The National Union of Journalists has accepted two independent web-based news publications, Malaysiakini and Radiqradio , as associate members.

In a letter to malaysiakini dated July 26, NUJ general secretary Hong Boon How said the organisation, which represents the welfare interests of some 1,400 journalists in the country, decided unanimously on this at its executive council meeting recently.

The associate membership, instead of a full membership, was "in view of non-existence of a [NUJ] branch at your organisation to represent workers' collective rights and wage bargaining", he said.

Under the NUJ

constitution, associate members are not eligible to become officer bearers in the organisation and cannot vote at any of its meetings.

The two web-based dailies first submitted their applications to join the union in early 2000. Although initially approved by the exco, the applications were put on hold pending clarification from the Registrar of Societies then as there was no clear provision in the NUJ constitution for Internet journalists.

Overdue recognition

When contacted, Radiqradio welcomed the "long, overdue recognition" by NUJ.

However, they regretted that they were only accorded the status of associate members which, they said, was due to the lack of opportunity given by NUJ for them to negotiate for the setting up of a branch.

"Radiqradio does not have sufficient members but we hope to negotiate with other web-based news publications to form an online branch of NUJ," said news editor V Gayathry, naming malaysiakini as a possible partner.

To set up a branch, a minimum of 15 members is required.

Meanwhile, malaysiakini news editor K Kabilan also welcomed the move and added that malaysiakini will now move towards setting up its own NUJ branch.

"We have the sufficient number of members to form our own branch.

"We will look into working with Radiqradio on this matter. At the same time, we will impress upon NUJ to accord us full recognition as members," he said.