A leading Jewish Community figure has claimed that Selina Scott was close to being sacked after her Sunday Mail column caused offence to Scottish Jews and Muslims.

Speaking to the Jewish Telegraph, the director of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, Ephraim Borowski, said that axing Scott's column was discussed at a "peace meeting" between Borowski and Sunday Mail editor, Allan Rennie.

However, Borowski insisted that a more constructive solution would be to allow a half page for Jewish and Muslim groups to respond to Scott's comments that those in the communities who insist on the ritual slaughter of animals should leave the country.

The pieces and an apology from Scott were published in the Sunday Mail (22nd June).

Borowski said: "I made it clear that I am not telling the Sunday Mail how to run their paper."

He went on: "[Allan Rennie] is genuinely concerned over this matter and wanted very much to see it resolved - whatever his reasons."

"We must now look to the future. Mr Rennie said it was a pity that we only talked to each other when there was a crisis."

"He now proposes an inter-communal group which would meet every so often and could act as a sounding board.

Now Borowski feels that the matter should be laid to rest, saying: "Honour has been served."

NUJ members and their colleagues in the Amicus-MSF union at the book
publishing company Macmillan in Oxford are on strike over pay today.

It is the first NUJ strike in book publishing for 15 years. Management has imposed a pay rise of 2.1 per cent on the workers.

Publishing is notoriously badly paid and Oxford is an extremely expensive place to live. The picket is on until 2pm. Please text/phone messages of support to 07732 042762.

Messages of support can be emailed to a.dury@macmillan.com

For more info see www.oxnuj.org.uk

NUJ branches are supporting two demonstrations against British fascism this weekend.

The Leeds branch banner will be in Halifax where the march assembles at
1pm Park Road, next to Halifax People's Park.

Manchester branch has made a donation towards the cost of a coach to a march in Burnley. The demo in Burnley starts at 11am.

And do something to help the Bradford chapel. See their website at www.geocities.com/bradfordnuj

Welcome to the second edition of Mousemat, the email newsletter for online journalists.

OMJC Meeting

We will be holding the next meeting of the Online Media Joint Council in the Manchester office next Wednesday (25 June).

The council discusses issues facing journalists working online, and this time will be addressing the feasibility of setting up an industrial council for online journalists, similar to that already existing for other sectors.

If you have any comments on this, or would like the council to discuss any other issue, please feel free to contact us.

Manchester Branch Debates Online Issues

Manchester Branch had a full and frank discussion on the issue of online journalists at it's last meeting.

Members felt that currently the NUJ wasn't in a position to address the needs of online journalists as a whole, because it had no forum for that debate.

For this reason, the branch endorsed the idea of setting up an industrial council.

Many people who attended the meeting felt that such debates were really useful, drawing the attention of the whole branch to one group of journalists.

So why not start a similar discussion at your branch?

Ananova

After a discussion with the chapel, and a membership check, contact has been made with the management at Ananova (part of Orange) to request recognition.

Membership at Ananova stands at well over 50%, and we are confident that the chapel will soon gain the recognition they deserve.

Contact us

If you want us to put something in Mousemat; be put on the email list, change your email address, or just get in touch then contact the NUJ Manchester office.

Ring 0161 237 5020, fax 0161 237 5266, write to Fifth Floor, Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester, M1 3FH or email nujmanchester@nuj.org.uk

Bradford goes for a hat trick

National Union of Journalists' members at Newsquest Bradford in the north of England are to hold a third ballot for industrial action in their campaign for a decent pay rise.

The journalists on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, Keighley News, Craven Herald, Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer have already staged 47 days of strike action this year. The vast majority earn between £12,000 and £20,000 per annum.

The company - which makes £20,000 profit every day - has not budged from its below inflation pay offer of two per cent.

They have offered a performance related long service bonus which means the bosses' favourites can receive one-off bonuses of up to £400 after two, five and ten years service. But even that wont be consolidated onto wages. Some people will receive nothing.

