03.11.09
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EXCLUSIVE by Mark Watts
Staff members at the national union of journalists are taking time off to
campaign for the “NUJ Left” candidate in the election for Journalist
editor.
Union staff members not in the far-left faction have come forward to
blow the whistle on colleagues in “NUJ Left” who are actively
campaigning for the political group’s candidate, Richard Simcox, in
the election.
The NUJ publishes the Journalist magazine for its members,
who have until November 16 to vote by postal ballot for a new editor –
an extension of 10
days to the original deadline. The extension follow-ed a request
by four of the eight candidates.
My e-mail circular to NUJ members two weeks ago unmasked
Simcox as the “NUJ Left” candidate even though he had made no
such declaration in his campaign material, including the “election address”,
that was sent via the union to the electorate.
The e-mail circular revealed that “NUJ Left” was operating
as a cabal and seeking to control the union’s national executive council,
although it does not have total control yet. In addition, some – although
not most – NUJ staff members are also in the political faction.
One source speaking on condition of anonymity told me: “You might
think it worthwhile making the point that NUJ staff have been working to help
the cabal that you have identified.”
I am today able to identify one NUJ staff member who has campaigned
for the “NUJ Left” candidate in this election as Miles Barter,
the union’s campaigns and communications officer.
Barter took up his current NUJ job a short period after leaving his
former position as the union’s northern regional organiser.
According to one “NUJ Left” document, Barter was elected
onto the “steering committee” of the faction at its conference
last May – along with Simcox.
Whistle-blower claims of union staff not in “NUJ Left”
were corroborated after I obtained a copy of an e-mail dated Friday October
2 – four days after the shortlist for the election was unveiled –
that Barter sent to fellow members of the political faction.
In his e-mail, Barter writes: “I’m off today and working
on Richard’s campaign. Here’s his website: http://richsimcox.co.uk.”
He also made a request in the e-mail to fellow members of “NUJ
Left” for endorsements for Sim-cox. Many figures in the NUJ leadership
who are also in “NUJ Left” are publicly endorsing Simcox’s
bid. Barter had already publicly endorsed Simcox in this election.
I called Barter last night to put to him that he had taken time off
work to help on Simcox’s election campaign. He responded: “No,
I haven’t. I don’t know who told you that.”
When I told him that I had a copy of his e-mail of October 2 and read
the key sentence to him, Barter said: “I had that day off,” adding
that it was time owing.
Asked whether he felt it appropriate for the NUJ’s campaigns
officer to campaign for the “NUJ Left” candidate in this election,
he responded: “I’m a member of the NUJ.”
“I work for the NUJ, and, out of work, I have helped Richard.”
When questioned why “NUJ Left” had fielded a candidate
without making a proper declaration in election material sent to voters, Barter
angrily ended the call.
The Channel 4 news presenter, Jon
Snow, and an
army of other
eminent journalists
from all corners
of the media industry, and from across the UK and Ireland, have backed my
election campaign.
My pitch is that the new editor of the Journalist should be
an independent journalist
at heart – not a politicised activist.
Mark Watts – freelance journalist, broadcaster and FOIA
Centre co-ordinator – is standing in the election on the basis that
the new editor of the Journalist should be an independent journalist at heart
– not a politicised activist. He is not a member of any political party
or group.
Comment
on this article
NUJ extends voting period
following request
Four election candidates
seek vote extension
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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