![[Freelance]](../gif/fl3H.png)
London Freelance Branch meetings
We have returned to holding hybrid meetings, with the in-person part at NUJ headquarters, 72 Acton Street, London WC1X 9NB - just off Gray's Inn Road. The nearest Underground stations are King's Cross and Chancery Lane: see Google Maps or Open Street Map.
Meetings are generally on the second Monday of each month at 18:30 - except when Bank Holidays intervene, and except that there is no meeting in August.
Branch meeting calendar jump straight to the next meeting
This is not spam make sure you get Branch invitations
![[NUJ London Freelance Branch]](../gif/nuj.gif)
Please check back here - meeting subjects and speakers inevitably change from time to time. Members who have supplied a working email address to the NUJ centrally get a monthly email alert and virtual Freelance listing of recent updates.
Details of how to use Zoom are here. We send links to Branch members shortly before the meeting: if you've misplaced yours or are having trouble entering the meeting please contact the secretary directly.
NOTE that to comply with the Branch rules any motion for a meeting must be sent, in writing, to the Freelance editors ten days before the meeting date: see below for a handy form for submitting motions. See here for guidance on Tweeting and recording meetings.
There is information here on how the agendas for Branch meetings are put together.
The Branch also organises meetings for members new to freelance journalism, to meet other people new to the Branch and members with more experience of freelance journalism, generally on the last Thursday of every third month from 6pm. If you have recently joined, or transferred into, London Freelance Branch of the NUJ you should receive an invitation in email.
| Date | Speaker/subject |
|---|---|
| Mon Jan 13 | Our Annual General Meeting elected a new Committee, receives reports and amended our "standing orders". We also heard from Guy Smallman about getting his kit back from the police |
| Mon Feb 10 | Nika Talbot spoke on using the likes of Substack and Tom Davies updated us on the Guardian and Observer |
| Thou Feb 27 | New members' meeting |
| Mon Mar 10 | Carole Cadwalladr spoke on the fate of the Observer and being sacked twice in one day |
| Mon Apr 14 | Althea Billings and Jenka Soderberg of KBOO radio in the US on Trump, free speech and journalism |
| Fri May 09 | Coffee morning 13:00 |
| Mon May 12 | Blood on whose hands? Peter Oborne on complicity in genocide |
| Fri May 16 | Coffee morning 13:00 |
| Fri May 23 | Workshop on the Freedom of Information Act 09:30 |
| Thou May 29 | New members' meeting |
| Fri May 30 | Workshop on the General Data Protection Regulation 09:30 |
| Mon Jun 09 | Taha Siddiqui on exile; Asa Winstanley on getting his equipment back from the police; and remembering Duncan Campbell. |
| Mon Jul 7 | How to report the Gaza genocide? teach-in report |
| Mon Jul 14 | Freelance organising, with General Secretary Laura Davison and FT Parent of Chapel Steve Bird |
| Fri Jul 25 | Workshop: Journalism and media openings in universities with Sharon Wheeler: noon |
| Sun Jul 27 | Branch summer social and picnic |
| August | No meeting |
| Wed Aug 13 | Vigil for colleagues killed in the Gaza war |
| Wed Aug 27 | Honouring Gazan journalists at Downing Street - report |
| Thou Aug 28 | New members' meeting un-postponed |
| Mon Sep 8 | Brian Pelan on launching VIEW magazine: report soon |
| Mon Oct 13 |
We will likely hear from Harriet Meyer, who offers courses in how “to apply AI ethically and effectively at every stage of your workflow, from research and pitching to the brief, drafting and publication.”
|
| Mon Nov 10 | Speaker/subject to be announced |
| Thou Nov 27 | New members' meeting |
| Tue Dec 9 | Almost certainly, a seasonal social event |
| Mon Jan 12 2026 |
Annual General Meeting 2026 |
The Branch Committee welcomes suggestions for speakers and topics for meetings: contact editor@londonfreelance.org.
None notified yet
- send your motion no later than 10 days before the meeting at which it should be debated; and see the form for motion details (Word .DOC)
Expenses: branch summer picnic
passed none against
The Branch Committee asks that the branch retrospectively approve the sum of £75 to cover the cost of the hire of 10 deck chairs for the Branch Picnic on Sunday 27 July.
