Of that age...

Age is a serious issue for me these days.

Dealing with ageism against women broadcasters who just happen to have passed the 45 year mark;

coping with the ageing process of my own body and mind, battered by stressors of this great job;

watching grandchildren appear among extended family and friends;

and hearing of the death of another friend or colleague.

All of these things remind me that we only have a limited time on this world (unless there is some truth in stories about re-incarnation). So I constantly wonder and ask why don't we, as a society live and behave in a manner designed to creat less havoc, stress and pain to each other. I know - very philosophical today. The current capitalist crisis and the chosen way of responding to it, is going to be the cause of much grief with jobs and services being reduced affecting millions of people.

The NUJ Scottish Executive were criticised by some members last week for getting involved in a street rally to complain and campaign against the coalition proffered solutions. I can understand journalists who are concerned about impartiality and objectivity being affected by this political stance. However we are a trade union and it is our duty to seek and argue for alternatives to job cuts and worsening pay and conditions impacting on the living wage. It doesn't mean all NUJ members are against the coalition or for another political road to salvation. It does mean that democracy and accountability are alive and kicking. One - for the union to get involved and two - for members to complain.

In Cameroon and too many other places around the world, journalists can do neither. Indeed my friend Charles Atangana an NUJ member seeking asylum in this country is such a journalist. Arrested, stripped and beaten for daring to write critical articles against the corruption of his government. He moved to Scotland six years ago, seeking sanctuary from his torturers. Earlier this month he joined me on stage at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow presenting awards to journalists at an Oxfam/NUJ sponsored event. Ironically he was a judge and presenter of the broadcast awards to Radio Clyde and STV, both pieces were thoughtful snatches of journalism on the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers. He was arrested a week later by immigration police and shipped down to detention centres in England with no notice and faced immediate deportation to Cameroon and almost certain violence and death.

Fortunately his lawyers were able to prevent the deportation, but the campaign for Charles to get full asylum status is now in full gear. The NUJ, Refugee Council, Oxfam, Parkhead Citizens Advice Bureau where he worked as a voluntary adviser, are all gearing up to show that he is a worthy and essential case for asylum and sanctuary. As a journalist who held his government to account we should all empathise with his plight and demand that this country behave in a civilised manner. They should abide by Article 3 of the EHCR and fight against torture (particularly of journalists) and allow Charles to stay here in safety and then let him work as a journalist to earn his pay and keep on challenging the powers that be.

Maybe his life was saved by the action this week, which goes to show it serves us well never to give up the good fight. Another friend of mine had less chance to fight last week. I had known Rab Soutar for around 32 years. He was an FoC in the old print unions and worked as a skilled print artisan in Govan Press, the Jewish Chronicle and Greenock Telegraph, he had been paid off a few times and was working in the BBC in a non-skilled position. Rab was found dead in a side room in Pacific Quay after a massive heart attack, he was the same age as me. I will miss him every time I go through those doors and remember how he fought the good fight and keep in mind the vulnerability of age.