NUJ to address Scottish Government about threats made to Scottish football journalists
A number of Scottish football journalists have come in for threats from far-right groups, according to The Journalist – the house magazine of the National Union of Journals.
And the situation is judged to be so serious that Paul Holleran, the NUJ’s Glasgow-based Scottish organiser, is raising concerns over the threats with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond.
The move follows claims of threats and defamatory comments made on unofficial football supporters’ websites.
Holleran told The Journalist: "We are aware of several journalists working in the area of Scottish football that have been threatened and smeared...
“This is a health and safety issue and a press freedom issue. We are aware of several journalists working in the area of Scottish football that have been threatened and smeared on unofficial supporters’ websites.
“These people are no ordinary football fans; they are far-right elements using intimidatory behaviour to attack journalists who dare to write copy they disagree with.
“One Glasgow-born freelance journalist who has been attacked through the websites is the NUJ’s Irish Executive Council member Phil Mac Giolla Bhain.
“He [Bhain] said he had been targeted since writing on the politics of Scottish football three years ago. The targeting of journalists comes amid increasing tension in Scottish football.
“Celtic manager Neil Lennon, a high-profile Irish Catholic, has been sent bullets and letter bombs and was assaulted at a match in Edinburgh. Mr Lennon has been the target of a vicious online campaign - particularly on Facebook, where pages urging his injury and death have been set up. Although as soon as administrators take them down, others then tend to spring up.”
Holleran pointed out: “Alex Salmond has already spoken out against this behaviour as unacceptable, and I hope we can agree steps to prevent publication of this bigoted diatribe which borders on fascism.
“I know that Mr Salmond and the SNP want to be seen to be cleaning up Scotland. They can start with these toxic websites that defame and threaten our members and other people. The world is watching Scotland.”
The newly-elected Scottish government is currently fast- tracking measures to deal with football bigotry. Ministers are examining proposals on making sectarian misconduct at soccer matches a specific criminal offence - carrying a five-year prison sentence.
Aspects of Holleran’s allegations feature in UK media pundit Roy Greenslade’s blog on The Guardian’s media website, and the articlehas already attracted 60 comments.