Expenses: emergency vigil costs 13 August and 27 August
passed none against
The Branch Committee asks that the branch retrospectively approve the sum of £350 to cover expenses incurred for the two emergency vigils held opposite Downing Street on 13 August and 27 August - after journalists were targeted and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
This amount reimburses individuals who paid up front the costs of printing the signs for both vigils, the hire of a PA sound system and taxis to transport the branch banner.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
passed none against
This Branch intends to organise an event to complement work by the NUJ centrally to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Sunday 2 November. This day is called by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO and is prominent in the work of the International Federation of Journalists, which "insists that national governments are held accountable when journalists are killed or targeted across the world".
The Branch resolves to empower the Committee to spend not more than £1500 on room hire and other necessary expenses.
Improving communication with members due to be lapsed
passed one against
This Branch believes that the NUJ can Improve communication with members due to be lapsed. It resolves to write to the General Secretary with suggestions and to ask representatives on the National Executive to raise the matter.
The suggestion that prompted this motion is that members should be reminded more prominently of the possibility of putting their membership into suspense if their income has dried up, for example due to caring responsibilities.
Further suggestions will be proposed as amendments to this motion.
Late payment campaign
passed none against
This Branch notes that freelance journalists are frequently subject to the most unfair and unacceptable business terms from the news platforms for which they work. These include:
- being required to accept payment by "self-billing" which in some instances meaning journalists being paid less than their agreed fee (and this then being very difficult to challenge);
- being made to accept "payment on publication" which can mean payment that has been commissioned and delivered to timetable is not then paid for until many months later; and
- being subject to contracts about which they are unaware when news platforms invoke the defence that they are operating "known terms or trade" when, for example, they assume ownership of the copyright of freelance contributions.
This Branch welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to reform the law to create: “a package of legislative measures aimed at addressing late payments, and ensuring businesses are paid fairly and on time”.
This Branch further welcomes the ongoing consultation being run by the Department of Business and Industry designed to asses the consequences of late payment and other exploitative trading practices for small business and sole traders.
The Branch believes that the more freelances who respond to this consultation, and make related representations to their Members of Parliament, the greater will be the likelihood of achieving change that starts to level the playing filed for freelance journalists.
This Branch believes that freelance journalists play a crucial part in delivering high-quality news media products, and believes that improving the often exploitative business environment in which freelances operate is not only fair, but will improve the news services to which they contribute.
This Branch resolves to write to all London MPs to make these points and to encourage members both to respond to the consultation and to convey their concerns to their Members of Parliament.
Pic-nic top-up
passed nem con
This Branch resolves to spend not more than £100 on supplementary refreshments for the Branch picnic on 27 July, while stressing that it is primarily a bring-and-share event.
Solidarity with Adil Raja against SLAPP case
passed nem con as amended
This branch notes:
- That Adil Raja, a freelance investigative journalist and NUJ member, is facing a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) initiated by the Pakistani intelligence agency.
- That the trial [for defamation] is scheduled to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice in London from 21 to 24 July 2025.
- That this case represents a significant threat to press freedom and journalistic integrity, as SLAPPs are designed to intimidate and silence journalists through costly and vexatious legal action.
This branch believes:
- That journalists must be free to carry out investigative work without fear of legal harassment or intimidation.
- That solidarity with members facing such challenges is a core principle of the NUJ’s commitment to defending press freedom.
This branch resolves:
- To express full support and solidarity with Adil Raja in his defence against this SLAPP case.
- To send a message
circulate the press release provided by Adil Rajato all branch members to raise awareness of the case. - To encourage media coverage of the trial to highlight the implications for press freedom.
- To support a solidarity campaign ahead of and during the trial, including promoting the case on social media and other platforms.
- To invite Adil Raja to provide further information or attend a future meeting to discuss the case, subject to his availability and the branch’s schedule.
- To urge the NUJ National Executive Council to monitor this case and advocate for stronger legal protections against SLAPPs in the UK.
Closer support to journalists suffering from suppression
passed nem con
London Freelance Branch asks the NUJ's National Executive Council to consider the following ideas – and any others seen as practical and appropriate – to offer closer support to journalists currently suffering from and/or threatened with suppression, including death, by governments and/or other parties to conflicts and wars. (Please note a) that of course we are thinking of Gaza particularly, but we know that journalists have been killed in at least 20 other countries in the last 12 months and b) that we appreciate that some of these and other possibilities that we are unaware of may be being pursued or explored already.)
A) Could the union usefully offer membership to journalists in these areas who for various reasons are unable to join a local union, either i) within “normal” membership criteria if they work substantially for UK-published media; or ii) just anyway in the spirit of the rules admitting refugees and asylum-seekers?
