Several Pandora’s boxes were opened up to members of the CIoJ who went on an information visit to Brussels in mid-June. Members went on a three-day visit to NATO, SHAPE and some of the European Union institutions. They had useful meetings with senior officials and informed specialists at each institution visited.

Members of the CIoJ visiting Brussels - 2010

The visit concentrated on the defence of Europe and on how the different institutions co-operate to ensure Europe’s security.

Organised by CIoJ Brussels representative John Szemerey, the visit was made possible by specially low prices offered by Eurostar and by the Adagio aparthotel in central Brussels, and by the generosity of the European Parliament and NATO which gave grants to members of the visiting group to help them with costs.

At or after the visit most of the institutions to which the group went offered to put CIoJ members on their mailing lists relating to different policy areas so they could follow developments in the EU and at NATO and SHAPE in fields that interested them and on which they normally write or report.

The CIoJ visit included a whole day at NATO, meeting senior officials and also having a discussion session with a panel of three top members of the UK mission to NATO. This was followed by a half day visit to SHAPE at Mons, in South Belgium. SHAPE is the military organisation that in fact executes most NATO decisions.

In the EU institutions the visiting group had meetings with spokesmen for the new President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, and of the new EU Foreign Minister, Catherine Ashton, officially known as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The visit finished with half a day at the European Parliament thanks to Sarah Ludford MEP, who officially sponsored the CIoJ’s visit and to our affiliate member, Mary Honeyball, MEP, who helped arrange a session with representatives of five of the EP’s political groups.

“Three days in Brussels is too short to see and hear everything,” says the outgoing chairman of the CIoJ’s international division, John Szemerey, “but it showed us some key changes in the EU, following the Lisbon Treaty. And we saw how NATO and SHAPE have altered their policies and activities following the end of the Cold War to continue protecting Europe from external attacks, either by force or via the internet.”

Because of tight security at NATO and SHAPE they will need to know if anyone wishes to bring a camera, tape recorder or mobile telephone that takes photos. Please let Mr. Szemerey (see below) know if you wish to bring any of these, giving details of what you are bringing. We will then obtain permission for you to bring any of these with you. But please follow instructions at NATO and SHAPE, as the media is only allowed to film or photograph in some places.

If you have not indicated your interest in the visit and wish to go, please send the above information and £50, payable the CIoJ, now to

Dom Cooper, General Secretary, Chartered Institute of Journalists, 2, Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, London SE16 2XU.

Information about your wishing to take cameras, a tape recorder or a mobile telephone with built-in camera should be sent by e-mail to John Szemerey (john.szemerey@hotmail.com).

If you wish to telephone him, his number in Belgium is: 00322 687 90 16.

The hotel will cost €98 per head per day for a single room (with free access to the Internet and a small kitchen, including refrigerator), with breakfast. This is £85.00. For three nights it comes to £255.00.

If members wish share a twin room will cost of €111 (£96.00).

The hotel needs to be paid on arrival, either in cash or by credit card. This way, as we leave at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning, members will only need to pay any extras they have incurred (e.g. telephone calls).

However, if there are 20 in the group, the European Parliament will pay everyone about £116.50 after the visit. We hope to persuade the parliament to pay everyone in cash during the visit to the EP.  Delegates travelling from outside of London will have their fare paid upon production of their rail ticket recipt.

Therefore net travel cost will be zero, and the hotel will come to £255.00 less at least £116.50 – the reimbursement from the EP.  The only meal that is offered to the group is lunch at NATO on the Monday. Other meals will be at your own cost.

London St. Pancras International Station 14.34 Eurostar train to Brussels

Arrive 17.33 at Brussels Midi

Take Metro to De Brouckere,

Go to adjacent Aparthotel Adagio, Boulevard Anspach 20

Evening free

Monday, 21st June

08.00 Bus leaves hotel; go to NATO headquarters

08.45 Arrive NATO security/passport control

9.15 – 12.30 Briefings and discussion by and with representatives of NATO international staff

12.30-14.00 Lunch at NATO restaurant

14.00-17.30 Briefings (and discussion) by representatives of NATO international staff and of UK Delegation to NATO

17.45 Depart by bus for hotel.

Evening free

Tuesday, 22nd June

a.m. Meetings with EU Council of Ministers.

