NUJ statement on DUP and Amanda Ferguson
Union warns of the "dangerous precedent" preventing access to cover the DUP conference would have caused.
Ian McGuinness, NUJ Irish Organiser, said:
"The attempt by the DUP to prevent NUJ member Amanda Ferguson from covering the party’s conference at the weekend would have set a dangerous precedent, if it succeeded.
"Amanda was informed that she was being refused entry because of her coverage of abortion and because she participated in an Ireland’s Future event. This was an effort to deny accreditation to a renowned freelance journalist, just because some in the party did not like what she had written or because she attended an event to contribute to public debate. That is not acceptable if society is to maintain media freedom, which is essential in any democracy.
"Amanda is a distinguished reporter and commentator and writes for a number of high profile national and international publishers. The NUJ fully supports her right, and the right of all journalists, to cover events – such as the DUP party conference – that are in the public interest.
"While the NUJ welcomes the decision to overturn the attempt to exclude her, it should not have happened in the first place and must not happen again."
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