B) Could the union approach media organisations where it has some standing (recognition or thereabouts) to discuss their relationship with threatened/endangered journalists (be they moonlighting staff, stringers or other freelances) with regard to provisions for bylines/credits (if safe) and other visible recognition, payment, safety and support if the worst happens (trauma and/or physical injury/death)? And how might the union help?
C) Could the NUJ discuss with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other member unions possibilities of helping such journalists under threat beyond what is being done already? For instance, some unions, including, we understand, the IFJ-recognised Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, do not admit freelances – can this omission be addressed, especially because many threatened journalists are freelances? Could a means of embracing threatened journalists, with no direct access to “local” union membership, within the IFJ be considered?
D) Could the NUJ and/or its branches do more to support threatened journalists with i) fundraising, and ii) access to (long-range?) trauma support for example as described by the NUJ article on Post traumatic stress disorder covering co-operation with the Roy Peck Trust, its Crisis Fund, its Therapy Fund and others?
Keeping Palantir away from our health data
passed nem con
London Freelance Branch of the NUJ congratulates the British Medical Association on passing a resolution on 23 June at its Annual Representative Meeting that calls on the organisation to "lobby at a national level against the continued introduction of Palantir’s software into health data systems, and to terminate all existing contracts that the NHS holds with Palantir".
The resolution recognises that involvement of Palantir in the NHS "threatens to undermine public trust in NHS data systems, due to a lack of transparency in how the data will be stored and processed, a track record of creating discriminatory policing software in the US, and close links to a US government which shows little regard for international law".
The Branch commends to its investigative reporter members the task of filling the gap left by part vi of the motion as proposed by the BMA's South West Regional Council, which did not pass, and called for "a detailed report into Palantir’s human rights violations, and their involvement in warfare and surveillance technologies".
Late motion:
Demand swift and safe release of Omar Faiad and Yanis Mhamdi
Passed as amended
This Branch notes that among the 12 detailed by the state of Israel last night on the ship the Madleen are two journalists: Omar Faiad of Al Jazeera; and Yanis Mhamdi of Blast in Paris. This afternoon Al Jazeera reported that they are being held in solitary confinement and in isolation.
The Branch calls on the General Secretary, the National Executive and the International Federation of Journalists to do everything possible and necessary to ensure their swift and safe release and to condemn their detention.
Training funds
passed
This Branch agrees that training and mentoring specific to members whose English is not their first language, previously covered by the grant from the Journalists’ Copyright Fund - which has now run out - can now be paid for from the general training fund money provided by the Branch.
[Note: all LFB’s training courses and mentoring are currently free to members.]
Challenge BBC prevarication cowardice
passed as amended
This Branch notes with concern reports that the BBC is refusing to broadcast a documentary with the working title Medics Under Fire. We are even more concerned by the statement from Basement Films, who made the documentary, that the BBC is giving as a reason for this a wish to first complete its investigation into the quite separate documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone and the company's statement that Medics Under Fire "has been fact-checked, complied and signed off multiple times within the BBC, as well as experts we consulted with. We see no moral or professional reason why a mistake in one film should repeatedly prevent the release of another film."
The Branch recalls the motion it passed in March, amended to instruct the Branch Committee to request that the General Secretary and National Executive Council issue a statement on the BBC's withdrawal of the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from iPlayer "after the conclusion of the BBC investigation or after two months, whichever is the sooner". The Branch notes that the "investigation" process is widely seen as being used to kick the issue into the long grass.
The Branch urges the General Secretary to protest this prevarication cowardice by the BBC, effectively and immediately.
Release Ali Samoudi!
passed as amended
London Freelance Branch thanks the National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists for their statements on the detention and disappearance of prominent Palestinian journalist Ali Samoudi in Jenin on 29 April. We note that Ali was a witness to the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin on 11 May 2022 - when he was shot in the back.
We demand the release of Ali and send our best wishes to Ali and his family and support continuing efforts to secure his release.
We equally demand the release of send best wishes to the other 83 Palestinian journalists who have, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, been arrested by Israeli forces over the 18 months since October 2023; to their families; and to the survivors of the 183 journalists - 170 of them Palestinian - confirmed killed.
We urge the NUJ to continue pressure on UK government to these ends.
Children at Delegate Meeting
passed as amended
This Branch resolves to make a sum up to £520 available to enable a delegate to take children to Delegate Meeting.
We are of course exploring the mysteries of Railcards and hotel pricing to reduce the sum actually required.
