Publicity

3 January 2007 - 5:45pm — Janet

It is not always easy to make the news, and it is important to keep trying!

“Publicity is vitally important to any campaign in raising public awareness, contacting and connecting with like-minded individuals and groups, and updating those involved and public alike to any developments or victories.

The Long Walk for Peace and Faslane 365 (which is, of course, still on-going) have succeeded in bringing together people from very diverse backgrounds and areas of the globe, all working autonomously toward their shared goal of nuclear disarmament and a more peaceful society. Many of these individuals have also worked hard to ensure that the word is our and spread by contacting local and national news and radio, often resulting in growing media interest and subsequently a higher profile.”

When I came into the Centre to see what the newsletter pixies had sent for January, I found the words above drafted on a piece of paper. It went on to mention a list of articles which I was not able to locate. I can however direct the reader to www.faslane365.org/links/press_coverage and www.scotland4peace/news which give a tasty selection of what the media picked up.
Browse the press releases and reports of the work and passion and action is necessary to obtain the vital “publicity”. I recommend it.
Trident, increasing insecurity and wasting resources badly needed for real needs, has been debated. The debate is not recognised. The recently revealed correspondance between Blair and Bush committing this country to this expenditure demonstrates Blair's 'debate' and Brown's 'personal opinion' as a travesty of democracy. The replacement or upgrading of Trident completely disregards the views of the majority of people in this country, its spiritual leaders and its trade unions.

On the Thursday before Christmas we saw ex CND members, now MSPs disregard the electorate. We were delighted at Malcolm Chisholm's stand and thank and congratulate him. (That was reported)We were moved by Chris Ballance's responsible and well argued appeal to his colleagues to follow their consciences rather than party whips (Not reported).

We cried shame on the politicians as we left the public gallery. And shame on journalists who treat the issue as a foregone conclusion, hold off from giving a clear and open account of events and neglect to report accurately on the activities of those who work for peace.