Friday, April 13, 2007

Further justification that my decision to leave the NUJ was the right one.

Regardless of the rights or wrongs of last year's war in Lebanon, how can British journalists working in Israel possibly be regarded as neutral observers when the organisation supposedly representing them votes in favour of a boycott on Israeli goods.

The Israeli press will have a field day.

The Guardian's Stephen Brook, blogging from the NUJ conference, is spot on:

"Once again the NUJ has made a fool of itself with the worst kind of display of right-on, sanctimonious posturing. I'm sure that the Knesset will be quaking in its boots.

"It's not what I joined the NUJ for. I didn't vote against the motion as I am not a delegate at these proceedings, but a working journalist. But I am comforted by two thoughts. Firstly, that the vast majority of NUJ members (some 39,000) would not support the motion, as opposed to the 66 that did. Secondly, that the motion will have zero effect, apart from some isolated sentiments of "we showed 'em" around the bar of the Birmingham Holiday Inn tonight.

Why can't NUJ delegates get passionate about something that is really important to journalists..."

1 Comments:

Blogger Steve said...

As in many walks of life, the unions speak not for their membership but for the leaderships own small-minded, bigotted or petty agendas. They feel, like a small child, the world owes them something but they don't have to give anything in return.
When the rank and file membership finally realise the unions have nothing in common with them, they will be able to leave with a happy heart, just as you have done.
Good riddance to groups who may have had a place in the industrial revolution but cannot have any place in modern business.

4:24 AM  

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