The company has also offered an inflation rate pay rise from next January.

The NUJ chapel (workplace branch) has repeatedly rejected the offer and has challenged the firm to go to binding arbitration. Managers have not responded.

Newsquest is owned by the US media giant Gannett which made profits of 1.1 billion dollars in 2002. Go on you know you want to.

It is really easy to send a message of support and it makes a huge difference to morale. Just email the Bradford strikers on bradfordnuj@yahoo.co.uk for inspiration look at the messages already on the chapel's website at www.geocities.com/bradfordnuj

A little bit of politics

So far 79 MPs have signed an early day motion about Bradford which you can see at http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=926

If your MP has not signed please lobby her/him. To find email and fax addresses and the name of your MP visit http://www.urban75.com/action/politicians.html or post to House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Don't forget to put your address on the letter so your MP knows you are a constituent.

Bish bosh give us your dosh

Thanks to everyone who has already donated to the strike fund.

A fresh flow of money now will help give the Bradford journalists the strength to vote "Yes" in a third strike ballot.

Please ask your union chapel or branch or your political party to make a donation. Hold a collection at work, or at a union meeting. You will be surprised how many people give. And just talking about the union at work strengthens your own organisation.

Make donations payable to NUJ Manchester, and send to NUJ, Fifth Floor, Arthur House, Chorlton street, Manchester, M1 3FH.

Bolton and Bury go back

Journalists at Newsquest Bolton took more than five weeks of continuous strike action before returning to work.

They gained rises of three per cent for the lowest paid as well as the two per cent already on offer.

They agreed to a bonus scheme similar to the one on offer in Bradford and accepted an inflation rate rise for next year.

Union membership grew in the run up to the dispute and the chapel took a brave stand to protest against very poor pay on a group that earns £15,000 profit a day.

At a meeting in Manchester on Saturday Newsquest NUJ reps agreed to co-ordinate a pay campaign for 2004.

We are also recruiting members all over the company. Talks about union recognition are already underway at Newsquest North East.

We are about to resubmit a claim for recognition at Newsquest Blackburn and a recruitment drive has been started at Newsquest Cheshire where some fully-qualified journalists earn less than £13,000 and the mileage expenses rate is only 30p.

Benefits of last year's action

The Rotherham advertiser chapel - who went on strike last year over pay - have been awarded a 3.1 per cent rise as part of the two year deal that concluded the dispute.

Two other chapels that went on strike last year had already been awarded above inflation rises. Newcastle Chronicle and Journal journalists received 3 per cent. Greater Manchester weekly newspapers journalists pocketed 3.4 per cent, a £200 lump sum, and an increase in expenses.

Thanks

To everyone who has supported the striking NUJ chapels. It really is appreciated. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to anyone who may be interested.

Anti-racism campaigners in Glasgow have condemned Sunday Mail columnist, Selina Scott, after an article in which she made racially offensive comments.

Scott was calling for a ban on the ritual slaughter of animals for kosher and halal meat. However, in comments that have unpleasant echoes of Britain's far right, she ignored the fact that the vast majority of UK Muslims and Jews are British citizens and chose to represent the moral and religious debate in purely racial terms.

She said: "Naturally there has been a great outcry from the ethnic groups who prefer their meat prepared in this barbaric way.

"But just as we have to accept the customs of Middle Eastern countries, including the banning of alcohol, while we live among them, so they must accept our views on animal welfare when they make their homes here."

Worse was to follow when she suggested that those with differing views had no right to live in this country, saying: "For those who don't like it there's an easy remedy. They could always make a valuable contribution to the government's reverse migration policy."

The column provoked predictable anger and disgust from Muslim leaders and others who have attempted to promote understanding between British immigrant communities and mainstream society.

Former Glasgow councillor, Bashir Maan, who has worked tirelessly for enlightened representation of immigrant and religious minority groups said: "I think she should be reported to the commission for race relations.