Amendment: Children at Delegate Meeting
passed
After "520" insert "each" and replace "a delegate" with "two delegates".
Draft Late Notice Motion for DM 2025
passed
DM notes the publication in March in the Atlantic magazine of a report on the Library Genesis (LibGen) dataset of millions of publications purloined by Meta for the purpose of scraping their content to ‘train’ its AI projects.
DM recognises that the theft of their texts [and images] and use of their work without payment is the gravest threat posed to our freelance members by artificial intelligence. DM congratulates the Society of Authors, the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society and other groups involved in the campaign, supported by the NUJ, against the protest. DM instructs the NEC to step up its campaigning on the issue.
DM further instructs the NEC to support freelance members fighting to secure compensation for this abuse of their work, including by legal action if possible and necessary.
London Freelance Branch demands update on motion 50 passed at last DM about the NUJ relationship with Google
passed
This Branch resolves to demand that the NUJ National Executive Committee (NEC) provide an immediate and detailed update on Motion 50, passed at the last Delegate Meeting (DM) in April 2023.
The motion instructed the NEC to publicly consult with the membership on the nature and merits of the union’s relationship with Google. If deemed necessary, the motion further mandated the termination of any existing contracts or agreements with Google before the next DM.
Despite the clear directive of Motion 50, the NEC has provided no updates, disclosures, or evidence of any consultation with the membership. This lack of action and transparency undermines the democratic decision made at the AGM and raises serious concerns about the NEC’s commitment to honouring motions passed by the membership.
London Freelance Branch reiterates the urgent need for full disclosure regarding the union’s relationship with Google. We call on the NEC to provide a comprehensive update immediately and to ensure that all members are informed of any progress - or lack thereof - on this matter
Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April 2025
passed as amended
This Branch agrees to participate with others around the world marking the damage done by work and the preventable nature of most of this by organising, publicising and carrying out an event in London to mark Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April 2025. The spirit of the event should reflect the day’s motto – Remember the dead – and fight for the living!
Amendment: Workers’ Memorial Day
Add at end: This Branch agrees to allocate a contingency pot of £500 for the organisation and promotion of this event, for use for example if it turns out to be necessary to hire a public address system. The Committee will of course keep actual expenditure to a minimum.
The Branch further agrees to hold a larger event on 2 November, the UN’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The committee is asked to set up a sub-committee to organise the event, with an appeal for members to join at the next branch meeting.
Financial support for Ability Today journalism training
passed as amended
This branch recognises the essential work that Ability Today does by training disabled journalists and resolves to donate a sum of £2500 £500.
Ability Today is a not-for-profit community interest company who train disabled journalists in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists. (NCTJ) They provide highly subsidised, fully accessible courses covering the introductory Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism (CFJ) and the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism. This donation is to be applied to supporting NUJ members.
Ability Today faces severe financial difficulties. Funding from the National Lottery ended in 2024, their provision is currently at risk of ceasing permanently to new entrants. They’ve been unable to take on further students since May 2024 due to these increasing funding difficulties.
During 2024, Ability Today provided twenty-six students access to the NCTJ CFJ course with over two hundred aspiring disabled journalists applying. There is a serious need for more disabled people in journalism as despite one in five people identifying as disabled, there’s huge under representation within the industry. Ability Today seeks to address this deficit.
During five years of operation, its students and alumni have secured paid work or placements with the BBC, ITV, The Sun, Newsquest and CNN. One Level 5 Diploma student covering the Paralympic games directly from Paris last year.
Donations would be used by Ability Today to train more aspiring journalists with disabilities through the running of another NCTJ CFJ course during 2025, with aspirations to run the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism too if enough funding was secured.
The Committee will convey this motion to other NUJ bodies such as Freelance Industrial Council and Disability Council.
BBC documentary
passed as amended
This Branch resolve to empower its Committee to request that the General Secretary and National Executive Council issue a statement on the BBC's withdrawal of the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from iPlayer after the conclusion of the BBC investigating or after two months, whichever is the sooner..
As the Branch currently understands the situation from BBC statements, the basis for the complaints that led to this was that the 13-year-old narrator is the son of a deputy agriculture minister in the Hamas government. Obviously that information should have been revealed: we estimate that it would have been simple to check it and add it and re-upload the documentary. The Branch notes the open letter signed by Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes and nearly 900 others “appalled that the BBC has chosen to give credence to a politicised campaign that sought to discredit a documentary about children’s experiences of unspeakable Israeli military violence”.