These meetings will need to be confirmed nearer the date.

13.30 Lunch at self-service restaurant of European Parliament (at members’ own cost)

15.00 Briefing on current tasks and activities of the European Parliament.

15.45-16.30 Briefing by Lady Sarah Ludford MEP, the group’s sponsor and host at the European Parliament

17.00 Meeting with MEPs from different political groups

18.00 Return to hotel

Evening free

Wednesday, 23rd June

08.00 Bus leaves hotel; go to SHAPE headquarters in Mons

09.00 Arrive SHAPE; security/passport control

09.30-12.30 Briefings at SHAPE

12.30-14.15 Lunch in self-service restaurant (at members own cost)

14.30 Bus leaves SHAPE, takes group to Brussels Midi Station

17.59 Eurostar train leaves Brussels Midi for London

19.03 Arrive St. Pancras International Station, London

RELEASE DATE: 19 April 2010

Institute protests at jailing of Kurdish editors

The Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) has sent a protest at the way Turkey continues to ignore the European Convention of Human Rights, of which it is a signatory, and to imprison senior journalists for writing about the activities of the PKK, the outlawed Kurdish Workers’ Party. It also calls for the immediate release of journalists now in prison for writing and publishing articles about the PKK.

Verdat Kursun, former editor of the Kurdish daily newspaper, Azadiya Welat, had already served 13 months in prison since his arrest in Istanbul when he was jailed on 7th April for publishing articles about the PKK. The total sentence for 32 other charges against him “for helping and abetting the PKK organisation by spreading propaganda” and “glorifying crimes and criminals” in articles in the newspaper would be 525 years in prison.

At the same time the newspaper that Kursun used to edit has been banned from publication for one month for “spreading propaganda for an illegal organization”. The Institute has also protested at this ban, which is in direct contradiction of the freedom of the press.

Writing to the Turkish Ambassador in London, John Szemerey, chairman of the International Division of the CIoJ, points out that “it is the function of the media to inform its readers of news, without fear or favour.” The Turkish Government must know, he writes, that the PKK is seen by many in the Kurdish part of the country as a freedom movement, and that no Kurdish newspaper, magazine or radio or TV station would be credible if it did not report on the activities and policies of the PKK.

Szemerey, who is also the CIoJ’s representative in Brussels, warns the ambassador that Turkey’s failure to have a free press and its jailing of journalists who report the activities and policies of the PKK will “make it impossible for the countries of the EU to admit Turkey to membership”. Freedom of the media and freedom of speech are basic principles laid down in the European Convention of Human Rights.

“All EU countries have to respect and enforce the freedom of the media and freedom of speech. All EU countries have to live within the law.”

Within the last four years six chief editors of Azadiya Welat have either been jailed for publishing news about the PKK or have had to flee the country to avoid arrest. Ozan Kilinc, Mr.Kursun’s successor as editor of Azadiya Welat, was sentenced to 21 years in prison in February for publishing articles and pictures about the PKK and its jailed leader.

“This is an absolute disgrace, and it reflects badly on Turkey,” says Szemerey.

“It is the duty of the media to report what is happening., to report the truth,” he continues. “Honest and credible media cannot turn a blind eye to the activities of organisations the government does not like.”

Turkey must ensure that is media is free to report the truth, and that its judiciary applies the European Convention of Human Rights in its judgements and decisions. It certainly must do so if it wishes to enter the European Union. All EU countries have to respect and enforce the freedom of the media and freedom of speech. All EU countries have to live within the law.

“Many of us would like to see Turkey in the EU,” concludes Szemerey, “but it has no chance of being admitted to the EU while it does not respect and enforce the freedom of the media.”

Ends+

Note to Editors

Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

RELEASE DATE: 6 APRIL 2010

CIoJ welcomes Select Committee findings

The first job for the ‘Commons Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee after the election should be to push the Department for Communities and Local Government into action over council-run newspapers.

“Having highlighted the breaches on government guidelines for these propaganda sheets, the MPs who will form the new Select Committee should make it their urgent business to see that the controversy is ended once and for all time,” the Chartered Institute of Journalists said today.