"This is flagrant racism. I don't think people of her ilk have a place in this 'tolerant society'."

And Ephraim Borowski, director of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, responded: "At a time when everyone is working for a more welcoming and inclusive society it is particularly sad that Selina Scott should choose this moment for a piece of blatant racism which is particularly offensive to Jews and Muslims."

Glasgow NUJ branch member, Mark Brown, was even more forthright. He described Scott's comments as "putrid" and "xenophobic".

Brown, the Secretary of the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, said: "Attempting to cloak one's racism in the clothes of animal welfare has for years been a favoured tactic of fascist elements in Britain and elsewhere in Europe."

Mark went on to compare Scott's remarks to the "pronouncements of the fascist British National party and their French hero Jean Marie Le Pen".

He also called on the Sunday Mail to remove the column and make a full apology.

Sunday Mail editor, Alan Rennie said: "Selina Scott is a columnist and she is entitled to her own views. The Sunday Mail is on record as being sympathetic and supportive of asylum seekers in Scotland."

In August 2001, the Sunday Mail's sister paper, the Daily Record, accused the murdered Kurdish asylum seeker, Firsat Dag, of being in Britain under false pretences. The following day an Iranian refugee was slashed across his back in a racist attack.

Selina Scott sought to make amends for her comments in her next Sunday Mail column (22nd June).

Writing in last Sunday's Mail she said: "As anybody who's followed this column knows I have long supported asylum seekers escaping to Scotland from brutal regimes.

"The last thing I'd want to do is add to their difficulties in settling in a new country and I regret if comments I made in last week's column about ritual slaughter were misconstrued.

"Scotland has a history of embracing different cultures who in turn have worked hard to enrich our nation.

"I do feel strongly about the way we treat animals."

The NUJ has won a significant pay increase for journalists at a London Newsquest title.

Members at News Shopper accepted an average six per cent rise after strengthening their Mother of Chapel, Linda Piper's hand by voting for action.

However, after staff voted for a strike by 16 votes to two, the management eventually agreed to offer the more generous deal with the lowest paid staff being given the biggest rises.

The deal compares to two and three per cent rises at other Newsquest titles and General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: "Given that Newsquest have given some of the lowest pay rises this year we will be targeting them next year as a central part of our campaign against low pay.

"We are planning a series of activities to highlight low pay at the company."

We have been told that a software company is offering its anti virus software free to journalists.

Details of how to apply can be found at the following link:

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/resources/offer/

Please note that, while we are not aware of any problems with this offer or the software, this notice does not amount to an endorsement of any kind.

Neither the branch nor the NUJ is responsible for any failings in performance or any loss or damage incurred due to using this software.

With union activity generally still observing the early Christian weekend, we are always indebted to the Sunday Herald for providing quality media news, gossip and opinion - not least because, while stealing it, we can allow ourselves to indulge in what we prefer to call the republican "we".

This week's media section did not disappoint and we can exclusively reveal that the paper has already speculated on new entrants into the much maligned freesheet market.

As The Glaswegian prepares for its trumpeted relaunch (you didn't know?) and with Archant's free weeklies having been redesigned some months ago, tough times are predicted for the apparently all-smothering Metro.

How life goes for the Metro is a closely guarded secret but a source close to us reveals that a recent feature proposal was greeted with a demoralised "I really want it but I only have thrupence, a grey sock and a liquorice imp" response. Confident of a ground-breaking story, our source declined.

However, even more intriguing is the fact that Darran Gardner speculates on the possibility of new Sunday Herald owners, Newsquest, entering the fray. Gardner quotes Newsquest Scotland's managing director, Tim Blott, as saying the group has "no plans to launch a freesheet newspaper in Glasgow" but appears unconvinced.

Surely, if the paper was in a position to categorically deny Newsquest's intention to launch a free title, one of its writers wouldn't have to hedge bets.

At this time on a Sunday morning, that is about as close to intriguing as you are likely to find in regurgitated stories.