Freelance Journalism Awards 2025
passed
London Freelance Branch agrees to sponsor awards for the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards.
The categories available are:
- Best News Story
- Best Feature
- Best Investigation
- Best Print Journalist
- Best Broadcast Journalist
The cost of sponsorship would be £250 per award to cover the cost of the £100 prize, awards trophy and time to organise and administer the awards. In return we would receive advertising and links in 6 newsletters and six podcast episodes.
The proposal is to sponsor Best Investigation and Best Feature.
Background
The awards have run for the past two years and attracted more than 500 entries from UK freelance journalists.
The organisers will use their newsletter freelancingforjournalists.substack.com (with 4000+ subscribers) and award-winning podcast (62,000 downloads) to facilitate the awards online. Each award would be decided by a panel of industry experts: the Branch nominated a judge for last year’s awards (winners here).
There may be additional awards depending on the number of sponsors.
Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April 2025
not reached
This Branch agrees to participate with others around the world marking the damage done by work and the preventable nature of most of this by organising, publicising and carrying out an event in London to mark Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April 2025. The spirit of the event should reflect the day’s motto – Remember the dead – and fight for the living!
Amendment: Workers’ Memorial Day
Add at end: This Branch agrees to allocate a contingency pot of £500 for the organisation and promotion of this event, for use for example if it turns out to be necessary to hire a public address system. The Committee will of course keep actual expenditure to a minimum.
The Branch further agrees to hold a larger event on 2 November, the UN’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The committee is asked to set up a sub-committee to organise the event, with an appeal for members to join at the next branch meeting.
Amendment 1 to DM motion: Copyright and 'Artificial Intelligence'
withdrawn by mover
In Branch motion 10 to Delegate Meeting, replace the first bullet point
Journalists' work must not be used to 'train' so-called 'artificial intelligence' without explicit prior consent and, if that is given, payment;
with:
UK government proposals that would allow journalists' work to be used to 'train' so-called 'artificial intelligence' without explicit prior consent or payment must be fiercely resisted;
Amendment 2 to DM motion: Copyright and 'Artificial Intelligence'
passed
Delete the first 2 paragraphs and first bullet point of the motion and replace with:
This DM reaffirms the NUJ's commitment to protecting members' copyright, which is the legal basis for freelance members to get paid for their journalism.
DM is alarmed at the acquisition of members’ work without consent or payment, by AI producers for the purpose of “training” their programs. DM recognises that such acquisition cannot be stopped, but affirms that this should never happen without explicit prior consent and, if that is given, payment.
DM therefore instructs the NEC to work with all possible trade union and other allies and with members of parliament to promote the principles that:
Then resume with second bullet point "Compensation for the use of work…"
Between the penultimate and last bullet point insert a new one:
- UK government proposals that would allow journalists' work to be used to 'train' so-called 'artificial intelligence' without explicit prior consent or payment must be fiercely resisted;
Delegate Meeting - delegation expenses
passed
This Branch agrees to set aside up to £1000 to cover the costs of its delegates to the NUJ Delegate Meeting having single hotel rooms if they wish. [Amount subject to amendment.]
Delegate Meeting - observer expenses
passed
This Branch agrees to set aside up to £1000 to cover the costs of sending one observer to the NUJ Delegate Meeting having single hotel rooms if they wish. [Amount subject to amendment.]
Monthly remuneration increases
passed
London Freelance Branch remunerates key members for their contributions to the smooth running of branch functions. Historically, these costs have been increased on a yearly basis to offset inflation, the last raise occurring in January 2024.
The recommended increases for 2025 are based on the effects of inflation since the last adjustment, using data to be found here: https://www.rateinflation.com/inflation-rate/uk-inflation-rate. The median published rate over the past year was 2.430%.
The Remuneration Sub-Committee recommends that:
- The current £1,062 paid jointly to Freelance co-editors should be increased to £1,089 per month (rounded up from £1,088.87).
- The current £413 paid to the social-media editor should be increased to £423 per month (rounded down from £423.45).
Financial support for Ability Today journalism training
the meeting voted to postpone until next meeting
This branch recognises the essential work that Ability Today does by training disabled journalists and resolves to donate a sum of £5000.
Ability Today is a not-for-profit community interest company who train disabled journalists through working in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists. (NCTJ) They provide highly subsidised, fully accessible courses covering the introductory Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism (CFJ) and the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Ability Today is facing severe financial difficulties. Funding from the National Lottery ended in 2024, their provision is currently at risk of ceasing permanently to new entrants from the 31st of January 2025.
