NUJP National Union of Journalists of the philippines

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, NUJP for short, is a lateral guild committed to securing the interests of the Filipino working press. It binds journalists to a covenant to ethical conduct and commitment to the public trust.

The union seeks to promote and safeguard the economic interest and social well-being of the working press, upgrade professional skills, raise the standards of journalistic ethics, carry out welfare program for its members, and foster fraternal solidarity with all journalists everywhere. The union stands on three legs: unity, integrity and dignity for the working press.

Technically, it cannot bargain collectively under the Labor Code which recognizes only vertical unions, unlike in other countries, where tripartism guides the conduct of industrial relations. But precisely because it is a guild, the NUJP can employ the tools of collective action to achieve its ends of improving wages and working conditions as well as the level of skills in the profession.

The union shall employ persuasive means and engage in both institutional and popular campaigns to achieve its ends. It shall establish welfare programs for the working press, initiate dialogues with employers, carry out industry surveys and studies, establish a system of welfare benefits for the journalist, carry out skills-upgrading seminars and workshops, conducts forums on issues affecting the working press, draft and pursue lobby work for media legislation, provide legal assistance to journalists and functions as a sentinel organization to secure the constitutional guarantee of press freedom.

On the contrary, the NUJP complements the work of existing media unions, particularly during the bargaining time. A newspaper union may not negotiate special wage rates for journalists without being accused of engaging in selective or class bargaining. But it may fall back on any legitimate study or recommendations for an industry wage level for the working press to support any effort to upgrade the journalist's pay. As for the union- shop clause, the NUJP does not have the character of a bargaining agent for it to infringe on such a clause.

The union encompasses all Filipino media practitioners, whether in print broadcast or electronics media. Under its Constitution and By-Laws, working journalists in newspaper publications, magazines, radio stations, television channels and news network shall be enrolled as Regular Members. Practitioners in advertising, public relations and allied professions, journalism professors and students as well as campus journalists are accepted as Associate Members.

For purposes of membership, the By-Laws qualify the working journalist “xxx engaged in news gathering, writing, editing, copyreading, processing or other editorial activities for newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation, or radio station or television channel or network, or news agency." (Sec. 1, Article III, By-Laws)

An applicant must fill up a nomination form that may be secured from any existing union local or from the secretariat itself at its offices. The applicant has to be nominated by the union's local or any responsible leader of the NUJP and certified by the News Editor or his equivalent, and must sign the Union Covenant attested by two witnesses. The application is then forwarded to the Commission on Membership and Organization for the final screening, and then deliberated on by the Directorate.

Membership may be lost by death, voluntary resignation or loss of status as a working journalist. It may also be canceled for cause of non-payment of dues and other accounts with the Union, conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude, violations of the Code of Ethics, or any act or acts, covert or overt, inimical to the interest of the Union and the working press.

Upon enrolment in the union roster, the member may avail himself of any of the services provided by the Union, participate in any of its skills-upgrading programs, and qualify for any scholarships or grants secured by the NUJP. The members shall be provided a Union card, a certificate of membership and be regularly informed of Union activities and projects.

DIARISTA. A newsletter that shall be provided every member in whichever part of the country.

NUJP PRESS FREEDOM FUND. This fund provides financial help to the families of slain or incapacitated journalists.

JOURNALISM WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND TRAININGS. A series on skills-upgrading that is intended to help the members advance professionally. Also included are trainings and seminars on safety.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE. Its aim is primarily to provide the member not only in the event of libel suits but in other types of litigation where he/she may not be able to afford the legal cost.

INDUSTRY-WIDE SURVEY OF WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS. This study is intended to form the basis for any moves that the Union shall undertake toward improving the economic lot of the member in particular and the working press in general.

THE NUJP WEBSITE (www.nujp.org). This website features updates, statements and other information on the union and media-related events. Members are entitled to a free NUJP email (e.g., juandelacruz@nujp.org).

The NUJP is a council-type working organization whose day-to-day affairs are managed by a Directorate of 15 national offices -- a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman, a Secretary-General, a Treasurer, an Auditor, and 15 Directors -- elected to serve a tenure of 2 years,

These are the Secretariat, and the Commissions on Membership and Organization, Internal Affairs (discipline), External Affairs (linkages). Finance, Welfare, Education and Research, Information, Women Journalists, Protection of Journalists, Trade Union and Guilds, Community Media, Foreign Media, Broadcast Media, News Photographers, and Editorial Cartoonists.

The National Directorate is the highest policy-making body of the NUJP in the interim period between Congresses, responsible only to the National Congress for its acts. It carries out tasks and implements operational plans laid by the General Membership through the Congress.

It is the supreme authority of the Union and consists of all NUJP Locals assembled in Convention once every two years to elect the National Directorate, review and assess existing programs, and lay down plans. In between Congresses, the NUJP Locals assemble as a National Council to perform the same functions except the election of officers.

All locals, regardless of size, are entitled to only one vote in any general election, plebiscite or referendum, provided they have at least 10 regular members in good standing. Each local is entitled to send at least one delegate and as many alternates to participate in any assembly called by the Directorate.

Within the structural framework of the NUJP, the Local constitutes the smallest unit of membership. It shall be organized in every province and city. except in Metro Manila (National Capital Region) where the local grouping shall be by newspaper, radio/TV station, and news network. (Section 1-2. Article VI. By-Laws)

Leadership in the Union Local shall be exercised by a Committee to include a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and Council Members. The Committee Officers shall have a tenure of one year and shall be constituted in election at least 30 days before every National Congress. It may be dissolved for cause at any time by a simple majority of the National Directorate. (Section 3, Article VI, By-Laws)

For operational purposes, the Local's Committee shall be responsible to the National Directorate, and shall exercise only those functions and powers specifically assigned to it by the National Directorate under the provisions of the Union's Constitution and By-Laws. It shall not engage in any activity contravening policies set forth by the directorate or in violation of the Code of Ethics, or the Union's Constitution and By-Laws. (Section 3, Article VI. By-Laws)

• It shall function as the implementing arm of the National Directorate;

• It shall accept, process and recommend action on application for membership in its area of jurisdiction and serve as a conduit for the extension of services to the members;

• It shall keep a faithful record of the Union Local's activities;

• It shall furnish the National Directorate with reports, minutes of meetings and other pertinent documents on a regular basis;

• It shall collect membership fees and dues and remit the same to the National Directorate;

• It shall undertake its own projects or activities, after prior approval from the National Directorate;

• It shall monitor cases of unfair labor practice, harassment, violations of the Code and the like, of such and directly inform the Directorate as promptly as possible;

• It shall perform other tasks as provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws of the NUJP.

The Code of Discipline is governed by the Journalists Code of Ethics which sets the ethical standard for media practitioners in the exercise of their profession. The Code was unanimously adopted on July 30,1988 by the NUJP's Founding Congress at the Bulwagang Plaridel of the National Press Club.

Are there exemptions to the code of discipline?The Code is absolutely binding on all members of the NUJP, including the Directorate. Any violation shall be tried as such by the Commission on Internal Affairs under the provisions of Section 9-A and Section 10-A of Article III, empowering it to try cases involving breach of discipline.