The paper also comments on the delay in cementing Bruce Waddell in the editor's seat at the Daily Record. This perplexes us too.

Firstly, when asked for filth, a well-placed source with solid NUJ connections described Waddell as "a real good-guy". We dismissed the subsequent expression of hope for the future of the Record's journalism and staff relations with the full expulsion of iridescent catarrh that such obscenities warrant.

Secondly, the same source claimed that Waddell was escorted from the Scottish Sun premises by security guards, on delivering the news of his defection.

We like to picture a David Brent "good news and bad news" moment.

"The bad news is your bitter rivals have sacked their reader-alienating editor with someone with a clue. The good news is its me! Congratulations, anyone?"

But if our source is reliable and Waddell was kicked out quick-smart, why would The Sun delay his transfer? Can't figure that.

However, much as we admire the Sunday Herald, we were somewhat disappointed by the paper's unwarranted swipe at Andrew Neil.

Sure, he may be the Ed-in-Chief of the Sunday Herald's bitter rivals at the Scotsman Newspapers. Yes, he may once have described the NUJ as a gnat on the hide of a hippopotamus.

And, hoots-mon, he may have been a one-time Thatcherite, whose appreciation of media markets led him to try to promote his delectable fizzog on the teeny bit image-conscious American TV.

But does an unnamed writer really need to refer to him by the unfortunate "Brillo" handle?

The same scribe quotes Neil, who allegedly once dubbed the Guardian "the Daily Terrorist" as saying: "Broadsheet readers do not want their paper's editorial line shoved down their throats. They particularly don't want propaganda where there should be news."

For some reason he or she apparently felt compelled to ask: "Does that apply to The Scotsman then, Andrew? Or are we expecting too much?"

We dislike this inter-title sniping - especially when published anonymously and directed at respected and much-loved media figures in Scotland.

For the record, we would like to declare ourselves to be big admirers of Andrew Neil, his writings and utterances. We also fully support his methods in dealing with employees and trade unions.

And we're not a bit afraid to put our name to such comments. But, as a challenge to the writer's journalistic courage, we dare her or him to lay claim to the piece before we identify ourselves.

But, for now, be assured that this Andrew Neil fan is absolutely NOT the guy named at the bottom of this page. That clear?

The NUJ's Equality Council is to launch an anti-bullying campaign after a questionnaire revealed the problem to be endemic at the BBC.

The findings that more than 90 per cent of respondents had suffered bullying supported research carried out by Helen Reed, who was herself a victim of bullying at the BBC.

The survey showed that bullying affected men and women and that the perpetrators were almost always members of management. Often, the bullies were notorious for such behaviour.

Many of those taking part felt that the BBC's systems were inadequate in addressing the problem.

Speaking through the National NUJ website, Helen said: "This shows my experience is far from unique.

"The results are just a sample of members who are not too frightened to fill in the form. Multiply it through the BBC and it's a serious problem. People don't trust the system, and are frightened of what may happen to them if they complain."

The campaign was called for in a resolution by the NUJ's 2003 Annual Delegates Meeting, which praised Helen for the courage she showed in her successful personal fight against bullying at the BBC. The resolution also called on the National Executive Council to support the private member's Bill on Dignity at Work, proposed by Valerie Davey MP.

The Chair of the NUJ Equality Council and Glasgow branch Chair, James Doherty said: "After low pay, bullying and harassment in the workplace is perhaps the most pressing problem facing our members.

"The NUJ, working with the Equality Council, will this year launch a series of seminars and workshops aimed at identifying and tackling the problem and finding real solutions to combat the bullies.

"There is no legislation which affords our members dignity at work. However, recent agreements, such as the excellent Dignity at Work policy negotiated by the union at the Daily Record, provide a template on how we should move forward.

"The message has to be that the day of the bully is numbered. There is no
place for them to hide."

There were substantial changes to the Glasgow branch committee at its Annual General Meeting.

