Not a rival
Sir: Richard West's excellent article (9 July) on the redundancy of the National Union of Journalists was marred by his dismissal of the Institute of Journalists as a 'rival' to the NUJ. While this definition of the loJ might be convenient shorthand for those, like Richard West, who fully understand the relationship between the two groups, it can only present a totally misleading view of that relationship to anyone else.
The IoJ is not a 'rival' to the NUJ. It exists to offer journalists a much needed alternative to the NUJ's socialist militancy in which the two roles that such a body should play — those of the trade union and professional association — are given their due importance (the NUJ eschews the duties of a professional association in its efforts to prove its solidarity with the working class). The fact that the NUJ sees the Institute as a rival is evidence only of its insecurity. Why else should a union with some 200,000 members be frightened of one with a mere 3,000?
Charles W. Harris, loJ (ex-NUJ) 9 Woodlands, North Harrow, Middlesex
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