Delegates slam hateful media

REFUGEE CRISIS: Journalists vowed at the weekend not to become “foot soldiers for hate” by delivering balanced coverage of Europe’s refugee crisis.

In a debate on government policy, delegates unanimously backed a motion accusing the government of “doing its utmost to dehumanise the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing war and desperate poverty in the Middle East and North Africa” and of “helping create a humanitarian crisis involving over a quarter of a million people.”

The conference backed a motion recognising the role of parts of the British media in “stoking up hatred” against immigrants and said: “The need for accurate, truthful reporting has never been greater and never more difficult.”

NUJ renews ‘vital’ support for doctors

JUNIOR DOCTORS: NUJ delegates sent a renewed message of support to the junior doctors and their union the British Medical Association.

The union urged its 25,000 members to support the doctors locally in whatever way they could in their dispute against Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Delegate Paul Jenner told the conference: “This is a defining moment to protect the NHS. The doctors need our support. If they are defeated, more than a million NHS staff will be targeted next.”