Chair, Rory MacLeod, and Treasurer, Susan Carden, stepped down because of work commitments. Rory and Susan were given a vote of thanks for their outstanding contributions to the branch.

James Doherty was elected as branch Chair while Ann Coltart replaced Susan as Treasurer. Ann was also re-elected as Equality Officer.

Taking over from James as Vice-Chair was David Miller, who joined the committee for the first time.

Angela Austin expressed her willingness to share the job of Secretary and to train someone for the position at the same time. Bernard Thompson was elected to join Angela as Secretary on a jobshare basis.

Bernard was also retained as Membership Secretary while Grace Franklin was returned as Welfare Officer.

The branch elected two delegates to the European Social Forum, to be held in Paris from 12th - 16th November. David Miller and Kath Kyle will be the first branch representatives at such an event.

It was agreed that Kath should be allowed to travel one day early so that she could represent the branch at the European Women's Social Forum on 11th November.

It was also noted that delegates are not allowed to work for publications while on branch business and that NUJ policy is against giving custom to Ryanair because of its non-union policies.

We learned today that Geraldine Abrahams has completed her transfer to the West of Scotland Freelance branch.

One of Scotland's leading writers, Gerry has been an active member of the NUJ for several years and her contribution to the Glasgow branch has been highly valued.

However, her return to WoSF would seem to signal a new confidence in the future of the branch following the National Executive Council's intervention in branch affairs.

Just yesterday, Paul Holleran had called for working journalists to take ownership of the union and, although Gerry's move would have pre-empted Paul's appeal, she will certainly be welcomed by the many progressive members of WoSF.

We expect that Gerry's move will help to build on the already close links between the Glasgow branch and the WoSF membership in general.

We wish her and the branch well for the future.

Recent controversies seem to highlight - again - the raw deal that freelancers are getting, especially in new media.

The London Freelance branch website reports on NME Originals, of which an NUJ member said: "These use loads of old NME and Melody Maker material written by freelances such as myself.

"IPC only ever purchased First British Serial Rights in those pre-internet days. So they know full well that they don't own the material, but you can take a wild guess as to whether they bothered to ask anyone first, or had the basic courtesy to send copies out afterwards."

Members who have contributed to NME or Melody Maker are urged to email Freelance Organiser, John Toner: freelanceoffice@nuj.org.uk

Meanwhile, on the NUJ forum, a freelance photographer points to the latest "scam" by BBC Online: "I am amazed and appalled at what the BBC is getting away with. For some time now they have asked for people to send in their photographs from all over the world.

"If people take the time to see what they are giving away, and what the BBC is getting for nothing, it reads as follows, and I quote: 'In contributing to BBC News Online you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way that we want, and in any media.'"

Finally, there is the case of Mousetrap Media's Dot Journalism. Until challenged recently, their website invited contributed articles under the following conditions: "Use this form to submit an article or press release to dotJournalism, ... Please note: submission does not guarantee publication nor does it amount to a commission - we do not pay contributors. We also reserve the right to edit all contributions."

When Mousetrap Media Director, John Thompson, was taken to task on this through the UKSubs forum, he initially seemed to attempt to evade the issue, saying that the company paid for "all news reports".

When confronted with the above quote he insisted that the request referred mainly to press releases and was outdated but that the fact that the website gave people employment justified the policy. However, the page was removed within 24 hours.

Of course, new media publications are not the only ones to undermine freelancers' ability to make a living. Numerous free sheets are known to accept "contributed copy", using the term as a euphemism for donated articles. And there have even been reports that respected broadsheets have used articles unpaid because writers seeking to establish themselves have offered features simply for the byline.

An NUJ member, whose life is at risk because of a threat of deportation to Kosovo, needs your support for his appeal to the Home Secretary.

London Freelance branch member, Besim Gerguri, and his wife, Luljeta, face being deported despite the fact that Besim's journalistic exposés of refugee trafficking have made him a target of Kosovan criminal gangs.