The Institute had complained earnestly to the Select Committee during its investigations that these so-called newspapers were a grave threat to the continuance of established local newspapers, were one-sided and were a wrong use of public money at a time of austerity. “The report is a vindication of our views,” said Robin Morgan, Chairman of the Institute’s Professional Practices Board.”

“Generally speaking we welcome the Committee’s findings but there is a long way between its’ recommendations and seeing them put into practice – and the general election will not help speed things through. We hope a new Parliament does not create a new Select Committee membership that has different ideas, throwing our industry’s problems back into the melting pot,” he said.

Ends+

Note to Editors

Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

NEWS RELEASE

Release time: 19 February 2010

The Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) has written to Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and asked for the immediate release of film-maker and freelance journalist Paul Martin.

President of the CIoJ, Liz Justice said: “This was an unprecedented step against a foreign journalist who had properly requested papers to work in Gaza and was approved for a visa to work as a journalist in the country.

“To arrest someone who is willing to go to court to back up a colleague by explaining that they are working as professional journalists goes against everything the CIoJ supports. The freedom of the press to operate objectively and openly is vital to any democracy.”

The CIoJ has also pointed out that British journalists are working with their colleagues across the world to help identify the people responsible for the assassination of the Hamas leader Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai.

“We have pointed out to the Prime Minister that Hamas also need to act responsibility in dealing with press freedoms in their own country. Specifically the International media is focusing on this murder, making it more likely that the perpetrators will be found and any Government behind such action will be deterred from operating that way in the future.

Martin was arrested as a suspect for “harming Gaza’s security” after he appeared at a military court to speak on behalf of Mohammed Abu Muailik. The two had been working together on a documentary about Gaza. Muailik was held in detention in June accused of collaborating with Israel.

Ends+

Notes for Editors:

Formed in 1884, the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) is the world’s oldest established professional body for journalists, and a representative voice of media and communications professionals throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

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A lively, informative visit has been prepared for CIoJ members to Brussels, for meetings at NATO, SHAPE, the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.

Members will spend three days in Brussels, going over on Sunday, 20th June for an early morning departure to NATO the following morning. After NATO the group will have meetings at the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, followed by a half day at SHAPE’s headquarters in Mons on Wednesday, 23rd June. From there members will be taken straight to Brussels’ Midi Station where they will catch the Eurostar back to London.

Costs have been kept down to a minimum, and they will fall even lower if there are 20 persons in the group, as the European Parliament has offered a grant of about €135 (£116.50) per head if the group consists of at least 20.

Members will stay in a very new aparthotel in the very centre of Brussels. It is the Adagio, Brussels Centre Monnaie, on the Boulevard Anspach – just next door to the metro line that takes one straight to the European institutions. It is also only a few steps to the famous Grand’ Place and the excellent restaurants in the Rue des Bouchers. Further, it is right next door to the Brussels casino to which entrance is free, and where one can get modestly-priced meals and drinks. The Adagio, which is on the site of a former department store, opened on 1st December, 2009.

The programme will include a whole day visit to NATO, to hear about NATO’s tasks and activities in post Cold War Europe, and half a day at SHAPE.(Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), the military wing of NATO. Last but not least there will be a half day visit to the European Parliament to hear about the parliament’s increased responsibilities and activities following the coming into effect of the Lisbon Treaty, and to meet members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different political groups.

See OUTLINE PROGRAMME

See COSTS

See BOOKING INFORMATION

Media law in a digital age

Suitable for:

Journalists who need to update their legal knowledge and improve the way they apply it in a digital age.

Duration:

One day – 28 January 2010.

Delivery:

Workshop style: short ‘lectures’, interspersed with discussion, questions and answers, problem solving exercises and practical exercises.

Outline:

• Your notes;

• Your sources;

• Defamation – message boards, UGC, blogs etc;

• Contempt of court – archives, ID;

• Privacy – words and photos;

• Data Protection Act;

• PCC code / Ofcom code;

• Twitter, Facebook and other social media;

• Copyright

Cost:  £100 non-members, £60 members

Course tutor:

The course will be delivered by Cleland Thom, Director, Potential.GB.com – http://www.potential.gb.com/website/about_us.php – who is an expert on media law.

To book:

To book your place on the course contact Head Office for more details and a booking form – 020 7252 1187, memberservices@cioj.co.uk .

DOWNLOAD a booking form here…