DM week online events
From 24-27 April, members can join 5pm talk-ins and lunchtime fringes with expert speakers on topics including neurodiversity, journalists' safety and local news.
Take part in a series of webinars ahead of DM to engage with other members and find out more on the union's campaigning prioirities.
Monday 24 April
Combating online abuse and physical threats against journalists 5-6pm
Last year, the NUJ announced a new Journalists’ Safety Toolkit with guidance and information on topics including cybersecurity, looking after your mental health and workplace safety. Join Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, as share more on the toolkit and the union’s ongoing work on safety. Former BBC World Service lead presenter Rana Rahimpour will share her experiences of harassment and why she chose to participate in the union's safety film.
Jeremy Dear, former IFJ deputy general secretary, will invite speakers Jennifer Moreau and Randy Kitt from Canada’s largest private sector union Unifor, to share their ground-breaking work fighting back against the harassment of journalists. Keen to hear more on the IFJ’s work on safety too? Jeremy will update us on work across countries, and calls for a UN convention to protect journalists.
Tuesday 25 April
Lunchtime fringe: Introduction to neurodiversity
What is neurodiversity? How can we support our staff and freelance colleagues by creating more inclusive and accessible working environments? Get answers to these questions and find out more from the NUJ Disabled Members' Council at 12-1pm on 25 April. The council will share resources for members and reps on the subject and there’ll be an opportunity to discuss the collective action we can take to remove barriers to participation at work and within our union.
Keep it local: how to support your local news 5-6pm
The NUJ is on the frontline of the battle to protect local news and public interest journalism that sustains democracy, binds communities together and holds power to account. Join us on 25 April to hear from Andy Comfort, BBC Radio Humberside presenter, on cuts to local radio at the BBC as journalists prepare for a second round of strikes next month. Charlotte Green, local democracy reporter, will explain the role and how it is revitalising the coverage of local councils.
Chaired by Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, speakers also include Joyce McMillan, theatre critic of The Scotsman and secretary of the Edinburgh Freelance Branch; David Nicholson, NEC rep and member of the Welsh government’s public interest news group on behalf of the Welsh Executive Council.
Register to support local news
Wednesday 26 April
Lunchtime fringe: Free Assange! 12-1pm
Julian Assange has been incarcerated at HMP Belmarsh for four years, but the clamour to end his persecution is growing. Join Assange’s wife Stella, Kristinn Hrafnsson (Wikileaks editor in chief and formerly one of Iceland’s most distinguished tv journalists), and Richard Burgon (MP for Leeds East) to discuss why this campaign is critical for journalism’s future. Chair: Tim Dawson.
The menopause is a workplace issue: launch of guidance and policy for NUJ chapels and branches 1.30 - 2.30pm
This is the launch our new menopause guidance for members and reps. The menopause is rarely seen as a workplace, trade union or collective issue. Instead, individuals are left to negotiate support and adjustments to their work on their own. This new guidance brings together up-to-date research and examples of good trade union and workplace practices to illustrate collective approaches to supporting members who are going through the menopause at work.
Global solidarity: supporting journalists under attack worldwide 5-6pm
Journalists around the world face grave danger in the course of their work, whether from authoritarian states or because of conflict. On 26 April at 5pm, we’ll be raising awareness of the plight of colleagues while exploring action you can take to show support. Hear from Zuliana Lainez, IFJ senior vice-president and general secretary of the National Association of Journalists of Peru about dangers including gender-based violence facing journalists in Latin America.
Sergiy Tomylenko, president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, will share more on the work of the union to support journalists amid president Putin’s war on the country. We also have Ronson Chan, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association who’ll share the realities for journalists under considerable media restrictions and hostile environments under National Security Law.
Final speaker Jennifer Robinson is a human rights lawyer you may recall from our World Press Freedom Day webinar last year. She’ll update us on a complaint submission to the International Criminal Court over crimes by Israeli forces, systematically targeting Palestinian journalists.
Sign up for Wednesday’s webinar
Thursday 27 April
Newspapers and Industrial Council sector: The future of work and how to organise: from hybrid working to AI. 1-2.30pm
Magazines and Books Industrial Council sector conference 3-5pm
MABIC are hosting a session to discuss the programme of work for the sectors for the next two years, the forthcoming campaign on diversity in publishing and starting salaries, and motions to the 2023 DM.
Share ideas on how we can use our resources more effectively to engage with members and reps and how best to support you in your workplaces. If you've just joined the union or have never been to a meeting before but would like to become more involved, come along to the session to engage with others.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88477571852?pwd=NFlkSHZLSjY3dTQ1S241NkFUdGZ4dz09 Meeting ID: 884 7757 1852 Passcode: 825568
Sector conference for freelances and visual journalists 4-5.30pm
Join us to discuss what the freelance sector and the NUJ Photographers’ Council have helped deliver for members in the past two years, and what should be our future priorities.
Natasha Hirst, NUJ vice president/chair Photographers’ Council, David Ayrton, Freelance Organiser, and Tim Dawson, chair of the Freelance Industrial Council, will each speak briefly before inviting questions and contributions. They will cover: responses to the cost-of-living crisis, the NUJ’s work with the police and security industry, and promoting the safety of freelances.
Lyra director interview 5-5.30pm, opportunity to watch the film afterwards.
‘Lyra’ is narrated by McKee and includes never before heard recordings she made about herself, her work, and thoughts on Northern Ireland. The documentary also includes moving interviews with her family and partner Sara Canning, friends and work colleagues.
Held on the eve of International Workers’ Memorial Day as journalists continue to face threats to their safety, Séamus Dooley will interview director Alison Millar, exploring more about the creation of the moving documentary. We'll also be sharing a link with members to watch the 1h 30m documentary.