The couple have also been endangered by allegations that members of Besim's family work for the Serbian regime and because Luljeta is of mixed ethnicity.

In 2001, investigative journalist, Bekim Kastrati, was killed after receiving similar threats. His killers have never been identified.

Besim's asylum application was rejected in October 2002 and his appeal refused on 15th May. He is currently preparing a further appeal against that decision.

London Freelance Branch and the NUJ, nationally, are campaigning to ask that Besim and Luljeta be allowed to remain in the UK on compassionate grounds.

A downloadable petition and a model letter to the Home Secretary are available on the LFB website, where full details of the story and campaign can be found.

The correspondence from Mark Brown highlights the importance of members participating in the branch structures. Despite extensive efforts by Mark to take part in the West of Scotland Freelance branch he found it impossible due to the behaviour and irresponsibility of certain branch officers.

Unfortunately this has been repeated over many years except for a few years, when the branch was run by responsible members committed to the collective good as opposed to their own agenda.

The WoSFB and some of those same officials who forced Mark to leave, now finds itself with an NEC enquiry and an enforced Extraordinary General Meeting. This situation will not surprise anyone who has attended more than a couple of their meetings.

However the opportunity must be used to put the branch on a better footing and capable of working WITH the union organisers to the benefit of the membership.

For all members this is a salutary lesson in what happens to democracy when good people do nothing. It is essential for our structures that working journalists are involved and take on some responsibility in the running of the union.

We have many successes with healthy branches encompassing all sectors of the union e.g. (Glasgow, Edinburgh & District, Grampian and Highland). The Scottish Executive Council is also a great example of how a democratic structure can be of great benefit to the union in supporting each other in areas that benefit members; in particular - payment, working rights and conditions.

Representatives from all over Scotland and each sector attend these meetings and ensure accountability of as well as support for the NUJ staff. The branches should be endeavouring to establish the same approach and many do.

This can only be maintained if members take responsibility even by turning up and voting for sensible, enthusiastic individuals who want to do their bit for the union and help improve our industry. We need to pull together with individuals, chapels, branches and the SEC following an agreed integrated strategy instead of using and abusing union resources.

Recent controversies seem to highlight - again - the raw deal that freelancers are getting, especially in new media.

The London Freelance branch website reports on NME Originals, of which an NUJ member said: "These use loads of old NME and Melody Maker material written by freelances such as myself.

"IPC only ever purchased First British Serial Rights in those pre-internet days. So they know full well that they don't own the material, but you can take a wild guess as to whether they bothered to ask anyone first, or had the basic courtesy to send copies out afterwards."

Members who have contributed to NME or Melody Maker are urged to email Freelance Organiser, John Toner: freelanceoffice@nuj.org.uk

Meanwhile, on the NUJ forum, a freelance photographer points to the latest "scam" by BBC Online: "I am amazed and appalled at what the BBC is getting away with. For some time now they have asked for people to send in their photographs from all over the world.

"If people take the time to see what they are giving away, and what the BBC is getting for nothing, it reads as follows, and I quote: 'In contributing to BBC News Online you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way that we want, and in any media.'"

Finally, there is the case of Mousetrap Media's Dot Journalism. Until challenged recently, their website invited contributed articles under the following conditions: "Use this form to submit an article or press release to dotJournalism, ... Please note: submission does not guarantee publication nor does it amount to a commission - we do not pay contributors. We also reserve the right to edit all contributions."

When Mousetrap Media Director, John Thompson, was taken to task on this through the UKSubs forum, he initially seemed to attempt to evade the issue, saying that the company paid for "all news reports".

When confronted with the above quote he insisted that the request referred mainly to press releases and was outdated but that the fact that the website gave people employment justified the policy. However, the page was removed within 24 hours.

Of course, new media publications are not the only ones to undermine freelancers' ability to make a living. Numerous free sheets are known to accept "contributed copy", using the term as a euphemism for donated articles. And there have even been reports that respected broadsheets have used articles unpaid because writers seeking to establish themselves have offered features simply for the byline.

