Natasha Hirst opens DM 2025
The NUJ president's passionate speech underlined the intersectionality and solidarity that underpins the union's work.
Natasha Hirst, NUJ president, opened DM 2025 by thanking members, reps, branches and council members for their dedicated contributions to the NUJ.
Hirst acknowledged the importance of fostering a sense of community within the union given the increasingly isolated and fragmented nature of journalism: “It's more important than ever to ensure that every member has a home within the union.”
Given the diversity of the union’s membership, Hirst emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive environment where members from different sectors can form a collective voice and shape the union’s work.
The union’s president recalled highlights from her time on the National Executive Committee (NEC), including recruiting new activists, reviving the LGBT+ network alongside James Doherty, and increasing participation of students and early career members.
Hirst gave special thanks Caroline Holmes, the NUJ’s reps trainer, and branches for organising socials and encouraging members to get involved in the union’s democratic processes. Hirst highlighted the work of Edinburgh Freelance Branch, who organised weekly meetings during the pandemic. Hirst also thanked Gerry Curran, NUJ vice-president, for his review of industrial councils, as well as Christ Frost, NUJ Ethics council chair, for his work on subscription structures.
Hirst paid tribute to Michelle Stanistreet, former NUJ general secretary. She said:
“Michelle fiercely protected journalists and journalism. She has left a significant imprint on the NUJ and the wider trade union movement.”
She also extended a warm welcome to the union’s new general secretary Laura Davison.
Natasha Hirst, NUJ president, opens DM 2025 alongside Seamus Dooley, Laura Davison, and Debbie Cavaldoro.
© Jess Hurd
Hirst then focused on her personal experience as a trade unionist and disability activist. After surviving domestic abuse and living in a women’s refuge, Hirst saw little way of returning to her career as a photojournalist:
“Any survivor knows that justice is rarely achieved and sometimes the only justice we will have is to live our lives as fully as we can. The NUJ has helped me to do that. Once I realised that I didn’t have to negotiate this world alone, that I had power as part of a collective, it changed my world view. I share this because it's so important for people to realise the power of trade unions to make a difference, in our own lives and for others.”
Looking ahead to the 150+ motions on the Delegate Meeting agenda, the NUJ’s president acknowledged the potential for polarised views on certain topics and that healthy debate is crucial to strengthening the union’s work.
Hirst underlined the principles of intersectionality and solidarity that underpin the NUJ’s work. “Our union is small but mighty. It’s a cliché that we punch way above our weight but it’s true. We are still standing, still fighting when so many other smaller unions are not.”
Hirst called on delegates to share stories of what difference the union has made to them. Concluding with the “immortal words of Bill and Ted”, Hirst urged delegates to “be excellent to each other.”