The NUJ has raised its concern about police surveillance of journalists with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. General Secretary Jeremy Dear told her of serious concern about the Metropolitan Police Forward Intelligence Team’s monitoring and recording of bona fide journalists, especially photographers. He told her a number of members had said the surveillance amounted to harassment and was a serious threat to their right to carry out their lawful employment.

NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear was due to meet the Conservative Party’s “envoy to the trade union movement” Richard Balfe in June after an approach from the party. “We will take the opportunity to set out our position on the future of public service broadcasting, on employment legislation, on copyright, on the safety of journalists, on media ownership and much, much more,” he said.

NUJ member Tim Lezard has been elected as chair of the South West region of the TUC. A former union President, He is the first NUJ member to be elected to the post.

NUJ Members at Informa held a May Day rally to celebrate the strong NUJ presence at the publishing company since its formation in 1998. There are recognised chapels across the organisation and the reps meet regularly as a group chapel. Maritime and Transport FoC Martyn Wingrove said the union would keep its presence strong and active.

The Journalist is published by the National Union of Journalists