Dear Sisters/Brothers,

As a Glasgow-based freelance who felt compelled to resign from the West of Scotland Freelance Branch more than a year ago, I am alarmed, but not entirely surprised, by the current debacle over the branch newsletter and possible defamation.

From my past experience, I have to say that it is difficult to view this recent episode as an isolated incident. In my view it is symptomatic of a wider and deeper problem in the branch.

Although I am a dedicated trade unionist, I felt, after a period of considerable frustration and perseverance, that there was no point in my remaining a member of the WoS Freelance Branch. At 30 I was, typically, by far the youngest person at branch meetings. I also realised that those attending were almost entirely men.

I soon discovered that this was because the branch was effectively uninhabitable for new members, younger members, women and gay members (or indeed for any members outwith those regularly in attendance).

Sexism and homophobia went unchallenged, except by myself (and I was castigated for doing so). Carrying out union business, and upholding union principles, were all but ignored in the interests of the pursuit of an on-going feud within the branch.

It is clear to me from recent reports that the situation has not improved, and may, in fact, have deteriorated. I note that the General Secretary reassures the WoS Freelance Branch that the NEC is not attempting to close the branch down. However, I would suggest that some kind of wider inquiry is necessary.

The West of Scotland Freelance branch is to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting after complaints about its newsletter and concern regarding voting procedures at the branch Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, 12th June.

The April and May 2003 newsletters contained a number of serious inaccuracies, which were used to support criticisms of Scottish Office staff members. They also contained comments that have been judged to be defamatory against several parties.

The three staff members in question, Paul Holleran, Angela Austin and Jim McNally, all of whom belong to the Glasgow branch, were fully supported by the branch at the April and May meetings.

The branch also made a point of expressing its support for two members of Edinburgh and District branch, both of whom believed that they had been libelled after quotes from an ADM sector meeting were misattributed.

One of the members, said: "In a nutshell, he's used an inaccurate quote out of context to support a statement which is untrue with the effect of completely misrepresenting me.

"I have had messages of support from a number of freelancers, some of whom were at the meeting and can therefore testify that what was said about me was completely untrue.... Being identified was also a breach of confidence."

As was reported in this week's Press Gazette, the NUJ National Executive Council has instructed the branch to suspend production of the newsletter. However, a June edition was issued to members.

The article also quotes General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, who refutes claims attributed to West of Scotland Freelance Secretary, Bill McLean, that "he feared this was an attempt by the executive council to shut down the branch."

Dear said: "If we wanted to do that we would not have this extraordinary general meeting. The panel might look into the way the branch is run in future."

When asked for his reaction to the article, Frank Shennan, the Chair of the Scottish Executive Council issued a full statement to this website. Shennan, who is also a member of West of Scotland Freelance said: "It is a rare and serious matter for NEC to intervene in a branch's internal affairs but in the case of West of Scotland Freelance Branch it felt compelled to."

"In April, the branch voted overwhelmingly to make its next meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) because of concern over the voting procedure at the previous month's AGM.

"There was also an overwhelming vote for the Newsletter Editor to stand down after complaints from members both within and outside the branch about inaccurate and potentially defamatory stories and breaches of the NUJ Code of Conduct.

"However three weeks later a small branch committee meeting decided they should overturn those democratic decisions."

He went on to reassure branch members: "The only threat to the branch is if branch officers fail to act democratically or in accordance with the rules of the union, which are themselves decided democratically at our annual delegate meetings.

"The EGM is intended to let branch members have their say."

It is a rare and serious matter for NEC to intervene in a branch's internal affairs but in the case of West of Scotland Freelance Branch it felt compelled to.

In April, the branch voted overwhelmingly to make its next meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) because of concern over the voting procedure at the previous month's AGM. There was also an overwhelming vote for the Newsletter Editor to stand down after complaints from members both within and outside the branch about inaccurate and potentially defamatory stories and breaches of the NUJ Code of Conduct.

