Images © Guy Smallman/www.guysmallman.com – T-shirt design © Zarina Holmes 2013
As we are fast approaching the 102nd International Womens’ Day on Friday 8 March 2013, the NUJ London Photographers’ Branch (LPB) has had some T-shirts printed up.
The T-shirt designed by Zarina Holmes was based on a one-off design made for photographer Anne-Marie Sanderson by a friend, to combat the sexism she was facing while photographing sports events.
We had a makeshift photo booth at our monthly branch meeting on Tuesday 26 February 2013 and the above images are just a few of what were taken on the night.
We have some T-shirts left and they are available on a first come first served basis.
]]>The London Photographers’ Branch notes with serious concern the proposals for government changes to Special Procedure Material and protection of journalistic sources under the 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
During the Leveson inquiry the Metropolitan police urged Lord Justice Leveson to weaken laws protecting journalistic material, sources and whistleblowers. Although the police would still need to apply to a judge for a Production Order under PACE, the new proposals would allow police to seize journalistic material without first proving they have attempted to get evidence elsewhere.
This overturns the 2012 Dale Farm ruling by Judge Moses in the Royal Courts of Justice, legitimising the previous unlawful use of Production Orders. The ability to seize Special Procedure Material would become a simple matter of legal routine, drastically damaging UK press freedom and independence from the police and state.
It is likely to breach the European Convention on Human Rights and contrary to existing European and UK case law.
The London Photographers’ Branch opposes these government proposals to amend PACE and calls on the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) to respond robustly to the government and calls for dialogue with news organisations, broadcasters and other trade unions to build a united opposition.
]]>The NUJ Code of Conduct sets out 12 points of journalism. Members of the NUJ are expected to abide by these professional principles. The NUJ believes a journalist has the right to refuse an assignment or be identified as the author of editorial that would break the letter or spirit of the code. The NUJ will fully support any journalist disciplined for asserting her or his right to act according to the code.
Under the Membership Responsibilities set out in the NUJ Rules, all members have rights and responsibilities. Members are expected to work to help strengthen the NUJ in its work and to abide by the following principles and practices.
STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY:
The NUJ is a trade union founded on the principle that the pay and conditions of individuals at work are best improved by, collectively, improving the conditions of all. Because of this, members are expected:
(i) to treat other members of the union and union staff, with consideration and respect and not to take actions which threaten their livelihood or working conditions
(ii) to defend the interests of other members of the union in the same way as they would defend their own interests.
STAFF JOURNALISTS AND FREELANCES TOGETHER:
The NUJ has among its members both employees and self-employed members. Both groups share a common interest in promoting high standards of journalism and in defending security of work and the levels of pay offered in the industry. Members are expected:
(i) when commissioning from freelances, to try to ensure that payment rates offered are not lower than NUJ recommended minimum rates, that payment is made promptly after receipt of copy, and that freelance members are able to negotiate as appropriate for the retention of copyright and moral rights
(ii) when commissioning from freelances, to familiarise themselves with any current detailed advice issued by the NUJ
(ii) to cooperate with other members in order to improve rates of pay and strengthen the rights enjoyed generally by freelances in the industry Further, staff members are expected not to undertake freelance work outside their regular employment (‘moonlighting’) if this directly deprives a freelance or unemployed member of work. Freelance members are expected to support staff members taking industrial action by not undertaking work that would undermine the strength of that industrial action.
Staff reporters on regional newspapers may sell to other news organisations any stories that are generated exclusively by themselves and that have not been covered by freelances.
COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATION:
As a trade union, the NUJ seeks to strengthen the role of collective organisation and representation in the workplace. Because of this, members are not expected to accept employment on terms or conditions worse than those set out in any existing collective agreements applying to their place of work Members are expected to assist the work of the Mother or Father of Chapel (where a Chapel exists) and of other union officials, and to inform their M/FoC of their own terms and conditions of employment on request.