During 2024, Ability Today provided 26 students access to these NCTJ CFJ course with over 200 aspiring disabled journalists applying. There is a serious need for more disabled people in journalism as despite one in five people identifying as disabled, disabled people are underrepresented within the industry. Ability Today seeks to address this deficit.
During five years of operation, its students and alumni have secured paid work or placements with the BBC, ITV, The Sun, Newsquest and CNN, with one Level 5 Diploma student covering the Paralympic games directly from Paris last year.
Donations would be used by Ability Today to train more aspiring journalists with disabilities through the running of another NCTJ CFJ course during 2025, with aspirations to run the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism too if enough funding was secured.
London Freelance Branch demands update on motion 50 passed at last DM about the NUJ relationship with Google
not reached
This branch resolves that the NUJ National Executive Committee (NEC) provide an immediate and detailed update on Motion 50, passed at the last Delegate Meeting.
The motion, passed two years ago, instructed the NEC to publicly consult with the membership on the nature and merits of the union’s relationship with Google. If deemed necessary, the motion further mandated the termination of any existing contracts or agreements with Google before the next DM.
Despite the clear directive of Motion 50, the NEC has provided no updates, disclosures, or evidence of any consultation with the membership. This lack of action and transparency undermines the democratic decision made at the AGM and raises serious concerns about the NEC’s commitment to honouring motions passed by the membership.
London Freelance Branch reiterates the urgent need for full disclosure regarding the union’s relationship with Google. We call on the NEC to provide a comprehensive update immediately and to ensure that all members are informed of any progress - or lack thereof - on this matter.
Branch rules: filling Committee vacancies
passed
In rule 7 replace the final sentence with words to the effect that committee "Seats that become vacant during the year shall be filled by advertising the vacancy in the Freelance and voting on the resulting candidate or candidates at the next convenient Branch meeting."
Branch rules: electing the Branch delegation to the biennial Delegate Meeting
passed
In rule 9a replace the first sentence with words to the effect that "The Branch delegation to the biennial Delegate Meeting shall be elected at the AGM, or at the ordinary Branch meeting preceding a deadline set by NUJ head office if necessary; and the Branch delegation to a Special Delegate Meeting shall be elected at the earliest appropriate Branch meeting."
Branch rules: amending Branch rules
passed
In rule 17 replace all with words to the effect that "Proposed amendments to Standing Orders shall be made only at the Branch AGM and shall be circulated to members one week before the AGM."
Under "Branch standing orders for the conduct of meetings", delete point 17.
Financial support for Ability Today journalism training
out of order - needs an amount
This Branch resolves to consider that an affordable sum be provided to Ability Today, who face severe financial difficulties.
Their provision is at risk of ceasing permanently to new entrants from 31 January 2025. Funding awarded would be used to help the CIC support aspiring journalists with visible or hidden disabilities, and study accessible NCTJ qualifications.
Several have secured paid work or placements with the BBC, ITV, the Sun, Newsquest, CNN UK and BBC’s equivalent in Kenya, KBC - to name a few.
Regular Zoom workshops with experienced journalists or social media managers are included within Ability Today's journalism courses too.
Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News, Frank Gardner from BBC News, NUJ President Natasha Hirst and Will Gore, special contributor for the Independent while working primarily at the NCTJ have been among previous guest speakers.
One level five diploma student covered the Paralympic games directly from Paris last year, thanks to Ability Today’s support.
The Branch shall also contact NUJ head office to see what funds or assistance they have available for Ability Today? Every little helps, as Tesco would say.
London Freelance Branch demands update on motion 50 passed at last DM about the NUJ relationship with Google
not reached
This branch resolves that the NUJ National Executive Committee (NEC) provide an immediate and detailed update on Motion 50, passed at the last Delegate Meeting.
The motion, passed a year ago, instructed the NEC to publicly consult with the membership on the nature and merits of the union’s relationship with Google. If deemed necessary, the motion further mandated the termination of any existing contracts or agreements with Google before the next DM.
Despite the clear directive of Motion 50, the NEC has provided no updates, disclosures, or evidence of any consultation with the membership. This lack of action and transparency undermines the democratic decision made at the AGM and raises serious concerns about the NEC’s commitment to honouring motions passed by the membership.
London Freelance Branch reiterates the urgent need for full disclosure regarding the union’s relationship with Google. We call on the NEC to provide a comprehensive update immediately and to ensure that all members are informed of any progress - or lack thereof - on this matter.