Journalists: 100 Years of the NUJ

Since the National Union of Journalists was founded in 1907, the processes of journalism and the position of journalists in society have both changed immeasurably. Until the 1960s few women were members of the NUJ; now they outnumber men. Rolling broadcast and internet news coverage have created an unprecedented demand for news stories. And whereas journalists were often distrusted or looked down on 100 years ago, journalism is now a fashionable career choice. Today, bruised by the Hutton Report in 2004, divided by the values of public broadcasting and the private press, and struggling against political censorship, the hired hands of journalism rely as much as ever on the NUJ to represent them, negotiate for them and defend them when necessary. This generously illustrated new history of the NUJ describes a rich array of personalities and significant events, focusing particularly on the last 50 years. Its detailed picture of strikes, in-fighting, defeat and achievement gives a fascinating insight into not only union history but also the development of journalism and its place in society today.