Author: Donnacha DeLong

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Donnacha DeLong is an NUJ activist, journalist and online communications consultant with more than 20 years' professional experience.

Draft DM motions

October 26, 2026

The following motions have already been proposed and accepted by the branch. However, they are open to amendment before submission after the meeting on 11 November.

BDS

This DM notes the vote by the TUC in Brighton to back the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement earlier this year. DM recalls DM 2007 voting to follow the TUC’s lead in relation to boycotting Israel.

DM therefore instructs the NEC to support the TUC position and to produce material for members on how they can support the movement.

Proposed by Donnacha.

Term limits

DM instructs the NEC to amend the rules to give effect to the principle that no person shall be elected to the same role on any NUJ council or committee for more than five consecutive terms (or 10 years, whichever is shorter).

DM instructs the NEC to ensure that this rule change does not apply to anyone elected to a national officer position on the NEC.

DM further instructs the NEC to ensure that there is no restriction on any person seeking election to another role or to their previous role after taking a break of one election cycle.

Proposed by Donnacha.

The following motion was agreed in principle, but the text was unfortunately hidden in the branch’s spam folder. The motion can be amended if needed and agreed at the 11 Nov meeting.

Defending UK jobs and functions in international media

This DM is concerned by the continued reduction of London and UK operations by international news agencies and media organisations, including the transfer of editorial, production and technical functions to lower-cost locations overseas.

This DM believes that these changes can take place gradually, through the transfer of functions, knowledge and responsibilities before formal redundancies are proposed, making it harder for individual chapels to identify the cumulative impact until decisions are well advanced.

This DM further believes that the continued loss of skilled UK media jobs risks weakening collective bargaining, reducing career opportunities and eroding the experience and expertise on which high-quality journalism depends.

This DM instructs the NEC, in consultation with the relevant sector councils, to develop a coordinated NUJ strategy for international media employers, including:

  • improving information-sharing between affected chapels, branches and sector councils about restructuring and the movement of work;
  • supporting chapels seeking early and meaningful consultation where employers are considering the transfer, outsourcing, substantial reduction or displacement of UK-based roles or functions;
  • providing coordinated organising and industrial support where jobs or functions are threatened; and
  • monitoring the cumulative movement of roles and functions out of the UK across multinational media organisations.

This DM further instructs the NEC to report progress on this work to the relevant sector councils and branches.

Proposed by George.

The branch also agreed to draft motions on the following subjects:

  1. The LGBT+ crackdown in Turkey.
  2. The attacks on trans rights in the UK.
  3. Increasing hostility to journalists.
  4. A motion on recruitment.

Solidarity with Mariam Elsayeh Ibrahim

October 15, 2025

The committee of the NUJ London digital media branch condemns the Islamophobic attacks on our fellow journalist Mariam Elsayeh Ibrahim, who spoke to our branch meeting on 14 October. Since she was written about on a pro-Israeli propaganda site, she has been targeted by Zionists and the far right. She has been falsely accused of extremism simply because she has been vocal against Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza.
Our branch is very aware of the impact of the attack on Gaza on journalists in the territory, but we should also be aware of the impact on journalists at home.
The NUJ has long defended its members against illegitimate attacks that go far beyond libel. From RedWatch to the threats of armed groups in Northern Ireland, attacks on journalists online too often translate into violence on the ground.
While most critics of Israeli violence are accused of antisemitism, Mariam has been accused of extremism simply because she is visibly a Muslim woman. This is Islamophobia and is unacceptable. This branch stands with all of its Muslim members in the face of Islamophobic attacks.

DM 2025 motions

November 18, 2024

It’s time for the branch to draft its motions for the DM. However, we have a slight problem – our next branch meeting is not until after the deadline (the problem with pre-booking venues!).

As a result, we’re calling an emergency online meeting on 21 November to agree our motions ahead of the deadline.

The invite link will be emailed to members, it can also be received from donnacha.delong@talktalk.net

Draft motions will be added here in advance of the meeting. If you have something you’d like to propose, please email donnacha.delong@talktalk.net

Draft motions proposed by Donnacha DeLong:

motions draftsDownload

We can also nominate people to the NUJ’s councils and committees. If you’re interested in being nominated/renominated, please get in touch.

Israel motion

November 28, 2023

The following motion was passed at tonight’s branch meeting.

At the time of writing, more than 14,000 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza. The scale of suffering inflicted on the captive population beggars belief. Several humanitarian organisations have described the ongoing atrocities as genocide and ethnic cleansing. This branch is horrified by the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians, churches, mosques, hospitals and universities. An immediate, permanent ceasefire is overdue.

This branch abhors the targeting of civilians by Israel and Hamas and welcomes the release of those held by both sides. The branch notes that many of those released by Israel, including children, had been held in administrative detention without charge or trial.

This branch is especially concerned about the situation of journalists, particularly those in Gaza, who continue to be prevented from doing their job by Israeli troops and by the restrictions imposed. The branch is horrified that at least 58 journalists and media workers have been killed covering Israel/Palestine since 7 October, according to the International Federation of Journalists. Targeting journalists is a breach of international law.

This branch is deeply concerned about how many media outlets have portrayed Palestinian civilians compared to Israelis, as well as the censorship and retribution that some journalists and media workers in Britain have said they are facing in response to their support for Palestinians.

This branch believes:

  • That journalists should not be censored for their support of Palestine.
  • That journalists have the right to freedom of expression.
  • That the role of the media is to report fairly, accurately and impartially, avoiding reliance on a single source and making every effort to ensure that inaccurate information is not broadcast.

This branch resolves:

  1. To respond to the call from the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate and the IFJ and to donate £1,000 to the IFJ Safety Fund.
  2. To call on the NEC to donate to the Medical Aid for Palestinians.
  3. To contact the NEC to support the holding of an open meeting for NUJ members across all branches to discuss the situation in Palestine, its coverage in the British media and how this is impacting NUJ members.
  4. To give practical and financial assistance (up to £400) to putting on the meeting and any subsequent organising around the issue.

Recent recognitions

June 1, 2021

In the last year, our members have achieved trade union recognition after long campaigns.

Members at Alaraby achieved recognition in June 2020: NUJ secures deal to represent journalists at Alaraby TV

Members at Iran International achieved recognition a few weeks ago: NUJ wins recognition at Iran International

Members at openDemocracy achieved recognition only last week: NUJ welcomes recognition at openDemocracy

Recognition means that the employer agrees to negotiate important issues with the union, including pay and conditions. Organising for recognition involves recruiting enough eligible people so that the majority of the “bargaining unit”, the agreed section of the overall staff the NUJ seeks to recognise, are members.

Then the union will formally contact the employer and ask for voluntary recognition. If they refuse, the union may engage in a formal recognition process through the Central Arbitration Committee. This is a long and complicated procedure and less than ideal.

If any chapel or group of members who have not yet organised into a chapel want help and support starting the process of organising for recognition, please get in touch with the branch. We have people who can advise you and also have funds to support activities.