DEMOCRACY:
The NUJ is a democratic organisation, and its strength comes from the involvement and engagement of all its members. Because of this, members are expected:
(i). to take an active interest in the life of the union and to participate as much as possible in union meetings and events, including branch meetings and (where appropriate) chapel meetings
(ii) to consider taking on responsibilities and duties within the union
(iii) to use their vote in ballots and elections
(iv) to abide by the majority decisions of the union, as expressed in ballots and votes, including any decisions to undertake industrial action
BUILDING THE UNION’S STRENGTH:
By growing, the union becomes stronger and more able to defend its members’ interests.
Because of this, members are expected
(i) to encourage work colleagues who are eligible for membership to apply to join the NUJ.
(ii) to support those who are starting out in careers in journalism, especially trainees.
STRENGTH THROUGH DIVERSITY:
The diversity of the union’s membership is one of its strengths. Discrimination, on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age or disability means that some members are more likely to suffer poorer conditions of employment and lower pay than others, irrespective of their skills and abilities. The NUJ is implacably opposed to discrimination and prejudice, not least because it divides rather than unites. Because of this, members are expected to seek to combat discrimination and bullying in the workplace. The NUJ does not regard prejudicial language or comments about people on the grounds of gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age or disability as acceptable behaviour among its members.
]]>
February Branch Meeting: Working Collectives
102nd International Women’s Day
Freedom of Expression in Turkey
NUJ Fights to Protect Journalistic Sources
The press after Leveson
Members only section (log in to view)
Draft Branch & AGM Minutes: 29 January 2013
Treasurer’s Report 2012
]]>
The February London Photographers’ Branch meeting discussion on Tuesday 26 February will be discussing working in collectives. We are please to have three speakers, Zarina Holmes, Ross Domoney and a speaker from Reel News is still to be confirmed.
Zarina Holmes is a freelance photographer, art director and co-founder of Sojournposse visual journalism collective, which is the producer of storytelling labs at the London Design Festival. Sojournposse’s reportage is described as a conversation between the collective, who are from the East and the West.
Ross Domoney is a freelance filmmaker and photographer in the Aletheia Photos collective. He is currently based in Athens, Greece. His documentary work focuses on social/human rights issues, modernization, character studies and the effects of political protest on cities, authorities and underground movements.
Reel News is a activist video collective, set up to publicise and share information on inspirational global campaigns and struggles.
We will also be celebrating International Women’s Day 2013 with free T-shirts designed by Zarina Holmes. It’s first come, first served. We will have a photo booth at the back of the meeting room and the photos will be posted online for the 102nd International Women’s Day.
As well as all that there will be the usual union business, updates on industry news that affects our sector and a report on the court hearing of the latest struggle to halt police seizure of journalist material. There will be nibbles and soft drinks.
]]>At the LPB January 2013 Branch Discussion journalist and filmmaker Leah Borromeo spoke about crowd-funding. Leah has worked as deputy foreign editor at Sky News, Channel 4 News and APTN; among the publications she contributes to are the Index on Censorship, the British Journal of Photography and Juxtapoz. She films for NGOs, social movements and factual programmes across the developing world from Haiti to Gaza to Pakistan and Iran. She is currently directing a feature documentary with Dartmouth Films on Indian farmer suicides and fashion called Dirty White Gold.
]]>
January Branch Meeting and AGM 6.00pm Tuesday 29 January 2013
The January branch meeting will include our Annual General Meeting, a talk and discussion about crowd-funding, an International Report, and the usual monthly branch business, including a brief report on the Government’s latest copyright legislation. Read the rest of this article
Praise for the union after photographer wins nine year Swiss legal battle
LPB member Guy Smallman has praised the NUJ for its support throughout nine years of a legal battle for compensation for injuries he received at the hands of Swiss police whilst covering a G8 protest in Geneva in June 2003. Read the rest of this article
A Fond Farewell
London Photographers’ Branch Chair, Jess Hurd, has informed the LPB committee that she will not be standing for re-election in the New Year.
