NUJ condemns vile smear of journalist
The union condemned as “vile and dangerous” graffiti posted in the Creggan area of Derry attacking journalist Leona O’Neill.
The NUJ has condemned as "vile and dangerous" graffiti posted in the Creggan area of Derry attacking journalist Leona O'Neill.
Leona tweeted a picture of the tweet last night that accused her of being an M15 tout and a shit stirrer. Leona described the tweet as a threat to her safety.
She added:
"I am neither a MI5 tout nor a shit stirrer. I am a journalist, working in my city trying to provide for my family. I consider this a threat to my safety. I call on community leaders to help me get this dangerous slur removed now."
In a joint statement, Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, and Séamus Dooley, assistant general secretary, said:
"We strongly condemn this vile and dangerous threat. It is a clear attempt to intimidate a hard working, committed journalist. Leona has proven herself to be a journalist of resilience with a strong passion for Derry. We would call on civic and community leaders to support journalists and to defend media freedom.
"There can be no place in a democracy for such behaviour. Journalists must be free to report without intimidation. To describe a journalist as an agent of a police force is dangerous and poses a threat to their ability to do their job."