US TV reporter rallies support over Iraq sacking
Late Notice Motion 15, regarding the health and safety of journalists, was passed following a passionate speech from US journalist Richard Gizbert.
Mr Gizbert, who was sacked by ABC News for refusing to go to Iraq, won an employment tribunal, which said he had been unfairly sacked by ABC News. It is the first time that health and safety provisions in UK employment law have been used to protect journalists.
This is not just an American case or one that concerns only war correspondants; the health and safety provisions are relevant to all journalists. Mr Gizbert noted that the laws could be applied to journalists who had been asked to cover the recent Hemel Hempstead oil fires, or to those sent to cover a train crash.
The case is a landmark one, and Mr Gizbert asked for the support of the NUJ to uphold the verdict, which could be used as precedent in similar, future cases.
Jeremy Dear, in an appeal for support, also highlighted another concern regarding Mr Gizbert's case. ABC has filed an appeal of the December verdict that said Mr Gizbert was protected by UK health and safety provisions. Now, while the case proceeds, ABC are driving up Mr Gizbert's costs, leaving him in debt until compensation is paid. The General Secretary urges NUJ members to donate to Mr Gizbert's cause, as it is one that affects all journalists.
Donations should be made to: Richard Gizbert Legal Defence Fund, c/o NUJ, Headland House, 308 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP.
Mr Gizbert, who was sacked by ABC News for refusing to go to Iraq, won an employment tribunal, which said he had been unfairly sacked by ABC News. It is the first time that health and safety provisions in UK employment law have been used to protect journalists.
This is not just an American case or one that concerns only war correspondants; the health and safety provisions are relevant to all journalists. Mr Gizbert noted that the laws could be applied to journalists who had been asked to cover the recent Hemel Hempstead oil fires, or to those sent to cover a train crash.
The case is a landmark one, and Mr Gizbert asked for the support of the NUJ to uphold the verdict, which could be used as precedent in similar, future cases.
Jeremy Dear, in an appeal for support, also highlighted another concern regarding Mr Gizbert's case. ABC has filed an appeal of the December verdict that said Mr Gizbert was protected by UK health and safety provisions. Now, while the case proceeds, ABC are driving up Mr Gizbert's costs, leaving him in debt until compensation is paid. The General Secretary urges NUJ members to donate to Mr Gizbert's cause, as it is one that affects all journalists.
Donations should be made to: Richard Gizbert Legal Defence Fund, c/o NUJ, Headland House, 308 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP.
posted by Sarah Shaffi at
10:28 AM
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