However three weeks later a small branch committee meeting decided they should overturn those democratic decisions.

So, on May 16, NEC voted by 19 votes to two to instruct me to convene and chair an EGM of the branch to restore democracy to the members who had made their wishes clear.

It also instructed the branch "to refrain from producing any newsletter until further notice," an instruction which has now been ignored twice. Both the General Secretary and I warned the Newsletter Editor and branch officials of apparent breaches of the NUJ Code of Conduct and of our concern that the union could be laid open to legal action for defamation.

In a letter to all branch members, including of course branch officials, giving notice of the EGM, I explicitly stated: "There is no attempt to shut down the Branch." Yet a week later UK Press Gazette reported: "Branch secretary Bill McLean told Press Gazette he feared this was an attempt by the executive council to shut down the branch."

The only threat to the branch is if branch officers fail to act democratically or in accordance with the rules of the union, which are themselves decided democratically at our annual delegate meetings. The EGM is intended to let branch members have their say.

Nick Bardsley has offered his comments on the exchange between the candidate for NUJ Deputy General Secretary, Greg Lloyd Smith, and Glasgow branch chair, Rory MacLeod.

We welcome emails on this or any other subject.

Fraser Addecott's Deputy General Secretary election statement is now viewable on the Election Special page.

We now have statements from all of the candidates.

The Glasgow branch Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, immediately prior to the branch meeting.

All office bearer positions - chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, membership secretary, equality officer, welfare officer, auditors and committee members will be up for re-election.

Any full member, life member or member of honour interested in any of these positions should attend the meeting or indicate their intentions as soon as possible.

Chapel officers where there are agreements exceeding six weeks paid leave are asked to get in touch, stating whether this is inclusive or exclusive of bank holidays.

Details can be sent via the NUJ Scottish office or to David directly:

David Ayrton, Research and Information, National Union of Journalists, Headland House, 308-312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DP
Tel: 020 7843 3745; Mobile: 07734 845 323; Email: davida@nuj.org.uk

An NUJ member, whose life is at risk because of a threat of deportation to Kosovo, needs your support for his appeal to the Home Secretary.

London Freelance branch member, Besim Gerguri, and his wife, Luljeta, face being deported despite the fact that Besim's journalistic exposés of refugee trafficking have made him a target of Kosovan criminal gangs.

The couple have also been endangered by allegations that members of Besim's family work for the Serbian regime and because Luljeta is of mixed ethnicity.

In 2001, investigative journalist, Bekim Kastrati, was killed after receiving similar threats. His killers have never been identified.

Besim's asylum application was rejected in October 2002 and his appeal refused on 15th May. He is currently preparing a further appeal against that decision.

London Freelance Branch and the NUJ, nationally, are campaigning to ask that Besim and Luljeta be allowed to remain in the UK on compassionate grounds.

A downloadable petition and a model letter to the Home Secretary are available on the LFB website, where full details of the story and campaign can be found.

The International Federation of Journalists has called for the rights and security of journalists to be made a priority in the forthcoming dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

In a letter to the administrations on both sides of the conflict, the IFJ says: "It is time to set journalists free and to build democracy through dialogue, tolerance and press freedom."

The IFJ insists that new peace talks will falter unless "urgent and credible" action is taken to build a new democratic process that supports press freedom and independent journalism.

In a letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas the IFJ calls for joint action to:

Respect the safety and security of journalists and media staff working in the region

Restore professional recognition and establish accreditation procedures for Palestinian journalists and others working in Israel and the Palestinian areas

Remove restrictions on media staff and foreigners entering the Gaza Strip

Establish an acceptable and independent process for investigation of all incidents of violence in which the victims are journalists or media staff.

IFJ General Secretary, Aidan White, said: "The new peace talks give an opportunity for both sides to work together to end violence against media and killing of journalists.

Aidan White
Photo © IFJ