21.10.09
Look
out for updates on this subject
Four candidates in the election for the Journalist
editorship requested an extension to the voting deadline because of disruption
to postal services.
Mark Watts – freelance reporter, broadcaster as well as the FOIA
Centre co-ordinator – made a formal request to the national union of
journalists (NUJ) on behalf of the four. The three other candidates who joined
in the request were Tim Arnold, Christine Buckley and Michael Cross.
The other four candidates declined to join in seeking a deadline extension.
The request, sent to NUJ officials by e-mail two days ago, asked the
union to press the electoral reform services (ERS), which is running the elect-ion,
to extend the voting deadline.
We understand that the ERS is discussing the issue with the NUJ, and
an announcement could be made as soon as tomorrow (Thursday). The ERS is expected
to advise the NUJ on the length of extension that it regards as necessary.
Watts said today: “I have had enormous feedback because of that
e-mail circular,
and it is clear that many members have not yet even received their ballot
papers. An extension is vital in the interests of democracy.”
In the e-mail request, Watts wrote: “We know that two 24-hour
nationwide postal strikes are scheduled for Thursday October 22 and Friday
October 23, and there is every indication that there could be further industrial
action by postal workers.
“Recent industrial action has already caused very significant
disruption to postal services.”
He added that two of the four candidates had not even received their
ballot papers. “I am receiving many reports from members who have not
received their ballot papers,” said the e-mail.
“There is a very real risk that disruption to postal services
will have a very significant impact on the number of ballots received by the
deadline of November 6.
“We would like to ensure as democratic a decision in this election
as possible, and believe that every effort should be made to prevent or, at
least, to minimize any such impact.”
Meanwhile, Watts also said that he had been swamped with messages –
mostly, although not wholly, supportive – following his dramatic e-mail
circular to NUJ members.
He said: “I would ask everyone to bear with me. It is just not
possible to keep up with the enormous feedback that I am receiving. But please
keep it coming. We, the members, will take our union back from the politicized
hijackers.”
“The level of support for my unmasking of the ‘NUJ Left’
candidate far outstrips the impression given by online commenting.
“The ‘NUJ Left’ crowd are plainly rattled, and they
are, as predicted, dishing out vitriolic slurs – and spreading falsehoods
and smears – to me and other critics. I think that most members can
see through that, not least because no one from ‘NUJ Left’ has,
so far as I have seen, provided a decent answer to the issues that I raised.
“I hope that NUJ members will vote in this election in much greater
than expected numbers, and I urge them to do so as soon as possible.”
Comment
on this article
NUJ peer raises election issue
in parliament
Watts unmasks ‘NUJ
Left’ candidate in circular
C4 News anchor Jon
Snow backs Watts for editor
Former BBC political
reporter supports Watts
Top journalists back
Watts election campaign
More journalists
support election bid by Watts
Watts campaigns for independent
Journalist
FOIA
specialist in election for Journalist editorship
Journalistic background
of Mark Watts
Comments
on Journalist election (7)
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