as the cost-of-living increases. If you are struggling to pay your NUJ subscription fee because your income has reduced significantly, you are unemployed, or are on maternity leave please contact the membership department at [email protected] for help and advice.
NUJ extra
NUJ extra helps members and their dependents who have fallen on hard times.
Your union profile
So the union can keep you up to date with news from the union and involve you in decisions such as consultative ballots on pay and other industrial issues where we need to ballot for action, please log in to the NUJ website, check your personal profile and add your personal email and mobile phone numbers so we do not have to send sensitive information to your workplace address. When you change jobs, remember to update your information. To do this log on at www.nuj.org.uk/login.html and then click My NUJ. You can update your contact preferences by clicking view/edit my profile.
NUJ Rate for the Job
How does a freelance journalist, especially one starting out, know what to charge? To help, the NUJ issues a Freelance Fees Guide. Getting up-to-date data requires members (in confidence) submitting the rates they get for shifts, and lineage etc. Find out more on the London Freelance Branch website.
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