NUJ London Digital Media Branch donates to the John Schofield Trust

December 2, 2025

The NUJ London Digital Media Branch has agreed a £1,000 donation to the John Schofield Trust as part of their ‘Big Give’ Christmas campaign – a contribution doubled to £2,000 through match funding, made in memory of our Al Jazeera colleagues killed in Gaza and the hundreds of other journalists in Palestine who have lost their lives simply for doing their jobs.

This follows our statement in the summer condemning the targeted killings of Al Jazeera journalists and media workers. Among them were Anas Al Sharif, Mohammed Qraiqea, Ibrahim Al Thaher and Mohamed Nofal. Seven people went out to report the truth and never came home.

Since 7 October 2023, at least 195 journalists and media workers have been killed, 181 of them Palestinian. It is the deadliest conflict for our profession in living memory. Every loss is a family changed forever, a newsroom silenced, a community left without its storyteller.

Our branch’s donation is made in solidarity with those colleagues, and in recognition of the work still needed to support the next generation of journalists — especially those who come from the very backgrounds our industry continues to let down.

The John Schofield Trust’s work could not be more urgent. Their data from 2024 underlines a newsroom reality that remains stubbornly unequal:

  • 66% of their fellows went to non-selective state schools, in an industry where 43% of Britain’s top journalists were privately educated.
  • 41% of fellows are from minority ethnic backgrounds, compared with 12% of UK journalists overall.
  • 45% were the first in their family to attend higher education — in a sector where 82% of journalists hold a degree.
  • 25% of fellows are disabled, compared with 22% across the industry.
  • 37% identify as LGBTQ+, against 6% in UK TV and radio.
  • 29% were eligible for free school meals — in a profession where 75% of journalists come from the highest social classes.

This is what real change looks like: mentoring, skills, confidence and access for young journalists who might never otherwise get a foot in the door of a newsroom. The Trust’s work is slow, deliberate, and above all else, human – the exact opposite of the violence that took our colleagues’ lives.

Our donation is a small act of remembrance, and a practical one. It says that the journalists we’ve lost mattered – and that the journalists coming up behind them matter too.

The targeting of reporters must end. There must be an independent investigation into these killings, and accountability for those responsible. Press freedom is not a frivolous idea; it is paid for, far too often, in the lives of people who believe the public has a right to know.

We honour those who died by standing with those who still choose to do the work.

If you are able to, we encourage you to support the John Schofield Trust directly through their Big Give campaign. Every donation is doubled during the match-funding window, meaning practical help goes further at a time when it is most needed.

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.

NUJ London Digital Media Branch Statement on the Killing of Al Jazeera Journalists in Gaza

August 13, 2025

The NUJ London Digital Media branch condemns, in the strongest terms, the targeted killings of Al Jazeera journalists and media workers in Gaza on Sunday.

As a branch that includes Al Jazeera colleagues here in London, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our members as they grieve this devastating loss – and especially with the families of journalists Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, and photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher and Mohamed Nofal.

Seven lives were taken — camera operators, correspondents, friends and colleagues — people who showed the world the reality of war at unimaginable personal risk. They should be with their families today; instead, we mourn them, we remember them, and we honour their work.

Since 7 October 2023, at least 195 journalists and media workers have been killed, 181 of them Palestinian. This is the deadliest conflict for our profession in living memory. Every name on that list is not only a colleague lost, but a voice silenced and a community left without its storyteller.

The targeting of journalists must stop immediately, with a full and independent investigation into these killings, and justice and accountability for those responsible.

We urge members, friends and allies to join vigils and protests in the days ahead. Show the world that the killing of journalists will not be met with silence. Show the world that, even in the darkest days, the truth still matters.

Press freedom is not an abstract ideal – it is paid for, too often, in the lives of those who believe the public has a right to know. 

We will not forget them, and we will not stop demanding the truth they gave their lives to tell.

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.