Branch Members Section Only (Log in to view)
Draft Committee Minutes – 8 January 2013
Draft Branch Minutes: 18 December 2012
]]>Jess said, “It has been a fantastic three years. The London Photographers’ Branch has really pushed photographer issues to the top of the agenda. We began the branch at the height of the “Im a Photographer Not a Terrorist” campaign, a successful campaign which mobilised thousands of photographers in Trafalgar Square and was central to reversing the police policy of stop and search. The London Photographers’ Branch has had many successes, most notably concerning press freedom, exposing police surveillance of journalists, defending the press against attacks from the English Defence League and other far right groups – from the landmark Dale Farm Production Order victory to the on-going campaign around private security.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the branch in this voluntary role and help build a collective response to the issues we face as photographers. Some of the most important and hardest work we have done has been tackling sexism and bullying, I hope the new Chair will continue to champion the fight against these and other issues that blight our industry. We are building the branch in difficult economic times and a principled, collective response is now more important than ever. I wish the branch every success in 2013 and beyond”
There will be an election for LPB’s new Chair and committee at the branch AGM – 29th January 2013 – 6pm NUJ HQ
Tonight will be making merry at our joint branch Xmas Party and review of the year – beginning at 6pm NUJ HQ and later at the Harrison Pub (disabled access).
]]>
Joint Christmas Party: Review of the Year
It’s that time of year again, Tuesday 18 December, 6pm at NUJ Headland House, will be the third NUJ LPB Christmas party. This year we will be holding a joint event with the NUJ Independent Broadcasting and New Media Branch. As well as a video showcasing new media we are collecting images and video for the LPB Review of the Year to show on the night.
Facebook Event. Read the rest of this article »
Leveson Urged To Back Conscience Clause
Tomorrow Lord Justice Leveson will publish the findings of his inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics in the press and his examination of the relationship of the press with the public, police and politicians. Read the rest of this article »
Audio: Rates and New Media
Audio – Sexism & Bullying in the Media
Audio – Digital Data Security
Audio: The Big Picture, The History of Paparazzi
Members only section (log in to view)
Draft Branch Meeting: 27 November 2012
Draft Committee Meeting: 6 November 2012
Branch Minutes: 30 October 2012
]]>
It’s that time of year again, Tuesday 18 December, 6pm at NUJ Headland House, will be the third NUJ LPB Christmas party. This year we will be holding a joint event with the NUJ Independent Broadcasting and New Media Branch. As well as a video showcasing new media we are collecting images and video for the LPB Review of the Year to show on the night.
Members and non-members are welcome.
All branch members are encouraged to submit 12 images or 1 minute of video made in the past year for the slideshow. We are also asking for each person submitting for the review to submit one print of their work, either A3 or A4 for the raffle. We’ve had a busy year and it would be great to see some coverage of NUJ campaigns and activities, as well as your work covering all events from 2012. In order to maximum our fundraising the tickets for the raffle will be made available at £2 each or three for £5. Proceeds from which will be going to the Rory Peck Trust and NUJ Extra.
Please upload your images and video to Dropbox or another file sharing site, then send to link to: [email protected]
Images should be JPEG and a minimum of 720 pixels on the longest side.
We look forward to seeing you all at the December Branch meeting and joining us to review the year as witnessed by branch members, accompanied by Christmas food and wine. We will also follow on to the Harrision pub after, which has disabled access.
The London Photographers’ Branch Annual General Meeting is on the 29th January. A date for your diary, but also advanced notice of the chance to join the new 2013 LPB committee and help organise the branch. No experience is necessary to join the committee and we welcome photographers and video journalists – students, temporary and full members. There is absolutely no commitment to attend all committee and branch meetings and we are looking specifically for members willing to job share positions.
If you would like more information about how to get involved please contact one of the current committee members or chat to us at the next branch meeting or the Xmas party.
]]>