28. April 2007
CIOJ Speaks for British Journalists
(27.04.2007) CIOJ Speaks for British Journalists
Britain’s senior professional organisation for journalists, the Council of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, expressed its dismay at several motions agreed at this month’s annual delegate meeting of the National Union of Journalists.
One of the NUJ’s motions called on its journalist members to boycott Israel.
“The Institute has been approached by a number of organisations and newspapers asking if we share the same views as the NUJ on this matter,” said Dominic Cooper, CIoJ General Secretary. “We do not and never will do.”
“The statements made by the NUJ are a matter for that organisation and do not
reflect the views of all British journalists or this Institute. Journalism is reporting facts, reporting what happens in the world,” said Dominic Cooper, CIOJ General Secretary. “It is not about taking a political stand and calling for boycotts.”
“While journalists may hold their own personal opinions on contentious issues such as the Middle East, it is not appropriate for the NUJ to encourage a blanket boycott because they do not like a particular government,” commented Mr. Cooper.
“The NUJ’s position on this is totally unacceptable to the Institute. Professional journalists report facts and events. We in the CIoJ do not give
instructions to our members about what to say or what not to say,” concluded Mr. Cooper.
The Institute’s Council agreed the following statement at its meeting on Saturday, 21st April, 2007.
Press contact: Dominic Cooper, General Secretary, CIoJ
Tel: +44 20 7252 1187
Mobile: +44 7803 507366
E-mail : dc@cioj.co.uk, www.ioj.co.uk
Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ)
2 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road
London, United Kingdom, SE16 2XU



- 

