Journalist’s coverage of Record dispute a disgrace
JOURNALIST’S coverage of strike action at the Daily Record and Sunday Mail is nothing short of a disgrace. A five-paragraph picture caption on page 19? What a joke.
It is one of the strongest and most united chapels in the NUJ. I expected the NUJ’s own organ to be looking into the dispute in depth and rallying support across the UK.
I am very disappointed to find it is not, particularly as our colleagues at the Mirror look set to be next.
Secondly, I am also disgusted by Victor Noir’s appalling tirade (last issue) about the Express story on Dunblane victims.
I thoroughly object to the treatment meted out to writer Paula Murray.
She is a true professional and is hugely popular within Scottish journalism, particularly among her former colleagues at the Daily Record. A former NUJ chapel official herself, she deserved better than this disgraceful attack on her character.
Michael Christie
Wishaw
I’D MUch RATHER be writing to thank you for your excellent coverage of the biggest newspaper strike in Scotland for 23 years.
But since you chose to give it five paragraphs at the bottom of page 19, I clearly can’t do that.
Our chapel has had fantastic backing from the union. NUJ Scottish officials Paul Holleran and Jim McNally are doing an amazing job fighting our cause, we’re getting excellent financial assistance, and Jeremy Dear and James Doherty have both visited our picket line.
It’s really disappointing that the Journalist felt it had to let the side down.
More than 240 members of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail chapel have taken seven days of strike action so far.
We are continuing to work to rule as I write. Support for the action has been totally solid and we’re on the verge of a terrific victory. Every scrap of backing and publicity we get boosts our morale at a difficult time.
If we’re still fighting when the next edition of the Journalist appears, maybe the union’s own magazine will feel able to help out.
David McKay
Glasgow