The NUJ is holding a parliamentary lobby on Wednesday 25 March over the future of local media as savage cuts continue even within a supposedly “labour-friendly” media group.

The latest announcements by Guardian Media Group that it plans to make half its journalists in the Manchester area redundant and sack 95 workers in Surrey and Berkshire, are shameful and should be condemned by everyone on the left.

While we recognise the best way to fight the cuts is through grassroots organisation, this lobby is an important initiative which we need to support with as many of our members as possible.

What the strikes at the massively profitable Johnston Press titles in Leeds have shown is how readily the community, including elected representatives, lines up in support of journalists taking action against their bosses.

Journalists from all sectors are urged to attend to meet their MPs and press the case for investment in quality journalism – jobs before profits.

Write to your MP in advance to ask them to attend. The NUJ has produced a model letter, see below.

On the day, the NUJ will hold a briefing in committee room 20 in parliament at 2pm.

The room will then be available from 3pm for journalists to meet their MPs. Members will be fully briefed on what MPs will be asked to do.

For more information contact the NUJ’s campaigns department on campaigns@nuj.org.uk or 020 7843 6381.

NUJ Left also has activists who are experienced in lobbying. Contact richsimcox@mac.com if you would like to be put in touch.

Model letter to MPs

Dear

As one of  your constituents and a journalist I am concerned about future of local media [it would help to include a reference to how cuts have affected/would affect your MP's constituency]

I am worried that media ownership rules may be relaxed without any clear idea as to how that will improve local journalism.

Please sign early day motion 916 and attend a National Union of Journalists briefing on Wednesday March 25 in committee room 20 at 2pm. I look forward to meeting you at that event.

The NUJ would be happy to provide further info on request.

Yours

Posted by NUJ Left